AWW 09.06.2007 - Summer Feast, Benagil

Working up an appetite - or a thirst!

I must admit, it was with some trepidation that we returned from our Eastern Odyssey to discover that the Big Benagil Bacchanalian Bash had been organised by our Back to Basics - Beer and Butties rep, Ian S., but these fears later proved unfounded. Indeed the pre-lunch walk along the coast from Benagil was an extremely pleasant appetiser, although only 11 of the 30 odd diners deemed it necessary to pre-burn the calories they would inevitably collect later!

The Walk: Leader: Ian S.
Followers: Marguerite; Diane & Ian W.; John & Hazel, Mick and Sylvia; Myriam and Paul; Janet.
Guest appearance (non-volunteer) Maio; Shorty.
Distance: 5 km: Time 1 hr 15 mins. Tilley Hats: 4/11

Hazel takes it to the edge

On the way out along this beautiful and popular section of the coast we saw these two 'schooners' which were carrying tourists and enhancing the scenery. Also a film crew were filming a couple of models on one of the beaches, but alas our route did not include a descent from the cliffs to ogle! On the negative side, on our return ramble, a rather ugly large catamaran appeared to be hosting a 'rave' of young people and was polluting the atmosphere by playing inordinately loud bass and drums music from a set of speakers and amps that would have been adequate for Wembley Stadium. We dissed their street cred by resolutely refusing to take a picture as they made their noisy progress!





Myriam stalks Jonathan Livingstone

The seagull in this picture obviously didn't realise he was being approached by an omnivore that had been devouring the flora, fauna and exotic fowls of South east Asia recently.

We returned to Cafe Lamy before 1230, enabling Ian to promptly run a taste test on the draught Sagres which appeared to be to his satisfaction. The crowd began gathering in earnest, and we eventually took our seats and had some hot well cooked but basic Chicken piri-piri or sea bass (robalo). The wine supplied (not from the Wine Mine on this occasion) was adequate, but not so good that it encouraged excessive gargling and lewd behaviour.
Our congratulations to Ian on his organisation and for a splendid end of season event.





The eastern side of the table




The western side of the table



The South Western Annexe!



Pre-lunch circulation - note the untouched water bottles!

Lindsey had laboriously compiled a set of walking statistics for the season, which apparently officially ends today, and announced that she would like a successor as Secretary/dogsbody, a post that Janet has eagerly assumed. Thanks to Lindsey for a wonderful job. A discussion arose as to whether some of the remaining funds should be given away to charity, but a subsequent email from Lindsey reveals there may be some more mileage in discussing this at sub-committee level.

Here are the season's attendance stats:

For the record - We had a total of 36 walks organized but 3 were cancelled.

John Hope walked 29 walks, Lindsey 23; David L. & Ian Scott 21; Janet & Paul 19;

Antje, Rod, Mike & Ian Wilson 16; Chris & Andrew 14; Elaine & Myriam 13; Hazel 10.

Leaders -

David L. led 8 walks

Rod led 6 walks

Ian Scott & Mike 5 walks

Paul 4 walks

Ian Wilson & Chris 2 walks

Hedley & Stan 1 walk

My personal thanks to John H for ably stepping into the breach to keep the blog even more accurate and incisive than before, and for his role as Chief Paparazzi.

John H. with his 'big one'!

I will finish this season's blog with a few, I hope relevant and inspirational quotes:

Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness. I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it. ~Soren Kierkegaard

Walking takes longer... than any other known form of locomotion except crawling. Thus it stretches time and prolongs life. Life is already too short to waste on speed. ~Edward Abbey, "Walking"

The true charm of pedestrianism does not lie in the walking, or in the scenery, but in the talking. The walking is good to time the movement of the tongue by, and to keep the blood and the brain stirred up and active; the scenery and the woodsy smells are good to bear in upon a man an unconscious and unobtrusive charm and solace to eye and soul and sense; but the supreme pleasure comes from the talk. ~Mark Twain

A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world. ~Paul Dudley White

When you have worn out your shoes, the strength of the shoe leather has passed into the fiber of your body. I measure your health by the number of shoes and hats and clothes you have worn out. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson


See you all at SparrowsFart!!
Paulo à Pé

AWW 06.06.2007 Cansado Carousel

The starters at Café Cansado. The start was much delayed, Mike being in such a munificent mood that he authorised a coffee detail. This photo was taken before a rather assertive gentleman turned up in an off-white van and pointed out that our first come - first served and devil-take-the-hindmost Parking Policy had resulted in his passage being blocked. As The Hindmost, I was only too happy to have certain cars which were taking up too much space rearranged.( NB The Red One!). However in the excitement of taking this pic, and running around to avoid the cars being reparked, Myriam managed to drop her camera battery, recently purchased by me in Hong Kong for $99, and so took no further part in the photography with her camera, until we returned and did a fingertip search, resulting in the battery being located beneath Lindsey's reparked car. (This version may appear below from a slightly different viewpoint - which just goes to show that history is written by the winners and Chief Bloggers!
John H appeared unduly eager to abdicate from his responsibilities as Blogger in Locum, and as I am having to relearn the whole process, not having blogged for over two months, this blog may fall a little short of the professional standards achieved hitherto. However you will have a nice expandable map of the route taken if I can get it to upload!





Track of the route starting at Café Cansado in the bottom RH corner in Arao.

Without more ado let us hear from the leader in his own inimitable style!

Walk Report – ‘Bravura Ridgetops’ - 6th June, 2008

With temperatures rising a shorter walk was selected. This also took into consideration the fitness levels of those who had recently returned from an over indulgence in the fleshpots of the PRC.

Walk statistics: Moving time: 3 hours 9 mins; Total time: 3 hours 28 mins; Moving ave: 4.4 kph; Overall ave: 4.0 kph; Total ascent: 354 m; Max elev: 155 m. (noted for the benefit of AWW statistical junkies).

Walkers: Lindsey, Myriam, Paul, Rod, John and Hazel, John O’Neill, Brian and Mike

Dogs: Oscar and Pooky

Shillelaghs: 1

Start/End point: Café/bar Cansado, Arão

Ostensible leader: Mike; de facto leader: Lindsey who directed the walk, using a bamboo diagram chart, with great charm and ruthless efficiency.

Possibly an all time record was set of 15 minutes between official and actual start time. This was due to a number of factors. Firstly, a nameless couple phoned in distress some 6 km northwards, asking for start point directions. In future directions should appear in both Cantonese and Mandarin. Morale rose considerably when a most shapely young lady parked her car with the rest and hopes rose amongst the male walkers that she was a guest walker. Sadly she deposited her trash in the nearby trash bins and drove off. Morale plummeted. At this point Myriam lost a vital battery for her camera, not to be retrieved until our return.

No it was a pirate battery - not a vampire battery!!

The publican's dog then decided this was an opportune moment to demonstrate his disdain for the whole proceedings by cocking his leg on the OL's back pack. Finally, we were advised most politely by a resident to park our cars better to improve access for local goods carriers. All this confusion proved too much for a breakaway group who now disappeared into the nearby tavern, eventually reappearing with satisfied expressions. The walk finally got under way at 08.45 hours.

Luckily Paul was back to assist the d.f. Leader to interpret some of Mike's more imaginative Bamboo Diagrams!

After a short climb the walk encompasses splendid views northwards to the Serra de Monchique and eastwards towards and beyond Alcalar. The pleasant ridge top walking is sadly defaced with the placement of a line of pylons for the power lines that will shortly pass this way. Later, the walk passes to the east of the hamlet of Bravura and the pump house that controls water outflows from the Barragem. After passing a well-stocked series of pigeon lofts magnificent views are gained back to the Barragem and westwards to Cotifo and the hills beyond. Eventually, Monte Ruivo trig point (133 m) is gained where we had the obligatory group photograph. The return journey leads down faint tracks, an abandoned cottage (site of Antje’s contretemps with a bee) and finally the road to Fata Vacas.

Lindsey, AWW secateurs in hand 'scrumping' some dead thistles. There is apparently a difference between this and the scrumping of previous weeks!!

The AWW secateurs were used for the first time – but not to clear the path but to cut some attractive dried plants for Lindsey’s house decoration. Overall a pleasant, not too arduous walk made enjoyable by the cooling breeze that blew throughout.

T.O.T.P.P - cunningly composed by Myriam (with Paul's camera AND battery) to exclude the large modern hill-top house to the immediate left.





Back at Café Cansado, we were discussing the possibilty of a walk next week, when we discovered that in true Algarve fashion, the wall calendar was for 2006!! Actually that is quite up to date for Arão!

The next event is the 'End of season' lunch, at Benagil on 9th June - organised by a sub-committee of One, although he claims to have official sanction from Lindsey, as she pushed out the email! Watch this space for a fairly balanced report and photos i.d.c. Remember: Life is too short to drink House Wine (to quote more than one of the group's Cognoscenti!) I.S. you have been advised!!!

AWW 30.05.2007 One Dam Walk After Another, or Two For The Price Of One

Leader: Rod

Pack: Lindsey, Mike, Yves Ferrer, John and Hazel

Dogs: Oscar and Pookie

Statistics: such as they are, of little relevance

Walk, part 1 : 9.00 am - 11.45 am

Walk, part 2: 12.00 noon - 12.45 pm

Distance, part 1: 8.30 km

Distance, part 2: 1.20 km

This walk revealed a totally unexpected, softer side to Rod, that long-striding, long-distance walker, as he guided "we few,we happy few, we band of brothers" gently on a stroll which, to him, would be scarcely more than a nip down to the corner shop for the morning papers and breakfast rolls and back again, hardly 10 clicks in all, only a little scrambling and virtually no hills to speak of. (Quotations from Henry V at the special request of Mike Pease.) Over now to the Leader's report.

".......like greyhounds in the slips,

Straining upon the start. The game's afoot."

"Odelouca Dam Check.

This small but select band met at the Ourique Cafe and drove up the Alferce road and the newly refurbished highway to the dam site. Work seems to be well under way again in that there was much traffic and noise, as well as a charming young lady who politely suggested where we should not park in the way of expected construction vehicles.

We set off skirting high up round to the north of the dam with a good view of the site. The temporary earth dam is allowing water to gradually build up and the foundation cuttings for the main dam are clearly visible. There has been a lot of earth moving since our last visit and the area immediately above the dam is barely recognizable. Further up the valley, life returns to normal but we had better make the most of it because tree and scrub clearance and then advancing waters will soon destroy this lovely area for ever.

On arrival at the river crossing a certain diffidence about wet feet became apparent (of course this was because the Leader had not decided where he was going 'til he got there and nobody had been warned to bring their various choices of impermeable footwear) so despite the clemency of the weather a suggestion we should take a different route was accepted with alacrity, even although it deprived Mike a chance of once more demonstrating the efficacy of his Serbian waterproof slippers.

So we doubled back into the hills to the north of the dam. This proved an interesting diversion. There were some formidable brambles to pass (and the sub-committee is seriously considering appropriate sanctions against the absentee secateur bearer -what use are secateurs on Carapateira beach, one wonders, to the pioneers out in the bush?), whilst snakes were espied in the grass and arbutus bushes were studied. And then we came across an EDP team busy installing cables on yet another hideous chain of pylons systematically despoiling the countryside. Literally kilometers of rope were being laid across the hills and valleys before being hoisted up as the initial means of eventually hauling up the definitive cables.

Great snakes alive!

Yves' encyclopaedic knowledge of the subject and a long chat with one of the EDP engineers made us much wiser about this tricky operation, even if one is not too impressed with the change in the landscape.

A lesson in splicing

Even despite this sidetracking, this particular circuit lasted less than three hours so, in order not to feel short-changed, we drove back down and wandered up the Fonte Santa valley for a while. This gentle stroll proved the most challenging of the day for, firstly, a herd of rather intimidating cows and their very large bull had to be contended with.

"As I wis walkin' doon the road,
I met a coo.
A bull b'God!"
( W.T.McGonagall.)

Mutual suspicion.

Then obstinacy at a ford once again prevailed and we were obliged to try to negotiate the precipice ledge route up the valley (some old hands might recall the occasion when one of our erstwhile staunch WW members froze solid with vertigo at this very point and we had to carry him down!). Well this might have been on the point of happening again when John wisely announced he was going to retrace his steps ....we all thought this was a pretty good idea (wasn't there a rock slide in our way?) and, back on more solid ground, settled for a quiet picnic beside the babbling brook instead, followed by an early return to the Cafe Ourique for the usual!"

No more quotes from Shakespeare nor from William Topaz McGonagall, the best bad poet in the world. One reads that Confucius is making a comeback in China, so we can expect a welcome blast of commonsense in next week's blog from Paulo a Pe who has been imbibing (wisdom from the Analects, we mean) in China and will now be making a comeback of his own.

JAWW 28.05.2007 From our Japanese Correspondent

Whittle-san sends this signing-off report from his Tokyo bath house.

"Little to report from the Japanese outpost, it's getting warmer, and more humid and the Nips are apppearing like bees from a honey pot or more accurately ants from an anthill. The solution, start walking at 8 am, complete the route by lunchtime and head back to Tokyo before the crowds board the trains once again. Warm, sweaty bodies crammed into commuter trains are not a recipe for a tranquil life, in fact the other day I even abandoned one train at the first stop, the stink being too great for my sensitive nostrils. Not something that you really expect in ultra clean and hygene mad Japan. How I miss the fresh air of the Algarve! But madness prevails, I will return here for another month from mid-June, ostensibly to work but in reality to tackle the big one -Fuji-san awaits the climbing season. A major hazard will be sun parasols, not to mention sulphurous gases more likely to be generated from human bodies rather than the volcano itself. Follow the ants is the name of the game, but a wise man climbs Fuji-san only once in a lifetime, and I'm very wise!

See you all next week, many thanks for the blogs.

Chris-san from Japan."

AWW 23.05.2007 Variations on a theme by Maurice

Leader: Ian Scott

Present: Lindsey, Gack, Janet, Antje, Dina and Vitor and guest Yves, Ian Wilson and guest David, Thyl (complete with miner's stick), David Littlewood, Mick and Sylvia Walters, John and Hazel.

Dogs: Archie, Tiggie and Shorty.

Time: about 3 1\2 hours.
Distance: about 15 kms.

No Leader's report yet (29/05), so here goes.

Before the walk started, Ian announced that the route today would attempt to track one of Maurice"s early walks, in fact the first one ever held by the Algarve Saturday Walkers in September 1994, and a walk described in Maurice and Esme's Algarve Silves Walking Guide edition of 2000 (walk No.8). Since then, there have been many changes to roads and tracks , and identification of landmarks was at times problematical. Hence the Variation on a Theme blog title. We were also promised railway lines and levadas.

Starters at Poco Barreto, Cafe Sustelo.

The walk got of to a cracking start promptly at 09.30 am, as we headed east and over the railway level crossing. At 9.45 am precisely, we about-turned and smartly retraced our steps and headed west back to Poco Barreto but not quite as far as the cafe - even Mick agreeing that it was a trifle early for a beer - but to pick up a track northwards near the railway line.
(Live score: Railways - 2, already. Levadas -0)
Return to Poco Barreto

Moving north, an abandoned house and compound was passed on our left, with every single square foot of exterior wall covered in a written diatribe in Portuguese railing against persons unknown and the ills of the world in general. A liitle more marching and counter-marching ensued, but Ian then led us up to the top of a ridge and there, as he no doubt expected, was the landmark described in the publication as "a cottage sandwiched between two windmills."

The Cottage Sandwich

Our group had, unusually, a particular Gallic flavour, the two guests being Yves from Bezier (proud owner of one of the world's largest collections of beer mugs) and Quebecois David, a downhill skier from Montreal. A car just happened to appear coming towards us and the occupants stopped to ask us, in French, for directions to the shops. Not that we had much idea where we were at this point, but we did have the interpreters to hand, so duly directed and with several "mercis a la groupe de marche" off they drove.

Ian regained orientation and guided us from Poco da Velha through the hinterland of Montes Grandes and other nameless tracts to within sight of Torre e Cercas on our right before swinging southwest towards Tufos.

The advance on Tufos

Large stretches of the gound were covered with a reddish pink flower and the Horticulturist-in-Residence was besieged with queries as to what it was. Her learned submission by subsequent email is that "the pink flowering plant that several people asked the name of is "Centaurium erythraea - Common Centaury! The Gentian Family. So we're all the wiser!"
The Common Centaury

Not to be outdone on the horticultural theme, Ian remarked on a "blue spot" plant.

Is this a blue spot?

There was also fruit in abundance along the way, but Lindsey declined to be tempted.

Say NO to scrumping.

From Tufos, we made our way past Figueirinha where progress became temporarily somewhat slow as the interest of Gardening Group members was captured by several attractive gardens. Momentum regained, we swung left, spotting the Cork Factory to our right and plunged across country, enticed by the distant promise of the Levada. Apart from an old waterwheel, which David attempted to operate for the dogs' benefit but without success, landmarks failed to mark, tracks had become either overgrown or, worse still, obliterated by tarmac and other signs of development so that eventually we had to straggle down to the outskirts of Poco Barreto by road.

A lecture on the orrery?

A sharp, last gasp, diversion off the road by Ian did in the end bring us to the levada, Tiggie being first in, and then along between railway line and levada (Live score: Railways - 3. Levadas - 1) back to Cafe Sustelo at about 1 pm, where the owner produced three of the largest canecas your correspondent has yet seen.

Tiggie enjoys the Levada.

A grande finale

STOP PRESS - BREAKING NEWS.
A few blogs ago, we hinted that we might possibly receive a China-branch report from our ambassadors in the Far East. So far nothing, but rumour has it that something is on its way. Coincidentally, a recent Weekly Telegraph article titled "British pair conquer the Great Wall" reports that a British couple (not Paul and Myriam) have become the first people to walk the entire length of the Great Wall of China, (3000 miles in 167 days). They lost several stone in weight between them , not surprisingly, but also - and this must ring an alarm bell for those of us who are on the short side - more than an inch in height. Too much walking can do that to you! The Greeks had a word for it -"mayden agan".

AWW 16.05.2007 An Alte Amble or Waiting for the Cavalry

Another walk directed by that indefatigable Google Earth Guru (aka David Littlewood), together with "assistance" by part-time consultant, Ian S., (and we all have our opinions about consultants!); also, the welcome return of Hazel.

Present
Cartographer Emeritus and Leader:David L.
Consultant (occasionally): Ian S.
The Field: Gack, Dina and Vitor, Janet, Mick(HHH)Walters, Terry M., John and Hazel.
Dogs: Archie and Shorty
Late Arrivals (very): Lindsey and Antje (see below*)

Statistics:
Distance: approx 12.5 km
Time: 2 hours 55 mins
Tilley Hat Count: 1
Kalenji T-Shirt Count:2

Starters at the Fontes

Before the start, Vitor mentioned, very sotto voce, that on 18.04.07 he had arrived on time at Silves Cemetery, the assembly point for that week's walk, only to find that the leader and group had already left. He then did his own walk. (See Rod's report which is embedded in the blog entitled "What's happened to the Blog?")

The leader's report now follows, in black, with occasional interjections by the aforementioned consultant, in red italics, and, possibly, sub-editorials in cyanide. Photos by David L. and John H. (Clicking on photos will (should) enlarge them: return to blog by clicking on left arrow at top left of your screen.)


"The Missing Horses Caper"

There were doubts surrounding this walk from the very start. Ian Scott and I were deep in misunderstandings about the route, the walkers were attempting to assemble in at least three different places, Janet having run herself up a blind alley by Fonte Pequena, and no-one seemed to be absolutely certain whether and where we would meet the Posse from Alcoutim. However, the weather was perfect and spirits high as we departed Fonte Grande at 9.45 am and made our way back to the path which took us out of the valley by Fonte Pequena and up to the road above.

It was only at this point that I deemed it safe to point out that the walk was to be tracked using only a Google Earth photo, and that, in order to make life interesting, I had left my specs in the bathroom after applying my sun-block. Even though my exploits on the Algarve Way had got around, there was remarkably little reaction to these announcements. Must have been the sun. (There was however some comment to the effect that we were treading on an exceptionally lengthy bit of tarmac for a Littlewood expedition, but that was shortly remedied.)

(Incidentally, that bloke giving the lecture on Foia was NOT me - he was far too old and bossy, and I never lose my stick.) (No, of course he wasn't YOU, David: it was Rory Bremner, especially engaged for the movie shot.)

The path - non tarmac - was easily found round the hill from Soidos de Baixo; and led through wonderfully flowered countryside with yellow gorse in abundance -there being only one minor mishap when Janet had an encounter with an obstreporous piece of barbed wire. But on hitting the valley floor opposite the old restaurant by the lake it ran out, and a desperate flurry of activity on my part failed to locate it. Good Old Google!

Where did that path go?

Nought for it then but to track across to the lake, walk round it and head for the known path on the opposite bank of the stream. The restaurant has now apparently been turned into a private house, but at least it looks better than the abandoned, vandalised wreck we saw last time.

Then it was jungle time as we made our way along scarcely visible tractor tracks through head-high grass, reminiscent of the African habitat of the fabled W.T.*.A.W. tribe celebrated by cognscenti of rugby songs...........

In the elephant grass

......and on towards the track leading back to Alte. It was at this point that Ian lifted the clouds of ignorance surrounding my idea of the plans for the day....well, I was there purely on a part-time consultative basis......when he told me that Rod's Riders were not following the AW walking route from Penina, but were coming across into the valley we had just joined. Isn't it nice when you know what's going on? Yes. (For the rest of us, on such a fine day, ignorance was indeed bliss.)

Communications with the Posse by mobile were established soon afterwards, but it transpired that they had been delayed, so we continued uneventfully (barring a view of a spectacular field of poppies and keeping our feet dry, thanks to a ford provided with sturdy stepping stones) back to our starting-point by 12.40 pm to find the Posse Support Party already in place, but with no two or four legs to support.

Over the ford
Shorty and Archie

Beer was had, lunches eaten, and photos taken. At about 1 pm Lindsey and Antje arrived fresh from the (gurgling?) ( gargling?) ah! Gardening Club, complete with boots as if to pretend they had been walking all the time, but we were not fooled, oh no! *The sub-sub-committee is still out on the question of their eligibility to be included in the day's count.

A late lunch


Calendar Girls

News from the Posse continued to be gloomy, a rescue party having had to be ordered out to recover a fallen mount. Time passed and it was finally decided to abandon the planned welcoming party, and the group dispersed for home. The best laid plans and a' that.

Notwithstanding the tone of poetic melancholia in the Leader's closing phrase, unsubstantiated rumour has it that two members undertook the onerous task of remaining behind in the bar at Fonte Grande until connection could at last made with the Posse's vanguard....... such selfless dedication, those guys.

JAWW 10.05.2007 Hi-jinks in Hokkaido; Whittle-San reports.

Yet another departure from traditional AWW regime,but Chris's report from the Japan branch of AWW is too good to be treated simply as a blog comment but deserves to stand as a blog post in its own right, as follows.

"Great to receive glowing reports of the recent walks, aided and abetted by the Irish contingent. Here in Tokyo contact with the Irish element is continued by the occasional short walk to the Dubliners pub, where a genuine Guinness can easily wash down the ideal all day breakfast. That is, until the arrival of Antje, fresh from her daring deeds and fearless climbs with the AWW's. A new regime of a healthy diet, sushi, oysters, sashimi and other nameless horrors envigorated us for an intrepid series of walks that would challenge any Algarve Way enthusiast. To vertical cliff hanging paths add active volcanos, steaming mud pools and hissing sulphuric gases, and you have the typical hiking trail on the Northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. That we were frequently above the snow line with temperatures down to minus 3 at night only added to the fun. Not to be outdone by the height of the Olympic ski jump at Sapporo, Antje insisted on climbing beside, and above, and beyond the mountain on which it was located. Fortunately it was an extinct volcano, the near vertical slopes proving a serious challenge however to stickless, fearless and possibly foolish foreigners. However we were inspired by the sight of a single Myriam-sized Japanese lady tackling the slope ahead of us. By virtue of hanging on to trees, bushes, rocks and each other we made it to the summit, where the Japanese lady appeared to have disappeared over a precipice leaving us to find our way back down a longer, circuitous and less daunting path.
Other less arduous walks followed, where the problem of decyphering Japanese direction signs led us to walk through a five-star hotel's private garden where the only exit was through the main entrance hall, muddy boots and sweating bodies being looked at somewhat askance by the management, who immediately directed us to the nearby public baths. Having relaxed in a peaceful atmosphere of sulphur laden near-boiling water a minor problem with moving discarded shoes nearly ended up as an international incident. In future, I shall stick to pounding the Tokyo streets once again, it is much less stressful, even though I have nearly worn out one pair of shoes doing it. Looking forward to the lazy days of the peaceful Algarve walks once again, even though Mount Fuji in its snow-covered state still beckons once in a while when visible through the usual haze of Tokyo mist and pollution that frequently keeps it out of sight. Unfortunately I won't be here long enough to tackle that challenge.
Best regards to all the AWW's. Chris."

Truly, Life as a consultant in the East is Hell! However, Chris can console himself that he can soon replace his worn-out shoes at a certain outlet in Portimao Retail Park, in which it is suspected certain senior AWWs have shares, such is the fervour of their repeated recommendations for its goods.

And can we now expect a China-branch report from the Great Wall?

AWW 09.05.2007 Carrapateira to Cape St Vincent. And Then There Were Nine.

A few AWWs again joined the AWIW survivors as they completed the Algarve.Way
The following concise and pithy report, verbatim, by Janet; photos by Terry Mace.

Summerfield Walk Rating: It was equally glorious and a real stinker.

Present:
The Updulationous Leader: David Littlewood
AWWs: Janet, Terry
AWIWs: Leslie and David, Sylvia and Mick, Brian, John.

No nonsense about Tilley hats or other articles of sartorial walking gear.



Met at Carrapateira to leave by 8.00am. Beautiful morning promising a hot day but sufficient sea breeze to counteract the heat. The views were spectacular and the wild flowers glorious.


David Littlewood does have a talent for choosing the most difficult of routes and over the various hills between Carrapateira and Praia Cordama rendered one or two of the group rigid with fear. The path down from one hill, (Pedras Atlas?), had completely disappeared into the scrub and so we made a very slow and scratchy descent. Looking back from the top of the next hill it was impossible to see a better way.

Down on to Praia Cordama for the usual delightful walk along the beach but unlike true WW style (or regime) we all quickly peeled off to sit thankfully in the cafe and down a cold beer.

Then dearest David took us kicking and screaming up the most difficult route I have ever experienced to the old customs house on top of the next cliff. We all know it well....me especially as that ascent is my personal hate. I must have walked it three or four times but have never ascended on toes and fingertips by the gully that is closest to the sea. It was a real stinker and after struggling to the top I think that John and Mick were truly brave to complete the climb, not that there was any chance of going back! David, who looked so cool and fresh for the whole of the walk, just said that we had come that way because it was the most direct route!!



Then it was just a matter of keeping going until we reached Cape St Vincent to a welcoming group of Hashers and St Patrick's, champagne and cold beers and lots of photos by the last cistus symbol of those who had completed the whole Algarve Way. They did well.

AWW 02.05.2007 Monchique to Marmelete joint walk

This was a unique occasion in that the AWW were honoured with an invitation to join the AWIW (the Algarve Way Irish Walkers) on the Wednesday stretch of their Long March. Among other things, this meant that there were two leaders, Ian S. from AWW, and, from AWIW, the Supreme Leader and Planner of the Long March, David Littlewood. David, in befitting Mandarin terminology, is hereinafter referred to as Shao-Shu, and it was to Shao-Shu that Ian S. graciously deferred as the walk began.
(Your humble scribe, unfortunately, doesn't have all the names of that supremely fit AWIW group, several of whom are also veteran Hash House Harriers , but all in all there were 14 of us plus Oscar.)

Supreme Leader: Shao-Shu*
Modest Leader: Ian S.
AWIWs: Brian Holman, (big)John, (little)John, Ian Wilson*, David: records can be updated as required
AWWs: Mike Pease, Janet S., Terry M., John H.
Dogs: Oscar
*also an AWW

Statistics:
Tilley Hat Count: 2
Ozzie Jackaroo Hat Count: 1 (courtesy of big John)
Cheltenham Races Shooting Stick count: 1 (ditto)
Shillelagh count: 1 (courtesy little John)
Total distance: approx 16.25.km

Modest Leader's report follows.

At the vet's.

At the compromise starting time of 09.00, the customary starting photo was taken outside the Monchique Consultorio Veterinario whither the AWIW had repaired for pedicures, i.e.fetlocks trimmed, hooves re-shod, etc, after their exceptionally tough route march up and over Picota the previous day. 14 walkers then set off up through the back boreens of Monchique. Locals, when asked if this was the way to Marmelete, answered in the time-honoured fashion "Ach, well, if I was to go to Marmelete, I wouldn't exactly start from here."
The boreens of Monchique

Undeterred even so, we went on ,up and up, past the Drain Route at the side of the Convent, with nary a pause for breath or adjustment of rain-wear, up and up into the celtic mists of Foia, for truly it was a soft day on the hills. The top of Foia was gained at impressive speed but in truly murky conditions by about 10.20. There, without any hesitation, big John made for the restaurant bar and many followed, while purist AWWs, paralysed by a paroxism of indecision at this cultural shock, hovered in the rain outside. Meanwhile, scenes of revelry were being enacted in the bar's misty interior as coffees, hot chocolates, beers and macieiras and sundry snacks were consumed, and Shao-Shu himself tucked into a chocolate cream bola the size of a Great Wall of China ashlar.

AWWs are undecided..... but the AWIWs get stuck in.

Eventually, after 30 minutes of such indulgence, Shao-Shu called the Marchers to order and told them (in completely undemocratic terms) that he knew of a way down from the peak and that they had better follow him, like it or lump it. (This episode is on film but the Blog will not accept the format; with luck, I will have had it attached to my covering e-mail and, if so, you will be able to see AND hear Shao-Shu himself.) Out then into the celtic mist, and on down a veritable Giant's Causeway of a precipitous and boulder-strewn obstacle course. "Lumping it" scarcely does justice to the ground under foot.The gloom was by then so thick that Shao-Shu understandably missed his intended route.



The all-encompassing gloom

As a result, an unplanned lengthy section of tarmac had neccessarily to be negotiated before we reached the windmills on the western slopes of Foia. Nobody volunteered to tilt at them because, before us to the west, beckoned blue skies, warm breezes, and green woods, al of which made the last few kilometers an exceptionally pleasant canter on the home stretch.

On the sunny side of the street

AWIW's David stormed ahead of all contenders as soon as he could sniff the ale and was easily the first to the Bar, just as Marmelete's garish electronic bells signalled 13.00 and the end of the walk. What a speed over such terrain, despite such early weather, and despite the Foia Refreshment Pause! Did Mike's GPS put it at 4.7? Who knows.

David was already on his second beer

Post-walk refreshments were presided over by Ian W. and big John (also on film and sound if I'm able to fix it) and included, for some reason, celebration of Liverpool F C's achievements.

What have Liverpool done now?


Did you drink all those, Ian?

P.S.

Mike Pease's contribution to recent week's discussions about early starts and slug-a-beds disappeared into the ether. Since he will be rising very early these next few days as he tackles the Algarve Way solo, I shall attempt to retrieve some of his text:

"This day is called the feast of Crispian.

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named......

Then will he strip his sleeve and shew his scars.....

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...

And gentlemen in England, now a-bed,

Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here."

Happy walking, Mike

P.P.S.

Paulo a Pe, AWW's ambassador to China, sent a comment at 04.05 this morning which I will publish as a comment, so clearly he is not a slug-a-bed. We shall now look forward to a contribution from our other roving emissary, Whittle San from the Land of the Rising Sun.