WAGS 19.01.2022: One and a Half Beaches is better than Two!

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Panorama of Lagoon and Oyster Farm



My first actual full participation in a WAGS event for some time, though I continued to dine well on Wednesday lunchtimes. A good turnout of 10 as the Hope's, including Maria numbered 5 of the 10, as they had two middle aged fledglings in tow, Geraldine, a veteran of many a WAGS literary walk and Charles a first timer as far as I can recall. Antje rejoined the fray with me, and the recently refurbished Myriam too. Comme toujours, Yves was there and Rod, as always ready to pick up the pieces in case the navigation went awry, though unlikely as even Myriam knew this one.


The usual suspects plus , equalling Maria's famed flexibility is the Cafe Manageress. Both Senior Hopes are eclipsing the junior Hopes for reasons unknown, and Sascha wishing we would get going..

Without further ado, here is the 3rd copy of Antje's report which arrived today, -  the Thursday and Saturday editions having been lost in cyberspace.


On a  a fresh but sunny morning 10 WAGS met at Lagos Railway Station to walk the length of Meia Praia Beach. 

Present were Rod, Paul and Myriam, Hazel,John Geraldine and visiting son Charles, Maria, Yves and Antje with  Sascha. The latter had been very excited when she saw the boots coming out of the cupboard. She loves a WAGS walk.
Suitably strengthened by cups of very thick hot chocolates or coffees we assembled for the usual starter photo. Easier said than written,  3 changes of location were needed until the honorary photographer John  considered the light to be fit for purpose.




We then set off,  not directly to the beach but along the little tidal lake in front of Mike and  Jill's house, where we were able to admire a young grey heron at close quarters . (Ed. A pity no one caught it on camera) We headed off towards the  sand, crossing the railway by doing  so.   The  tide  was out far creating a large expanse of flat sand to walk on. 


5 km of beach!


Breakwater




When we reached the breakwater at the end of the beach we turned land inwards and walked back parallel to the beach, first  along the oyster farm that seems to have expanded even more since we talked along last time and then along the little tidal lagoon which had very few birds on it. A  week ago a large flock? of spoonbills was busy feeding there. (Ed. Again the reported wildlife was not caught on camera!)



Turning behind the lagoon

The  last stretch of the walk took us along the golf course to the little Meia Praia railway hut.  Chris despite a nasty bout of Scottish cold, was available to ferry the  drivers back to Lagos to pick up their cars. (Ed. No reports so far of the Scottish cold having transmuted to a Lagos variant!)

    

   John's preliminary soup and salad



We all met up for a leisurely, extended lunch at the Restaurant Varanda in Chinicato.

Succinct and to the point. Now perhaps a little colour to fill in the background scenery.
     
             All we needed to know was to arrive at the Railway cafe by 10 am. Simples! Yves made his way by CF leaving Tunes at 8-ish and arriving at Lagos Station at 0910-ish allowing him plenty of time before the ETD. Of the others I have no knowledge as we didn't arrive until 0950 and Rod and Antje were a little behind. The 4 Hopes, Maria and Yves were inside the cafe a non-socially distanced huddle over their hot chocolates and coffees and Geraldine was absorbed in her mobile phone book.

              Antje had a route in mind, but I tried aa small diversion to try and wave to Mike and Jyll, but even a phone call failed to wake them. We were halfway down the beach by the time Jyll called back and said they had been upstairs still.

            It was a beautiful morning. - low tide, flat beach not plagued with broken shells nor seaweed as last time, and as a special bonus, John had followed my suggestion to get his knees brown and  was resplendent in  shorts and beach shoes...
though he had made no concessions above the waist!


Official WAGS beach walk gear.

The walk was uneventful - split into various sub groups discussing PPE as usual.

At the breakwater we turned left and circled back on the south side of the lagoon, meeting Chris (and his Scottish cold) at the Bar Quim car park, where after some discussion and contra suggestions, we managed to get the drivers into his car to pick up their own cars and the rest of us. We non-drivers managed to extend our walk by ambling back along the main road to meet them, but of course this was not recorded.

(Re the grey heron, here´s what I got -a bit hazy -  plus one I "did earlier". JH)








 A good selection of maps and stats for you to study. Please note that we did spend some time going uphill, despite only having a total ascent of 1 meter!  My favourite walk of the year!!

   Finally some fine beach music:



Next week Rod will lead from Bar Silva, in Vale de Fuzeiros. Maybe see you there.

Comments

  1. John Hope25 January 2022 at 12:26

    Brilliant, the way he plays electric guitar without a power supply

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Paulo a Pe25 January 2022 at 18:06

      Artistic Licence.!! If you want to hear some guitar in a beach song try my favourite Country singer Blake Shelton performing 'Some Beach'.
      https://youtu.be/JTT2LEyjdC4

      Or even better the 2022 WAGS anthem portraying any one of us having a Good 'Ole Beach Barbecue!!

      https://youtu.be/OOgd9hitEAE

      Delete
  2. Myriam25 January 2022 at 19:35

    It was a very enjoyable relaxing walk. The only excitement was to decide who should get into Chris' car to return to the Railway Station!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. John Hope27 January 2022 at 10:05

    Comment by Maria;-

    "After a few attempts I managed to open the blog. I’m not surprised I’m a disaster. Very nice walk it’s always beautiful walk on that beach and nice to see Miss G and Charles. As usual photographs good, music I think Paul only put that music because the red Bikini😂See you all next week 🤗="

    Maria´s next challenge is to enter her comments in the Blog herself !

    ReplyDelete

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