WAGS 13. 04. 2022: A Near Miss, or The Walk That Nearly Wasn´t

 

This week´s Blog almost writes itself. Read on.

WhatsApp WAGS 2017-21 Friday 8^th April. 19.44 John Hope

“Hi Ingrid, are you still on for leading WAGS on Wednesday? If so, I will do the publicity”

20.31 Ingrid Bonte

“Hi John,yes thanks I´m on for Wednesday and for the publicity”

Email.09/04/2022.19.10.

Dear All, 

Ingrid will lead the walk originally intended for 6th April. 

Meet at Barão de São João to start at 10 am. Walk is in the Mata d. S. J. National Park. About 10 km and with 228 metres ascent. 

What we normally do there is meet at Gloria´s café on the main drag at 09.30 or so for a coffee and then drive to the start at the Mata entrance. 

Please let Ingrid know if you will be walking at ingridmbonte@gmail.com, or via WAGSAL. 

Anybody need directions? -  let me know. 

JohnH

WhatsApp WAGS 2017-21 Tuesday 12^th April 11.19 Ingrid Bonte

“Hi All, I´m cancelling again my walk for tomorrow, lack of interest.......”

WhatsApp 11.25 John Hope

“Hi Ingrid can you hold on for about an hour re the cancellation please? I may be able to round up several people who would like to walk. Obviously I am a lousy public relations agent.”

Ingrid Bonte 11.28

 “I have already posted it. Yves had to cancel. Jamet cannot walk. Terry was going to walk but with only 3 people walking not worth the trip. I didn´t know if Hazel was walking.”

John Hope 11.30

“I may have Chris and Rachel who I am meeting for lunch. Hazel, Maria and yours truly want to walk.”

Ingrid Bonte 11.31

“OK that´s great let´s see how it goes please keep me posted.”

John Hope 12.35

“Confirmed for the walk. Hazel, Maria,Chris, Rachel and me. Gracious lady, please reconsider your cancellation.”

Paul Akehurst 12.37 (how did he get in here ?)

“Or else John will have to republish `The Walk that Wasn´t`”

Ingrid Bonte 12.39

“OK it is go for tomorrow.”

Yves Ferrer 12.41

“Another dose of cabin fever in Algoz....” (get better soon).

Paul Akehurst 12.43

“Well done Ingrid. I knew you were a goer at heart.”

Rod Frew 13.55

“Just back....damaged knee needing xray tomorrow so must cry off.”

Paul Akehurst 14.29

“Was that a skiing injury?”

Antje Whittle 14.57

“Ingrid, we would be there but for the long journey. Greetings from a wet Edinburgh.”

Rod Frew 15.49

“Was that a skiing injury? No....sheer carelessness !”

Myriam Lo 16.26

“Take care ! Watch where you put your feet !!”

John Hope to himself.. The walk is on...That´s a relief. My physio has been insisting that I try a 10 km walk to try out my restored Achilles tendon. I didn´t want the walk cancelled.

And so it was that, the walk having been rescued from oblivion thnaks to Ingrid, five of us gathered for preliminary refreshments at Tasquina da Glória which was doing great early morning business, what with another larger group of walkers and the local hippies getting their first (or maybe second) hit of the day. Then to the gates of the Mata Nacional where we met up with Ingrid, Terry and Becky. No sign of Yves.....not sure what his excuse was. Rumour has it that he has been seen consorting with the AWWWs recently, perhaps in a bid to recapture his lost youth.

Starters: Becky, Terry, Ingrid, Chris, Maria, Rachel, Hazel and JohnH

Ingrid´s walk varied from the usual approach to the Mata, as she led us back through the village and out to the east giving the Sculpture Avenue a wide berth.

As we headed into the Park, we passed an enormous (at least 6 axles) vehicle of uncertain purpose which some kindly souls said would help to get a crippled JohnH back to base if he needed a lift.

(He didn´t)

Good tracks made for easy walking. Spring flowers were out and the first cistus of the year was spotted.(Well, most of them are, aren´t they?)

We reached the Vale de Coelhos with its comprehensive warning notice including a ban on making loud noises. We were obedient to its command, not wishing to disturb the rabbits.

There had been a lot of tree felling since we were last here so we could have uninterrupted views over what I think is called Espinhaço de Cão towards Serra de Monchique

We observed a Menhir from the neolithic past and, as a reminder that the world has not always been electronic, Maria´s attempts to ring through to the café to reserve some bacalhau for her were unsuccessful. Would we get back before it ran out?

Half an hour later, we were back.

A satisfied Leader

And her Track and Statistics

We walked counter-clockwise. Not sure about the 229 m ascent, though. Other devices recorded 145 m

Back then to Tasquinha da Glória where lunch was organised and.........

             

                    .......the bar service was first class.

                                                Occasional music from a ukele could be heard

There were omelettes

Thankfully, there was bacalhau, com tudos

and pork stew

and a somewhat under-toasted tosta mista

The locals were in good spirits

and the orange juice was very fresh

Thanks to Ingrid for a very good walk and for agreeing to do it despite the initial absence of replies to her notice. It does encourage a Leader if intending walkers do respond. 

Answer your mail; it makes the mailman happy too.

Oh, and we finally found out what Yves was up to. He was decorating his Easter eggs.

Happy Easter, everyone.