WAGS 18.01.2023: Six, five, four....

- January 20, 2023

It was a small but determined group that met outside Victoria´s on Wednesday. Initially, there had been 7 possibles but first Rod dropped out, then Yves, and finally Maria. Let´s hope that they will be able to be with us next week.

Before the Starter photo was taken, Ingrid had given the Leader a stern warning that she did not like going “off piste” and that he was not to do so. Warning duly heeded.

We set off exactly as planned, at 09.30. A prompt departure is one advantage of having a small group easily called to order. Shortly after the start we were greeted by an exceptionally friendly dog which gave every impression of wanting to join us despite having a very extensive estate of his own to roam about in.

We then made our way along some very narrow paths scarcely meriting the description of tracks, the Leader assuring Ingrid all the time that these were recognised and regular APAPS routes and that we were not “off piste.”

The next bit of animal life came upon us when we passed by a sheep pen and two newish lambs bounced up to the fence to have a look at us, despite the disapproving gaze of their pater familias, a huge craggy brown ram.

We then veered off the road and made our way across what had every appearance of being a trackless waste. By now, the limits of Ingrid´s tolerance of piste and non-piste were being sorely tested as what had once been a path disappeared beneath the lush greenery brought to life by the recent rains, and when the Leader temporarily missed the almost invisible track he feared the worst.

"Call this a track ?"

But she forbore to lecture him again, thank goodness, and then a clearer way ahead emerged.

How the Leader got away with it some time later when we had to wade through nearly waist-high undergrowth, heaven knows, but he did. There was no protest. And then, after a brief rest and pause for refreshment, normal "on piste" walking was resumed for the rest of the trip.

We inspected the strawberry fields that we had seen being established last November and were pleased to see that they are in good nick.….

November 2022

January 2023

and we paused momentarily beside Yves´ still standing stones.

Hunk lapidus Yves erectum.

The road back to base camp was uneventful, much of it being along new tarmac recently installed by Silves Camera to link Poço Barreto with Faxelhas (? no, me neither) at a cost of precisely €59,833.69. The Leader was mightily relieved to hear that Ingrid did not object to walking on tarmac.

"At last, proper tracks"

It looks as if Geraldine is following the track on her phone but, in fact, she´s busy reading a book as she walks.

The Track and Statistics

We had arranged to rendezvous at Victoria´s with Terry and Claire for lunch at 12.30 pm, so finishing the walk at 12.24 pm was just right.

Ingrid stayed for a coffee and Rod joined us for a coffee. We were spared the attentions of the café´s grumpy young waitress this time and were well looked after by her older colleagues. As always, the draught Guinness and the black pudding were excellent and the other food choices were to be to every ones´ satisfaction.