WAGS 2023 05 03: And This Week, The Perfect Parasang

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 Before we turn to the walk this week, let´s go back to the previous blog where we had a photograph of some guys doing something underground with some machinery in Salgados just behind the Praia Grande dunes. Well, I had no idea at the time what they were doing. But then, this Wednesday,  Myriam enlightened me. They were employees of the Zoomarine Aqua park collecting sea water to top up the salt water pools needed by the dolphins. Now we know.

And while we are on the subject of Myriam, you may have seen her comment on last week´s blog which read:-

“Talking about animal micturation habits, do you know what a camel does which is not likely done by other animals?”

No one has answered her query so far but, if you search on Google, you will learn that camels are retromingent animals which means that they pee backwards. There are even videos of it. There is apparently an old Arabian belief that they do so out of respect for Abraham. Is that what she was asking about?

Anyway, now to this week´s walk blog. There is no Leader´s report as yet but no worries. Antje led the walk very efficiently, starting at Lagos railway station café for early morning coffees at 9 am, getting us all to Dona Ana beach for the start, then escorting us round the extensive new boardwalk on Ponte de Piedade and back to Dona Ana, and then successfully marshalling us all for lunch at Tasco do Kiko by the Lagos boatyards, all without losing anyone. An excellent logistic achievement for which our thanks to her.

So on to a mainly photographic reminiscence.

First we had to set the camera for the Starter photo; a bit trickier than usual, given the angle.


The Starters:  JohnH, Geraldine, Hazel, Rod, Myriam, Chris, Antje, and Sascha.

And ready to go.


The purpose of the boardwalk is to keep masses of people from tramping on the fragile ground vegetation. 


One wonders if the damaged soil will recover in time.


More access ways to the boardwalk are still being constructed.


Lots of good viewing points along the way, and good views as well.





The road to Ponte de Piedade is being remodelled to restrict vehicle access, so in future the Twelve Stations of the Cross will be more peaceful along its length.


And so, onto the Farol or lighthouse.


Turning westwards round the point, we had more splendid views, particularly as the morning haze was lifting.



It was getting hotter and Sascha began to slow down but wouldn´t give up.

She didn´t have the luxury of being carried as this smaller dog did.



Some of us rested in the shade while the Leader did an extra half km.



Then some time for floral and other artistic photography.




Then back to base and to the restaurant.

The Track and the Statistics




And in case you are wondering what is meant by "the perfect parasang" in the title to this blog is, well, last week we had the Perfect Poronkusena which is 7.3 kms the walking distance reindeer will cover before they have to do, well you know  what. And it so happens that 5.5 kms, this week´s distance is the military distance which the classical Athenian Greeks (and the ancient Persians) called a Parasang. Next question is "what is a classical Chinese distance?"

At Tasco do Kiko, we were joined by Maria who had rushed from Portimão especially to be with us. 

There was salada de polvo....


Secretos do porco preto....


Fush, of some sort....



and more fush, ah din´na ken the names o´fush.....


and spare ribs.


Most people were happy.....


Rod perhaps not so happy.......







Comments

  1. Myriam10 May 2023 at 07:19

    Don't know any Chinese similarity to Parasang. This has aroused my curiosity. Will do some research.
    I just know growing up using 3 different measurements.
    The 尺=0.3333 metre; the UK foot=0.3048 metre and
    the metric metre!
    Thank you for another good Blog and good walk.

    ReplyDelete

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