WAGS 2024 03 13: And Then there Were Four
Pleasant walking weather last Wednesday but, as Rod´s report tells us, not that many took part.
Here is Rod´s contribution.
"Some padding for the blog!!
Outside the restaurant, repairs to the town´s under-the- pavement water supply had necessitated restoration of the calçada, and we were able to watch the artisans at work.
Skilful stuff
This done we headed north up the long climb out of QPA territory. This was
a new or anyway long forgotten trail for WAGS/AWW and eventually led down into
the next valley.
If JohnH had bought a chicken from the old lady, the old man offered to cut its throat on the spot, but most of the conversation was about chicken feathers and bichos (ticks).
"Three less and it would be debatable whether this would indeed qualify as a
WAGS WALK. However 4 souls; Myriam, Hazel, John and Rod, who were unable to
come up any original excuses for absenting themselves, gathered at Bensafrim
Market Square Cafe. Before we could think of actually walking the
prerequisite pre ambulatory formalities had to be completed. In no particular
order these are; coffee, team foto and a visit to the restaurant to ensure a
suitable table was reserved and the menu noted.
 |
| team foto |
Outside the restaurant, repairs to the town´s under-the- pavement water supply had necessitated restoration of the calçada, and we were able to watch the artisans at work.
Skilful stuff
Only then were we able to set
off along the easterly back road out of Bensafrim. The most rural way of
reaching this is along the riverside track but this has the disadvantage of
being underwater after rain....rain!?
As it was there was just enough towpath
available to avoid any early bootfuls of water.
Once on the road the first
stop was Widow Myriam Twankie's Laundry, now well equipped with running water,
electricity (lights only!) and washing lines ...still apparently where many of
Bensafrim's inhabitants do the weekly wash.
 |
| "Your socks will be ready, this time, next week" |
Next stop was the equine estate of Quinta de Paraiso Alto owned by Jinny
Harman, whose late husband, Mark, was one of the original Via Algarviana and
AWW walkers.
It also happens to be the location where Riding for Disabled
Barlavento maintains its headquarters. Our leader of he day holds a position of
some responsibility in this worthy organisation so felt a certain moral duty to
pay a state visit. He would encourage everyone to view their excellent website
www.riding4disabled.com which in turn might encourage them to
make a generous donation...maybe!
 |
| It was a long way down |
This, needless to say, meant another longish and steepish climb up towards
the old windmill.
 |
| Tabula rasa |
And it was indeed a long and steep climb up again
From the ridge path leading to the windmill it was the
intention to take a loop down into the valley and up the far side but a few
....well it could only have been three....moans that it meant another hill and, no doubt more importantly, we might be late for lunch, led to an opt-out.
 |
| It was nice and restful up on the ridge, once we had got there |
Instead we followed the undulating ridge track west from the windmill, past the
mobile phone mast, past some old ruins, and down to the main N/S track heading back to the village.
 |
| "....some old ruins" |
On the outskirts of Bensafrim, Myriam of course stopped to chat to her long-time
gardening pal, so in fact we actually arrived back in the end at the restaurant
pretty well on time.
 |
| Myriam´s old friend, on the right |
 |
| Myriam had a long conversation with the senior citizen in the flat cap (partly hidden) |
So at about 7k a walk of fairly modest length and speed
but offset, perhaps, by a few cardio vascular ascents."
The track and the Statistics
The Lunch
The Walkers were joined at lunch by Antje, Chris and Paul.
 |
| Paul left his 2CV at home but did bring the T-shirt |
 |
| For a brief moment, Rod pretended to have the full prato do dia but he soon reverted to his customary austere bowl of soup  |
 |
| there was robalo "á la carte" |
 |
| Little fried fish (whitebait?**) with favas |
 |
| Galo antiga |
 |
| Hazel enjoyed her fish |
and a few rather tasty desserts
Closing Music
Some relaxing walking jazz from Count Basie with Jimmy Rushing (vocals):-
The distance + the climbs were just right! No more, no less. It created great appetite! Good lunch as was expected from Rota Algarviana!! And, of course, another good blog!!
ReplyDelete