WAGS 2025 10 08: A Track of Two Halves, or Diminishing Returns

 

Originally, there were going to be 7 participants, 5 walking and 6 lunching (if you follow me) but then numbers began to fall away, and so it was that only 4 walked and only the same 4 lunched. A pity in a way, because Hazel led a fine walk. Here is her report.

"Four stalwarts turned up for the WAGS walk,starting with coffees at Casinhas at 9.30 a.m.

Coffees and checking the weather forecast

The Four Starters

It was a straightforward walk; nothing exciting was encountered. So along the usual dirt track from Casinhas we went, then up the slight, longish hill towards what I call “Mike´s Corner” and the avocado plantations. 

On the way up to Mike´s Corner

Ground clearing machinery and guard dog

The trees have all grown and some are now bearing fruits. The undergrowth had just been cleared so the plantations looked neat. Maria helped herself to two big fruit. She said when it is outside the fence one is allowed to pick three and no more, for personal use.

Inspecting the Cisterna

All OK

Then up the road past Casa Walton to “Malcolm´s Corner” and then left towards The House Of Dreams, the old folks´ home. Two yapping small dogs did not like the intrusion. They kept coming at us until I threatened them by picking up a stone as if to throw. Just the action stopped them.

The Leader

We then passed by some guava trees which bore big fruit. I think that they are the white ones.

The Guavas

The Avocados

Other Fruits Are Available

Then down the hill we walked when John decided to part company from us at 3.6 kms and take a shorter way home.

The Parting of the Ways

Rod then took over the GPS duties to measure the distance walked and we carried on past the big house once called Casa Estrela, now with a different name known to Maria, and on to the tarmac road.

Then on to the long flat track carrying on to the rather pointless roundabout at “Rod´s Corner.”

After that, it was simply a matter of passing Rod´s tartan-painted Trig Point, turning right into the orange groves, and making our way past the wall of the big rocks and back along the long level track back to Casinhas where we had started. John was there enjoying a cool beer."

The Track and the Statistics

The bit John did is in red; the longer bit which Hazel, Maria and Rod did is in green.

The majority walked 7.8 kms in all at an average speed of 3.2 kph in a total of 3 hrs 15 minutes

The Lunch

Nobody else came to join us for a lunch at Casinhas which was just about OK.

My quail were disappointing, slightly burnt and not properly marinated. Maria chose salmon but it too was burnt and over-cooked and expensive. Rod and John appeared to be satisfied with their omelettes."

The Over-Done/Priced Salmon

The Questionable Quail

The Apparently Satisfied Omeletteers

Obviously, no Michelin star for Casinhas on this occasion - can do better.

In the absence of Myriam and Paul, there was less of the usual banter at the lunch. Instead, a variety of serious topics were covered, including the length of time it is advisable to store wines with the bottles standing upright, the advisability or otherwise of wearing hearing aids in the shower, and the forthcoming local elections.

No closing music, but instead a video sent in from Malaysia by Myriam:-