Wednesday 8th February 2006

Leader(s): Paul & Myriam
Walk: Romeiras area; 20 km; 5 hours;
hilly; streams to cross; EST 0930 EFT 1500
Present: Rod; Mike; Janet;Thyl;Ian ; Pam; Joe; Peter; Stan; Elaine; Hedley (13)
Xana; Oscar; Muffin; Pooky; Brontus (5)

Comments:
Second walk of Year of the Dog; Trial of 'Bamboo Diagrams'

Romeiras had (allegedly) had a power cut earlier in the morning, so when the walkers arrived, the air was not redolent with coffee. Dona Aldina was most apologetic, but managed to produce some good coffee, just as we were about to set off. Needless to say, we indulged and set off at about 0950 hrs
Janet was appointed 'virtual leader' and took a Bamboo Diagram booklet. leading the walk with conspicuous success, with Hedley, Pam and Elaine monitoring. Minor corrections were suggested en route, but trial was largely successful, with times being relatively easy to keep.
After lunch, either Stan or Elaine left a stick behind, and turned back at the 18 minute point to try and recover it. The rest waited, but as they were back - stickless - after only 25 minutes, it was possible they hadn't gone far enough!!
David and Terry were putting the finishing touches to their version of Via Algarviana and RV'd with us at Casa Pacheco at the end of the walk, with Dinah, who had been driving support. Rod, who had been in urgent comms. most of the walk, had to dash off, muttering something about 'picking up some hay', but the rest of us joined in a frenzy when Dona Aldina announced that she had some newly laid eggs at €1.40 a dozen, and cleared her stock.
The next walk will be in support of Terry's Via Algarviana attempt, and start and finish points will not be known until Tuesday 14th evening, Call Paul for details.