Ian's Foia Flirtation - WW 24th May 2006

Don't tread on the daisies!

Leader: Ian S.
Present: Rod, Paul, Myriam, Terry, Lindsey, Andrew, Chris, Antje, John, Hazel, Simone, Thyl
Xana, Tiggy, Pooky

Ian had chosen a sensational day for the assault on Foia, an unnamed peak and Madrinha, and not only did we have the essential cooling breeze, but also we had wonderful visisbility when we had struggled up high enough. The news was leaked early on that the recce for this 6+ hour walk had only taken two and a half hours the previous Thursday, but Ian bluffed his way through it enormously well, only leading the group down one grassy cul-de-sac (well they do all look alike!) on the way up from the Monchique helipad to Foia. The Chief Blogger had a slight S.O.H.F. when Xana arrived at dog heaven - a small farm with loose chickens, which had mysteriously not been spotted on the recce!! Luckily she appears to be either slowing up or has joined the Animal Rights Movement, and no damage was done either to the chickens or my wallet!
It was a seminal day in the history of Bamboo Diagrams as I had recently taken possession of some new technology - a Garmin Foretrex 101 Wrist mounted GPS - which lent a hitherto lacking degree of accuracy to the distance measurements. The crosscheck with my own pedometer proved that the pedometer was wildly optimistic, but Lindsey's proved to be slightly more accurate.
We welcomed Simone back after an absence of some two years. She is as fit as ever, and hopes to join us next week too.
On the higher slopes we visited, there are still plenty of flowers, while the area below is becoming increasingly brown. The views were fabulous and lunch was taken on the rocks at Madrinha.
The round trip took 6 hrs 40 min, elapsed time being 20.8 kilometers and a walking time of 5 hrs 11 mins. (Thankyou Garmin). Yet again no Sagres Bohemia at the end in the appropriately named Cafe Descansa Pernas, but we were thirsty enough to make do with the less sophisticated offering without too much whimpering.

Geocaching: As the walking season comes to an end, and consequent to the acquisition of our new GPS, Myriam and I have taken up the 'sport' of Geocaching. We have found our first cache - at Ponte de Piedade, and are keen to rack up a good score as well as plant our own caches in the near future. You can read all about it at http://www.geocaching.com and it is fairly easy to get a list of the caches in the Algarve. Try http://www.geocaching.com/seek/nearest.aspx?lat=37.105683&lon=-8.679967 All you need is a computer, a GPS, some tough gloves and a lot of patience.There is a whole new vocabulary of 'muggles' and 'Travel Bugs' to be explored. Good hunting!!



 

'Twas a very clear day.

View from the top nearFoia. 

Madrinha - and blue sky.

Someday my son - this will be all yours!! 

Caption Competition!!

What did Lindsey say - and at what was she pointing!! 

Mike's "Pilgwimps Way" 17th May 2006

The Cistus Flower has been adopted as the emblem

for waypoints on Via Algarviana.

Here is a fine example flowering this April.

Mike's fair and balanced reporting of his walk below!

Date: 17th May 2006
Walk Name: Pilgwimps Way
Distance: 15.7 km overall (including diversion – see below)
Time (including stops): 4 hours, 45 minutes

Present:

Leader: Mike
Bloggers: Rod, Stan, Chris, Paul,
Blogerinhas: Elaine, Myriam
Blogs: Xana, Pookie. Apologies for absence were received from: Oscar (septic foot) and Tiggy (poorly)

The start, at Pereira, was somewhat delayed whilst a friendly passing motorist helped extricate the Mitsubishi 4 WD car of an unnamed walker from the ditch into which it had disappeared. This was not one of the intended ‘steep downhills’ noted in the pre-walk blurb. Regrettably, the official Blog Photographer’s lens shutter was not open at this time of day. So, no record was taken for posterity. (the official photographer was rather more concerned in helping the distressed driver, specifically by loaning his Lidl Nylon Tow-Rope and directing the rescue operation, rather than taking embarrassing snaps, which could have been used for lampoonery later. The opportunity to take part in a live re-enactment later was churlishly refused by theerrant driver! C.B.)

B’nas Elaine and Myriam graciously undertook to lead the group, regrettably not astray, but following the bamboo direction chart provided by Mike. They did so with excellent effect. However, some ‘Triad’ quibbles were registered regarding the precise placement of the little dots on the chart.(ie Where are we Mike?? C.B.) As intended, some adjustments were identified for later correction. This practice should ensure the production of a reasonably foolproof final bamboo direction chart. Paul has now produced a Mk IV template and, hopefully, this will be the final version for all subsequent use.

The day was hot and airless so tiring for brisk walking. Fortunately, the majority of the route was on ridge tops or with wide valley bottoms where what little air there was could be found. We reached the trig point at Barranco do Milho (509 ft) in approximately 2 hours. From here and onwards excellent views were to be had northwards over the NE finger of the Barragem Bravura, the small hamlet of Guena, the uniquely shaped Table-Top Mountain and northwards to the hills of Monchique and Foia as they pass westwards and seawards. To the south, excellent views could be had, for much of the route looking towards, Mexilhoeira Grande, Alvor and Portimão. A diversion of some 20 minutes resulted from a search for paddling water for Xana and Pooky.(and also to locate the path we should have been on were it not for a momentary lapse of concentration! C.B.) Lunch was taken in a eucalyptus grove close to the trig point at Penascoso (712 ft). Two steep downhills were negotiated successfully but only with great care. Uphills were taxing in the conditions but were not excessive.

The following calculations may be of interest to AWW mathematicians, physicists and collectors of scientific ambulatory trivia. Prior to the walk it was determined that Myriam takes 67 paces to walk a measured 50m level section of tarmac. Mike, with more ostrich-like strides, covered the same distance in 56 paces. By extrapolation, it was determined that Myriam takes 1,340 paces to cover 1km as against Mike’s 1,120 paces. But, allowance should be made for ups and downs, that are arbitrarily taken at 30%. Incorporating this factor into the equation, and assuming an average AWW 15 km walk, it is likely that Myriam takes some 26,163 paces against Mike’s 21,840. This might encourage the makers of ladies boot wear. However, Myriam daintily dances over the ground with butterfly-like steps compared to the galumphing infantryman-like tread of Mike. The conclusion is, therefore, that whilst Myriam, as somewhat representative of the fair and gentle sex, may take more strides this is unlikely to constitute a heavier usage of hiking boot soles. Q.E.D.

Comment: Yes, high drama from the start with the "Incident of the car in the ditch"! As far as "Pilgwimps Way is concerned, we had the Pilgrims, but the Wimps stayed at home, lounging by their pools with crystal glasses of cold rehydrating fluid in their hands. Even, as mentioned, two of the dogs came up with convenient excuses! It was rather hot and humid, for mid-May, and it reinforces the need to start earlier as summer approaches. This was Stan and Elaine's last walk before they head back to UK via the Rioja Region, and with a walk in the Hebrides planned. I am awaiting confirmation from Lindsey that Elaine has handed over the considerable WW drinks fund, before I stand down Border Security on the Spanish Crossings. As is often the case, today was much cooler and with a stiff breeze, at least in Lagos, so we may have a good few more weeks to go before it becomes unbearable.

Steeper than it looks!

 

WW equivalent of the stocks!!

Couldn't find a corner to make Rod sit in!! At least he's upright this time.
This chair was not marked on Mike's Bamboo Diagrams

Amending the Bamboo Diagrams 

Rod's Out-Back walk 10th May 2006

The heat was such that most of the party required sticks for support!!

(Rod's report below)

Leader: Rod

Present; Janet, Gack, Ian S, Paul & Myriam, Terry A, Terry M, Monica, Kevin, Hazel & John, Dina & Vitor, Chris & Antje (and Jill A for the start)

Xana, Pooky, Archie, Tiggy (and Nathan for the start)

Area; Serra de Silves / R. de Odelouca

Weather: Mostly sunny, very warm...mid to upper 20’s and little wind.

Time; 5 hrs.

A 0900 start from Silves Cemetery with a 10 k drive up the S.Marcos road saw this unexpectedly large group, with a few new faces, set off from a point just below the Louro trig point. Of course we had to ascend to the trig point for the view as well as simply because it was there. Having taken that in we continued along a eucalyptus clad track heading south west. From it we had splendid views of the Odelouca valley, Picota and Foia in the background. We could still benefit from the recent fires in that much of the tree growth had been burnt allowing uninterrupted views. What was most evident however was the speed of recovery of the undergrowth and shrubs; particularly noticeable was the recovery of the arbutus which will doubtless be good news for the medronho drinkers.
After an hour or so we started descending to the valley floor. Despite a few reminders that every step down meant a step up on the return, nobody backed out! Towards the bottom, arrival at a ruined farmhouse reminded some folk that we had been around these parts before but from the opposite direction. It is a beautiful valley but soon to disappear for ever beneath the waters of the Odelouca Barragem construction of which is apparently about to recommence.
We had a few apprehensive moments teetering along a few tree trunks to cross the Odelouca but nobody got more than a wet foot. We wandered further along the banks of the river until we came to a verdant, shady patch where we opted for an early lunch. Better make the most of this lovely spot for in a year or two it will be under 30 m of water!

At this point it was decision time! Either to continue SW along a very long contour path to the new dam and then scramble up the west side back up to the ridge; or continue north on the east of the river and up that side before descending, crossing the river again and ascending back up again towards the start point; or , rather unimaginatively retracing our steps…..the easiest way back. A look round a few red and perspiring faces and considering it was a hot afternoon and we were on the lee side of the hill, we opted for the easiest choice, or some might say the wimpiest! …..in the event probably the right one!

Bridgebuilder Brunel Scott set off early from lunch, announcing that in the public interest he was going to improve the log bridge. Nobody even got their feet wet this time so he must have achieved something!

So we slowly plodded back up to the ridge, with one has to say quite a few recovery stops! ….. those with any energy left skipped up to the trig point again for a final look at the view, others took the less demanding contour route round the hill….and back to the cars. We repaired to the bar on the road back to Silves for a fairly welcome drink.

Comment: The hottest walk of the season so far - even the mild zephyrs along the ridges failed to alleviate the mid twenties heat. We had the pleasure, for the first time, of the company of John and Hazel, friends of Ian's who had recently immigrated full time from Dubai (no problem with the heat then!), Terry M's wife Monica, and Kevin who was over from UK to assist with painting Terry's house - and this was his reward on his day off! I measured the walk at 11 miles/17.5 km, and it seemed it, but it was probably less. Rod's decision to turn back and retrace our footsteps was applauded by most, and only partly because of a rare show of compassion for those less match-hardened, but also because he had attracted a larger number of walkers by advertising it as "gentle undulations 4-5 hours!" I think the original intention had been to cross over to the new Odelouca Reservoir, and link up with a previous walk. That we will have to leave for a cooler day.

Lunch on the river banks

Prefabricated Bridge - later improved!



Hazel, John and Ian among the greenery


Terry tries a spot of fishing.


Rod chewing on the problem of whether to go on or back!!

First Aid!!

The Horse Flies were out in force, perhaps angry at being fooled by the preponderance of horse-dung puffballs that had grown up on all the tracks in the area after the rains. Ian bore his pain stoically and enjoyed the attentions of Nurse Janet!! 

How to spend €600,000 !

The news that €600,000 was available for creating and marking an official version of the Algarve Way was met with some cynicism by certain members of the Wednesday Walkers. After several years of little or no contact since Maurice, Rod, Myriam and others attended meetings on the way forward with Almargem, Terry and David devised, marked and wrote up their own route based on the one previously walked by the WW in both directions, but attempting to stay away from roads and tarmac. This attracted a small amount of publicity, and a query arrived asking for details of the route. This was dealt with separately by David, but when Myriam and I visited Cape St. Vincent in late April with Tanya, to take in the view and also to see the Cistus waymark of the unofficial end of Via Algarviana, which Maurice had stencilled on February 22nd (see previous blog of February 24th) we found the Grand Marker (pictured above) of Kilometer 0.0 of the EcoVia. Presumably this has been funded by part of the amount granted, and I would be grateful if any readers can find any more of the markers, and photograph and contribute them. I suspect they will mainly be found near main roads, if there are to be more, but it will be most interesting to see how the official Route develops and is marked. Comments on this are welcomed.

Frolic in the Forest - and Floral Grandeur. WW 3rd May 2006

Mata Nacional - Barao Sao Joao.

Leader: Paul
Present: Myriam, Rod, Janet, Ian S, Chris.
Xana, Tiggy
Length: 15.6 miles/ 25 km

I don't know whether it was because I mentioned that this walk traditionally created rain (it was a close thing) or because nobody likes me, but we had a multiplicity of weak excuses for not turning up this week: We had three Gardeners in Granada; two on the Airport run; one supervising a bathroom renovation; one exhausted from completing 41km of GR23 on Sunday, two engaged in house-moving admin; one allegedly in Paris; one allegedly in Germany re-enacting Thelma and Louise; and several winter birds who had the bad grace to fly north for the summer.
And so it was that the Magnificent Six (+2) RV'd at the Barao Sao Joao Cultural Centre on an unseasonally grey morning.
Ian S. had been cruelly deprived of his oats this morning and had tucked into a traditional Algarve breakfast of a bica and a sticky bun filled with gooey yellow stuff in the Cafe Centro before the start. The spring flowers gladdened our passage (photo above) even more so when the sun eventually broke through. I had promised 'four abreast conversations' and we made it, even though there were only two bloggerinas present!!
Conversation was lively, and once we had covered the usual niceties, and maligned the WW's who were not there, we had an in depth discussion on Wayne's foot, and the potential candidates for England manager. I, of course, was too busy concentrating on the Bamboo Diagrams to be able to contribute much penetrating analysis of current World Affairs, but inspired by Rod's production of his North Face (one size fits all) Chinese-made hat, I did manage to brief him, and Ian S. who had been absent from the two previous walks, on the state of play with Technical Walking Equipment. They appeared to be enthralled by my road test report on the Tilley Underpant (Round the World with only two pairs) and the cutting edge Royal Robbins Dot Matrix Technology trousers. Ian S. had obviously read, marked and digested previous blogs, and was sporting an antique Tilley Hat, somewhat travel stained, but still under guarantee. I suspect he plans to enhance his standing in the group by putting a deposit down on a Berlingo, and moving much closer to Lagos.
Chris, recently back from a lucrative trip to Japan, spoke at length about the latest Hi-Tech sanitary ware and dangerous Japanese cuisine. We reached the appointed lunch spot at the 22.5 km house rather later than anticipated, owing to the frequent propensity of certain members of the party (Janet) to stop and admire and even photograph the profuse wild flowers. The cistus in particular were taller, bigger and more sticky than I have ever seen before.
The homeward leg was largely downhill and swift walking, until the proverbial sting, Sculpture Hill, the cultural highspot of any Barao Sao Joao walk, and a new frog sculpture was noted, staring impassively into the man-made lake on the left hand side. We reached the end in almost exactly 5 hours, and repaired, of necessity, to the Bar with the Palm Tree, unsmilingly presided over by Big Maria. Ian failed to get a caneca, Rod's request for a lemon tea was triumphantly met by "so tem pessego' and my own desperate plea for a Sagres Bohemia resulted in a sneer and a standard Super Bock shoved towards me. Later Ian claimed that he had made her smile, but I put this down to a fevered imagination nurtured through years of Boys Only schooling. Still the sun was shining, Myriam had enjoyed her hot chocolate, and I did have a couple of bottles of Bohemia at home to take the taste away!!

On a point of order, a rather callous (I thought) remark by Janet, (reported to me by a 'mole'), that she thought that Myriam must be very good for me, as my central regions had matured to a hitherto unseen grandeur, has prompted me to offer a rational explanation. As Janet only sees me on the WW's, my everyday sylph-like appearance has perhaps escaped her. I can only refer to a conversation on that very walk, in which Rod, who had unexpectedly come across a treasure trove of old book tokens, had invested in an instructional manual on walking techniques and tips. In this highly regarded book, there was the advice that while walking, breathing correctly was of the utmost importance - and the most efficient way of getting oxygen to the parts of the body that it would not otherwise reach, was to practice ABDOMINAL breathing, ie to use the stomach and diaphragm to compress the lungs rather than the largely ineffective upper chest muscles. I had to point out that this was my mantra, and I invariably expanded my abdominals during WW's to sustain my endurance and pace. Don't take my word for it - ask Rod!!


It was noted on this walk, that every walker was using a stick - perhaps not the first time this has happened, but the first that has been noted. And no-one left their stick behind - almost another first! There is a recent article, quite amusing, on the 'Nordic stick phenomenon' which for your edification is at:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/global/main.jhtml?xml=/global/2006/05/05/elivnordic.xml&DCMP=EMC-exp_05052006

Lunch at the "22.5 km House"

 

One Size fits All - Made in China (the hat too!)

 

A rare sighting!!