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.