AWW 07.12.2011 Dog Day in Foz

AWW 07.12.2011 ‘Dog Day in Foz’


‘Some are easy, some are less easy, some are dogs…’

This was a dog indeed. The day had started well: sun glinting on the morning dew, boots and lunch duly packed, punctual start for this Blogueur and his lady passengers; this illusion of normality lasted about five minutes until a road-block was met (some mishap that required emergency services and prevented access to the motorway). A longish détour later and we were nearly in phone range to inform the Leader of our impending arrival. The troop waited patiently, the starters’ photo was recorded and we were off.


There were many smiling faces in the crisp sunshine of an early December morning, none more welcome than Elaine and Stan who rejoined the group after a long absence: welcome back!

All went well with the usual mix of chatter, tales and other witty exchanges (mostly missed by this Blogueur: concentrate on listening, lad!); there was the odd hill and equally the odd steep descent, hard on the old knees so soon after RTC but we proceeded gamely.

                               Perfect walking weather



Alas, events took a turn for the worse when Sasha was hurt; the injuries looked quite bad but fortunately no vital organs had been touched. First aid was administered in situ and it became a priority to have her removed to a vet as quickly as we could. Naturally, the ensuing dashing to seek help from locals in farm-houses or on tractors disrupted the walk totally; even more so when we realised that not only did we have a Trotting Wounded to help but also a missing Trotter to worry about: Rod had gone back up the hill to look for Ember who had gone AWOL! Paul went along to help: the Trotters were back in business!


The leader’s Report [q.v.] tells the story in great detail.


It could be said with some justification that in difficult circumstances, the Walkers’ forbearance was remarkable, grumbles aside. May I make a plea here? The considerable combined wealth of experience and wisdom can only be tapped for future reference if it is shared: please do make constructive comments and put ideas forward that may enhance the safety and the enjoyment of our walks, please? Walkers can use the ‘Comments’ section of the Blog or e-mail this Blogueur who will then do his level best to mess up transmission again!


Now: “all good stories have happy endings” (Enid Blyton, ca 1952) and this is no exception. The errant Trotter had sniffed her way back to the cars and was waiting patiently for her Master: there was a touching reunion with much tail-wagging… Ember was happy too!  The Trotting Wounded was duly stitched up, treated to a lot of loving care and is now recuperating. The Trotting Walkers have regained their happy composure and all are now looking forward to the next adventure, walk, outing, amble?
Thank you to the Leader who kept his revolting group almost together against trying odds, and a special vote of thanks to the kind soul who located and returned the Walkers' Patented Sécateurs.

The Patient Starters:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leader: Ian W.

The Starters:

John O’; Terry A.; Dina; Lindsey; Janet; Chris: Jim; Paul; Myriam; Hilke; Frank; Rod; Tina; Antje; Peter; Yves; Stan; Bob; Elaine.

The Trotters:
Misty, Shelley, Rusty, Cybèle, Sasha (Wounded Trotter), Ember (Disappearing Trotter).




The route:

The Stats:

Total Distance:            15.06 km
Total Time:                  4 hrs 52min.
Moving Time:              3 hrs 51 min.
Overall Avg.:                3.1 km/hr
Moving Avg.:               3.9 km/hr
Total Ascent:                565 m.
Max Elevation:            223 m.

The Leader: Ian W.

The Leader's report:

20 of us met at the Foz de Banho on a crisp morning with brilliant sunshine, including winter migrants Stan and Elaine, who made their first appearance. Perfect walking weather, but before we could collect for the photo, Lindsay phoned into say that she was delayed by an accident at the access to the A2 and arrived10 minutes late, so we set off at about 9.45 am.

 

 

 

                               Catching up on gossip... 

 

 

The sweet smell of the Ribeiro do Banho accompanied us as we walked alongside its grey water until we came upon a boat pulled up on the side waiting for a deluge to go white water rafting or something.

 

 

                               (not) Gone fishing?

 

It couldn't be for fishing because no fish would survive in the water. The first river crossing proved to be a non-event, the water being shallow enough to wade across and we sped along picking the ripe medronho berries as we went.

 

 

 

                                                              AWW in their element.

 

  

Walking along the ridge we got magnificent views of Foia and Picota. At the end of the ridge we went off piste, coming down by way of a ploughed field on to a little used track to the bottom of the valley. A few minutes after negotiating the ploughed field Sasha, Chris and Antje's dog, suddenly appeared with blood pouring from a hole in her throat and from a gash in her right shoulder. First-aid bags were raided and a bandage was produced for Myriam to apply to the neck wound.

 

 

                                          First-aid packs are sometimes needed...

 

At the bottom of the hill a few of us waited,discussing how much flak the walk leader would get for the rough terrain on the way down the hill.

 

 

                              
                                Gallantry prevails over roughness. 

 

When, eventually Antje got to the bottom of the hill and we set off quickly to find a friendly farmer to transport Sasha to the vet. It was then that Rod discovered that he was missing Ember and he and Paul went back up the hill to find her. Meanwhile back on the road running up the valley Myriam tried the first farmhouse, but it turned out the farmer had no car. 

Back to the road and up the valley we found a tractor and 3 men picking Medronho berries and were directed up the valley "5 minutes over the hill" to some expatriate who might not be in residence. By now we realised that we had no mobile signal and it was just like old times with no communication. Onwards and upwards, Yves was now leading and came upon a small white van and a friendly local. Yves explained the problem and the good chap immediately offered to help. By now Myriam had arrived and it was decided that she would go in the van back to where Rod and Paul were looking for Ember in case she also was injured and needed to go to the vet. While in the van, Myriam explained once more what happened and the man said he was mightily relieved, because he thought from what Yves said that a man had had his throat cut and not a dog! Myriam returned with news that Paul and Rod were still looking for Ember, and it was decided that Chris would go back to his car in the van and return with his car to take Sasha to the vet. At this point the man's hand was crossed with silver.

 

                                Evacuating the Wounded Trotter

 

  

 The walkers were becoming revolting- and cold- and we walked on a bit to warm up, trying at intervals to call Paul. At one point Myriam was trying to get Paul on the phone unsuccessfully while the Rev Bob was also on the mobile apparently in conversation with Someone up above... 

The walk leader then decided to have lunch while we waited for Rod and Paul to join us,which they did, but without Ember.

 

 

                              

                                                             The long lunch pause

 

 

 

We set off again up the road with the Irish contingent way out in front and they had to be called back to climb out of the valley on to the ridge.

 

 

 

 

At this point we had the usual difficulty struggling through the scrub before reaching a track that took us down to the second and harder river crossing.  

 

 

   
    We did find the crossing...

 

Armed with secateurs the leader cut the brambles, but we sank into some very dodgy smelling mud crossing the stream.

 

 

                               Many helping hands were welcome

 

  We noticed that the lunch party in the house above was out on the balcony watching us with great interest but the show we put on was very short lived and we were soon climbing the next hill. Progress from there was fast and we returned to the Foz at 2.30pm expecting to send out a search party for Ember. However, when Rod reached his car, guess who appeared safe and sound. Misty then gave Ember a welcoming growl and we adjourned to the Foz for refreshments. The actual length of the walk remains a mystery. Paul measured 15 km on his GPS, but he went up and down the hill looking for Ember, and Myriam clocked 16 km, but she took a ride with Sasha's Good Samaritan. The walk Leader thinks it was 14 km.

And so, to beer, the redeeming pacifier...

 

 

 

 

This week’s trip to the movies.......

'When the going gets tough, the tough get going, and moaning, and grumbling...' (Anon)
But why change good habits?