No, not Madonna’s new Album but “Myriam Does Navigation Again”. On the occasion of her 67th birthday, as a special present I arranged for her to be allowed to lead a walk - an adaptation of one we had done before - but by following a GPS track, which I uploaded to her hand-me-down GPS.
So, this explains the several off-course excursions: there had to be a reasonable answer to deviations!
Yves also volunteered to do the whole blog, but as I have the report and most of the photos to hand, it will be passed to him in his role as Chef Blogueur to edit and add colour commentary (don’t mention the Scottish Rugby prospects v France this weekend!)
Thank you Paul for the very kind reminder not to upset sensitivities: ‘prospects’ will not be mentioned at all, only results and once only at that: Wales A LOT!-England Not-quite-as-much!; France A VERY LOT, Monsieur-Scotland A Lot LESS... C'est la vie, c'est le sport...
The weather was perfect for walking, the views were spectacular and the western Algarve was just as it was meant to be.
The Track: (click to enlarge)
Stats:
Total Distance: 17.5 km
Total Time: 5 hours
Moving Time: 4 hours
Overall Avg. 3.5 km/hr
Moving Avg. 4.4 km/hr
Total Ascent. 360 m.
Max Elevation: 171 m.
The Fully-Equipped Leader:
The Grateful Led
John H, Ian W, Tina, Chris, Myriam, Frank, Maria, Peter, Hazel, Paul, Antje, Ingrid, Rod, Alex, Terry A., Janet,Terry M., Yves, John O’, Liz
And of course, Sasha, Tiggy, Misty, Ember, Rusty, Shelley, and Brontes
Now for the Leader’s Report:
“Me?! Leading a walk?” That was my instinctive response to the suggestion that I should try to lead one. It must be a joke! Which AWW would have the blind faith of following my navigational skill?
After much persuasion from my role models, Mike & Jyll and the promise of the undying support from my GPS mentor, I finally succumbed to the temptation of testing the AWWs’ trust in someone who thinks every walk has got a new route!
Let us begin the story from the morning. Paul and I left home with 21 walkers on the list. Some kind soul had gallantly volunteered Dina's attendance. Knowing that she had gone off to Spain with Almargem on a Carnival week-end hike, she would only arrive home late on Tuesday evening (or early Wed. morning!) and would not manage to get up early!
So, 20 were actually expected. We arrived Café Zig Zag at 9 am, thinking that we would be the first to arrive, being the nearest. But there were already quite a few early birds! It was nearly 9.30, but 2 were still missing. By public consensus, we agreed to drive off at the exact time advertised in as few cars as possible to the starting point. At 9.25 am, Paul received an SOS call. The Blogueur and the computer wizard were driving round the centre of Vila do Bispo, but simply could not find the Café.
If they had read the instruction carefully, the appropriately named Café would literally be located on a zig zag road!
Well, what can we say: OUR GPS was spot-on! We did arrive to Vila de Bispo without a hitch...
Anyway, we did manage to drive off with 20 Walkers on board and on time. After the usual starting photo, we headed for the Ambiental Trail.
The weather was as gorgeous as nearly every day of this Winter. The temperature was rising by the kilometre. There were several stripping stops before we reached the headland leading down to Castelejo Beach.
From the beach we turned left, climbing up the steep cliff to the guard house. Obviously we paused to admire the view and take a breather. The scenery is as stunning as ever, a reminder of why we came to live in the Algarve and are still here!
One way down and another way
Going over the top
From there the paths were flat and wide and we were able to walk 3 or 4 abreast. We picked up speed and also increased the topics of conversation.
As the group was big and everyone tried to have a chance to chat with everyone, we started to stretch out a bit. Nobody minded it because we were so immersed in the conversation, we just kept on walking at our own pace. My goodness, only if all the conversation were recorded!! All the problems of the world would have been solved! The demand for Scottish independence would never have been made; Greece would not have got into such a sorry state; Portugal would have been a cheaper place to live in (once upon a time it was!); Germany would not have been so upset; African politics would not have gone berserk; the sex maniac French banker would have been jailed long time ago! There were even arguments over which country is the most corrupt!! Without a doubt, rugby was mentioned. That is a subject beyond my comprehension. I will leave it to the fanatics to discuss it.
It has already been established that this would not be mentioned again, but Leader's prerogative must be respected, even if the subtleties of a sound trashing at the hands of the wily Welsh or the classy French are beyond ladies' grasp...
Some serious matters were considered... and dismissed.
Tourists at the Torre
Without failing expectations, the gourmet couple produced a very colourful salad and a dessert of mango and framboise. Terry M. offered a round of first grade chocolate. Surprisingly, when all fine bone china and silver cutlery were packed, it was within the allowed time (mais ou menos!)
Sculpture is not just for looking at... I know a bank...
Ready, Steady....Eat
The satisfied group continued at a good pace on good paths. We met quite a few cars, some with very considerate drivers, others were not! We passed working farms, cattle grazing on very dried grass (we need rain!) and some abandoned houses.
Where have they all gone?
All the way it was easy walking. At a T-junction the leader waited at the corner to make sure everyone turned left. She counted only 16: 4 were missing!! A few minutes past and still no sign of the lost ones! Only then she was told that they had made an unauthorised split off down a very steep short cut and were waiting for us on the road!
It WAS steep… ‘Anyone seen Godot?’
From there we descended towards Cordoama.
Starting the final climb
Nearing the top
The dogs had a good run and dip in the sea, before we made the final assault up the steep climb to the cars.
That was another steep one…
Ascent accomplished!
Well, we all made it, without mishap. In no time 19 of us (Frank went home straight away) were back to Zig Zag.
Surprisingly, Janet and Ingrid produced a huge cake each. They generously baked them to celebrate the 3 walkers (Yves, Rod and Myriam) whose birthdays are in February. Good wishes were given and gratefully accepted. We even raised glasses to wish Marguerite (who shares the same day as Rod) a Happy Birthday, and one to Sue Hill whose birthday was earlier in February. The cakes were delicious. I had 2 slices of each (Frank’s share)! Other snacks were also produced and we munched and chatted jovially.
Beer and cakes!!
Thank you, Janet and Ingrid.
Taking over the café
Thank you, all, for making this day special. My apologies for making several navigational errors. I will try to improve.
I am proud to announce that the average age of this walk is 65 years 11 months and 1 day, calculated to the exact day. Liz, being a visitor, is not included in the statistic.
Here endeth Myriam’s debut report, on the second walk she has led by GPS. I hope that encourages some of the others to have a go, as it would be nice to have some new leading techniques to discuss in these pages!
“We will either find a way, or make one.”
Hannibal
Addendum (by request): Gourmet Corner
Salade de Prawns: Catch enough prawns for two hungry Walkers and toss them in a mixture of rocket, broad leaves, sweet-corn and cherry toms; add lemon mayonnaise and a dressing of olive oil and herbs; serve cool.
Mangue au coulis de framboises: catch enough mangue for two; coulis the framboises; share with hungry and drooling co-Walkers.
Odd sightings along the way:
A forest of broccoli
Rock and Horse?
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