AWW 03.10.2007 Fonte Up and be Counted.

False Start - at the Café Ourique car park

Leader: Ian S.

Co- or Proxy Leaders: Rod; Paul; Myriam; Mike; Chris; Alex; Andrew;
Lindsey; Dina; Vitor; Tina; Janet; Mick; David; Hazel; John ; John O'

Lead Dogs: Tiggy; Oscar; Nandi; Maddy; Shorty; Pooky.



Stats: Total Distance : 14.1 km; Moving Time : 3 hrs 35 minutes;
Total Time: 4 hrs 30 minutes; Moving Average 3.9 km/hr;
Overall Average; 3.1 km/hr. Total Ascent: 560m; Max Alt: 319m


Tilley Count: A disappointing '1' (guess who!)



We met at the Café Ourique, which regrettably was not open.
There was some debate as to whether the inability to get the café open
was due to Ian's having stood down as the Local Laird, having sold up
his property holdings, or because he hadn't cleared his 'slate' when he
left! In the absence of an organised group photo (this being a meeting
point rather than a start), the above photo of several walkers milling
around and looking for signs of leadership, will have to suffice.

Thus the group with perilously low caffeine levels set off for a point
near the Fonte Santa path, in the minimum number of cars.

The Canine walkers were extraordinarily well represented this week.
I like to think that it was the power of the letter published in last
week's blog that prompted this volte face.

The track - click to enlarge

The walk was basically to be a figure of eight with a steady climb to
start, towards the new barragem, which only shows as a river on the
antiquated map above, and a circuit round a couple of peaks back to
the cars.

The only photo I have of some of the earthworks, is this one below,
rather marred by a group of walkers who had been instructed to
"Look at the Sun" by Snapper Myriam, whose shadow appears in
the bottom right corner!

Look at the Sun!!

Thus the prologue was completed, and back at the cars with
some cursing that they could have left their rucsacks behind
if they had known, we prepared for the second part and the
Triple Crossing of the Ribeira de Monchique. One week ago,
possibly when Ian was doing his notional recce, one may have
crossed all three in flip flops withoutgetting one's toes wet,
but, alas, we had had three days of heavy rain,(for the Algarve)
since the weekend. Janet had mentioned this in her email
about the walk " There could be swollen stream crossings so
bring bin bags or a towel for wet feet." but thisappeared to
have been overlooked by all but a hard core of hydrophobes.
There was some technical equipment in evidence, but this was
mainly for comms and navigation, although Andrew was
sporting a rather limp looking pair of gaiters.

Sticks and Gaiters

Count the gadgets quiz!

The snappers were eager to capture pix of the ingenuity (or perhaps the
fallability) of their fellow walkers in fording these crossings, and the
best efforts are posted below.

Route 1 !

A variety of approaches

The Leap of Faith!

RiverDance

Bog Wallah!

Build it - and they will cross!

These socks really soak up the sweat!

We failed to snap the Leader crossing, though he allegedly took his
boots off and had a mud and cow pat poultice early on, to soothe his
feet. Only he and whoever washes his socks this week will know the
truth! Still only another half kilometre and we would be able to take
the Holy Waters of Fonte Santa to dispel all ailments real and
imagined. It was only after lunch when we passed the pig farm
directly above the Fonte, that doubts began to creep in!

Porco Preto

Once the river had been negotiated for the third time, a process which
set our 'Moving Average' back significantly, the narrow path up to the
Fonte had been cleared by pilgrims in the summer and was relatively
wide and bramble free. It had even had a lick of paint in places and the
rubbish had been cleared in the main bathroom.

The queue for the 'Bathroom?

Our leader requisitioned the seat left by pilgrims, and started seeking
alms. He managed to persuade John that there was an entrance fee!!
Mike made a half-hearted attempt to grab the Fonte Santa Geocache
which was within about 50m of the Fonte, and climbed to within 25 m.
before selflessly turning back so as not to inconvenience his comrades!!

Spare a Quid Guv !!

The real test was yet to come. Earlier in the year, Ian, David and
Terry had spent a day clearing the route onwards and upwards from
the Fonte as it was part of The Algarve Way. Luckily (or did he
plan it?) Ian was armed with a pair of secateurs, to snip off the
few remaining strands of luxuriant bramble growth that he had
perhaps missed on his virtual recce. Mike also weighed in with a pair
of secateurs, while Paul and Chris maintained a running commentary
on progress with the 'walkie-talkies' proving their worth beyond all
doubt! It was a long hot grunt to the top, but helped by some newly
cut firebreaks which had all but obliterated the path that was
formerly part of the Algarve way. We arrived at a suitable altitude
just before midday, although we were slightly uncertain of position,
and found a tumbledown house where the leader declared lunch.

Dog's Breakfast!

After a generous lunch break of almost 20 minutes we set off
- first to the east, which ominously started heading downhill
- then to the west, which was almost back the way we came,
until with a cry of relief, our Leader spotted two abandoned
cars slightly higher up the hill, and with a tremendous show of
detective ability concluded that there must be a road or a wide
track there - and he was RIGHT. Just a short push through the
undergrowth, and round the perimeter of the pig farm which
was well secured with double fencing and a low electric fence
to dissuade wild boar suitors from calling, and we were up on
a track which led to the tarmac, just on the Alferce side of
Fornalha. From there a quick stride along the road to our
descent point down a stony track back towards the cars,
which we reached at about 1330 hrs.

Ian receiving the news that his "15-18km" was only '14'

Eventually we all arrived at Café Ourique which, this time, was
open and had a well-earned beer, Ian for once was last, as he
had taken the opportunity to drop Maddy off at his temporary
home, and exchange his wet muddy boots for a pair of Official
England World Cup flip-flops.

A rival to the 'Snake Shoes' for best Après Walk Footwear!

A pleasant beer and sub-committee meeting was held beneath the
luxuriant wisteria canopy beside the café. I am confident that major
decisions were made, but since Myriam and I will not be here for the
Christmas Lunch, I failed to note them!

Athletes at ease

All in all this was a very nice walk, with the best weather of the
week so far, and a cooling breeze at the top. The dogs loved it,
as there was plenty of water and mud to splash in, although they
were perhaps a little disappointed at the lack of largesse shown
by the lunchers. Shame it was ONLY 14 km or perhaps I would
have earned an extra beer!