AWW 21.05.2008 A Carrapateira Exclusive

This week's walk, in complete contrast to the low ribaldry characterising the previous one, was an exclusive, extremely decorous and civilised affair, the Leader even allowing us to remain seated for the Starter photograph. And, what's more, her walk was very much as advertised, unlike some we have known!

The starters

Leader: Antje.

Followers: Janet, Hazel, and JohnH.

Canine: Tiggie

Statistics:
Distance: 14.50 km approx.
Overall time: 4hrs 20min
Tilley Hats: 50% ratio!!

The Leader's report.

A very select few met in Carrapateira and I leave it to the reader to decide if the reason for the low turn-out was - a walk too short, a walk too far, the fallout from last week's walk, a rival Gardening Club attraction, or what? Feel free to comment.
The weather was perfect for walking, cloudy with the occasional breakthrough of sun.
Going inland from Carrapateira, a gentle climb took us to the first and only trig point of the walk. There the same unfortunate dog as in October last year was still tied up near the rusting car, but he had acquired a couple of mates, untied.

(Here the Leader modestly forbears to mention her act of kindness in freeing up the unforunate dog's lengthy chain which had become trapped round some scrub, which she uprooted)

Act of kindness

After following the ridge for 20 minutes or so, we descended into the valley and continued there intending to turn off right uphill again. But what used to be a broad path for the long climb upto Monte Velho was now a wide, deep and unappealing ditch of uncertain purpose. And so the rule of always re-recceing a known walk was yet again confirmed.

However, it did not prove very difficult to find another path, a little further along past Herdade de Beicao where, in the best imperial explorers' tradition, we also acquired the help of a native guide (in the guise of a large brown dog) who led us in the right direction, uphill and then skirting Monte Velho and back towards the sea.

(The fields were colourful with flowers and the birds were singing; well, two of them were, at any rate.)


Dawn chorus

Having crossed the Carrapateira road, we then encountered a large field of oats where we used to walk alongside a ridge. After unsuccessfully trying to skirt this field, because the adjoining brush was far too prickly, your leader was encouraged to go through it and so we did, very carefully.

Prickly stuff

The oat field

The rest of the walk ran smoothly; lunch was enjoyed with a splendid view out to sea.

Antje's guide dog

The ladies who lunch

We returned to start after just over 4 hours, and having covered a distance of 14.5kms.

Post-mortem

Aftere the walk, Antje's native guide dog, who had been with us for some 11 kms, did not seem to want to go home. So, rather than abandon him to the fleshpots of Carrapateira, Antje in a second act of kindness ferried him 3kms back along the valley to Herdade de Beicao.