AWW 04.06.2008 - Five do Romeiras!
STOP PRESS!
An Emergency Bulletin has been issued by the Worldwide Walkers Forum (WWF) listing the Algarve Wednesday Walkers on the Extremely Endangered Species List for 2008. This is an abrupt change from the previous listing on the Mildly Apathetic List, on which they were placed after the Christmas Bean Feast.
According to consultant M.I. Bothe-Red, the alarming decline in AWW numbers over recent weeks is for a number of reasons:-
First, the species has failed to adapt to the increasingly hostile environment in the Algarve, brought about by fanciful media reports of 'Global Warming'. Despite having been established in the Algarve for more than 12 years, they have started to shun the outdoors by early June, when things start to get traditionally warm and brown.
Second, there is a shortfall of mating couples to produce further walking stock. On a recent walk when a lone male AWW was accompanied by 3 females, there were no reported attempts to reproduce the species, despite lack of competition by other males.
You know that the Tasmanians, who never committed adultery, are now extinct. Maugham, W. Somerset
Formerly, Golf and Gardening were the chief distractions preventing AWW's from turning out in their traditional haunts in the spring, but new reasons cited by WW Expert, Amina Bluefunk, are chiefly the desire to stand around watching builders install swimming pools or kitchens; the practice of moving to a new lair, or meeting visitors at the Airport. For 'Old-School' AWW's these pursuits were invariably scheduled for any day other than a Wednesday!
Another key factor, according to experts, is that with increasing longevity, AWW's are becoming exceedingly grumpy, and not responding well to constructive criticism. The relatively new practice of recording routes, statistics, interesting opinions and actual live photography and video, has led to an increasing shyness and unwillingness to face reality. As a consequence, a large proportion of Walkers have taken to mumbling indistinctly when in the presence of the CB and DCB, and doing a twirl or ducking behind a bush as soon as a digital camera is produced!
According to consultant M.I. Bothe-Red, the alarming decline in AWW numbers over recent weeks is for a number of reasons:-
First, the species has failed to adapt to the increasingly hostile environment in the Algarve, brought about by fanciful media reports of 'Global Warming'. Despite having been established in the Algarve for more than 12 years, they have started to shun the outdoors by early June, when things start to get traditionally warm and brown.
Second, there is a shortfall of mating couples to produce further walking stock. On a recent walk when a lone male AWW was accompanied by 3 females, there were no reported attempts to reproduce the species, despite lack of competition by other males.
You know that the Tasmanians, who never committed adultery, are now extinct. Maugham, W. Somerset
Formerly, Golf and Gardening were the chief distractions preventing AWW's from turning out in their traditional haunts in the spring, but new reasons cited by WW Expert, Amina Bluefunk, are chiefly the desire to stand around watching builders install swimming pools or kitchens; the practice of moving to a new lair, or meeting visitors at the Airport. For 'Old-School' AWW's these pursuits were invariably scheduled for any day other than a Wednesday!
Another key factor, according to experts, is that with increasing longevity, AWW's are becoming exceedingly grumpy, and not responding well to constructive criticism. The relatively new practice of recording routes, statistics, interesting opinions and actual live photography and video, has led to an increasing shyness and unwillingness to face reality. As a consequence, a large proportion of Walkers have taken to mumbling indistinctly when in the presence of the CB and DCB, and doing a twirl or ducking behind a bush as soon as a digital camera is produced!
A rare sighting of AWW's emerging from cover.
This is obviously a serious situation, with only 4, 7 and 5 AWW's respectively turning out for the most recent walks.
A Sub-committee composed of Rod and the CB have decided on desperate measures to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. In the near future, an initiative will be announced to inaugurate a 'SHORT WALK followed by a SUBSIDISED LUNCH'. Rod was quoted as saying that " This should bring them out of the woodwork!"
We can only hope he is right!!
Breaking News
A mole has revealed that the the above initiative, which may take place in the Barragem de Bravura area is a cunning ploy. Despite the description as a 'short walk', it is thought that Rod will lead the unassuming participants in a full circuit of the Barragem, then back to the cafe, where reservations have been made for Dinner rather than lunch!
Watch this space!
And now to the Walk report for this week:-
A Sub-committee composed of Rod and the CB have decided on desperate measures to bring the species back from the brink of extinction. In the near future, an initiative will be announced to inaugurate a 'SHORT WALK followed by a SUBSIDISED LUNCH'. Rod was quoted as saying that " This should bring them out of the woodwork!"
We can only hope he is right!!
Breaking News
A mole has revealed that the the above initiative, which may take place in the Barragem de Bravura area is a cunning ploy. Despite the description as a 'short walk', it is thought that Rod will lead the unassuming participants in a full circuit of the Barragem, then back to the cafe, where reservations have been made for Dinner rather than lunch!
Watch this space!
And now to the Walk report for this week:-
Five do Romeiras
The CB arrived back from an invigorating tour of the Picos de Europa keen to demonstrate his buns of steel, and mountain-honed calves only to discover that there was an air of apathy about the walk for 4th June.
I quote from the Hon Sec's email of 25th May:-
"It is getting towards the end of the season and although the weather has been very comfortable so far, I am sure that we will soon be entering a blazing June . I have not arranged a schedule of walks for June so far."
Immediately the CB sprang into the breach, and offered a flexible version of his famous Romeiras walk, to be tailored to the sensibilities and abilities of those attending. In an unprecedented show of solidarity with the Hon Sec., who was arranging her daughter's wedding some weeks hence, the excuses came in thick and fast, without a single positive reply, until Terry M. deciding something had to be done, drove non-stop all the way from UK, and even brought Monica and Katie with him to swell the numbers.
With the CB and Chief Paparazzi this made a grand total of 5 who set out on a gloriously cool and clear morning from Casa Pacheco in Romeiras via Corgo da Fonte for a moderate and highly enjoyable ramble.
Leader: Paul
Present: Myriam, Terry, Monica and Katie
Dogs: None - but with a right to feel aggrieved!
Stats: Total Dist.: 12.3 km; Moving Time: 3hrs 5 min.; Total Time: 3 hrs 17 min
Moving Avg. 3.9 km/hr; Overall Avg.: 3.6 km/hr; Tot Ascent 317m. Max Elev: 361 m.
I quote from the Hon Sec's email of 25th May:-
"It is getting towards the end of the season and although the weather has been very comfortable so far, I am sure that we will soon be entering a blazing June . I have not arranged a schedule of walks for June so far."
Immediately the CB sprang into the breach, and offered a flexible version of his famous Romeiras walk, to be tailored to the sensibilities and abilities of those attending. In an unprecedented show of solidarity with the Hon Sec., who was arranging her daughter's wedding some weeks hence, the excuses came in thick and fast, without a single positive reply, until Terry M. deciding something had to be done, drove non-stop all the way from UK, and even brought Monica and Katie with him to swell the numbers.
With the CB and Chief Paparazzi this made a grand total of 5 who set out on a gloriously cool and clear morning from Casa Pacheco in Romeiras via Corgo da Fonte for a moderate and highly enjoyable ramble.
Leader: Paul
Present: Myriam, Terry, Monica and Katie
Dogs: None - but with a right to feel aggrieved!
Stats: Total Dist.: 12.3 km; Moving Time: 3hrs 5 min.; Total Time: 3 hrs 17 min
Moving Avg. 3.9 km/hr; Overall Avg.: 3.6 km/hr; Tot Ascent 317m. Max Elev: 361 m.
The Famous Five start at Corgo da Fonte
The CB had omitted to bring his latest gadget - the Gorilla Pod - so the timer photos were far from perfect and included bits of car roof which had to be edited out!
The route from Corgo da Fonte up to the top near the Marmelete road was still open as a result of the clearing and replanting activities in the area to the west. In fact there was copious evidence of the damage to the topsoil caused by clearing these hillsides and the heavy rain of the past few months. The path which was easily drivable last October was riven with great fissures where the water had rushed unhindered by any scrub.
The route from Corgo da Fonte up to the top near the Marmelete road was still open as a result of the clearing and replanting activities in the area to the west. In fact there was copious evidence of the damage to the topsoil caused by clearing these hillsides and the heavy rain of the past few months. The path which was easily drivable last October was riven with great fissures where the water had rushed unhindered by any scrub.
An example of the effect of the rain on the cleared path.
Further up we saw a group of workers manually hoeing round some newly planted eucalyptus, of which there were many thousands in the area.
A spot of gardening in High Vis jackets ('Ealth & Safety y' know)
B y the time we had reached the top near the Marmelete road, we had only done 4.6 km, so I threw in a loop to enable the views to the south and west to be admired. It really is a massive area that has been cleared. This pic, looking back demonstrates the flower - filled meadow to the right and the bare topsoil to the left.
Man-made erosion! (or how to win EC Funding!)
After admiring the views and enjoying the cool breeze, we crossed the road at Loiros and started the descent to Zebro. This was an altogether different landscape, with a fine micro climate, and numerous species of plants and trees. Beside the path down, we came across garden flowers, apparently planted by a philanthropist, and several types of fruit tree, including some almost ripe pears. Terry went into 'Flower Photographer' mode!
A rose by any other name!
Myriam and Monica found lots of unusual flora that they earmarked "to ask Lindsey about"!
Despite these and other diversions, including meeting a Dutchman who didn't speak English, nor Portuguese, we rapidly approached the end of our stroll, - but not before Katie had enquired of Terry "Are we there yet Dad?"
Very soon we were seated in Casa Pacheco, receiving a warm welcome from Dona Aldina, and we even managed to get a reasonable timer photo of all of us, with Terry's camera, as previous attempts with Myriam's had resulted in alignment problems first, and then a picture of the car roof when the wind toppled the camera. Terry showed commendably quick reactions in reaching her camera before it slid off the roof. (memo to self: Don't forget the Gorilla pod next time!)
Very soon we were seated in Casa Pacheco, receiving a warm welcome from Dona Aldina, and we even managed to get a reasonable timer photo of all of us, with Terry's camera, as previous attempts with Myriam's had resulted in alignment problems first, and then a picture of the car roof when the wind toppled the camera. Terry showed commendably quick reactions in reaching her camera before it slid off the roof. (memo to self: Don't forget the Gorilla pod next time!)
Five at Pacheco.
We few agreed that it had been a pleasant and satisfying walk:
The few who do are the envy of the many who only watch. Rohn, Jim
The few who do are the envy of the many who only watch. Rohn, Jim
posted by Paulo a Pe | 5:24 pm
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