AWW 2012 Calendar

A calendar by Smilebox

Sparrowfart 27.07.2011; or Mad dogs and AWWs

Thanks to Chris and Antje, the annual Sparrowfart extravaganza continued, this year from a new hostelry. One question that was asked at breakfast  was “Does  Sparrowfart mark the end of the old walking season, or the start of a new one?” No idea, myself; but I´ve stuck this blog out under the old season´s banner.  

18 starters, 5 dogs and 1 cook.  (click to enlarge)

Walk leader - Chris.

Faithful followers - Antje and visitor Claudia, John H, Phil and Susan, Peter and Sonja, Lindsey, Terry and Jill, Rod, Frank, Paul and Myriam, Janet, Ian W. Ingrid.

Hot hounds - Maddie, Jess, Rusty, Tiggy and Sasha ( a first ).

Gastronomic guests - Sue and Troth, Mike and Jyll Pease, Joan ( plus grand daughter), Michael, visitor Carlos, and not forgetting Ian S. (taxi-driver and Masterchef).

The Track – click to enlarge 

Statistically speaking, the route was 12.93 km and we covered the distance in 3 hrs 15 mins. Unless the RCB´s smart phone recorded the temperature range, I can´t say other than it was hot, very hot at the end.

The Leader´s Report

"Mad dogs and AWW's go out in the early morning sun ! "

“Hoping for an early start at 6.45am in order to avoid the heat of the day, 18 walkers met at Casa da Oliviera for this annual event, where the attraction of a good breakfast probably outweighs the desire to walk. With coffee being served to those travelling from some distance, and a few others, assembling for the starter photo took somewhat longer than usual, meaning a delayed start at 7.05 am. Setting off at a brisk pace, the direct route to the Meia Praia beach took us under the first hazard, a barbed wire fence, which demonstrated the obvious flexibility of the participants with no torn trousers in sight.

The flexible Ingrid

“ Reaching the beach beside the new five star "Yellow Hotel" allowed us to head into the rising sun on a firm but rather sloping sandy surface beside the sea, which all the dogs took advantage of. Cutting through the dunes to the lagoon, where access is now restricted by the new Palmares Golf Course, the full impact of the championship course could be seen, including the prominent site for yet another five star hotel.

 

“Skirting the lagoon took us to the rapidly deteriorating causeway linking the beach to mainland beside the Alvor estuary.The full extent of the oyster farm was visible due to the low tide, as was not the case with the pick up vehicle. Frantic phone calls determined where Ian was, just departing the house in fact, so we continued towards the fish farms hoping to meet up enroute. This was finally achieved, and two ladies plus one dog were safely carried off to commence final preparations for the breakfast.

Better late than never

“ With numbers slightly reduced and one dog not two having given up as anticipated, we continued beside the railway towards the Alvor river. After some rather rough walking due to recent clearing of the drainage channels we reached hazard number two, which required a flying leap up onto the levee beside the river. No doubt spurred on by the vision of a muddy bath everyone made it unharmed, the dogs not worrying about such niceties.

Flying leap

 

“Heading for the familiar prominent dead tree, the condition of the paths improved. Crossing a levada gave the dogs a chance to cool off and remove some of the mud, apart that is from Maddie who declined to enter the water despite many efforts to persude her. The sun was now getting hotter, and the ascent up to the half hidden trig point was a bit of a slog with the hot sun on our backs.

“ Nobody volunteered to climb the monument for the obligatory photoshot, despite entreaties to the youngest, smallest or oldest to oblige. Leaving the shade of the scrub the leader opted to follow a distinct path rather than his instinct, thus ensuring that the walk was up to the required length and duration.

The observant will note the letter R on Terry´s right foot sock; perhaps he is learning how to do the Hockey-Cockey.

“Arriving early for breakfast was not an option, the more so when it transpired that the coffee pot had failed to heat up due to the power point having been switched off. The warm and increasingly weary bunch were glad to reach the shade of the next levada, and the ascent to the new golf course road took no time at all.

“All that was left, courtesy of Palmares Golf, was a long steady climb on a nice new footpath and a gentle descent to Jardim da Meia Praia. Still puzzled by the number of walkers still present, it was eventually discovered that, although one dog, Jess, had opted out, her owners Phil and Susan hadn't. With faith in his arithmetic restored, the Leader finally relaxed.

“Soon everyone had cooled off sufficiently to enjoy a full English breakfast in the shady garden, with thanks to all the helpers including Antje,Jyll, Sonja, Sue and especially Ian who had redeemed himself by standing for two hours in front to the BBQ cooking sausages and bacon, much appreciated by all. It would seem that the Sparrowfart walk is still as popular as ever, although an even earlier start might be in order. Or perhaps to combine it with the other Mike Pease favourite, and all night hike under the full moon finishing up with an early morning breakfast or even a beach BBQ. An easy way to kill more birds (sparrows) with one stone.”

The full English was super, with some of the best scrambled eggs I´ve ever tasted, among other delights. A vote of thanks very definitely deserved by Antje and all her helpers. Another question asked at breakfast was

“Is Sparrowfart a tradition worth continuing?”

Answers, on a postcard please, to Chris Whittle at Casa da Oliveira.

Naturally, at an event like this, the paparazzi were out in force,

so so we will conclude with a selection of their revealing shots.

 

(Post-script:- last season, the first walk took place on 15th September, a gentle 13.5 km warm-up along the side of the Bravura Barragem.)

AWW 15.06.2011: Rosario Revisited, or Levada Levity

 

In 1971 Don McLean sang “Drove my chevvy to the levée /But the levée was dry”; but, in contrast, our levada on Wednesday 15th was full and fast flowing –presumably with water released from the Arade barragem – much to the dogs´ delight..

Cybele                                                                                                                                             (IBI)

Whisky and water                                                                                                                     (YFP)

The 20 starters
Leader: JohnH
Leadees: Lindsey, Dina, Tina, Ingrid, Alex, Hazel, Hilke, Rod, Terry and Jill, Ian S, Ian W, Bob,
Yves, Peter, JohnO, and visitors EoghanO, Richard and Val.
Doggies: Alfie, Maddie, Cybele, Rusty, Misty, and visitor Whisky.
Apologies: Paul and Myriam, Antje and Chris.

The Track (click to enlarge)
Statistics:
Distance (advertised) “a gentle 9 kms”:  (actual) 8.78 kms.
Total Time: (advertised) “about 3 hrs”: (actual) 3 hrs 6 mins.
Moving Time: oh, about 2hrs 10 mins.
Report
A good turn-out of 20 for the last stroll of the season with Restaurante Mira-Rio open for us before 8.30 am. The 9 am start was slightly delayed because of the senior paparazzo´s inability to stabilise his camera but once under way we swung west about and then down behind the Restaurante complex to join the levada.


Tilleys, the old                           (YFP)          …and the new                    (YFP)     
Pleasant temperatures, fresh breezes and plenty of shade as we moved smartly along.


                                                                                                                         (IBI)
Group indiscipline at Rosario Point stymied the efforts of Trainee Paparazzo No.1 to take the photo customarily taken at this spot but he did his best.

TP No.1 claims the higher visual ground.                     (Pic by TP no.2  - IBI)

                                                   (YFP)                                                                                                                                                            (IBI)
By 10 am we had reached the Clube Nautico where a 15 minute coffee break enabled Peter and JohnH to talk about that rarely heard  musical instrument, the glass harmonica, and  the recent reports that there is a reclusive practitioner of it somewhere in a double basement garage in Lagos. These need to be investigated further.

Do we really have the time for a game of darts?                                                                             (YFP)

Gian Feroti on location at at Clube Nautico                                                                                (IBI)
Leaving the Clube, most of the group began a very gentle ascent of the central massif but here Ian S, who had made a long-awaited return to active AWW-ing, decided to go off on his own low road home with Maddie. It´s not clear whether he suffers from chronic altitude sickness (although an ascent from 29 metres above sea level to maximum 75 metres seems unlikely to trigger an acute attack) or whether as a member of the Flat Earth Society (Lagos chapter) he is simply just not allowed to do hills.
Panoramic views up top, from Silves to Portimao to Foia.

TP No.2                                                                                                                   (pic by TP No.1 – YFP)
Then we left visitors Richard, Val and Whisky to stay on the main track while we took a slightly skiddy and prickly route off-piste, down past a fallen tree to the side of the the Centro de Traimento, and then back round by road to meet up again with R, V and W at Opt-Out point no.1. Nobody took up the chance of this opt-out, but dogs were watered and Hilke took notes for the end-of-term report.


Will it be a pass or fail?

Opt-Out point 1
It was only 11 am at this stage with us already heading for home, and the Leader realised that something in the way of a retardative diversion would be required if the walk was to run its full advertised course. So we headed back up the hill that Richard and Val had just come down – they were very polite about this – and then we drifted along a modest path to reach a bit of tarmac where Opt-Out 2 was offered, rather in the old-fashioned, tentative way of cricket umpires offering the batsmen “the light” when dark clouds gather overhead, with hints from the Leader that a wee bit of a scramble was to come. However, this offer was stoutly brushed aside by Rod, and so we all plunged into a trackless maze of orange plots and formidable terracing. Scrambling, nay jungle-bashing, indeed there was, as we persevered with the traverse and refused to have recourse to the tarred road just a few yards away at the top of the ridge.

Don´t look down                                                                                                                                   (YFP)

Jill of the Jungle leads the way
But the general sense of direction was maintained, half-an-hour passed by, retardation achieved, and not much blood was lost.

That´s not Guinness                                                (IBI)
By the time we had climbed upwards and neared the pylon before beginning the descent back to the levada, the Leader feared that he had lost one more follower in the bush because the headcount was now down to 18, in other words dangerously near the maximum permissible 10 per cent loss rate; but this time the Odd one out was Rod who had obviously said to himself “Sod this for a lark” and had taken a short cut down the terracing and was there waiting. Experience tells.
Cool drinks shortly afterwards at the Mira-Rio, Dina showing maps of walks to be done in northern Portugal,  Ian W resisting suggestions that he needs a replacement Tilley, and farewells for the summer.



                                                                                                                                                          (IBI)
And now, two contributions from Lindsey.
Number One:
Dear John, When you write next week's blog could you include this recipe as quite a few AWW´s have Kumquats!! I haven't made it yet but looks good!
“Fiery Kumquat Chutney     Prep. time 20 mins Cooking time 30 mins Serves 1 x 500g jar

Ingredients
1tbsp sunflower oil  1 red onion finely chopped
1/2 tsp dried red chilli flakes (or you could use the real chillies)
1/2 tsp black mustard seed  1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp turmeric  4 cm cinnamon stick, snapped in half
500g kumquats, sliced in half lengthways
65g light brown sugar  120g sherry vinegar
Method
1. Place a heavy-based saucepan on a moderate heat, and add the sunflower oil, followed by the red onion. Fry for 2-3 minutes until the onion has softened. 2. Add the chillies, mustard seeds, cumin, turmeric and cinnamon to the pan. Continue frying for a further 2 minutes. 3. Tip in the Kumquats and cook for 3-4 minutes until just beginning to soften.
4. Add the brown sugar and pour over the vinegar, while still on the heat. Cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until the kumquats have completely softened and lost their shape. 5. Remove the lid and continue boiling for a further 6-8 minutes until the juices have cooked down and thickened. 6. Remove the pan from the heat and leave to cool.
Serve this chutney at room temperature with cold cuts and Asian flatbreads.”
You won´t know what you´ll have to write about next!! Best wishes, Lindsey.
 And Number Two: 
Dear John, Yet another request please!!
Several ladies on your walk yesterday, Hazel included, asked what the pink flowering plant was called that is out in flower now and lasts for ages. I bought a new book in Fnac this morning - Flores da Arrábida, guia do campo - and the name is Centaurium erythracea grandiflorum or in Portuguese ´fel-da-terra´. It can be used medicinally as ´´aperitiva, tonificante e vulnerária´´. !
Please could you include this information with your blog. Thank you for a lovely walk yesterday. Best wishes, Lindsey.
Well, that´s it for another season. The future of the blog seems reasonably assured. It might feature food as well as flowers next year. I think that you will agree that the two trainee paparazzi have earned their spurs or whatever it is that qualifies them for the job, very well, so they can be confirmed in their posts. Photo-credits this week to Yves Ferrer Pictorials SA (YFP) and to Ingrid Bonte Images SA (IBI). It also looks as if we may have another Assistant Chief Blogger to share the load, and, if some editions are written in Franglais, so be it. We are, after all, Les Baladeurs du Mercredi en Algarve. But before we sign off, I hear that searches through public records have come up with a newspaper picture of that mysterious Glass Harmonica Player of Lagos.
 
 
I´m sure we will hear more of him.
Fim.