AWW 15.09.2010: Brazilian Bravura, or Back to School

The heat of summer relented for the season´s first walk; there were even a couple of drops of rain as we took our lunch under a conveniently placed gazebo by the waterside. If you wonder why the Brazilian element in the title, all will become clear as you read on. Of course, there were the usual number of opters-out, with all the usual excuses of having to go to the airport, while two of those normally most critical of Wednesday Airport runners had themselves found the somewhat esoteric excuse of having to go to Fatima. Now one does not knock Fatima, any more than one knocks Knock. Bear in mind, however, that West Airport Knock now caters for more than 630,000 air passengers a year and at least 9 airlines, including the world´s favourite Irish carrier: Fatima must have similar potential. Perhaps RCB was really on a secret aeronautical survey mission on behalf of Michael O`Leary - remember, you read it here first. RCB, by the way, is Terry Mace´s copyright, an acronym to describe Paul who, as far as blogging is concerned, has taken a Trappist-like vow of silence and who therefore can´t answer back.

And now, back to business as normal, we hope.

The Track (courtesy Richard)

(Click to enlarge)

The Statistics (courtesy Ingrid)
total distance: 13.5kms
moving time: 3hrs.13mins
total time: 4hrs.13mins
moving avg: 4.2kph
overall avg: 3.2kph
total ascent: 324m
max elevation: 181m

The Starters

Leader: Rod

Present: Antje, Ingrid, Lindsey, Terry A, Terry M, Dina, Alex, John H.

Dogs: Misty, Tiggy and Rusty.

The Leader´s Report

"Brazilian Bravura or what?

"We set off from the Bravura Dam Hansel and Gretel carpark at 8.30 on a cloudy and much cooler morning. We headed across the Dam and up into the hills. These had been widely cleared of trees and scrub ready for replanting so inevitably old tracks and new became very confused. We tried to keep to the tracks that had not been cleared as much as possible but when forced into the open the reward was splendid views over the lake which was still surprisingly full.

"We worked our way round in wide circle back towards the lake at a very leisurely pace with plenty of stops... as the total stopping time of over 50mins suggests!

"We made one abortive descent towards the lakeside trail....this was probably (definitely) a deliberate detour by our leader to enable him to have a rest on a plastic chair in a quiet lakeside backwater which he made sure he reached before anyone else!

"This meant another ascent back to the ridge track before we eventually descended the correct one.

" Shortly after heading back along the lakeside track the mystery unfurled, or at least a Brazilian flag did, curiously attached to a tree beside the water. After a few moments wondering about the provenance of that, we spied an invoice book complete with copy invoices covering the last couple of years, belonging to a small Lagos building company belonging obviously, from its name, to some Brazilians. A search for some other clues...or maybe even a body!... revealed nothing so the mystery remains unsolved.

"A little bit later, we came upon a lakeside picnic site ....quite comprehensively constructed but unused for a while. This was yet another excuse for a further stop for refreshments..there being no official lunchstop in view of the early start.

"As we got nearer the dam it became obvious that the lakeside track was fast becoming a Hansel and Gretel tourist route....we actually came across two or three other walkers (not very serious ones apparently!).

"And so back to the Hansel and Gretel for a drink (with attentive waiter service, forsooth, and over-attentive wasps -vespas- in attendance) to complete a gentle start to the WW season. Paul and Myriam absented themselves to go to Fatima...so they will at least be better spiritually prepared if not physically!"

And to conclude, a touch of the Brazilian Bravuras from Terry A

(Click to play)