Despite Myriam’s announcement and invitation after the last walk, only Dina, Myriam and myself felt the need to clock up another 18 km of RTC training on the west coast, this time with Almargem, who were on the 3rd day of a set of walks based on Pedralva.
They had been staying in the Aldeia Turistica accomodation at Pedralva, which has been refurbished into a set of single and two bedroom village houses, all named after nearby beaches. As we had, with usual AWW punctuality, turned up at 0850 hrs for a 9 o’clock scheduled start, and because of the usual factors, didn’t start walking until 0950 hrs, we had plenty of time to check out the accommodation and facilities, once we had established contact.
Village bus!
Indeed there appears to have been a significant investment in the village and the accommodation was to a very high standard with heating, cooking facilities and even a Nespresso machine in each house. Apparently the whole system was set up in a year by a former member of the Portuguese Tourism Board based in Cascais. The restaurant L-Colesterol, which was formerly on the Aljezur road has moved to large refurbished accommodation just in front of the Pizza place that used to dominate the village.
Village shop and Post Office
We were welcomed by João Ines, the leader for the weekend who is one of Almargem’s Directors. Once the party of 18 Almargem walkers had checked out, we were soon on our way on a route that was given to each member on a photocopied leaflet.
Make no mistake, Almargem are good walkers and properly equipped and we set off at a good pace. The other bonus (for me) was that there were more than 50% of the walkers who were not only of the feminine persuasion, but fit in both senses of the word – and almost all younger than Alex!! The one exception was a very fit lady who had apparently not only traversed the Via Algarviana, but had also done the long stretch of the Sao Tiago de Compostela pilgrimage route from Porto. I guessed she was of a similar vintage to Myriam and Dina.
João Ines, the Leader - at one with nature.
The walk had parts of the RTC in that we took in Praia de Murraçao and the undulations either side, a turn past the Wind fans behind Vila do Bispo, and a struggle through brambles and vegetation right at the end, just when I thought I could smell the beer.
The Track - 18 km and 750 m of climb.
You may have noticed a large red bobble in the track just north of Praia de Murracao, which was where I attempted to find a cache during the full half- hour (and then some) that we were allowed for lunch on the beach. This cache required a drop of almost two metres off a cliff ledge, and I gratefully enlisted the help of Teresa from Coimbra, who had done a bit of geocaching with friends, and trusted me enough to lower her down and haul her back up. alas without a find, while Myriam stood on a nearby cliff top and took pictures, rather than be the pendulum. If I had gone down I would still be there, as I doubt that anyone could have dragged me up from the abyss!
Upstairs and Downstairs
Two or three of the walkers took the opportunity to go for a quick dip while we were at lunch, but the sea was very rough and looked very cold!
After the climb up from Murraçao – Praia de Amado in the background.
When we arrived back at the Aljezur road just before Pedralva, our leader strode off into the scenery and we struggled through brambles and up and down oversized drumlins before reaching a sensible path. He explained he wanted to show us a rare and poisonous mushroom he had found on the recce, and here it is – answers on a comment please!
Deadly mushroom – anyone identify it?
To cap what had been a great walk and good company, the bar at L-Colesterol stocked Bohemia 1865 Reserve. We parted with promises to do it again sometime, and I hope we can provide more AWW’s when it happens!
“If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured and far away. It is not important that he should mature as soon as an apple tree or an oak. “
Sounds like an ideal walk to add to the AWW's portfolio of West Coast walks. I will bear this in mind when next leading a walk in that area.
ReplyDelete