AWW 2.03.2011: Carrapeteira Revisited, or The Case of the Dyslexic Dog

 

The Calçadas of Carrapateira

“It isn´t be much fun being a dyslexic dog. True, one gets ferried about in considerable style and one does not always have to walk home, but the speeds at which the 2 litre Peugeot Whittlemobile travels make it very difficult for one to decipher the road signs accurately. To the majority of sentient creatures, Carrapateira is simply a place name and only that; but when one has a tendency to transpose one´s A´s and one´s R`s, the word becomes an open invitation to mess up.” And for poor Tiggy, the pristine calcadas of Carrapateira Cima were irresistible. We will not mention Antje´s boots.

But before that incident, Hilke had welcomed Hedley back, Antje had marshalled the troops and the usual Starter pic had been snapped, all as near to the 9.30 am start as made no difference..

All the Starters

The track was relatively familiar to most of us but, none the less, very pleasant going indeed.

 

Before we go on to the Leader´s Report, time for the Statistics and a Commercial Break, courtesy of Paul the RCB:

“ The stats were:
Total Distance:    17.55 km
Total Time:         4hrs 51 min.
Moving Time:      4 hrs
Overall Avg.:      3.6 km/hr
Moving Avg.:       4.3 km/hr
Total Ascent:      441 m.
Max Elevation:    144 m.
Tilley Count: A respectable 5 with Rod showing interest in the Tilley AirFlo for the near future. (I would recommend the LTM-6 AirFlo:-
http://www.tilley.com/LTM6-AIRFLO-Nylamtium-Hat.aspx,   or the LTM-8 AirFlo:- http://www.tilley.com/LTM8-Mesh-AIRFLO-Nylamtium.aspx )
Can Andrew be won over after only purchasing a  Barbour for Lindsey, which frankly didn't compare with those Tilleys sported by Antje and Celianne ?”

(Comments and answers to Paul, on a postcard, please.)

The Leader´s Report

CARRAPEITERA RE-VISITED (AGAIN)

Leader: Chris

Walkers : Paul & Myriam, Tina, John O'N, Hedley, Janet, Rod, Alex, 
Dina, Lindsey, Ian W, Celeanne, Hilke, John & Hazel, & 
Antje.

Dogs : Tiggy, Misty and Harry

“ On a bright sunny spring morning 17 hardy walkers and 3 dogs met at 
the Cafe Bravo in Carrapeitera for yet another repeat of this popular 
West Coast walk. The main difference this time that was that we were 
able to enjoy the superb early spring weather for a change. Not a 
cloud in sight, so no vistas of rain sweeping in from the West which 
had been a feature on previous walks here. A little cool at the 
start, but soon layers were being stripped off after the first climb 
up to the trig point above the town. Excellent views all round, time 
for the obligatory photoshot.

Trig 1

“ A steady pace took us through Beiçudo, where Rod paid his usual social call at the stables,and onto the tourist village of Vilarinha. New and re-built houses seem to be 
popping up everywhere in this area, but fortunately they still seem 
to blend in with the scenery.

Tina entertains us on her edible harmonica

Alex smooths the savage beast of Vilarinha

“ Then onwards and upwards to the next 
trig point, with barely a brief halt for a photo before everyone 
became chilled by the cold wind now blowing in from the sea. Despite 
the cold wind we were still able to enjoy the short inland loop 
before heading back towards the coast.

Trig 2

Those thorns are really sharp

“Two pallets of Spanish interlocking bricks.. why here?”

“ The usual mutterings about the distance to the lunch spot prompted the leader to choose an 
unfamiliar hilltop, which whilst providing shelter from the chill 
wind didn't satisfy the requirement for park bench standards of 
seating, Nevertheless the other three requirements were satisfied, 
namely bushes for shelter and conveniences and a good view, if one 
remained standing.

Convenient shelters

The group head down towards the beach

“ Continuing on towards Praia do Amado we did pass 
our usual lunch spot in The Grove, where previously we had been glad 
of the shelter from inclement weather. Access to the optional climb 
to admire the view of the beach was thwarted by a wide expanse of 
standing water in the usually dry riverbed and an incoming tide.

“ So with hardly a pause to take in the views it was heads down and back 
to the welcoming sight of Cafe Bravo basking in the warm sunshine. A 
respectable pace for a relatively undemanding and uneventful walk 
seems to have enjoyed the approval of all who took part, as always. 
Other possibilities  for variants do exist on the West Coast, which 
hopefully we can enjoy next time when the tides are in our favour.”

Paparazza, black carrots, and a damaged Tilley.

Sunglasses a la mode

Synchronised stretchers

After the usual refreshments, two sub-committees met; the Dining sub-committee (Janet and Tina) are looking for suggestions for a venue for the summer lunch, while the Appointments sub-committee (Ian W and JohnH) are of the view that the Blog is in danger of becoming too Scottish and would welcome nominations for a Joint Chief Blogger of a different background for the next season…lots of time to think about it.

Off-piste, the Translation sub-committee (convener – Yves) has agreed that it is time to put Paul out of his misery and to divulge that  “Baladeur” is the accepted French for a “Walkman”.

And to conclude, the tune which earlier we saw Tina playing - the “Banana Boat Song” of course.

Going bananas