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,
(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.)
