Walk:Saturday 3 Januarey 2015:Barragem do Funcho....CLOSED

[Geoff]

Welcome to the new walking season , hope to meet friends old and new!

This is a longer walk than usual at almost 3 hours.....partly because we now start this walk at Casa da Vinha in the village, rather than cafe O Grilhao on the outskirts. It has a couple of steady inclines, but is otherwise predominantly flat(ish)......unless you want to detour to the trig point.....and gives great views of the barragem.

Difficulty ( on a scale of 1:5) : most is 2 (moderate) but a short part is 3(energetic) .

As we won't be back till about 1pm, you may want to sample the Prato do Dia at the Casa da Vinha : we have eaten there before and it is well recommended. Prato do dia was €8 if I recall. We will need to indicate to the restaurant the numbers for lunch before the walk, so please respond below if you intend to eat there, or advise on the day.

NB. We are checking that the restaurant is open on 3 January and hope to be able to confirm this next week.

Directions : drive from Carvoeiro to Silves, go over the bridge and turn right and follow the N124 for about 7 kms until you see a turning on the left signposted "Barragem do Arade 3 kms".......the signpost is in a small triangular traffic island, which has a large palm tree on it.......if you like, we can meet you here at 0920 and you can follow us to the start point, but please indicate below if you want us to do this.

Drive in the direction of the Barragem for 1km where there is a cafe ( A Rainha) on the left: turn right, signposted Canestros and Gregorios.

Drive through both Canestros and Gregarios for 3kms then make a sharp left turn, almost doubling back on yourself.

Drive for 2kms until you come to a T junction at the top of the hill, turn right for about 1.5/2kms and park in the village by Casa de Vinha (on your right). Please park opposite the cafe if you can.

Usual caveats: all walks are at your own risk, and we do not walk if it is pouring with rain.....I will endeavour to put any cancellation note on this site by 0830 on the day of the walk.

Walking boots/stout trainers , walking pole(s), hats and water recommended. No charge, of course.

Please advise if you are intending to come and whether you will want lunch. Due to the increase in numbers on these walks last season, we are having to restrict the numbers to the first 20 people who state below that they intend to come.

Any questions , please ask below or PM me or ring 282 380015 preferably between 1800-1900 (but not before 2 January).


PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOW FULLY SUBSCRIBED AND IS CLOSED TO ANY MORE PEOPLE

[Geoff]

Alison & Jim, David & Diane and Colin & Jacqui will be joining us.

[Linda and Russell]

Linda and Russell will be joining you all and would like to stay for lunch. Happy New Year.

[Jaylay]

Hi sorry we are not around for this one Jackie and Bill

[Bruce Wallis]

We won't be back until mid February, Geoff.
Have a merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year

In fact HAPPY CHRISTMAS ANS A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL THE WALKING GROUP

[snowbirds]

We will not be back until the 12th of January so unfortunately cannot join you on this one Geoff. We wish you, Sue and everyone else in the walking group a very Happy Christmas and all the very best for 2015. We have about 15 cms of snow here in Toronto so it looks really festive - however four more weeks of it will likely be enough! Looking forward to seeing everyone again in the New Year. Penny and Brian

[Geoff]

Caroline & Karen say they will be...and Mike & Su

[Sharen Crane]

Michael would like to come and is happy to car share from the village if anyone is interested. Also, please put him down for lunch.

We are staying at Monte Dourado if anyone wants a lift or wants to pick him up.

[Geoff]

Hi Sharon
We'll give such a CVO legend a lift...never met him, but could pick up at bottom of Monte Dourado at 0900?.....don't expect recognition should be too much of a problem, as I expect he'll be the only one there!

[Sharen Crane]

If the bottom of Monte Dourado is the out road then he will there. I'll give him a rose to wear in his lapel, just in case!

Thank you Geoff, that's very kind. Oh and can you remember to bring him back too please, after all I still need my chauffeur!

[Geoff]

If the bottom of Monte Dourado is the out road then he will there.

Yup.

[Colana]

Hi Geoff,

I'd like to join you on the 3rd. Could I meet you at 9.20 at the palm tree island?

Regards,

Ann

[Geoff]

Hi Ann......yup, noted...Terry & Monica also joining us

[Geoff]

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOW FULLY SUBSCRIBED AND IS CLOSED TO ANY MORE PEOPLE

[Sharen Crane]

Michael has asked me to tell you he is looking forward to the walk and to meeting so many members.

He might sign up for the 5th but wants to see if he survives the 3rd before doing so.