Walk Monday 16 February 2015 : Barragem do Arade. CLOSED

[Geoff]

...and Zillah....Looks as if we will be welcoming quite a few new walkers which is always encouraging, but we now have enough ( including ourselves), so THIS WALK IS NOW CLOSED.

[Geoff]

We welcomed 4 newcomers, Paddy & Mary and Bruce & Di(ane) , all local from Rocha Brava. We should have been exactly 20, but Alan & Pat never materialised.
The cafe, however, had some milk....the first time out of 4 visits...but still no sign!
18 of us set off for the first water obstacle:


with some opting for a variety of crossing methods, but it was cold!



but Alan's stick came in handy:


but unfortunately, Zillah pulled something in crossing and Cam & Russell nobly escorted her back, catching us up by the Barragem.



passing a JCB regrading the path en route:



Passing a couple of places where criminals appeared to have smelted down copper cables for their content, leaving a metallic detritus;


It was downhill all the way, past the lemon groves where a clementine had been grafted on to a lemon tree and the lemon harvest was in full swing :





Back over the water with confidence ( or getting thirsty?):


for a well earned drink at the O Ze, with 9 going to lunch at Casa do Vinho , where the excellent Prato do Dia was 8€.



When we recce-ed the walk in January, we took 2 hours 35 mins : today it was nearer 3 hours 5 mins.....we must have admired the views more!

[Geoff]

and your leader, courtesy of Cam:

[Belbest]

I am new to this group. I would like to join you on Monday at 10am if I do not get lost.
Lynn

[Geoff]

I am new to this group. I would like to join you on Monday at 10am if I do not get lost.
Lynn

Sorry Lynn, think you have mistaken 16 Feb for 16 March : this walk was last month!

I am currently in the UK and won't be organising any more walks till early May...will you be there then?
Geoff

[Belbest]

Dear Geoff i was there at 9.30am but nit see anybody. Had a prob finding cafe ze. Did a tour of the barragem didnt see any walkers so drove to the summit with splendid views the went the back way diwn to silves. I even went to the cafe rainha around 12.30 pm in case some of the 16 walkers were there, but the cafe rainha wasclised so went back to silves and had lunch at valdemas. Is there another walk that i could do??? Lynn

[Geoff]

Dear Geoff i was there at 9.30am but nit see anybody.

Well, that's because the walk was on 16 Feb, not 16 March, as stated above!

As I said above, we will be back in May if you are around then?

Geoff

[Belbest]

Hi Geoff. Grief, no wonder I didn't find anybody. I am back in London nowand going back to the Algarve on saturday 18th April until 1st May. Such a pity that you will not be there to organise some walks. Never mind, maybe next year.
regards
Lynn

[Geoff]

going back to the Algarve on saturday 18th April until 1st May.

Hi Lynn
We are coming out on 28 April & hope to be organising a walk on 30 April, just haven't got round to it yet...watch this space & we might meet up!
Geoff

[Geoff]

A walk is now arranged for 30 April, hope to meet you