Walk No. 121, Thursday21Jan2016:Barragem de Funcho

[Geoff]

The first walk of 2016 : a slightly longer walk than usual at just over 2.5 hours hours.

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) .

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 0930 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 2/2.5 kms and park on the right , opposite and just past the O Grilho restaurant which is on the left.

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. 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 21 January).

Please note :The O Grilho has a nice sunny terrace for a pre/post coffee/beer. The reports of the new-owners lunches weren't that good BUT 6 of us had a good Wild Boar Stew there in December so we will be lunching there if you want to stay on and join us.....about €9 prato de dia. Our usual watering hole in Fuzeiros, the Casa de Vinha, is closed on a thursday.

GPS : 37.253135, -8.346341 or 37°15'11.3"N 8°20'46.8"W

Geoff

[Syma]

Hi Geoff please count Syd and May in. Have a great Christmas.

[Geoff]

....and Cynthia & Ted...

[Buddypair]

Hi Geoff, please count myself and Nigel in as well. Have a Happy Christmas, love to Sue, Helen & Nigel

[Syma]

Hello again Geoff

Please include Wendy on this walk as well.

Many thanks Syd & May

[etsac]

Hello Geoff.
Please put us on the list.
Looking forward to seeing you.
Trish and Alan

[Geoff]

...and Rob

[Linda and Russell]

Russell would like to join you all too.

[williew]

Please add Willie & Carol to your list

[Geoff]

and Janet & John who can't log on!

[Geoff]

Hi all

Well, after a night of heavy rain it has STOPPED!!

Unfortunately, the weather forecast for Silves & Messines says rain between 1000 and 1200.

Hence, I am reluctantly having to cancell the walk.

Geoff

PS
IF it is only drizzling in CVO at c0900, Sue & I MIGHT drive there and IF its only drizzling at 1000 MIGHT go for a walk IF there are any other hearty people there : BUT absolutely no promises.

Hope to see you next monday.

[Geoff]

Mea culpa??

Well, it stopped raining in CVO at 0900 so we went to O Gralho and found Alan & Trish and Helen & Nigel there! After a coffee, we decided to brave it and donned wet-weather gear.

Fortunately, it wasn't really needed. There were only a couple of very light showers ( more cloudy mizzle) and we did a very respectable c2h 30m, 10.5kms, 4kph.

We can also report a very satisfactory prato de dia at O Gralho : lamb chops or sea bass or pork being all well cooked....7.5€ with all the usual accessories.

Unfortunately, my camera is playing up so no pictures, so you'll just have to take my word for it!

[etsac]

Great walk and just as great meal afterwards. Thanks Geoff. Didn't get too wet and pleased we missed your cancellation post at 09:33!!
Trish and Alan

PhotoPictureResizer_160121_202940116-1024x576.jpg (175.52 KiB) Viewed 12174 times

[Geoff]

we missed your cancellation post at 09:33!!

Well, actually, 08:33, only 3 mins late!!......Portugal is on GMT not Frog time!

Anyway, camera/computer working better after a night's sleep, so here are some more:

Starters photo...L to R : Sue, Helen, Nigel, Trish, Alan, Geoff


Barragem de Funcho looking a bit low:


and the local granny at O Gralho with Cliff in the days when he had a lot of hair!....apart from that, neither seems to have changed ( she was in the bar) though Cliff's may be due to something else?



Anyway, sorry to have missed most of you, better luck with the weather next week ( & don't forget an extra walk on Feb 4.)