Walk No. 122, Monday 25 January2016:Moinho de Rocha. CLOSED

[Geoff]

IMPORTANT. IF you have signed up to come on this walk, please reads today's posting by me about lunch, further below.

This is a walk we recce'ed last February ( doesn't time fly!) but have yet to do as a full CVO Rambler Walk : so here's hoping we don't forget the way!

Please note this is NOT the walk from Moinha de Rocha that we did for the Centenary Walk : this covers the opposite hillside and is longer!

Terrain is quite reasonable, but there is quite a long uphill stretch but nothing too steep. There are 2 water crossings, but the stepping stones usually prove adequate. If you want to check out the photos, see :viewtopic.php?f=39&t=26423

NB Please note this walk is longer than usual at almost 3 hours.

For caffeine addicts, there isn't a cafe at the start of the walk, but there are 3 cafes on the approach road ( see below).....as I can't guarantee that O Tasco is open at about 0930 and Cafe Andre doesn't look very tempting, I would recommend Cafe A Taberna Nicola on the right ( see below) .

Start : 10.00 am

Degree of difficulty ( scale 1:5) : probably 2.5, somewhere between Moderate and energetic.

Directions: From Lagoa, turn left on the N125 and go past the turn-off for Alvor. After a few hundred yards, there is a BP station on your right and a road signposted " Senhora do Verde, Vidigal, Casais, Alcalar, Torre" : turn right here. IF you go past the Hotal Penina on your left, you have gone too far
Go up this road ( M532). After going through a single lane tunnel and after about another 1/4 mile, make sure you follow the road bending left signed Alcalar ; do NOT go straight on.
You should then soon be crossing the motorway. Carry on, passing A Taberna Nicola cafe on your right, and Cafe Andre a bit later on your left. Carry on past O Tasco, on the left. Just past O Tasco, bear left and follow the Monchique sign. About 5 minutes after O Tasco, you will see a building on the right that used to be a cafe : this is what it looks like:

https://www.google.pt/maps/@37.235301,- ... !2e0?hl=en

Turn left here ( signposted Montes de Cima, Marmalete, Casais ) and park by the side of the road.

Map reference : 37°14'07.7"N ,8°35'29.3"W

Alternatively : wait just past the turn off on the N125 at 0930, just before the winery, and follow us!

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 to meet us at the N125 turn-off. As these walks were quite popular last year, we may have to limit numbers to about 20 , so it is important to say if you intend to come.

As there isn't a cafe/bar at the start/end of the walk, we usually have a coffee/beer afterwards at O Tasco, a couple of miles down the road on the way back. They also do a good Prato de Dia : a bit pricier than the usual fare, but good value at 12.5€

Any questions , please ask below or PM me or ring 282 380015 preferably between 1800-1900, but not before 18 January.

Walk is now full and so is Closed.

[Buddypair]

Yes please for Helen & Nigel

[Geoff]

...and Rob

[Syma]

Hi Geoff & Sue Happy New Year

Please book us on this walk May, Syd and Wendy Thanks

[gordon]

Geoff,

Happy New Year.

As previously advised we will be joining you on this walk.

Gordon and Janet

[etsac]

Hello Geoff.
Please add us to the list.
Trish and Alan

[williew]

Please add Willie & Carol to your list and trust lunch will comprise of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties!

[Geoff]

trust lunch will comprise of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties!

....I sincerely hope not, but you can recite " wee timorous beastie" as we walk of you like!

[gordon]

Finishing off with a Burns Supper sounds like an excellent idea!!

[Mary Perry]

Happy New Year, Geoff. Yes please.
Mary & Paddy

[Geoff]

and Janet & John who can't log on!

[Geoff]

...and Graeme and Viv, new walkers from Alvor.

Walk is now Closed.

[Gillianjack1961]

Hi Geoff Gill and Jim would like to join you all on Mondays walk

[Geoff]

"All good walks deserve a recce " as someone must have once said, and this is no exception!

Being a beautiful sunny saturday morning we went to check-out the final phase and book some lunches, only to be horrified that O Tasco is now shut on a monday!

Fortunately, Amadeus Gardens is open, about 1/4 mile down the road.

For those that don't know it, it is owned by the same people that own O Tasco , but it is not your typical Portuguese country restaurant : more up market, table cloths, napkins......but very good food. We have dined their twice. It is a bit more expensive though.

The menu which includes couvert, wine, water, dessert and coffee:

Starter:
Fried chicken livers with balsamic vinegar
Vegetable cream soup
Duck pate with sweet wild fruits
Fresh goat cheese with honey
Avocado with prawns and cocktail sauce
Mixed salad

Main Course:
Grilled chicken breast with wild fruit sauce
Pork medallions with green pepper sauce
Grilled beef steak with garlic butter
Grilled lamb with mint sauce
Grilled salmon with vinaigrette of raspberries
Meat of the day
Fish of the day

Price for full menu ( 3 courses) €15.80....say €17 incl tip
Price without starter : €13.80......say €15 incl tip

They need to know numbers by sunday noon(ish).

I think it would be simplest if we all chose either the Full Menu or the 2 course one....the 2 courses will be more than adequate at lunch, but I do have a weakness for avocado & prawns ( & at € 2!!).

So would you please let me know soonest if:
1. You want lunch
2. You want the Full Menu, or without starter
3. You are happy to go with majority decision on 2 or 3 courses.

either by replying below, email at : geoffrey.j.hill@btopenworld.com or calling 282 380015 before 1830 tonight or tomorrow morning.

It would no doubt be helpful if you could bring the correct amount !

Thanks

[Geoff]

Hi all again
Many thanks for your prompt replies.
The vote easily went for 3 courses!
Reservation made at Amadeus Gardens for 1300/1315 so lets hope the weather holds and we have a memorable walk & lunch.
See you tomorrow

Geoff