Walk is now closed
Credit to Linda and Russell for finding this : we managed to follow their instructions ( 2nd time!) in May , so hopefuly we will remember the route Ok.

There are plenty of restaurants in the area for those who want a lunch or a snack afterwards : we will probably be trying Cafe Imperio, about a km further up the road that allegedly has the best chicken piri-piri in The Algarve ( I have heard that one before, but Jailhouse Dave also says it, so it must be true!).
Change of plan for restaurant, see later post.

Start : 10.00am

Duration : 10kms so about 2.5 hours

Directions: from Lagoa turn left on the N125 and drive to the Monchique turn-off at Portimao. Drive up the N266 towards Monchique for about 13kms till you come to the Restaurant Foz do Banho on the left hand side of the road. Park here.

Difficulty ( scale 1:5): We thought at least 3+ Energetic, probably 4 Strenuous, but would welcome a second opinion!

Usual caveats - all walks are at your own risk, and we do not walk if it is pouring with rain...no charge, of course...I will endeavour to put any cancellation note on this site by 0900 on the day of the walk.

Please indicate below if you wish to come, as numbers may need to be limited.

Any questions , please ask or ring 282 380015 preferably between 1800-1900 or 8am to 9am but not before 30 October.

Yes please for Helen & Nigel

Yes please, Geoff, but just me.
Mary Perry

Linda and Russell will be joining you both for the walk and lunch. Ciao

Linda and Russell will be joining you all for the walk and lunch after. Ciao

Yes please for Brian & Janice, plus somewhere for lunch

Paul and Maggi would also like to bag places please and look forward to the 3+ entertainment and lunch.

Look forward to joining this walk. Not sure about lunch at this stage. Sandra and Ray

Not sure why I didn't include Paddy first time round - there will be two of us!
Mary and Paddy

Rudy and Inge from Belgium would like to join you for the walk including lunch.
Kind regards ,
Inge

Walk is now closed

Squeezing Jim & Gill in...and Mary M & her friend Rose.

Hi all
I have just realised that we were planning to go to cafe Imperio two weeks running, probably not a good idea.

So, have found a restaurant that is new to us, Restarante O Cacador which does a prato de dia ( mains, wine, pudding, coffee) for 8.9€ ( and an a la carte, but don't tell Willie).

No idea about the quality, but there were Portuguese eating there today ( saturday) so fingers crossed. restaurant looked very typically Portuguese.

We will need to decide numbers on monday morning and ring them after 1000, so please have your minds made up by then!

Street view is at :
https://www.google.pt/maps/@37.240992,- ... 6656?hl=en


it is 5km back down the road to Portimao.
Weather forecast currently showing rain ceasing by the time we walk, so fingers crossed!

Hi all
After the heavy rain in the night, forecast for Monchique area looks good till about noon...so a prompt start with some wet weather gear methinks, and be prepared for it to be slippery underfoot.

see you there
Geoff

Well, we were a bit worried driving to the start , with no less than 2 separate cars having skidded into ditches en route, presumably due to wet roads, but with GNR in attendance.
The rain gods took pity on us though, no rain and even some sun.

20 walkers on the walk:



(sorry about some missing from the photos , am working with others on how to solve this problem!)

In the meantime, can someone explain how a madronha bush can have fruits and flowers at the same time?


Willie was nursing a poorly knee, but managed to join us for lunch, where 19 had a very good meal at O Cacador, though the eventual price ended up a lot more than the quoted prata one!



with Nigel not being able to resist having a glass of the (in)famous madronha :


I think I only missed one turning so was thankful to have Linda & Russell in attendance : a good day, thanks to all who came.

Finally, think it rates a grade 3, not 3+ nor 4....2h 35m