We are repeating this new walk which we did in early January as a special request from Geoff as he would like to learn the walk. The walk will start from Restaurant Ourique, near the village of Odelouca. There are a few steep uphill stretches at the start up to the ridge where we can enjoy nice views of the hills and river. There are two steep downhill stretches on uneven ground. WE WALK CLOSE TO SOME ACTIVE BEE HIVES, WHICH CANNOT BE AVOIDED. The rest of the walk is fairly flat and we can enjoy the wildlife on the Odelouca river. The walk is 10kms and is a grade 4 (energetic) due to the sterp hills. The usual rules apply, wear suitable clothing and footwear, bring a drink, walking poles if you have them, no charge, walk at your own risk.
Meeting Time: 10:00am. Meeting Point: Restaurant Ourique. Directions: Leave the N125 at the Portimao/Monchique exit and follow the N124 directions Monchique/Silves. At the roundabouts keep right and follow the signs for Silves. The restaurant is on the right side of the road on a sharp bend before Odelouca. Please park just before the restaurant. The restaurant should be open for coffee and they also do a set meal within our 10 euros budget, including tip etc. Linda and Russell will be guiding this walk and the contact number on the day is: 0044 796 0552618. Please indicate below if you would like to join the walk and also if you would like to stay for lunch. Thank you.

Please included Sue and Ken for the walk. Thanks.

Frank and I would like to do both the walk and lunch.

Thanks
Iva MacNeil

Rod and Gail for walk and lunch please.

Yes please, David and Mieke

....and Geoff and Sue please...and for lunch

Yes please include me for walk and lunch
Thank you
Rose x

Barb and Terry for both hike and lunch.

Hello
Steve and I with the woof would like to join you for the walk
Thanks
Wendy

Yes please to the walk. Mags & Bert the dog.

SORRY, CAN’T MAKE IT NOW.

Jenny and the ‘z’s Will be there xx

Iva and I are going to bow out of this walk. We can complete the 3.5 walks but feel the 4.0 is beyond our ability. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Hi Linda Russ, I’ll be with you, John H.

Dan and Trudy also joining the walk and lunch.

THIS WALK IS NOW FULLY BOOKED

Well, the good news was that the threatened rain almost completely held off...there was some drizzle, but nothing too serious. The bad news was that Russell and Rod must have thought they were back in their respective armies, marching us up to the top of one hill and back down another ; both the Ups and the Downs being STEP...or STERP as Linda says!

It was more then Grade 4 (Strenuous) ...I reckon Grade 5 ( Challenging) ....and that's apart from the barbed wire obstacle course where the route had been closed since L & R did it last and we had to scramble under the netting...again, bit like the army, but no live firing, thank heavens.

Anyway, 18 hearties reported for duty, with Terry & Barb managing to recce the route beforehand successfully to locate the starting point. One walker, who shall be nameless, dithered about wearing walking boots or shoes, but opted for gymshoes as she was too busy gossiping to remember to change her footwear before we started : the perils of getting older!

We stopped for our group photo as the clouds were clearing :
After 2.5 hours, almost to the minute, we were back at the restaurant , where Gail joined us for lunch, but Steve,Wendy,Jenny,Ken and Sue departed , leaving 14 to enjoy a private room, a roaring log fire and an excellent meal.

Pork Fillet, pork & bean stew or chicken were on the menu...plus wine/water/ chips/salad/black forest gateau and coffee...all for 7.5€ , but with the new lunch policy, the 10€ pp provided for a healthy tip as well as another 20€ for the charity.
For some reason, black tops were to the fore:
Many thanks to Linda & Russell for showing me their new walk and for guiding us all successfully round the obstacle course : we need to find a way around the barbed wire for future walks though....and for collecting 135€ for Mike & Su's charity whilst they have been organising walks in my absence.