WAGS 08.04.2020: Quarantine Diaries Week 4

John is leading off this week with his account of his alternative/Irregular Activities: (so Irregular in fact that they went out a day early! And used a Big Endian Format for the date to confuse the British, who modestly prefer the Little Endian!! ( See Swift's "Gulliver's Travels" - "Swift's point is that the difference between breaking the egg at the little-end and breaking it at the big-end is trivial… but we insist that everyone must do it in the same way, to avoid anarchy. Since the difference is trivial we may choose either way, but a decision must be made."

Also John suggested that perhaps we need a motto to inspire and keep up the morale of those WAGS that are suffering deprivation.  This is it:-

“In solis sis tibi turba locis”

Answers on a postcard, please to John @Esperanca. I must say it is appropriate in these turbulent times.

The TAGS Irregulars 2020 04 07

Duel at Dawn

                                   

When we looked at the statistics after our outing, we were glad that we had decided (for a number of reasons too convoluted to go into here) to walk on the Tuesday instead of the Wednesday. We were glad because this could not possibly have qualified as a WAGS walk – neither distance-wise nor speed-wise. Hence, the first appearance of the TAGS.

And as we were to a large extent following in Rod and Antony´s footsteps of the previous week in some very flat countryside, quite how we managed to accumulate

371 metres of ascent is a mystery.

The walk followed the usual pattern

with Hazel taking photographs of flowers:

Maria doing her customary flower arrangements:

and Yves taking all manner of artistic shots:

We made a deviation in order to check on how the architects were progressing with their modern villas at Caravela, Poço Frito.

This deviation was probably a mistake because of the extra kilometres it entailed on a remarkably humid morning, for which the Leader duly got it in the neck from his Memsahib afterwards.

The lady at Rod´s local bar (not sure if she is the same Widow Domingas mentioned by Rod last week) was very happy to retell the story of the attempted break-in.

        (Note the bus stop sign on the wall - not sure how frequently buses stop here these days.)

Very strict social distancing was maintained throughout, even at the post-walk refreshments.

These refreshments included Hazel´s Avocado Cheesecake – the name possibly an infringement under the Trade Descriptions Act because it was made without cheese – and a large Easter egg provided by Yves which for some reason had to be hit with a large mallet.

Right, my turn!!  But before I get into the exciting account of our 4th week of Social Distancing, I will have to report Myriam's comment, on seeing the picture of Robespierre 'fencing' with Hazel at Casa Esperanca. She said (and not sotto voce) " I wouldn't touch him with a 10-foot barge pole!" which showed a fine grasp of English vernacular.  Now under EC rules that would have to be a 3 meter and 4.8 cm barge pole, and would be demonstrably well in excess of the 2 meter proximity guide for social distancing, which once again that rebellious Frenchman has breached.  I am surprised that Hazel participated in this jeu de chevaux. Almost as surprised that not only did Yves try to drive to visit a friend last week and got turned back by the police, but that every week he and Maria still drive to meet John and Hazel to walk together, allegedly maintaining social distancing, but ignoring the chief rule of isolation, - do not mix with others outside your domestic circle. Enough said. It is serious as we have seen daily!

Paul and Myriam's SUPERMARKET SWEEP

        We hadn't left the flat last week, but with a more draconian lockdown imminent over Easter, we decided to venture out, and as a theme I decided to see if we could visit all the principal Supermercados in Lagos, with a view to assessing anti-Covid-19 procedures, queue lengths and evidence of panic buying, and with full regard, not only to WAGS criteria, but also Social Distancing and Exercise Guidelines.

Starter photo (NB requires acute concentration to operate the Delfie Art App!)

My planned route was to pass Lidl, then over the hill to Continente and Aldi, Bricomarche, Intermarche, a couple of smaller ones, then into town for a second Intermarche, Pingo Doce 1, Pingo Doce 2 and home. There are also a couple of Spars, one of which had been an Ali Super, but they were not on a convenient route.

Here is the Garmin Track:-

If you can enlarge it , the Supermarkets are marked in yellow text.

The Garmin Stats:

A minor 8% transgression of the distance criteria, but the Garmin also showed that we had only ascended 121m which was really not in accordance with our perceptions.

We passed Lidl, completely forgetting to take photographic evidence, which necessitated a slight deviation on our return route to visit again. Perhaps that was where the extra 0.8 km came from.

  The tried and tested route over the hill was followed, and the mosaic artist at the top had a couple of cones made from painted styrofoam to show.

The panoramic views to the NE from the top showed little progress had been made with the new development the other side of the Avenida da Fonte Coberta.

Soon we were at Continente. Myriam can be discerned in front of the gas bottles!

There was a well-spaced queue armed with large trolleys at the main entrance, all scrupulously maintaining their distance.

A short hike to Aldi:-

The queue here was not so orderly as you may see.   Just across the road is our new(ish) Brico Marche.

A good sprinkling of DIY'ers, but no queuing.

From here we cut towards the Camara Kennels - almost tempted to 'borrow' a dog to legitimise our walks even more. Resisted however. 

The local pigeon fancier, who keeps his birds in the Camara Works Depot was exercising his brood.

I searched Google for a technical term for Pigeon Fancier, but drew a blank, except for innocently being directed to a Twitter Account with this philosophical gem!

I still have some doubt whether she really fancies pigeons, but I can't argue with her thoughts!!!


Here was one of the tough off-road descents:

Another uphill stretch and we passed one of my favourite coffee shops, Pedra de Alcada, sadly closed.  I hope our coffee shops can survive this hiatus, as to have to pay rent without income, will be a problem for many.

Another short rise towards Intermarche, and we passed some floral grandeur.

Intermarche was busy, and there was a fairly lengthy queue, well organised and standing behind taped stripes 2 m apart on the ground.

From here we walked up past Sao Goncalo Hospital, which has been requisitioned for Corona virus victims, but there was little activity there and not many cars belonging to doctors.

Who knows where the usual non-COVID  patients have gone, as this is generally very busy.

Another uphill stretch to the top of the town, where we passed another good coffee shop - Aqui Ha Gato , which was open for takeaway lunches.

We didn't stop for once.

Further on there is a very good smaller supermarket called 'Eureka'. They have very good fruit and veg. usually. The queues were a bit ad hoc, but organised into three files. If you only wanted bread and milk, there was a desk at which you could order. Another queue was to enter and shop, in limited numbers.

The third queue was to order to pick up later at the door, which I thought was a good idea. You could also order by email, but not by telephone.

Further on we reached the Rotunda Supermercado, which was very quiet with no queue at all.

We passed Restaurante Trindade and up towards the Avenida and past the Bombeiros.
Continente were supporting the health professionals.

From the top of the Avenida, there was a wonderful view of Meia Praia - totally deserted, as the Police have blocked all the car parks.

Near Patata Beach, another reminder.

The terrace below seems to be a gathering place for itinerants and homeless, for some reason.

A twitcher's photo opportunity on the Avenida promenade.

Not sure if he has been rejected as a potential mate, as it is the breeding season now. How innocent they look; who could envisage the havoc they will cause on our roof, laundry and cars, if allowed to nest.

Further along the Avenida we passed the alternative Intermarche, (no queues) and managed to pick up copies of the Portugal Post.

Down the Avenida and across the Bascule Bridge to stroll along the Marina, before crossing to the larger Pingo Doce. Lots of cars but a short queue waiting to enter.

Back across the road bridge and another sign of the times, forbidding Tourist transport from entering the Avenida.

On towards the Camara and its impressive stork nest high on a relocated and preserved chimney. The young storks should be hatching before long. there must be almost 100 pairs nesting in and around Lagos.

the second Pingo Doce next (our local).........

.........and last but not least, a pic of Lidl to finish before the short stroll back home.

You can't see but the queues had become longer after midday.

ViewRanger came up with a full map and some stats.

The Stats according to ViewRanger, right within WAGS criteria..

Maybe the distance was less than Garmin, but we proved that we had climbed 171 m.

And at last - the last contribution I have received to date - what was everyone else doing?

As Rod and Antony do some serious walking their blog is on a serious matter, just as everyone else is getting more flippant.

JRF & António da Montanha - WAGS BLOG - 8th April 2020 - Corona Virus Edition

A somewhat serious blog on a fairly serious matter and indeed a rather serious walk.

..

It was planned as a final good stretch before the Easter Confinement; in the event because of an overshot turning it turned out to be quite a marathon as the stats indicate.

We started off up the  very well known Aguas Belas valley. There was plenty of water in the stream but generally you could cross without getting particularly wet of foot.

The first thing that was a foretaste of things to come was the most enormous shredding

machine,  capable  of chewing up sizeable trees; it was tracked but without any obvious place for a driver so it was presumably remote controlled. 

You want to keep your hands and the rest away from that.

..

Wondering what manner of behemoth could make such massive tracks we heard the rumble of an approaching engine and into view hove a gigantic 8 wheeled tractor and integral trailer with half the forest on the back. This giant was driven partly in the river, diverting the stream in places and creating new channels and partly along the track.

We watched spell bound as it swept past us along the river bed, churning up mud, most of which we managed to avoid. 

Before we had to sidestep it on its laden return we turned up to the right following a track we had climbed on a recent WAGS walk but at the top of the ridge we turned right (a walk we had done I would think in AWW days). This is a switchback route adding considerably to the cumulative height gain but with splendid views towards Monchique.

Eventually a ruined farmhouse, rather well placed on a narrow grassy ridge, appeared and was recognized by he who knew the way...or thought he did, because instead of turning sharp right soon after we carried straight on along the switchback ridge (Marked in red) before realising we had screwed up and came back. This probably added a couple  of km to our route and as far as the author was concerned it was beginning to feel like it!

The return leg of the ‘miscalculation’...

Finally back on the correct route that had been scouted with Antony´s reconnaissance drone…(actually very useful), we observed some impressive sedimentary ‘xisto’ and some stalwart corks recovering from the infernos of 2018.

Before we arrived back down to the head of the Aguas Belas it became pretty obvious  that 'Belas' it no longer was.  Right up to the very head of the valley a 50m strip either side of the stream has been entirely denuded of mimosas and eucalyptus indeed virtually anything that grows.

A km or two down the valley we came across the 6 or 7 strong gang and the machinery who were undertaking this destructive task and had a distant chat with he who seemed to be the gang leader. He confessed he had no idea why he was destroying this erstwhile attractive countryside but it was all on the orders of Silves Câmara.  Being pressed he opined that it might have had something to do with clearing trails for 4X4 Jeep Safaris.....hard to believe but it just might be true! Aguas ‘Feias' sadly for the foreseeable future. But if the 2018 fires have anything to compare, we know that it will all grow back, such is nature...

From there rather despondently, and by then quite knackered too, back to the car.

not that one…if only!

THE STATS:

Thanks Rod and Antonio

I did intend to end with some nostalgia in the form of Vera Lynn, and "We'll Meet Again" but the Queen rather pre-empted me in her speech earlier in the week, and now Vera Lynn is about to re-release it as a duet with Katherine Jenkins to raise money for NHS. A very good cause.  

       Instead I plumped for one of the great anthems, Bohemian Rhapsody by a different Queen,  rewritten for  the current crisis. Head bang along with it if you are so moved.

Stay well and obey the rules. better for everyone!