WAGS 7.10.2020: Bensafrim

 

       I'm afraid that Rod is going to be heavily burdened this season, with neither Terry nor myself fit to lead a proper walk. Having said that, there was definitely a murmuring in the ranks after this week's walk, in which clearly Rod had lived up to his reputation.  Ergo, volunteers to lead lower grade walks are urgently required to alleviate Chris, Peter and perhaps others of the consequences of Rod's " We can do an extra LITTLE loop here to make it worthwhile!

       Well by all accounts, including his own, it was certainly that, and Chris made an important discovery about pain relief and mood lightening, which he may or may not choose t0 share with you!

      We have just got back from our usual Saturday Farmer's market trip, followed by a meeting of Lagos Cafe Society in Aqui Ha Gato. Our local favourite coffee shop has a sign up, saying no more than 4 to a table, which is the only place I have seen this limit, but of course they are perfectly entitled to impose it if they choose to do so. There were 6 of us today, so I made a point of clarifying the issue on Thursday, and the lovely Christina, the owner said, yes they had decided to do it for anti-Covid measures. Well we have all seen how arbitrary these rules can be with numbers , especially in Boris's Britain. There we would probably have to finish our coffee before midday. However Christine explained with a smile that 'Family' groups could have more at a table, and that she counted we regulars as 'Family'. Perhaps there is something in the Portuguese translation.

       Anyway to the subject of the Blog, Rod's walk in Bensafrim. Having been outed as a procrastinator in submitting blog scripts in last weeks blog, Rod was determined to get his account submitted before the weekend - and Dear Reader - He did!   

Summer seems to have returned and with temperatures nearing 30º it was verging on being too hot for the likes of geriatrics. Nevertheless  7 turned up, Peter S, Chris & Antje, Ingrid...great to have her back on the hoof again...John H, Maria and Rod,   and, as it happened, 7 arrived at the end albeit not at exactly the same moment.  Paul and Myriam continue to suffer their various ailments and continue absent...at least from walking.

L-R Back row: Rod, Peter, Chris, John, Ingrid:  Seated: Maria and Antje and Sasha.

So off we  set, following the usual coffee and starter foto,  from Bensafrim Market Square Cafe, now tarted up a bit and open all day except of course Wednesday! We set off along a fairly well worn route (north out of Bensafrim parallel to the main road) before forking right  and ascending up to the long East /West ridge.

Chris entering into the spirit.......

Some found the first hill a bit steep - others did not!

 Everything had been happening up there since our last visit which must have  been well over a year ago...extensive land clearance, fencing  (fortunately so far without any wire netting) and replanting with what looked like alfarobeiros.  What had been an old ruin was under renovation and ...ever hopefully.. had even constructed a column for future electricity and water metres.....might be a very long long wait!  

   

A rare sighting of Ingrid, out of her 'hood, resplendent with new gear!

We descended to the valley where some years ago  an extensive vineyard had been expensively created and indeed where Sven Goran Ericson,  the one time England Football Manager was rumoured to be planning an ambitious Football Academy. There is no sign of any Academy and there will be precious little sign of a Vineyard for much longer such is its level of neglect... an amazingly wasted investment. 

Miniature (untended) grapes.

  

 

Real ones this time - Yves is not around!!

Going over the ridge was the only ascent of the walk, thus allowing geriatric legs to start the season gently, so we returned keeping to the valley floor all the way round and avoiding going back over the ridge as we had done many times before.   At this point we split into two...Chris & Antje, Peter and Ingrid taking the more direct route and John, Maria and Rod taking a more winding trail on the far side of the valley. It proved to be somewhat over 1k longer but in the event we arrived at the main river crossing...or it would have been in the far off days when there was actually any water... at more or less the same time.  By this time we had learned from Paul who was anxiously awaiting his lunch that our intended eating establishment, Barberos, was closed so we had to make a rapid decision to transfer to the Cafe in Odiaxere which we had often frequented in the past. There were further minor delays whilst the rear of the walking caravan became a bit detached through taking a different route through Bensafrim village caught up. But, minus Ingrid who needed to return home, we all ended up in Odeaxere. At which point I will hand over to Paul, whose principal interest in the day was of course lunch.

I had one further photo from John on the walk, which was unexplained but I reproduce his caption below it. You will have to ask him, but I guess  they are trying to read the meter.

Rod and Maria -  Sabotage experts

            So, Myriam and I, took Erwin for a run and arrived at Barbero's  early to check it out. Unfortunately, against all the information Rod had gathered from locals, it was not open, though it might possibly be a weekly closing day. A phone call later we had decided to repair to Snack-Bar Lopo in Odiaxere, where they are known for a passable Frango Piri-piri, have a lunch of the day and also are prepared to serve bifanas and tostas at lunchtime.

            No problems with social distancing and we pit together a couple of tables on the terrace. Ingrid and Peter had already gone home, so we were left with 7 for lunch and a post walk debrief. 

       The two who needed refuelling least, went for the full lunch ie Myriam and myself.   My frango was good with excellent chips and Rosa tomatoes, and Myriam went for the Prato do dia, Chick pea stew with octopus.  Later I sent my usual review of the lunch to my vegetarian daughter in Cornwall which drew this comment:-

        "No, not Octopus!!! We watched 'my octopus teacher' on Netflix, amazing docu-film. None of  us would eat octopuses again, they are so intelligent."

      I bit my WhatsApp finger and held back a reply to the effect 'And so are pigs - especially the flying ones'!  I don't know - the yoof of today!!

Myriam studiously avoiding turning her unmasked face to the camera!.

You may have noticed that several of the photos so far  have portrayed the subject from the rear.  I don't know if this is a predilection of John's, a new 'Thing' for blogs, or an attempt by the subjects to display their best side!.

Myriam said the pudim flan was delicious............

 'Maria agreed'         A moment of ecstasy while sampling pudim flan.

Entitled: 'Antje doesn't want to hear any more sound effects from Paul'   

I really don't know to what he is referring

This one labelled 'Only joking!'        I don't get it either!!

Bifana

 

Deconstructed bifana

and finally the arty-farty shot of the day.........

Ah!   A blissful shandy

   Not much to add.  Rod led the deserving on a typical last year's WAGS walk, which was a bit much for some of this year's WAGS. The casualty list has mounted, but with Antje leading a tightly choreographed walk next week, one or two might venture out for the first time this season. The limit of 10 walkers on a first come- first served basis will be observed TFN but so far it is not a problem. However with the current Covid crisis escalating in the recent weeks, we ay yet have to do virtual walks on Zoom, so make sure you have it installed, registered and ready to sign in!!

On the other hand you may feel like doing senior exercises at home to stay supple. There are numerous videos on the subject, search for 'Exercises for Seniors.' DO NOT search for Naked Yoga on Vimeo. I did, and it delayed this blog by an hour or so!!

To finish!!