Christmas Edition: a Silves Figure of Eight

 

Now that we have the statutory Christmas Greetings out of the way (those muttering “Bah !Humbug !” should keep quiet, please), we can now go on to the more prosaic description of last Wednesday´s walk, a figure of eight effort in the nearby hills starting from Café Elias.

Even at 10 a.m., the morning remained heavily shrouded in a damp mist, so we decided to take the Starter photo indoors.

As you can see, Dina was back with us again and, while we walked, her application to join the Silves Bubble full-time came up for consideration and, as it was properly proposed and seconded, the mobile membership sub-committee approved it on the hoof, so to speak. So the Silves Bubble is now officially 6 strong; potential Leaders please note.

Outside the air was very humid. Spiders webs dripped with moisture

while next summer´s strawberry crops were well protected

Alas poor Yorick - came to a sticky end, he did.

Eventually, the mists cleared and evidence began to be seen of the immense amount of land clearance that has being going on in these parts in recent months. Hectare upon hectare of terraced land have been scraped clean; the bare bones of the landscape can now be seen and most traces of the fires of two years ago have disappeared.

Neglected tracks have been re-graded and broadened, probably for easier Bombeiros access in case of fire. Clearly Almargem too have been busy, because we saw many new Via Algarviana route markers replacing and augmenting those damaged in the fires of two years ago.

As the sun came out, our professional cameraman regained his mojo (inspiration) and persuaded his models to pose for him.

Maestro at work

and the result  - "Three Little Maids from School"

After recent rains the earth is now well dampened and the streams are now flowing again, with clear water puddles for the young ones to splash around in. 

Lots of animal footprints to be seen too.

The Leader kept up a cracking pace all walk and, for most of the time, this is all that was to be seen of him.

Distance covered per Leader´s device was 10.1 kms, but Dina insisted that by her measurements it was 10.3 kms. New member´s privilege, so 10.3 kms it is.

After three hours, the walk ended back with brief refreshments taken at Café Elias

before we moved on to one of Maria´s favourite eateries, the nearby Casa de Pasto Norinha.

Bright and clean, it boasts a sophisticated menu, printed in Portuguese and English and, sign of the times, in French too "zut alors!". Plenty of regular choices as well as dishes of the day. Worth the detour. Thanks, Maria.

Another mishap with the beer

Dina opts for the crianza´s portion

And, it goes without saying, economical too: €8,50 tout compris.

Christmas greetings were received from the Whittles up on top of the Salisbury Crags in the middle of a rain and snow-free Edinburgh.

Click on this link to see the sort of terrain they were up against.

After that, let´s close with a little bit of Gilbert and Sullivan – Three Little Maids from School.

or if you prefer them in kimonos