Hi all
Another walk in the Pedreira hills, but one we haven't done for almost a year , but starting from our usual cafe.

It's just over 2 hours, a nice walk through orange groves by a stream, and through some forest....but also a couple of climbs, one quite steep, well rewarded with beautiful views! Some parts of the descent are a bit steep, so walking poles advisable. There is a lot of scree on the ascents/descents, but it isn't too slippery. For those who remember the walk, we'll do it in reverse!

Degree of difficulty ( scale 1 to 5 ): 3 Energetic

Directions: From CVO, go over Silves bridge and right on N124 for about 4.9kms, driving past 2 cafes, one called " Casa de Pasta a Norinha" and one " A Coriana" , both on the left hand side of the road.
Turn left at a sign saying " Pedreira , Pinheiro e Garrado" and drive 0.4kms : turn left and meet at Cafe Retiro dos Pescadores.

Please do not park right in front of the cafe : there is limited parking on the opposite side of the road,but best to park after you turn off the N124 but before you actually turn left.

NB Do NOT turn left on N124 at the earlier sign saying just " Pinheiro e Garrado" , which is before the 2 cafes.

Start : 10.00 am.

Wear stout trainers/walking boots....a walking pole would be useful. Sunhats hopefully recommended, but some wet weather gear might come in handy.

Please note that the walk will be cancelled of the weather is poor. I shall put a note on this website at about 0830 that morning, 0900 at the latest.

All walks at your own risk.

Please indicate below if you are intending to come: due to recent high demand, numbers are limited to 20.

Any questions, ring 282 380015, before 0900 or after 6pm....but not before 3 January.

Hi Geoff,

I'd like to join you on this one.

Regards,

Ann

Please put Linda and Russell down - getting booked in early!!!

Plus Willie and Carol please

Count us in for this one, Rui and Teresa.

...and Rob & Maureen....and Ros

Morning Geoff.
Please add Mike, Su, Colin and Sean to the list....and Carol.....cheers

Hi Geoff, Cam & Brenda would like to join you folks .

......and Eileen.....and Nina

PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOW FULLY SUBSCRIBED AND IS CLOSED TO ANY MORE PEOPLE

The morning started on a cooler and cloudier note than the last few days, not helped by the cafe having an electricity failure, causing a quarter hour delay in starting for the caffeine addicts to get their fix ( & a warm!). A series of energetic climbs up to the trig point soon warmed all 21 of us up:



though going down was trickier than going up, in some places :



I tried to be clever and attempt a different downwards track that had only been recce'ed once before, the other way : with egg on my face, we ended up by the same wood pile 10 minutes later, having just gone in a small circle!

We saw lots of butterfles on the way back:



A refreshing drink awaited, total walk about 2h 10m:




Whilst a number departed to the Mia Ria for lunch, your leader went to explore where he had gone wrong, it being too nice an afternoon to spend time inside merely eating and drinking! the problem was that we turned off about 5mins. too early....we should have taken the right fork here:



but instead took the right fork here :



a pardonable mistake, perhaps!

.....and here's one from Cam!!

Great walk.
Nice photos.

Resume of todays walk: 7.5 km in 2h

Map
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bx4Q-9 ... RGUjQ/view

Hello Geoff and fellow walkers. I am back in England and will miss the centenary walk on Monday. Can I wish you all a fantastic day and pass on my sincere thanks to Geoff and close colleagues who help to organise these walks. You are all stars!!! Well done!! Enjoy 19th January!
Angie