Walk Monday 3 Feb 2014 ; Monchique

[Geoff]

A number of the regulars have expressed a desire to walk further afield, so we will try one at Monchique as an experiment! It is one we have done a number of times, but the last was 5 years ago, so apogies in advance if we seem a little rusty on the day....but it is in the Julie Statham book, so hopefully we won't go too far wrong.

Julie reckons it's " moderately easy" , and I would concur....duration is about 2.5 hours, if we don't get lost! There are no steep hills (to speak of) but certainly some upward slopes!

Difficulty ( on a scale of 1to 5 ) : 2 Moderate

Directions :
Drive to Monchique, ignoring turn-offs to Calas de Monchique. Drive to the centre of the town and bear right, past the fire station on your left. There is a big carpark soon after on the right. There is also a cafe there and will post the name of it once I find out what it is called!

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 0800 that morning, 0830 at the latest.

All walks at your own risk.
Because of the increased numbers on the current walks, please indicate below if you are intending to come......we may have to limit numbers to 20, so please let me know , preferably by responding below or phoning or emailing to geoffrey.j.hill@btopenworld.com.

Any qs, ring 282 380015, before 0900 or after 6pm .

[williew]

We'll be there
Willie and Carol

[Geoff]

Cafe by car park is believed to be cafe Descansa Pernas......Mike, Su & Colin also coming

[etsac]

Hello Geoff.
All being well we shall be there.
Trish and Alan

[snowbirds]

We plan on being there. Brian and Penny

[janetandjohn]

Morning Geoff,

we will see you on Sunday and Monday,
regards J&J

[maureen gutkin]

We hope to be there

Rob and Maureen

[juxebox]

Hi we also hope to join the walk on Monday.

David and Yvonne.

[Nipazur]

Hi Geoff, I'm going to miss that one. A bit too far for me on my own.
Looking forward to what comes after....
Nina

[Geoff]

Sorry to hear about that Nina.....but if you like, we could give you a lift?.....meet Pingo Doce carpark at 0900?

[Nipazur]

Hi Geoff, that's great and very kind of you. I accept the offer and will be there at 9.
Thanks very much and have a nice Sunday Nina

[Tina Webster]

Hi Geoff

Paul and I will be coming along.

Tina x

[Geoff]

With all the rain in the night, we had thought of cancelling , but it's lovely & sunny on the coast now.....but it looks cloudy up in the Monchique hills.....however, as I have missed my 0800/0830 cancellation deadline, we will go & keep our fingers crossed & pack our wet weather gear.
Hope to see intrepid walkers there!...& welcome Tina & Paul back!!

[pinkypuffin]

see you there, Jenny

[Geoff]

Well, listening to the rain at 0630, who would have thought we would have had a lovely sunny day for the walk with clear blue skies? 26 intrepid walkers in all, and only one small rebellion on which track to take.
A great walk, beautiful scenery, about 2 hours 10 mins.
An interesting diversion was the bridge, now just 2 poles, but the inventive ramblers found many different ways if crossing!


Conchita showing the French/Spannish method....


Sue the English way, with gentleman Paul's support!



The Canadian pioneer spirit from Gaile.


The Only Way is Essex says Jenny.....


Turkish Belly Dancing method from Tina

and


with a foot in the English & French camps , Alan decides to see just how cold the water is....

anyway, all safely across & posing under the 19th C aquaduct:



and so to a well deserved beer

and even 16 for chicken piri-piri :


and entente cordiale :.....Rene & Conchita toasting with the local honey firewater!


...but what is Penny up to?