Now read on.
We started with the usual Tiller Girls leg show which, despite the absence of our in-house choreographer, was remarkably well co-ordinated and efficiently performed.
Clearly, Aristotle´s training sessions, infused as they are with a certain Gallic je-ne-sais-quoi, are proving their worth, and the troupe are obviously trying hard. Aristotle in absentia has sent in the following player ratings, (by the way, Rose, I do but quote):
"Indeed,
they are very trying…
The
scores :
Antje :
+1 for that smile again but then dropping one for the hooked foot… dommage! Nul
points;
Myriam:
-2 trying that little bit too hard with the show of calf AND attempting to hide
the stick!
Hazel:
+2 great display of teeth and legs! Good pointé!
Rose:
-1 That pose did not come from River Dance, to be sure!
Maria:
+1 the lamentable apology for jeans has gone but resting on TWO sticks cost
points!
Ros:
+1 for effort! Not a bad attempt for someone fresh out of
clogs…
Rod:
-2 a perfunctory lift of one knee and the jury is divided: was he dressed as a
Swan Vesta or as an Aussie Life-Guard?
Janet:
flashing the pink and attempting to kick a defenceless dog: -2 and a yellow
card!
John:
+1 good recovery of balance after the sprint from the camera! Bonus point for
the demi-jeté (not easy at his age…) (I beg your pardon !!!!. Ed.)
Aristotle"
Well, whatever other qualities that Gallic je-ne-sais-quoi does have, it is not exactly overflowing with verbal charm, is it?
Anyway, to the chase. Promptly at 7 am, we set off taking the back road up and away from the usual Águas Belas track. After 10 minutes or so, we had to tread carefully and quietly to make our way past a stretch of bee-hives where your scribe had himself been stung on an AWW walk back in November 2015. Now, whether it is the case that the bee population here has diminished since then, or simply that bees are not that aggressive at 10 past 7 in the morning, or that the leader had disguised himself under a white towel, I know not, but we all got safely past.
We now moved on up into the highlands. It was here that Myriam distributed her lucky liquorice pieces. She claimed to have won first prize by drawing one shaped like a boot: others tried to deflate her by saying that it was a sheep upside down. What do you think?
The Order of the Boot...... ?
We now moved on up into the highlands. It was here that Myriam distributed her lucky liquorice pieces. She claimed to have won first prize by drawing one shaped like a boot: others tried to deflate her by saying that it was a sheep upside down. What do you think?
The Order of the Boot...... ?
or a Black Sheep ?
But despite that refreshment, one or two hills later (I myself thought that they were actually quite gentle), the complaints about the climbing being too much began. The expression "fartura" ("that´s plenty" or "enough is enough") was heard, so we paused for a few minutes to consider the etymology of the root word "fartar", not shying away from delving into its various gastric connotations. Myriam was heard to say she was fragrant in that respect, whereas Rose was pretty blunt - "better out than in," quoth she. With lots more such colourful linguistic diversion, the offending hills were soon forgotten and, indeed, the worst was now over, as we now gradually descended towards the valley floor. Here it was that the two dogs, Sascha and Ember, went go walk-about so that we had another welcome 5 minute pause - their owners meanwhile shouting and whistling in vain - until they condescended to rejoin
the party.
Then it was simply a matter of going along the flat of the Águas Belas valley track back to the start, reaching Café Terinho at about 9.15 am.Just then, as we were about to sit down for breakfast, a frisson of excitement ran through us when an antique military vehicle hove into view, piloted by Paul and Chris.
The restored VW was much admired: it would have been more dramatic if the occupants had dressed the part - jackboots, monocles, big cigars, etc. On second thoughts however, given the scrutiny the jeep received from a passing GNR patrol, perhaps wiser to remain incognito - the authorities are after all still searching for those missing armaments.
Our hostess Ana then appeared, having gone to fetch the pão caseiro especially from Messines, and the anticipated breakfasts soon arrived. Some eschewed the bacon:
which meant all the more for others.
The meal was not quite its usual standard because there was no butter for my bread (bring back the Kerrygold) but, on the other hand, the price was lower than last time.
At the north end of the table, Rod and Paul engaged in the traditional past-time of comparing smartphones, while at the south end, Myriam and Maria engaged in some curious contortions.
Proceedings closed at about 11.30 am, which indicates that roughly 2 1/4 hours were spent on the walk and 2 1/4 hours were taken up with the meal - which seems a reasonable balance between exertion and repose.
To conclude:
The Track and The Statistics
Distance: 7.35 kms. Total time: 2 hrs 10 minutes.
Moving time: 1 hr 40 minutes. Average moving speed 4.3 kph
Ascent: 329 metres.
Oh, and I nearly forgot - I did promise you a Male Model. It is none other than Rod, who seemed quite taken with the very latest Tilley, with its state-of-the-art webbing and its concealed air vents.
Has he at last been converted to the cause?
Paul likes a closing quotation or two, so....
"Hats divide generally into three classes; offensive hats, defensive hats, and shrapnel."
(Katherine Whitehorn - British journalist)
The King said,
"Bother!"
And then he said,
"Oh, deary me!"
The King sobbed, "Oh, deary me!"
And went back to bed.
"Nobody,"
He whimpered,
"Could call me
A fussy man;
I only want
A little bit
Of butter for
My bread!" (From "The King´s Breakfast" by A. A. Milne)
the party.
Then it was simply a matter of going along the flat of the Águas Belas valley track back to the start, reaching Café Terinho at about 9.15 am.Just then, as we were about to sit down for breakfast, a frisson of excitement ran through us when an antique military vehicle hove into view, piloted by Paul and Chris.
The restored VW was much admired: it would have been more dramatic if the occupants had dressed the part - jackboots, monocles, big cigars, etc. On second thoughts however, given the scrutiny the jeep received from a passing GNR patrol, perhaps wiser to remain incognito - the authorities are after all still searching for those missing armaments.
Our hostess Ana then appeared, having gone to fetch the pão caseiro especially from Messines, and the anticipated breakfasts soon arrived. Some eschewed the bacon:
which meant all the more for others.
The meal was not quite its usual standard because there was no butter for my bread (bring back the Kerrygold) but, on the other hand, the price was lower than last time.
At the north end of the table, Rod and Paul engaged in the traditional past-time of comparing smartphones, while at the south end, Myriam and Maria engaged in some curious contortions.
Proceedings closed at about 11.30 am, which indicates that roughly 2 1/4 hours were spent on the walk and 2 1/4 hours were taken up with the meal - which seems a reasonable balance between exertion and repose.
To conclude:
The Track and The Statistics
Distance: 7.35 kms. Total time: 2 hrs 10 minutes.
Moving time: 1 hr 40 minutes. Average moving speed 4.3 kph
Ascent: 329 metres.
Oh, and I nearly forgot - I did promise you a Male Model. It is none other than Rod, who seemed quite taken with the very latest Tilley, with its state-of-the-art webbing and its concealed air vents.
Has he at last been converted to the cause?
Paul likes a closing quotation or two, so....
"Hats divide generally into three classes; offensive hats, defensive hats, and shrapnel."
(Katherine Whitehorn - British journalist)
The King said,
"Bother!"
And then he said,
"Oh, deary me!"
The King sobbed, "Oh, deary me!"
And went back to bed.
"Nobody,"
He whimpered,
"Could call me
A fussy man;
I only want
A little bit
Of butter for
My bread!" (From "The King´s Breakfast" by A. A. Milne)
6 comments:
A well-rounded blog - as I shall be if I continue to break my fast without earning it. Plus two very apt quotes. It is odd that some 60+ years later we can recall AA Milne's fine verses from 'Now We Are 6' et al.
A caution; although our philosopher is French and claims that Yorkshire is only his second language, it is no excuse for him to make risky allusions to Janet's dress, which taken out of context, may bring the censor into play.
Paul: honni soit qui mal y pense!
A.
Is Yves not referring to Janet´s Red Badge of Courage, that patch under her knee?
Knowing Yves, I can't be entirely sure! Perhaps he has 'l'oeil qui voit tout !'
For those that want to relive the full version of 'The King's Breakfast by AA Milne (written in 1924 I believe, this is a classic nostalgic recording.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=wECTzqzvv9k
@Rose - be prepared for a big kiss from King John if you turn up with the Kerrygold next time! Last verse refers.
Another excellent blog, excellent walk under excellent leadership! Thank you.
Another excellent breakfast, too, except a breakfast without "jámon" (as proved by the photo) cost €7, while those with "bacon" cost only €6.50¡¡¡!!!😤😤
On costumes: I must say Tilley hats DO make people look smart and classy, even handsome!
Unfortunately, our Aristurtle was a bit slow in reviewing photos. It wasn't my stick!!!!😵
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