APAPS 2017 no.7: A Close-Run Thing at Mira Rio

It´s remarkable what one can learn from doing a blog, particularly when and if blog readers add their comments. This time last week, I knew the name of only one street in Germany; now, from comments, I know the names of five. Am I likely to blush like Ingrid when they are mentioned? I doubt it, because it´s unlikely that I shall go to Germany. So, comments please this week too.

"A close-run thing" is how, it is alleged, the Duke of Wellington described his victory at Waterloo after the battle. But more of that later. Let´s take the King of Heart´s advice and begin at the beginning.

There was something of a fashion show at the start near the entrance to Herdade de São Bom Homen. Maria, having taken to heart Aristotle´s criticism of her distressed jeans on a previous walk, was now sporting a trim pair of shorts, despite there being a rather chilly wind that morning. And Rod, after many years of sceptical resistance, had finally succumbed to the Tilley Hat virus, the rays of the rising sun revealing him under the latest model, while Paul adopted the ultra-cool "sunglasses on hat-brim" style affected by the England cricket team.

                            I may be wrong but, technically, this may be the very latest TTCH1 Tec-Cool version.

                                            " Yes, that looks ready to go!"

Present: JohnH, Ingrid, Myriam, Maria, Hazel, Janet, Terry, Java, Paul, Mistie, and Rod.

Ingrid, chic as ever in her Parisienne-style chapeau mou, had, as you can see, done a great job à la Dame Ninette de Valois in tutoring the starters in their knees-up routine - minimal fuss, good camera co-ordination, 90% group togetherness - nearly maximum points all round - perhaps a bit more work required on the arm positioning.  All that needs to be done now is to get the dogs pose decoratively.

Eat your heart out, Aristotle! Surplanted last week by a Manchu Empress and this week by an Anglo-Irish ballet director.

There were two returnees after medical time out. One, Mistie, was extremely exuberant; the other, Paul, was rather more restrained. We set off quiite promptly and immediately tackled a sharp hill before we had properly warmed up. Half way up, noises began to emanate from Paul´s trouser leg: this was his mobile speaking to him. He attempted to explain it away by saying his device kept reverting to aircraft mode, but in fact it had gone into fitbit encouragement mode and what it was saying was "keep going -just a bit more-keep going." 

 

After one or two pauses, we made it to the top of the ridge and then things began to ease off somewhat.

 

We skirted the old farmhouse and went downhill for some distance. There was evidence of some land clearing having been going on, telegraph poles having been removed, and new tracks having been pushed through. Then we spotted this sign, and we debated whether it is possible or indeed desirable to plant 5,800 trees in 3 hectares (7.4 acres). If you google São Bom Homem, you´ll find more info about what Silves Camara are calling "Operation Green Mountain." Worth keeping an eye on: at least, no eucalyptus. 

  

 

 

Further down the track we spotted a man and his dog optimistically waiting for a bus into town.

 

 

Then we turned left and east to head for home. Paul was offerd a choice between the low road and the high road. Bravely he chose the latter. Half way up, the Dragon Empress passed round the liquorice pep pills but, even so, the second long hill of the morning was challenging. 

 

 

 

 

 

At the top, a contour in a thankfully downward trajectory brought us to the bench at Rest and Be Thankful where the group struggled to find space to sit.

 

 From here, a short haul back to the cars by 09.15 hours.

 

Time now for the track and the Stats.

 

 

Total time: 2 hrs 7 mins

Distance: only 6.24 kms (the shortest since records began -2016)

Average speed: 3 kph 

Total ascent: 269 metres.

 

On the gentle side; I think that we shall have to up the stakes next week.

 

Now, why the close run thing? Well, the plan had been to have breakfast at the nearby Café Pára e Fica, but the good Ana hadn´t been able to obliged since she would not be there to prepare the meal for us, so the meal had been rearranged at Restaurante Mira Rio for "mais ou menos" 9.30 am.

And we all got there pretty well on the dot of 9.30 am (all that is except for Janet who determinedly resists these early morning temptations) to find that the proprietress was already "plating up" in the very best Master Chef tradition. Just imagine if we had been half an hour behind schedule; I would have got it in the neck from her and the group. But, as it was, we could sit down immediately to a smashing meal. Efficiently served and delicious.

 

Terry got straight down to business:-

 

 

 

 

and Maria grabbed an extra helping of tomatoes, brushing aside Rod´s protests.

 

Hazel brought in the grapes from Horta Esperança with a flourish and a touch of fandango.

 

 

 

Quote of the day:

 

“Begin at the beginning," the King said, very gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop.”

― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland