APAPS 21.1: On a Cold but Sunny Morning

 Half past ten in the morning at Pesacadores and it is safe to say that the Café has never, ever, seen anything like it before. Bubbly in the glasses, cheers and congratulations for the victors, and plenty of international bonhomie all round.

But I mustn´t get too far ahead of myself. Much earlier, our team photographer had taken his first shot of the day. I think it was Dorothy Parker who said "When I get up in the morning, first I brush my teeth, then I sharpen my tongue." Yves first brushes his teeth and then takes a picture.

Algoz at dawn

and by now the Lagos contingent had set off on their perilous journey towards Silves, dangerous because the rising sun shines directly and blindingly into the eyes of those driving east on the A22.

However, we all 8 walkers plus Sascha gathered safely and on time at Pescadores on what was a very chilly morning for the first APAPS outing of 2021.

Even for us, the sun was blinding

We started off with a long climb up the valley - tough going for some – but it was  Antje, who claimed not to have been doing much walking recently, who reached the summit first, by a long way.

Made it !

Even that climb had not dispelled the chill, so warm-up exercises involving clapping and hand- rubbing were required.

and some leg waving

 We then followed a fairly relaxed circuit and made our way back through some of the last few remaining trees on the Serra.

They may not be there much longer, one fears, the way things are going there.

Then it was back to base with Hazel and Antje setting such a brisk pace that three got left behind and were in danger of losing their way. Leadership at fault.

The rear-guard

Back at Pescadores, Chris and Paul were waiting for us and their breakfast which was served up pretty smartly. As usual, home grow tomatoes and home-laid eggs along with lashings of bacon and oodles of buttered toast.

Enjoyment on a plate

Rod wonders if abstinence is the best policy after all

And then it began to happen ! Dona Fernanda and her assistant Senhora Ritinha could scarcely  believe their eyes and ears. 

There they were, a bunch of people of diverse ethnic origins - Chinese Chinese, Malaysian Chinese, Portuguese, Franco-Hispanic or Hispano-French, German and Scots - Ingrid should have been there too - all united in singing the praises of the English  - the English ! - soccer (football) team who had actually won a match the previous evening. What had possessed them? The two Englishmen present had the decency to look a bit sheepish.

You win some.....

...... and you lose some.

Although the result of the match – England 2 Germany 0 – was convincing enough, one wonders exactly why the English Press have ben proclaiming it as ”England making history.” It was not the final, nor semi- final nor quarter final. All it was, was a sort of hemi-demi-semi-final.

Nor exactly on a par with the Battle of Waterloo which, incidentally, was won as much by Marshall Blücher (a Prussian) as by Wellington (an Irishman) but which is now of course a Historic English Victory.

Any way, many thanks indeed to Antje for supplying the bottle of bubbly and for leading the celebrations - an example of either great sportsmanship or of f supreme mickey-taking. Chris and Paul can now confidently start planning how the APAPS can celebrate England winning the final on Sunday 11^th July.

And the Track and the Statistics

Average speed not too bad.

My thanks to Hazel and Maria for kitchen help, Antje for the fizz, and Dina, Hazel and Yves for pictures.

Closing Music:       Cold and Frosty Morning