Following
the walk, a larger group gathered for the main event, for a
description of which we are now pleased to hand the narrative over to David Littlewood.
“
AWW and WAGS. 25th Anniversary
Lunch,
9th
December 2021. Restaurant Recanto dos Mouros, Silves
In
spite of renewed concern about Covid infections and sundry other
issues, around 30 members of the two groups met to enjoy an excellent
lunch and to reminisce. All had been or were members of the AWW, and
there were three of the founding walkers present – Rod, Myriam and
Tony– the latter of whom has now entered his tenth decade.
Pre-pagamento, of course
The
surroundings were pleasant and warm, the food of a high standard, and
the service quiet but efficient.
Tony and Thyll
Following an initial mingle and
welcome drink, folk were seated either in fours or sixes, and the
chat continued – remarkably, we were all able to hear ourselves
think!
After the first two courses, JohnH proposed a double vote of thanks: to Rod for organising the lunch event, and to Geoff for all his efforts as AWW co-ordinator over these past months.Geoff and Sue were sadly unable to
attend due to flight complications.
The Three Originals
The Algarve Way Veterans
Rod reminisces
Following
this, Rod talked about some of those present, including nonagenarians
Tony and Mike, and other aspects of what is now becoming quite a
lengthy story.
We
proceeded to the dessert, and to the cutting of a delightful cake
celebrating the AWW., organised by Susan Frew, and designed by son
Antony Frew.
Bubbly accompanied the distribution of said confection,
and a toast was proposed to the AWW and the WAGS.
Toast to the Future
Ken
contributed a pithy and witty summing-up of proceedings,
Ken sums up
and
David added a tribute to the pioneering members of the AWW, as the
sole surviving member of the ´generation´ which followed on.
It
was so good to meet up again with old walking companions, and sad
that so many were unable to be there, in particular Hedley, Antje and
Chris, Lindsey and Andrew, Janet and Ingrid, as well as relative
newcomers like Sergio.
Some
might consider it astonishing that in an area with such a shifting
population, a group such as this could survive for so long, but I
suppose it just goes to show that good ideas have a habit of hanging
around. There is still a core of seasoned walkers, almost all of whom
also lead, to carry the group forward. And plenty of paths as yet
unexplored. Here´s to the next five years! DL"
And the fun continued even after the lunch was over:-
Damn Bells sans mercy
And a surprise bonus - a Photo Competition for the more observant WAGS:.........
..........WHOSE WALKING BOOTS ARE THESE?
Answers in the comments below please.
And finally the almost obligatory musical post script:
A contender from Antony for fastest Blog of the 25 years of the AWW. Some walked; some lunched; some did both. Antony walked and excused himself from the lunch for technical reasons. By the time we had finished lunch, Antony contacted me and announced that he had done his bit! The result is below. Unfortunatel, the AWW Drone was undergoing a major service owing to an incident involving water. I didn't have time to find out whether it was a technical failure or 'finger trouble'!
Antony writes:-
As Lunch had been arranged at the Recanto dos Mouros Restaurante, a fairly short 1 hr 30 minute stroll had been selected to stir up an appetite for the 25th anniversary of AWW.
A request not to bring up the 'C' word during this leisurely stroll was unanimously agreed upon before the customary baptism photo by John the Scot. Participants gathered around the memorial of Maurice of Clyde and then set off at a leisurely pace up the small valley towards Silves landscaped country park.
Waiting for the red light
About 8 walkers and 2 experienced officials:. Paul, Myriam, Rod, Terry, Yves, Frank, > > > >
Lagging somewhat behind the group I decided to climb Aeolus' never ending hill of pain and meet them at the bus stop on the main Silves Country Park Road.
The view from half way up was rewarding, then enthusiasm wained when I looked to what was still left to summit!
Spurred on by the 14 peaks documentary and Gurkha discipline..."When you believe you have reached the limit you are only at 45% of your capability". The view from the top was even more impressive between heavy pants... I even managed a 'Bom' pant 'Dia' to a gaggle of ladies who appeared over the crest from the easier winding route to said summit. I am sure they acknowledged my accomplishment without breaking their own intimate chatter about things more fascinating to them.
Having checked for signs of the AWW group, I gingerly made my way back down the north face before passing Camp 4 and heading South West along the rutted Eucalyptus lined track, where upon I caught sight of the AWW group strung out in corresponding order of age and fitness...or in order of intimate conversations whichever you believe to imagine.
On passing the heart of the Silves Country Park, I did spot something that I don't really remember seeing before... A Eucalyptus tree in flower with a late honey bee still in active search of nectar! This naturally moved the topic of conversation onto Global Warming or proof thereof and the consequent subject of electric cars, diesel fuel and bio diesel...all essential debates on walks in the countryside.
The last hill climb of the day brought us to a rather surreal scene.... a stealth camper masquerading as a stealth barber shop.
...poles apart from the Coiffeurs that John usually frequents.
Then all that was left was the last descent through the valley with Terry's faithful hound Becky, leading by a pointers nose .
and a photo finish passing lazy bones bench before a warm down back to the Human / Dog boxes on four wheels.
As I was not present at the AWW 25th banquet lunch due to dietary stipulations and COVID vax (sic) issues, Paulo a Pé shall be taking on the blog for parte deux 'Les memoires gastronomiques'
PLUS an Addendum by JohnH being the transcript of the AWW blog covering the walk.
Tell
it not in Tavira, whisper it not in the Barlovento, but the AWW/WAGs
combination assembled, not on a Wednesday, but (Shock
! Horror!)
on a THURSDAY,
to celebrate their 25th
anniversary.
The
proceedings commenced with a walk of modest proportions led by Rod
starting from the plaque commemorating Maurice Clyde just outside
Silves on the São Marcos road.
And who says they haven't still got it? 6 km in an hour and a half and a climb Edmund Hilary would congratulate himself on. Even with the stats being dragged down by the current AWW's, I think the average age would be well over 70!
And I suspect the Diners ages might have tweaked that up a little with Mike, Tony and others whose blushes I will spare.
Meanwhile my relentless fight against tooth decay received a setback with the Anniversary Cake at the end of the lunch whose details follow in Part 2.
And a little ditty to finish Part 1. I am confident that if this song had been written in more recent years, it would have been entitled something other than 'Old Man Walking'. I can't think of a generic term other than perhaps 'people' or 'humans' that might be acceptable.
If you think you are neither of those then you may follow this link to explore a few possibilities.
