WAGS WOBBLE 09.09.2015

To continue the theme:-

Ah, fill the Cup : - what boots it to repeat

How Time is slipping underneath our Feet :

Unborn TO-MORROW, and dead YESTERDAY,

Why fret about them if TO-DAY be sweet! And 5 good WAGS and true (Rod, Mike, Chris, Myriam, Paul) did gather at the appointed hour in Lidl cafe, where the symbolic first bica of the day was downed by most, Myriam having already broached hers at home.    We set off in good spirits for the first steep climb up behind Lidl, where we  came across this piece of treasure. A Renault Clio covered with fragments of tile  and mirror tile, which looked far more glamorous than ever before thanks to  the not inconsiderable labour of a local artist.    The schedule called for another bica at Continente, but the leader skilfully avoided that, as it was a bit too soon, and we set off into the Lagos Rural Wilderness between Continente, the new link road, and the 125. Here we came upon a superbly sited windmill, and the speculators present wondered about the development potential of the plot and the adjacent ruins.     BEFORE  AFTER   From here we worked our way towards InterMarche, where the assembled company did take a pit stop and down a coffee.   Next was a nice piece of artwork on an underpass. The inscription read " Untangle yourself" and on the small lock, "and leave your shit behind!"

(by Rod)

  Taking heed of the advice we headed down towards the Avenida past the Bombeiros and their collection of antique fire appliances, through the old cobbles, and came across this building site, which apparently was being attempted by an Englishman.

   It looked like a delicate operation surrounded with other houses and the street being about 3 m. wide only.

      From there we went back through the town and along the Avenida past the fish market. The planned trip over the bascule Bridge and back over the New Old Dona Maria II Bridge was abandoned as we had dawdled sufficiently to reach our 3 hour limit, and we reached the shade of Cafe do Bairro, where we partook of a celebratory pair of abatonados, a meia de leite, a bica pingado, and a fruit juice, and three of us scarfed the famous triptych tosta mista com tomate, (Myriam appropriated one panel of my tryptych,) while the one that needed building up the most had a mini pastel de natas.

      Very satisfied we adjourned towards midday.

Our total distance was 9.5 km, moving time 2 hrs 20 and total time 3 hrs 15, which was quite respectable, considering the educational nature of the stroll.

       

   

  

Then said another with a long-drawn Sigh

"My Clay with long oblivion is gone dry :

But, fill me with the old familiar Juice,

Methinks I might recover by-and-bye!"

Additional material q.v. comment by Rod

No I'm not sniffing it!

Too late! It's got my finger!

Now is the time for all good WAGS...........

WOBBLE

Dreaming when Dawn's Left Hand was in the Sky
I heard a voice within the Tavern cry,
'Awake, my Little ones, and fill the Cup
Before Life's Liquor in its Cup be dry.' 


And lo, it is already 1st September, first day of Autumn, the tourists are drifting off, and leaving a scarred but wealthier and more congenial Algarve behind.

       Having had a couple of very successful visits to the JH Casual Walk and occasional breakfast club, it is time for the lines to be drawn for the new season.   David is already well into the 3rd revision of the AWW Diary and instructions have issued for the season opener for those who enjoy a brisker outing.
      For those of us who have decided that a shorter walk and a longer brunch are The Way Forward, the WAGS (Invitation Only) must whip up some enthusiasm.

     I would like to offer a Challenge Walk, based on my activities during the summer in regularly persuading my Withings Pop Activité Tracker to break the 8000 pace target.
   
      We all need a Challenge, and by that I don't mean staying awake past 10 pm or getting to one's feet after sitting in a soft chair for an hour or so, without making a noise like a punctured bagpipe.

        My Challenge, with the acronym WOBBLE (WAGS Only Big Bica Lagos Expedition) involves a 9 km walk in the Lagos area, which takes in many parts which will be unfamiliar to most, including other Lagos residents, but includes on the way round, stops at each Supermarket with a built-in cafe for a fast Bica. To complete the Challenge you will need to knock back 5 Bicas or equivalent during the 2-2 1/2 hour round trip. There will be other categories for those that quail in the face of this terrifying challenge, a decaff section, a tea or fruit juice section, or a b.y.o. water section for those who only want to walk, Frank.
       In addition to maintaining caffeine levels at or above the medically recommended daily requirement, you will get to see some of the finest sites in Lagos, revealed by a guide who has studied the town on foot over the last 4 months, covering 800 km according to Withings.

       If there are any takers then the walk will start at the Lidl coffee shop at 0830 on 9th September, and unless there is a sudden heat wave should be fairly pleasant walking. I can't promise all Tarmac and calcada  as there is a lengthy dirt track section, but stout walking shoes and shorts should be adequate, for those with beach seasoned legs.

        Please let me know if you are coming, or if anyone has a better suggestion, then we can do this on another occasion.

       Salaams,
                  Paul