Descending into Camacha at the end of the trail

If yesterday was one of the great walks today was at the other end of the continuum. A 10 mile march along two lavadas punctuated by an unrelenting climb of 800 feet or more between the two along a straight tarmac and cobbled road.

The best part of the day was a hurried visit to the beautiful Tropical Gardens in Monte and a short time watching those wicker sledges careening down the streets dodging cars coming up and down.

The walk guide suggested spending no more than an hour before setting off on the 13k walk to Camacha where we would be picked up and taken back to the hotel.

It was 10.45 when we left, the notes said it would take 4 hours 45 minutes to complete the walk getting to our destination at 3.15 without any stops. Our driver asked if we could be collected at 3.00pm. We initially agreed, soon realising this was not possible so a quick telephone call changed our pickup time to 4.30.

Even so there was little time to hang around and indeed little incentive to do so as we trailed for endless miles along the levada treadmill hemmed in by trees with only brief glimpses of any views. Until we reached Camacho there was very little of interest, except for a few plants flowers and some weary lizards. We saw very few birds or butterflies.

In the end our pace was such that we arrived at Camacha just after 3.00pm immediately stopping at a bar for a pint and several bags of crisps.

Tomorrow’s walk promises to be a little longer, with more viewpoints and points of interest. We gave it our best today, were unswervingly positive and in the end pleased to be able to complete the trail. From me, this trail was “null points”. Yesterday was 10