PSP Algarve Ride 2001

Daily Tails - DAY 6 - Thursday 11th - In which the horses enjoy a good game of skittles at our expense!

Gloomy start to the day in more ways than one as there is no sun, no hot water and although breakfast is good, the news from Quinta Peneda is not good as a couple of horses couldn't continue and the odd one looked a little worse for wear.

Meanwhile take the opportunity to water-brush Henrietta's mane, forelock and tail so she looks a great sight and shines when the sun finally comes out! A good bit of hosing of legs to cool them down and off we went, again at a walk for a while, joined by a couple of the farm dogs!

Thanks are due to Danni & Dave for supplying some replacement horses, and after last night, Taylor's Port for providing T-shirts all round. Rod has managed to blag a special edition and there is some talk of a mutiny!

Off up into the hills again and along the road towards Barragem do Funcho (I think) and all is well until we meet both a couple of horse-scaring machines and a large sign saying "Road Closed". However after a bit of explanation we are allowed to pass along beside the dam and then progress into the next valley at a good rate of knots.

Then to my embarrassment Henrietta decides that she is NOT GOING ACROSS THAT STREAM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES! Looks far to steep both down and up, despite several horses already having gone across - no dice. Leap off and lead her across ok, but tend to agree that that bit was a little steep and slippery!

The valley is lovely but in a few years will be under water as there is a new Barragem being built, presumably to cater for the increase in tourism. Very interesting that some houses appear to have been re-occupied to ensure maximum compensation, and others bought at high prices as they will be lakeside when the dam is completed!

Walk the horses down to a river for a spot of water and leap aboard and trundle on.