Stress at Queimades ……

It’s another opportunity for G to take me to the start of one of his Lavada walks. Today, it’s Queimadas, high up in the north east above Santana - the town famed for its quaint triangular houses. It sounds idyllic, walking through the green of chestnut forests, shaded  from today’s hot sun. Unfortunately, everyone else on the island seems to have had the same idea. Apparently it’s a public holiday, so tourist numbers have been swelled by locals.  

Hyperbole aside, it’s ridiculously busy, and we reach the end of the steep and winding single track road - our little Corsa doing most of it in painfully slow first gear - to find a log jam of cars waiting to get into the relatively huge car park.  The warden, trying to appear calm amid the crisis, assures us we should get in after about a ten minute wait; we’re doubtful, but decide to join the queue. 

I decide to have a wander to the start of the trail, beautifully verdant with a characterful cafeteria - all worth a few photos.  My eyes are taken by a beautiful cat, agitated by a large but placid dog, hackles raised as she arches her back and gets poised to attack.  I’m really not a cat person, but I find her mesmerising - and in many ways, her stress is representative of the whole car park fiasco. 

Back in the car, G decides the wait is futile, and behind us the situation’s getting worse. He manages to turn around and we begin the tortuous journey down the hill, easing past queuing cars, and those still coming up the hill. At one point, it seems there’s complete stalemate as a car coming up the hill gets stuck in a ditch, it’s driver panicking and stalling repeatedly. I feel for the poor guy; I’d be the same. Cars stretch build up in both directions, until another chap suggests he tries. Shamefaced,  he gets out from the car, watching as the other driver manages to free the stranded vehicle. After several minutes of shunting back and forth, we all manage to continue on our way. Reaching the bottom of the hill. we notice the police have clearly been called to sort out the chaos; we wish them the best of luck! 

Salvaging something of the trip, we explore towards the coast, passing verdant scenery dotted with triangular farm buildings, and a strange abandoned wood oven standing by the roadside. Then it’s back to the hotel, poor G worn out by the stresses of the morning, determined to avoid public holiday trips in future!