25 Sep 2009 - Iberian Settlements Walk

Its 14 weeks since our last “proper” walk, so it was lovely to get out and about again. We have had an extremely hot summer, and walking for pleasure has been out of the question. But 10 days ago the weather broke, we had heavy rain and storms, and the temperature just dropped. Today it was a pleasant 28c, just right for walking

Dave and Sue asked us to join them on a walk to the Montgo Iberian settlements. This is one of our old favourites, and being one of the less strenuous walks was ideal for our first walk since last June. Also in the group was their daughter Clair, two of their guests Paul and Jean and Steve a friend from Parcent. Plus of course their two dogs Charlie and Bailey.

On this walk previously we had been joined by a friendly dog, whose house we pass. And today was no exception. He suddenly appeared, and was welcomed by both Charlie and Bailey. During our first “water stop” he joined Jan and I. He was very excited and each time he shook his head we got “splatted”.

At one point we walk past the rear of some lovely villas with a very Moorish look about them. It seemed a good back drop to our happy group. The dogs had better things to do than pose for silly photographs.

We leave the marked track and head across country towards the hill on which the Iberian settlements were built.

Before long we reach both the settlements, or what is left of them, and our spot for lunch. Its so long since we were last here that I had forgotten just how beautiful it is here on the tail end of Montgo. And its such an easy walk for such lovely views of both the mountains and the coast.

Paul and Jean enjoy the view of Montgo and Denia. We were lucky today in that it was neither too hot or too cold, because there is no shelter from either at this open spot, just lovely views of the surrounding area.

On the one side the mountain ranges inland, on the other the coastal views from Denia to Ondara and on to Gandia. What a lovely place for a picnic lunch. And lots of space for the dogs to run around. While we had a well deserved rest, they had a lovely time exploring the rocky outcrops.

Having had enough of exploring, Charlie is ready to go home, and waits for us to catch up. Montgo looms in the background.

One of the nice aspects of this walk is that we go through two woods, very unusual for this part of Spain, where the walks are usually in open rocky terrain, often with high undergrowth but rarely the shade of trees. It always reminds me of walks in the New Forest.

Each time we passed a shaded spot on the way back to the cars, the dogs would lie down and give us a sad and imploring look which clearly said “just a little longer please”.

While we had lunch near the settlements, Jan found an interesting rock. We have a garden full of rocks we have picked up on various walks, but not often as big as this one. Jan’s idea to pick it up, but of course it traveled back to the car in MY haversack.

11 to 20 August - Stuart, Michelle and Jack

My son Stuart, his wife Michelle and son Jack came for their annual visit from 11 to 20 August. In the middle of a summer which the local people of Parcent swear is the hottest that they can remember, it rained on their first day!! Good thing mind, because it did lower the temperature a little.

It was too hot to do much during the day, except play in the pool. Fortunately they were more than ready to do just that - especially Jack. He loves being in the water, especially when his dad throws him around - the rougher the better.

Jack's favourite water game was hitting Stuart with his "thingy". He would hit Stuart on the head, and he would then have to pretend that he was knocked out in the water. Jack could play this game until Stuart was shattered jumping about.


One lunchtime we did go out, to the local Piscina (town swimming pool) where they have a lovely restaurant. There is a large outdoor area set amongst the trees and with a canopy. Its lovely and cool, even on the hottest day. And when Jack got bored, his Dad could take him for a walk amongst the trees.

At the side of the restaurant there is a large fish lake, which Jack loved. He had been to Mundomar the previous day, a water amusement park where Jack was much taken watching the fish swim in the large tanks. The ones here were pretty small by comparison, but he still loved watching them.

Stuart usually likes driving around to relax, but it was too hot this holiday, especially as our car does not have air conditioning! But they all seemed to enjoy their enforced relaxing holiday. To stop being bored Stuart would swim up to 200 lengths in our pool.

6 Aug 2009 - Paul and Jean at El Portet

Paul and Jean came to visit for a couple of days. They are staying at their own house at Calasparra, but came to us for a short break, and to bring us up to date with the latest news from UK.

It was much too hot to go for a walk, like we usually do. The most we would manage was to walk into Parcent to collect our post and have a drink at the cooperativea.

The rest of the time was spent between eating, drinking, wargaming and swimming. Paul is an old wargamer friend, and likes to play a game when he visits.

On their last night we went to El Portet, a lovely restaurant a few miles from Parcent on the Orba road. It was the first time we visited in the summer, and it was lovely to sit outside on a warm evening with a cooling breeze. Just as well, because the service was extremely slow. Most unusual, and perhaps due to staff problems. But the food was well up to its usual excellent standards. Best of all was a new sweet on the menu, a sort of cold bread cake with ice cream.

1 Jul 2009 - Dave and Sue BBQ

27 Jun 2009 - Morpeth Family Farm

Last year Stuart told us that Jack's favourite day out was a family farm near Morpeth, where there are lots of animals to handle and things to ride around on. So we gave them an annual ticket as a Christmas present. And of course they were anxious to show us what it is like.

Morpeth is back in the north of course. Stuart always insists that the weather is just as good there as it is in the soft south. And you will notice that he is not wearing a coat. However you will also notice that the rest of us are!

It was also raining. Now rain means nothing to a three year old, and it certainly did not cramp Jack's style at all. Indeed it added a new attraction - jumping in water puddles. But a mum has to be more aware, and Michelle brought a complete change of clothes for Jack. We brought a picnic lunch, but of course it was too wet to eat at the picnic site. However there was also an indoor picnic area - very canny these northerners.

23 Jun 2009 - Visit to Salisbury Cathedral

Jan had worked in the Salisbury Cathedral for 11 years, most of that time in the Visitors Office, before we moved to Spain. This was the first opportunity we had to return to Salisbury since we left, and she naturally wanted to meet up with old friends.

Three of her old colleagues, Lesley, Helen and Dene, arranged a picnic in on the lawn in front of the cathedral. It was very English, and very enjoyable. They talked cathedral business and what had changed since she left, and I enjoyed the picnic.

Lovely day - thanks to Lesley, Helen and Dene.