14 Nov 2009 - Alt de Ample

The more popular name for this walk is "the dead dog walk". I don't know why this is so, but I do know that twice a walker's dog has been poisoned by bait left by local hunters. Apparently they leave poisoned tins of tuna fish to kill foxes. The last time this happened the owner had to rush the dog to the local veterinary hospital, and happily the dog was saved.

Unlike last Monday, the weather today was warm and sunny. In fact we were back in shirt sleeves again. And by the time we had climbed the steep hill at the start of the walk we were all "glowing".

The walk starts near Jalon, but you are soon well away from civilisation. In fact during the whole walk the only other people we came met were a couple of Spanish hunters with their dogs. Its clearly an area popular with hunters, as the track was littered with used cartridge cases.

We were joined on the walk with David and Rosemary. None of us had done this walk for over two years, but we followed the route without any problem. We had expected it to be overgrown and were surprised to find that the track at the start had been cut back.

We had forgotten just how good the views are on this walk, both of the Jalon valley and towards the coast. This view towards Jalon shows the unsightly urbanisation's overlooking the village.

There is one part of the walk where the path is difficult to find, and we remembered that you had to head towards this dead tree. Actually its obviously not quite dead, as it had been in this condition for at least two years.

This is the lovely spot where we stopped for lunch. It is just before we start to come down the hill again, and provides excellent views of the surrounding area. The only drawback is that there is not much shade or shelter. However though warm today, it was slightly overcast so the sun was not a problem.

As we started to follow the mosarabic trail downhill we came across this strange rock formation. I often wish I knew more about such things, but sadly don't.

Another view, this time towards Parcent and "the green horse", the twin peaked mountain on the right, which was last Monday's walk. We could easily identify the church tower of Parcent, and just make out our house on the hill behind.

The downhill walk is much longer than expected as the path takes long zig-zags. As you walk down there is a finca in the distance which seems to get further away rather than nearer. But the views are excellent, and frequent short stops are recommended to admire it. The track is one of those where you need to watch where you are putting your feet all the time, so looking and walking are not recommended.

The last section of the walk is through a wooded area, and when we last did it the path was badly eroded. That is the reason we did this walk as a recce. It was even worse today, and we all got scratched quite badly. But at the end we found a good path, and David walked back to confirm that it would be a good alternative to the bad one we had used. This means that the walk would be very suitable for a Monday Club walk in the future.

9 Nov 2009 - Green Horse

Winter has finally arrived on the Costa Blanca. On our walk last week we were in shirt sleeves, but this morning was bitterly cold and very windy, though still blue skies. Today it was not only warm coats, but even gloves.

We made David take this group photographs because he was wearing shorts - and we didn't want him to show the rest of us up as a load of wimps.

We only had a couple of very short stops to catch our breath on the way to the top of the Green Horse, but everyone was still keeping their jackets on - except David of course who set an example to us all in his shorts and body warmer.

The best thing about the Green Horse is that there is a relatively easy climb, followed by some of the best views in this part of the Costa Blanca. Not only to the coast at Denia, but also down the Jalon, Orba and Castells valleys.

Margaret very wisely put on her waterproof. There was no danger of rain, but it does help to keep the chill out and (equally important) keep your hat on in the strong winds.

The route over the Green Horse goes from one side to the other, with constantly changing views of the surrounding mountains. Unfortunately the going is quite rough so it is necessary to keep your eyes on your feet rather than on the scenery.

We usually stop a couple of times to admire the views, but it was too cold today for more than one quite short stop. We managed to get out of the wind, but it was still pretty cold and most kept their warm jackets on.

Then it was on again and more spectacular views. There was not as much chatting as usual today, because it was quite difficult to hear with the strong winds. Not strong enough to be dangerous, but too strong to hear what the walker behind was saying.

And soon it was time to make our way down from the top. This track always takes longer than I remember, but is very pleasant as the paths are better and there is more opportunity to look around at the scenery. We were also less bothered by the wind once we began to lose height.

We always have our picnic lunch at the cafe, which is always closed on a Monday. But today the owner was there as they were doing some work indoors. But they had no objection to us using the picnic tables.

After lunch we did an extension to the walk which we had not done before. It added about an hour to the walk, which some feel is a little too short for a Monday Club walk anyway.

As it was windy and cold it was decided to walk back along the road rather than the usual track along the side of the hill. This was quicker and made up for the extra time spent on the extension to the standard walk.

5 to 8 Nov 2008 - Cartagena

It has taken us three years to visit Cartagena, and then only because our friends David and Rosemary suggested that we go together for a long weekend.

David booked three nights at one of the villas on this urbanisation in Mar Menor for the bargain price of just 150 euro for four of us for three nights. We had everything we needed, though it has to be said that the urbanisation was very quiet as it was now out of season, and all of the facilities - including the supermarket - were closed for the winter.

David noticed that there was a train line on the map at a little village called Los Nietos which seemed to go to Cartagena. On our first afternoon we drove the few miles to the village and found the station. No time table or booking office, just a station. However a visit to the cafe confirmed that the trains ran every hour to the city.

Friday morning found us waiting at the platform just in time to catch the 0940, and having paid 8 euro for the four of us return, we arrived in Cartagena for 1000. We soon found the tourist information office, where a very helpful lady gave us maps and timetables and told us everything we needed to know to explore the city. First stop was the town ramparts, which provided excellent views of the city and harbour.

Then on to visit the civil war shelter museum, where the locals found shelter from German bombers during the Spanish Civil War. You reach this museum by lift, which then takes you up to Conception Castle, with its excellent views over the city and harbour. And also of the bull ring. Now unused, and apparently waiting for restoration as it is held together by a sort of frame which makes it look like a piece of scenery in a stage play. We were to see quite a few examples of this throughout the city.

Then it was back to the city ramparts (or city wall) and on to the city centre.

Like many Spanish cities, Cartagena has many examples of street statues, including this one of a sailor with his pack. The city is a major naval centre, so this subject was not too surprising. Rosemary obviously cannot resist a naval man!

The highlight of our first day was a visit to the Roman Theatre Museum. The whole area was recently recovered, and has the most magnificent modern museum build alongside the ancient theatre. It would be hard not to be very impressed. We were also surprised to find that all of the exhibits had English as well as Spanish explanations.

We were spoilt for choice for lunch, but settled for one just outside the Roman Theatre Museum, right in the middle of the square. We were surprised, and pleased, to find that the menu del dia was only 11 euro each for a three course meal and half a bottle of wine.

It was mid afternoon by the time we finished lunch, and we decided to return to the city on Saturday, which left us with the rest of Friday to look around and get a feel of the city. And the harbour was an obvious choice.

This is the original first submarine ever built. It was invented in 1884 by Isaac Peral who was born in Cartagena, and was built in Cadiz.

The harbour had many interesting boats, and of particular interest to David and Rosemary who are keen sailors. Jan and I were glad of any excuse to stop walking around, even though we have little knowledge of boats.

Saturday found us again in Cartagena, after yet another trip on the little train. We started the day with a tour of the city on the Tourist Bus. Surprisingly cheap at less than 4 euro each, and perfectly adequate to give us a broad introduction to the city and a feel for its layout. We also spotted this large statue, indeed it would have been difficult not to spot it!

The harbour also provided this second statue, which looked just like s whale tail.

And once again everyone was more than ready to take any opportunity to sit and watch the world go by.

Sunday morning we set out to explore the area around Mar Menor, and we were pleased to find that there was easy access to the long empty beaches. We also found quite a few villas designed to look like castle's, and this one right on the beach was a particularly fine example.

As well as beaches, there were plenty of walk ways along the side of the sea, including this one with its collection of sail boats.

We explored the sea front for an hour or so, and then had a light lunch before setting off back home. It was a very pleasant break and one which convinced us that we should plan another one soon.

2 Nov 2009 - Pinos to Bernia

This Pinos village to Bernia circular walk is one of the longer ones the Monday Club do, and it is in one of the most beautiful areas as well. We had a good crowd of 17 for this popular walk

We park well into the mountains and walk up a steep road, but then its off road onto a track heading for the Bernia mountains

As always there is a lot of climbing involved

When you get your breath back after the climb, the views take it away again

The climb is followed by a good level path towards the Bernia, and at last the path is good enough to be able to take your eyes off where you are putting your feet

With such a large group the walk quickly developed into three walks, with a fair gap between each one. But it gave me a good opportunity to take this sort of shot with Bernia as a backdrop for the front group

Just before we started to climb again we had a water break at this lovely old finca

Any opportunity to sit and take off the back pack, not to mention something to eat. Its not for nothing that we call them “banana stops”

By the end of the next climb it was midday, and we were all very hot from a stiff climb. So this shaded area was very welcome for a quick water stop

Or indeed a quick apple stop!

From here we wealked through the woods towards the car park area at the start of the Bernia walk

You can see from this shot why this is one of my favourite walks

This is another section where it is safe to look around at the scenery, and you are spoilt for choice. Apart from the mountains, there are also long views right to the coast.

There is now about half an hour’s easy walk to where we plan to have lunch, with excellent views of the mountains

And towards the nearby Olta mountain overlooking Calpe and the sea

Lunch was at this empty finca

With this excellent view towards the coast

And after lunch a long walk back to the cars.