14 Feb 2009 - CBMW Castells Walk

This CBMW walk was described in the walking programme as MS (moderately streneous) with some Scrambling, which could be avoided. Because of the description there were about 40 on the walk. However it soon because obvious that it was more like a S (streneous) walk, and that there was considerable Scrambling, none of which could be avoided.

We were told at the start that Geoff, who should have led, was unable to do so. The new leader felt the walk was more difficult that explained in the walk guide, and Jan and I were uncertain whether to go or not. But we did not want to miss it having turned up for the start. Also we felt that if most of the other walkers could manage then so could we.

You can see from this photographs that some of the Scrambling was pretty difficult, and many of the walkers found it very hard going. Consequently this part of the walk took much longer than expected. There was some discussion about sending some walkers back, but by then it was considered easier to go on than go back.

Once we got clear of the dry river bed, a very fast pace was set, so that we could make up some of the time lost in the Scrambling. This is not the cleverest thing to do, as walkers quickly become very tired if you push them too hard.


A welcome break for Pat (from Monday Club), Jan and I. Fortunately we all recovered very quickly from the Scramble, and were soon enjoying the walk again.

David makes a friend during the lunch stop. Don't know who the dog belonged to, but it found David's sandwiches very attractive. And it could obviously spot a soft touch a mile off!

Castel de Castells was a very welcome sight in the distance as we neared the end fo the walk.

The fast pace was kept up throughout the whole of the return walk, which was a shame as it was a lovely area and it would have been nice to be able to take a couple of "water stops" to enjoy the views. In fact this was the only stop, and that only for a very short break.

Making our way back down to the village. By this time the group was well strung out.

9 Feb 2009 - Monday Club Gata Walk

Another Gata walk, this time led by Pat. Similar to the previous one, and about the same distance. We climbed the same steep hill, but did not do the difficult descent. Not sure where Peter was, but he was not on this walk.

Group photo at the start of the walk

Pat did very well on this walk, we did not get lost once

Barry, Jan, Colin, Pat, Sue and David

Group photo to prove everyone made it to the top

The very familiar shape of Montgo

David - first amongst equals!

Jan with the biggest cairn I have seen locally

During lunch David confirmed he was going to reissue the walk contact list, and tried to get agreement to remove some who had not walked for some time, but met with a lot of resistance so left it the same as before.

Ready to start the walk back

Almost there, a short water stop before the descent to Gata

Making our way back to Gata

Always the best part of any walk - the drink at the end !

7 Feb 2009 - Granadella Recce Walk

David and Rosemary invited Jan and I to accompany them on a recce to find an easier route from Colbre del Sol to Granadella beach. In particular David wanted to avoid the long walk along the baranco (dry river bed)

The walk starts from the riding stables at Combre del Sol and we had to find a path down to the beach at Granadella.

We found the path ok, and were soon on the pebble strewn beach. We had the beach to ourselves, apart from this hungry little cat

I expect he makes a fuss of all the visitors, and gets handouts as his reward

This cat obviously knows just how to get his way with David and Jan

Although bright and sunny, it was still cold enough on the beach for coats

Last treat for puss

This shot looks more like UK than Spain

We left the beach and climbed the long, winding road to the view point above

Granadella beach from the viewpoint

Then its along the coastal path, with lovely views out to sea

The old Spanish fort destroyed by a British ship during the Napoleonic Wars was to be our lunch picnic spot

This has always been my favourite part of the whole walk

There is a comfortable wall to sit on and enjoy the quiet

The views are some of the best along the whole coast

Rosemary, Jan and I trying to keep smiling while David takes the photo

This is a very sheltered spot, and Jan is soon warm enough to remove her coat

None of us were in a great hurry to leave this lovely spot

After lunch it is straight up the hill. The path is not very clear and we had to search to find it

Once found the path is quite easy to follow

Its quite a steep climb, so we stop for a drink stop

Its a narrow path on the top which makes Jan a little nervous

At the far end of the ridge we come to this mirador (view point)

We have David to thank for this nice photo

David and Rosemary enjoy the break

The weather improved during the walk, and it was now quite warm

There used to be a wooden roof on this mirador, but a storm blew it off

Jan gets ready for the last stretch

From the Mirador its a level walk on good paths back to the car

We all agreed that this route was a great improvement on the usual walk, but we decided to try it in reverse to avoid the horrible hill climb on the road after the beach.

4 Feb 2009 - Almond Blossoms

For a couple of weeks each February the Jalon valley is covered with Almond blossoms. It is often windy at this time of year, and strong winds can shorted the period to a few days. We are particularly lucky, because at the end of our road is a particularly lovely view up the valley towards Murla.

Each year the Jalon Valley Help, a local charity, organise a walk in the Jalon valley to view the blossoms. However as this is a local walk for us, we choose a nice sunny day and do a circular walk from Parcent to Jalon.

The whole valley seems to be carpeted in blossoms

The view from our naya of Parcent and the blossoms beyond. Its normally a very beautiful sight, but at this time of year the colour is amazing.

This is the view from the bottom of our road, looking towards Murla. This is one of the best views of the blossoms we have seen.

Another view from the bottom of the road. Its so impressive it hardly seems worthwhile to go on to the 8 mile walk to Jalon and back.

Again from the bottom of our road, this time looking towards Murla (left) and the Orba valley (right). If you look carefully you can see the wall of the Fontilles hospital, which used to be a leper colony and is now a research and training centre.