14 February 2011 - Benissa

Margret found this new walk in the local English language weekly paper.  

The official name of the walk is Roca de la Salve, but to me it will always be the Benissa cemetery walk, because that is where we met.   It is a circular walk of 13 kilometers, including two pretty steep climbs.

13 of us, including Jan,  met at the cemetery car park.  It was a bright sunny morning, but with a bitterly cold wind.   It was the first time Jan had walked with the group since she fell and injured herself four weeks ago.

The walk follows an old path which runs alongside the toll road.   In face it crosses under the road at two places.   The first is unremarkable, but the second has this excellent example of pop art.

It is not long before we come to the first climb.   By now we were warming up, and off came the jackets in preparation for the climb.   It was not too long, but it was very steep.

The climb was followed by a gentle path through the woods, with views towards Montgo and the coast.

It was a good hour before Margret let us sit down for a “banana stop”

But she did choose a lovely spot for it amongst the almond trees which are in full bloom this week.  

Within a week or so they will have lost their blossoms and the show will be over for another year.

 Jan and Wendy made the best of the opportunity to sit and have a break.   As the old saying goes “never walk if you can stand, never stand if you can sit”, or something like that!

It was just a short to walk to the second climb of the day.   Soldates is one of those climbs that are best tackled at your own pace.  It is a long climb, and very steep in parts.   Some, though not many, like to rush at it.   Some like to tackle it at a slow pace, but keep going to the top.  Many do what they can, and rest when they can’t.   There are no medals for being first, and everyone is pleased to finally reach the top.

Though bright and sunny, the wind was too cold to remain at the top for very long.    So just time for a quick photograph and then down the other side.

This was the worse part of the walk for Jan, as she was being careful not to jar her shoulder.   So we let everyone else go on, and we brought up the rear.   Everything was fine, and much easier than she had feared.

 At the bottom we stopped for lunch at an old finca.   I was very happy to let Jan get our picnic lunch ready.   After our climb and decent we were all quite warm, and it was sheltered by the finca.

The remainder of the walk was along the valley on very good paths, with views of Bernia and El Cau in the distance.

 Any opportunity for a photo is always welcome

Especially such a good subject as this youngster.

Next Week

An old favourite, Col de Rates, but from a new starting point.    Meet at the car park in Alcalali on the junction of the Pedreguer and Jalon roads at 10am

Lunch at Tramonti

Martin and Brenda are paying a short visit, and earlier this week suggested that we should go to Tramonti with Barry and Lyn as their paella is so good.   Parcent is fortunate to have some very good restaurants within a short distance, and we had not been to Tamonti for about four years.  On our first, and only, visit we had not been too impressed and had not returned.  

We live on a hill overlooking Parcent, and the walk to the Tramonti would only take 10 minutes or so.  But Martin and Barry wanted to try out their bikes.  This was a good idea to go to the restaurant, as it was downhill all the way.  On the other hand it would be uphill all the way back!

It was a lovely day for a short walk, sunny and warm.  Better still, the almond blossoms were in full bloom and the valley looked quite spectacular.

Martin and Brenda had booked a table on the terrace, and just as well.  We were surprised to find that not only were all the tables taken, there were even one group waiting for a table to become free.   This is very unusual and probably due to visitors to the valley to see the almond blossoms.

We were also surprised to find that the Tramonti was much nicer than we had remembered it to be.   It might have been the views, the excellent paella or the good company.  Or perhaps they had redecorated.  Whatever the reason we found the meal and the surroundings to be very good.  It has now been added to our list of favorites!

Martin and Brenda had told us that the paella was particularly good, and they were not wrong.   It was one of the best we have had.   And very reasonably priced at less than 11 euro for a menu del dia, including wine and tax.

Martin and Barry had to prepare themselves for cycling uphill on the return journey, and a second bottle of wine proved excellent training.

Brenda, Lyn, Jan and I set off back at a nice leisurely pace, enjoying the views.   Barry and Martin rode past us looking very determined.

 

When we reached home there was no sign of the intrepid explorers, but they soon came into view at the bottom of the road.   Martin tried to convince us that he had ridden all the way, but Barry was not too proud to be seen pushing his bike up the last stretch.

An excellent lunch and many thanks to Martin and Brenda for suggesting it.

7 Feb 2011 – Segaria

This was a new walk for some of us, and a new meeting point for most.   We started the walk from a car park at the western end of the Segaria ridge.   It was a new route to us, but one that the CBMW had done in the past.   It is the local walking area of Sylvia and Ken who would lead today’s walk.

There were 14 on the walk, including Colin who we have not seen for some months.   He has had some medical treatment in the UK, and we were all very pleased to see him again, and looking so well.

Sylvia set a good pace right from the start.   The walk would involve a steady climb around the northern side of Segaria and then a steep climb to the ridge itself.  We would then walk along the ridge to the aerials, followed by a decent on the southern side and a walk through the valley back to the cars

The first part of the walk involved a scramble, and about 20 minutes into the walk Janet fell and hurt her leg.   She wanted to continue, but was limping too badly and was persuaded to go back.   Fortunately Peter offered to go with her, because she struggled just to get to the car park.  She then went to the Denia hospital where an x-ray confirmed that she had broken her leg.   It really does stress the importance of walking in a group, because anyone can fall anytime and it is then just luck whether you do serious damage or not.   All the very best to Janet for a speedy recovery.

Three hours after we started the walk we reached the ridge and soon found a suitable lunch site – right on 1pm.   The weather had been ideal for hill walking, sunny but with a cool breeze.  Here we found a sheltered spot with wonderful views.

Even the heavy sea mist in the valley could not take away from the beauty of our lunch spot.  

David and Rosemary are returning to UK for a family birthday party, and will miss next week’s walk.  But they should be back in time for the following week.

This is the only time I saw Sylvia and Ken together during the walk.  She was out in front trail blazing, he was bringing up the rear as back marker. 

From our picnic site it was a short walk along the ridge to the Aerials, the objective of today’s walk.   We often climb here, but usually from Benimeli, a much shorter walk than today.

Then it was a short walk down to the car park just below the ridge.   Pat rang Peter to find out what was happening.   This was when we heard that Janet was going to the hospital, and Peter was going to follow us.   He is very fit, but with at least an hour’s head start no one really expected him to catch us up.

 Jan and I have climbed this path to the aerials many times, but this was my first time going down.  As often happens, it felt more difficult going down – though not as tiring.

Then it was a steady decent on a good path to the valley bottom, and a good road back to the cars.   We were surprised, and not a little impressed, when Peter arrived no more than five minutes after we did.

Next Week

Another new walk, this time from Benissa cemetery, which is another new meeting place.   Follow the signs for the toll road, but turn right just after the toll sign.   There is a sign post leading to a small track.   Margaret (who is leading the walk) has told me it is really very easy.   If you find yourself at the toll itself you have gone too far!!

4 Feb 2001 – Moraira

As it to make up for the miserable Monday weather, we have had more than our fair share of sun ever since.   And today we met up with David and Rosemary to visit the Moraira market.

Rosemary always has a bad influence on Jan, and today was no exception.   The two of them disappeared to look for handbags, while David and I put the world to rights.   When they returned they were weighed down with carrier bags.

As it was such a warm and sunny day we walked down to the promenade and joined the holidaymakers on the seats overlooking the sea.

Just after we arrived this cheeky little chap landed beside Rosemary, who had bought some fresh bread.   He is obviously used to being fed here.

He did not seem in the least afraid of us, and remained with us until it was time for us to move on

Moraira is not one of our usual haunts, unlike Calpe and Denia.   Usually we only visit when David and Rosemary are here, or when we have visitors.  So its always a nice little treat when we do go there.

Jan and Rosemary had lots of news to catch up on, as Jan has not been walking with the Monday Club for three weeks due to her back injury.

For lunch we went to Monroe’s in Moraira.   Again we only visit with David and Rosemary, and we always have the carvery as the meat is so good.   Its very “English”, but really nice for a change.

After lunch another walk along the promenade.   By now the sun shining on the water was quite dazzling.   It felt just like a warm summer day in UK.   This time of year is our favourite here in Spain, providing its not raining.   Its cool enough to enjoy walking, but warm enough to enjoy sitting and looking.

2 Feb 2011 - Calpe Dive Centre

 The great thing about the Costa Blanca is that the miserable grey and wet weather does not last for too long.   Monday was grim, and our weekly walk cancelled.   Tuesday was sunny, but Jan goes into Jalon for the market with her “gang”.   So Wednesday was our first opportunity for a walk.

 The walk from Calpe to the Dive Centre is along a very picturesque coastal path.  Its only half a mile or so, but it offers magnificient views along the coast.  

 There are also a couple of less accessible beaches, which tend to be quiet even during the busy summer season.

 The path is very popular with local dog walkers, so you have to watch where you are putting your feet.   Dog owners here in Spain do not seem to be as well trained as those in UK.  Or perhaps they are just less considerate to other users of the paths.

 There are views of the Dive Centre throughout the whole walk.   It offers water sports in the summer, including sailing and diving.   It was deserted today, but from April there are often groups of older school children who provide great entertainment as we sit and sip our coffee.

 The coffee is not the cheapest, and we are great experts on which is along this bit of coast, but the view is one of the best in the area.  Even the “visitor rates” for the coffee is not enough to put us off visiting every few months.

There are a few well sited stone seats along the path.  This one is at the top of one particularly steep climb.

 These are the notorious “processional caterpillars”, so well known by local walkers.  They are reputed to give a very painful reaction if you brush against them.   I have heard stories of walkers having to visit hospital after touching one of them, and even of a dog dying after sniffing one.   Whether true or not, we are always careful to avoid them when walking amongst pine trees.

These two walked along the sea wall beside us for the last stretch back to the car.  I wanted to take a shot with a nice background of Calpe Rock, but  every time I tried to

31 Jan 2011 - Rain Stopped Play

Being "fair weather walkers" we sometimes have a difficult decision to make on a Monday morning at about 8am when the skies are grey or there is a light rain.   Whether to be brave and walk, or  be wimps and stay at home.   This morning there was no difficult decisiion   We woke to the sound of heavy rain.   As Jan made her way upstairs to the telephone (and I kept the bed warm) there was a heavy roll of thunder.  In the past we have regretted cancelling, as the weather clears just after the walk starts at 10am.   However no such regrets today.  If anything the rain got heavier.   We  wrapped up and settled down to the luxury of daytime TV and watched a good film.

Next weeks walk will be the one which was cancelled today.   Meet at 9.50 to drive to the start of the walk in convoy.

Travelling from the South take the N332 northbound – direction Oliva/Valencia.

(If travelling on the motorway leave at exit 62 – Ondara.)

Just after Km 201 take the CV700 exit (Pego/El Verger) Keep right to join the CV700 in the direction of Verger. On your left you will pass the Greenwich Meridian sign and just before reaching the roundabout will see the Verger industrial area on your left with the motorbike on top of a building. Go almost 360o round the roundabout to enter the industrial area and park on the left – you will be on a road running parallel to the CV700 at that point.