Dear Limper
I have been severely reprimanded for wrongly advertising today's walk as a level, circular walk and also for intimating that we could get a drink and tapa at the restaurant on the car park. I repudiate all these allegations and in particular the charge about the circular walk. Arthur was at the front and charged with finding the return path, obviously he failed. So the walk was re-classed as a linear walk and we returned the way we came. As for the charge that the walk was not level, everyone can see the contour path that we followed, and who has ever heard of a restaurant not supplying drinks in Spain? So we went to Paco's in Cozvijar instead and had a nice lunch.
This week's walk set off from Cumbres Verdes above La Zubia. Whilst the Granadinos were shrouded in thick fog the fortunate few on top of the mountains were in brilliant sunshine. With the snow covered Sierra Nevadas as a back drop the walk follows a forest road for about 2 km before branching off and picking up a contour path on the opposite side of the valley. The intention was to return on a linking path shown on the map, but obviously the cartographers pen had slipped whilst preparing the map because, not only was the path not there, it would have only been suitable for a Mountain Goat if it had been. So after following the path for about 3 km we turned around and headed back the way we had come. The footpath does make a circular path by continuing on and over the mountains and we will have to be explore this on another day, but for a easy high level linear walk it can't be beaten.

Walk on Sunday 22nd January

Dear all
This weeks walk from Guajar Faraguit set in off in bright sunshine, but it was not long before it clouded over and cagoules were called for, One member complained bitterly that he had not had the foresight to pack his coat, even though his wife had hers. After stopping for coffee in the castle ruins, and sheltering out of the rain under a tree, we continued the walk before returning to Faraguit for drinks and tapa. At this point the sun came out and we all went home. I don't know if it was the poor weather, or a practically fractious group that turned up for the walk, but there were a number of heated and wide ranging discussions taking place. 7 walkers braved the weather.
Big John has returned from the UK with 4 wheel drive Suzuki, and he appears keen to get it dirty and not just take Marion to the shops in it. Yippee! I hear some members call as it opens up new exciting days out. I also know somewhere safe and secure where he can store it, when he returns to the UK, of course the engine would need turning over once in a while.
I have noticed in this months issue of the Where2 magazine that a photo of the Lecrin Valley limpers out walking on the Pico Lopera route has been used, rest assured the LVL lawyers will be writing to a Mr Tonto seeking compensation.
The walk this coming Sunday the 22nd January is a new one, so no complaints if we get lost. The walk starts at the car park at Cerro de Sevilla above Cumbres Verde and according to the map traverses on a more or less level route before dropping into Cumbres Verde and returning to the car park via a variety of routes depending on time. Tapa will be taken in a suitable convenient bar on our return. The walk, looking at the Map, looks easy and should take about 2 to 3 hours. Meet at 10 am outside the Acropolis bar in Mondujar.
We have had a mixed bag of weather this last week with plenty of snow coming down on the Sierra's, rain in the valley's and warm sunshine other days. Local oranges are starting to appear on the streets, you can't believe how many are hanging on the trees after the devastation caused by last winters frost's.
Don't forget to sign up for the blog site so that the heated discussions that take place on the walks can be continued on line.

Next walk Sunday 15th January 2006

Dear Walker
The walk last Sunday was up the Pico Lopera, We set off in convoy from Mondujcar, in thick fog, to the start of the walk about half way down the Padul Otiva, road just before you start dropping down into the Rio Verde. By the time we arrived at the start the weather had cleared, and we set off in bright sunshine and deep blue skies, whilst not a hard or long walk it passes through some spectacular countryside before arriving at the fire watchtower at Pico Lopera. Whilst we were having a welcome refreshment stop a party of Spanish walkers stopped for a natter, and it transpired that a large forest fire swept through the area some 20 years ago destroying a large forest, to date there is not much sign of re-growth, so it may be a while before we are walking in the trees again on the hills above the Lecrin valley.In the past when in this area we have seen wild Boar, Deer and Eagles, this time we had to be content with the herd of black goats that live at a very large, local farm whose cousin owns Bar Garvi in Talara. We stopped for coffee and brandies at the meson los Prados
The walk for this coming Sunday the 15th January is to the castle at Guajar Fondon, meet at 10am at the Acropolis bar in Mondujcar, or about 10.45 at the bar at the junction of the Pinos del Valle road in Guajar Faraguit. The walk takes about 2.5 hours and, whilst not difficult, it does involve about a 200 foot climb on a footpath up to the castle. The castle is well worth a visit due to its location overlooking the valley and you are able to get a feel of the size of the castle from all the foundations that still exist.
Last weeks photo showed members of the quango that had been set up to oversee the setting of this years membership fees. There have been a number of complaints that the catering committee were not shown, so the photos this week correct this omission, and also show this weeks walk up the pico Lopera. Just to correct any misunderstanding, this years fees are the same as last year i.e. Zero, as long as you bring good tape along to the after walk club.
Once again we have had rain this last week and quite a lot of snow on the Sierras, whilst this is not enough to fill the reservoirs it is very welcome.
All the best till we next see you
Limper