Nigúelas Gold finger walk

We awoke on Sunday morning to a bright and sunny day, which was a pleasant surprise after the mist and rain we had had on Saturday, its great to have a wet day now and then, but we can't do with it interfering with our Sunday walk. After meeting up in Nigúelas, this weeks group of Limpers set off on the Gold finger walk, that starts off by following the GR7 path from Niguelas towards Acequias before heading up the hillside of Cerro Alto, quite daunting to the untrained eye, but surprisingly easy once you get started. and we did it with only one stop, so the fitness levels must be going up. I can see the high altitude summer walks becoming a race to see who can get to the summit first. This weeks tapa had been arranged at Chez Als', who unfortunately is still on sick leave, and unable to walk in his beloved mountains, but it did give him time to prepare a rather delicious Paella, but I did notice on a couple of occasions Quina offering him helpful suggestions. The party was held outside on Als' roof terrace in what turned out to be a wonderful afternoon. How the world is shrinking, we welcomed our 2nd Limper this week who lives in the valley and commutes courtesy of Ryanair to London, and there is me thinking it's a long way when we go into Durcal.

Our walk this coming Sunday, the 25th of March, is a linear walk that starts off from the Camino de Cabra road, better known as the Padul to Alumunecar road, and finishes in Padul. The walk is about 12km but it is virtually all down hill (gentle gradient) on a drivable track. The views are magnificent as it looks over to the Sierra Nevada, the walk is classed as suitable for Olwyn, and should take about 3.5 hours. If you want to go on the walk meet in Padul at 10am, by the second set of traffic lights on the main road coming in from Durcal. Don't forget the clocks go forward on Saturday night. After meeting up, we then have to drive to the start of the walk, and upon our return the cars will have to be collected again. Tapa is arranged at Rob and Sandy's house in Mondujcar afterwards.

Just a few points I would like to make particularly as we are attracting a lot of new members at the moment.

The Lecrin Valley Limpers are not an official walking group, we are just a group of friends who go out for a walk, Even though I usually know where we are going I am not a walk leader, the title of which implies some responsibility for the safety of the group. I try not to plan walks that may be considered dangerous, but paths and tracks do change over time and diversions sometimes have to be taken. Also my interpretation of dangerous may be different to yours. You are solely responsible for your own safety, but we all try and look after each other. Water is vital, particularly while out walking in the summer, I know it is heavy but you will die without it. We usually have at least one stop for food, so bring what you require. Walking boots are the preferred form of footwear as they give some much needed support on slippy surfaces. Everyone agrees what a great bunch folk we all are, so if you are thinking of introducing someone to the group try and make sure they will fit in with our friendly easy going ways, most folk will, but we all know the ones who everyone tries to avoid. Your friends over on holiday are welcome, but we don't do tourists. Finally if something goes wrong it's not my fault.