Walk 1st July

Lecrin Valley Limper

Dear Limper

Our walk this last Sunday was a return to one of our summer favourites, and judging by the approval ratings, it must rank amongst best of the best. The problem with the approval ratings system we have, is that after nearly every walk someone will say " I enjoyed that, it's my favourite" and everyone agrees, so can someone please devise a points system, so we all know which is the best walk. We met in the car park in Niguelas, and I was quite surprised at the large turnout, 18 eager souls wanting to go and play in the river, and of course you always get one who comes home wet. The walk starts down by the recreation area and follows the Rio Durcal as it twists and turns its way in a steep sided canyon. You follow an Acequia on the left of the canyon to start with, before walking in the river and passing a magnificent waterfall, it was the best I have ever seen it. 12 months ago after a violent thunderstorm, the riverbed was totally altered and the river disappeared. I am now glad to report that while things are different the river as returned and once again you have a wonderful cool, shady, summer walk. The one thing that as always stopped the walk continuing for more than about 3km is a very large bolder about 10 meters high with water coming over, but now Rob (Spiderman) who climbed up the rock, recons we can put a rope ladder up, opening the possibility of turning the walk into a circular one. I can feel my explorer’s hat coming out again. On our way back we stopped off at the waterfall, someone suggested to little John if he stood behind it, he would not get wet! What a plonker!! In an effort to try and rebuild his self-esteem, I suggested that he lead the group on a slight diversion though a tunnel, would he do, No he would not. It was left to a group of women to show him how it was done. This will have to be noted in the minutes as the second Milton refusal.

The tapa this weekend was hosted by Deborah, and what a spectacular do it was, with a BBQ, Paella and salads a plenty, there was even a pork pie, big enough to feed everyone, except a little guy was found to have had three pieces, He never refuses anything were food is concerned. What a great day out we all had, thank you to everyone.

Plan A for this coming Sunday the 1st of July was Veleta from the Ski resort, but I have been unable to get up to date information with regard to the ski lift. So we go with Plan B, which is a circular walk from Capileira, and takes us to the hydro station at La Cebadilla in the Poqueria gorge. The walk is written up as 7km long with 300 meters of ascent and decent, with the hardest part coming at the end as we climb out of the gorge. But you do get an opportunity to paddle in the river before hand. We are now moving into the warmest part of the year so we have no option but to start the walks earlier and go higher, so meet outside the Acropolis bar in Mondujar at 8am, for the drive into the Alpujarras. This is a wonderful walk and the views are superb, the tracks are not steep or difficult, There is no tapa arranged so plan to stop in a bar somewhere. The spell and grammar checker is on holiday this week so apologises for any errors you may have found. I am experiencing Internet access problems this week so no photos, yet. Telefonica was informed that I would be switching broadband supplier, so they promptly cut me off, before the new company had provided their equipment. The promise was I would be without the Internet for 5 minutes whilst the new equipment was been installed. They must have forgotten to mention, the week you have to wait for the equipment.

Have a good week

Stuart

Walk 24th June Rio Durcal

Dear Limper
Our walk this last Sunday took us to the castle above Guajar Faraguit, We started off with 8 intrepid members but shortly after we started climbing up to the Castle one was taken ill with heat exhaustion, so 2 had to return back to the car. The views from the Moorish castle are well worth the climb even on a hot day and you can see why it was positioned here, but it must have being a long way down to the bar even in them days. The bar was what spurred the group on as the sun climbed higher and the temperature rose into the 30s. One of these days we will learn to go straight to the bar and miss the walk out completely. The walk is a circular one and the return leg takes you through Guajar Fondon, how anybody ever learns to find their way about in these narrow streets and alley ways is beyond me, but eventually we found ourselves back at the starting point and a very conveniently positioned bar where cool drinks and tasty tapa were consumed. We were very lucky with our choice of transport this week, with John and Sandra being able to return early in their car, leaving six walkers and Max to all pile into Rob and Sandie's Mini bus. To see pictures of the walk, and X rated photos of Max naked click on http://picasaweb.google.com/holidaysingranada/LecrinValleyLimpers

Our walk this coming Sunday the 24th June is the Rio Durcal, The walk is easy as it follows the river in the gorge, there are only two small banking's to climb, it is a wet feet walk so you need walking sandals or old trainers that you don´t mind getting wet, and a pair of shorts (getting wet is not an option), you will get wet. Afterwards tapa is arranged at Deborah´s house in Niguelas, who is this weeks birthday girl. There are BBQ facilities available for anyone who fancies themselves on master chef. Meet in the car park in Niguelas at 9.30, if you bring your tapa with you, we can drop it off at Deborah's before the start of the walk.


The photo shows Rob, Sandie, Bob, Marie Trinni, Gillian

Walk 17th June Guajar Faraguit

Dear Limper
Our walk on Sunday was a circular walk starting off from Restabal. After nearly four years of Limping we are starting to get the hang of this walking lark so our first stop was at the bar Sifon to order drinks and tapa for our return, after last time when 17 thirsty walkers trouped through his bar, doubling his day´s takings, we thought we would not shock him again. We then proceeded to climb the hill up to the new Moorish archway they have built at the entrance to the abandoned village. We have now got two stories as to why it was left to fall into ruins. The first is that an earth quake destroyed it and it was never rebuilt. The second is that there was difficulty with the drinking water supply, so they all moved down into Restabal. My own theory is they got fed up of walking up the hill after visiting the bars Sifon and Jovi. After spending 10 minutes walking around the ruined village it came as a surprise about one hour later when Sandie asked when we would be seeing the abandoned village. Our next stop was at the Valle de Lecrin caravan park, this is due to reopen in July (year not stated) it will have a club house, swimming pool and wonderful vistas from it´s lofty position high up in the hills above Restabal. This last point may be it´s downfall, as you need a Hummer RV to reach it. From the Caravan park the track meanders along a forest road in the direction of Albuñuelas, before turning down hill and heading for Restabal castle. Now I know there is no above ground evidence of a castle, but there are some underground chambers that are exposed and clearly visible. So again it was a surprise when another Mondujar lass asked, while we were stood on it, "where is the castle", I think there must be something in their water supply. On our return to Restabal we stopped off to enjoy a drink or two at bar Sifon, how they produce so much fresh tapa so quickly I don´t know.
I think you all know that I do not normally moan about anything, But I have got to mention the plastic plates that were used to serve the rather delicious curry, it appears they were bought as a job lot, 200 for 50 cents, unfortunately they all had holes in, so you could tell every one who had had the curry by the yellow stains down their shirts. The tapa was it´s usual high standard and as usual Arturo was at the front with the women when the puddings were being served. This time we have photos to prove it. This and some other good photos taken by Andy of the days outing available at http://picasaweb.google.com/holidaysingranada Thank you to Annie for hosting the tapa

Our walk this coming Sunday the 17th June is to another castle at Guajar Faraguit the walk should take about 3 hours but we have about 45 minutes drive each way. The walk is not difficult but there is a short steep ascent of 150 meters. There is no tapa arranged but a stop will be made in a bar somewhere for refreshment. If you want to go on the walk meet outside the Acropolis bar in Mondujar at 9 am. Anyone found to be wearing flip flops will be sent home.

The photo shows Ken, Rob, Dave, Arthur, John, Sandie, Annie, Bob, Alison and Arthur at the Moorish arch at the entrance to the abandoned village.

Have a good week, and for anyone back in the UK, get over here the weather is wonderful.


Stuart

Dear all
This Sundays outing started with us all meeting in Chite, this caused a major traffic snarl up, the like of which has not been seen before in Chite. Once again the walk was a linear one, this time setting off from Albunuelas with a stopping off point in Restabal for the easy walkers. Trying to arrange these outings, using the minimum number of cars, is becoming a logistical nightmare, and I feel sure that one day it will all go belly up for us, when after a long walk we will find the wrong cars in the wrong location, but today it all went fine. We had a small deviation at the start of the walk in Albunuelas when we were unable to find the little alley way that leads out of the village, someone had painted out the GR7 sign. But the problem was easy rectified and we soon found ourselves walking through the fertile valley that separates Albunuelas and Salares, the path is virtually all down hill and is very easy going. A coffee stop was made in Salares before we walked into Restabal and the bar Sifon. The poor landlord of this quiet bar must be getting used to us calling in on him and eating a weeks worth of his delicious tapa in one session, he waved us straight through to the outdoor patio, only in Spain would you happily sit in the middle of a long since abandoned building site on upturned beer crates. Bar Sifon is a convenient half way point where the easy downhill section finishes and the uphill section back into Chite starts. So we said goodbye to 3 walkers who then returned to Chite by car, leaving 15 die-hards to cope with the rising temperature and the hill back up into Chite. Tapa was held at the lodge, thank you to every one for all the outstanding food. Our walk this coming Sunday the 27th May is the many times postponed walk up Boca de la Pesca above Cumbres Verde. The walk has been scheduled a number of times in the past and has had to be cancelled due to poor weather, so be prepared for a wet Sunday. We have to drive to the start of the walk at the Cerro de Sevilla car park. The path is then level and very easy, leaving only a short easy climb up to the summit of Boca de la Pesca, the 360 degree views over the Sierra Nevada and Granada are well worth the effort. As an alternative for those who don't want to climb there is a short level path to a view point. We then follow the path as it gently winds down into Cumbres Verde, were we may be able to take refreshment in a local hostelry if anybody wants to! before returning to the car park via the forest road. The walk should take about 4 hours and is classed suitable for Olwyn. We will return to Padul and the bar Los Romeros for tapa. If you want to go please meet in the car park in Niguelas at 9 am. Guillermo from the Normadas walking shop in Durcal informs me that he will give all Limpers a 15% discount on purchases of sports equipment, so don't forget when you pay him a visit to mention you are in the walking group. This weeks picture shows the group on the path coming into Restabal. They are Mick, Liz, Phil, Annie, John, Graham, Sandra, Carl, Gerry, Chris, Olwyn, Charlie, Quina, Al, Ross, Gillian, Peter.This and other photos can be seen by following the link http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/holidaysingranada/LecrinValleyLimpers Have a good week.
Stuart