Walk 25 November 2007

Dear all

We awoke on Sunday to some suspicious looking cloud floating about on the Sierras, as this was the destination for this weeks walk I had to do some head scratching and try and think of an alternative venue. Fortunately by 9am the clouds had cleared and the sky was a deep blue, so back to the original plans ofPico Pioacho. This is a 1743 meter high peak, 10 km up a drivable forest road from Durcal , the road did suffer a little in the big storm in September, and so in a number of places you have to shut your eyes and tighten your seat belt, but it is well worth the white knuckle ride to save a 20km walk. The walk starts by following a goodzig zag path up to the peak, before reaching what must be one of the best high level traverse paths in Spain, with extensive views across the RioDilar, Travenque and Veleta. At the end of the traverse we climb another small path over a col, and into a baranco for an easy return back to the forest road, at this point it was difficult to tell if you were walking in the baranco , or on the forest road, such was the damage suffered in the storm. There was only one thing that marred what could have been a pleasant day and a great walk, and that was when little John decided to put on hisPringle jumper, now it may be alright to look a prat on the golf course, but here, in the peace and quiet and stunning beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains it is just not right. In future his rucksack will be checked before he is allowed out. This walk will now be called the "Pringle prat walk" The flat tyre virus of last week has now mutated into the flat battery virus, as John´s car would not start, if it is as infectious as last weeks virus we may all need to carry jump leads. After the walk we returned to Deborah´s house inNigúelas for a great tapa party. Thanks to Deborah for the hosting and to everyone who turned up.

Our walk next week the 25th November is the "Super Mario". This walk is named after the high speed Japanese cartoon character, in memory of a walk we did 12 months ago when 4 reasonable fit Limpers were out scouting this route and whilst stopping for rests were repeatedly passed by a not so young Spanish guy who came from nowhere, anddisappeared in a cloud of dust, only to appear about 1 hour later hightailing it down the track again. The walk starts at the Sevilla car park above Cumbres Verdes, and traverses along the hillside of Cerro del Tamboril before passing the refugio at fuente Fria and climbing up Cerro Gordo . The walk is about 14km and climbs about 540 meters, the climbing is spread out over about 10km on good paths, walking time about 4 hours. If you want to go meet in the car park inNigúelas at 9 am. Afterwards tapa is arranged at Joan and Kens house in Albuñuelas.

The photo shows Quina, Alan, John without his Pringle jumper, Rob, Sandy, Alison, Angel, and Andy.

Walk 18th November 2007

Dear all

Due to circumstance's beyond the managements control our planned Sunday Urban walk around Granada walk was rescheduled to Saturday, this was not because has some of our lady walkers suggested because the shops would be closed, but it was to fit in with Pablo our guides busy diary. Our tour took us up and around the caves of Sacremonte and through unknown parts of the Albayzin. Pablo kept us entertained the whole time with the history of the area and wild tales of debauchery, and other goings on, among the ruling class. Something I did learn along the way was the Annie is the illegitimate daughter of Arturo, and I, have been having an affair with her, whilst betrothed to Margaret, who is Arturo's legitimate daughter, and Alan my dad, is not happy about having to give Arturo is 2 Euro dowry back. The above explanation was given to help explain one of the complicated family stories that Pablo was telling us in the middle of the Albayzin, the good folk of Granada must have wondered what was was happening when we all broke down in tears as Annie, the shameless hussy was thrown into jail. An excellent day out was had by all, and we rounded it off with drinks at Migúels bar in Nigúelas afterwards. A big thank you to Pedro for all the effort he put into it.

Our walk this Sunday the 18th November is a superb high level traverse up Pioacho Alto. The walk is a circular one and involves approximately 430 metres of accent on a reasonable path but it is quite steep, estimated walking time is about 4 hours. The walk is rated medium difficult. We meet outside the Renault garage in Marchena and then take the forest road some 10 km up into the hills, the road is passable but care is needed. Please check you have a good spare tyre, there appears to be a puncture virus going around at the moment, I know of at least 3 people who have caught it this last week. Tapa at Deborahs afterwards

The photo shows

Margaret, Annie, Pedro, Artruo, Alan, Peppa

Ken, Joan, Martin, Deborah, Quina.

I have no idea who the body is at the top of the steps.

Apologies for spelling and grammatical errors, the flunky who normally checks this is still away.

Walk 11 November 2007

Dear all

After checking the historical record's, carefully stored away in our underground vaults, I can confirm that today's turnout of 24 Limpers was a group record. The walk started a little late after the inevitable delays associated with getting to Fondales high up in the Alpujarras, but the weather was warm, the sky was blue, so who cared. Our route followed a number of historic trails used by the Moors when they lived and worked in the silk trade in this area. With a group of this size we were soon spread out along the hillside as the path made its way up the Sierra de Mercina, making it very difficult to organise our breakfast stop, we will have to consider culling the slow walkers or giving the fast ones rocks to carry. The highlight of the walk is the zig zag path back down into the Trevélez baranco, what a superb bit of engineering this was. In an effort to spur the group on it was mentioned that the bar in Fondales might be open, this turned out not to be true, but at least the pace of walking did pick up when they thought a cold beer might be on offer. At this time of year the Autumn colours are spectacular and this walk got at least 1 vote as someones favorite. On our return to the Valley we went to Margaret's for our Bonfire night tapa, and the showing of the latest film from OTT productions "The Gorge". This was a great piece of investigative journalism as it tracked the illegal importation of pork pies into the Lecrin Valley, now that the culprits have been caught, it should stop "little John" from growing into "big John" as he has sought to eat the evidence week after week after week. A big thank you to Margaret for hosting the tapa, to Nick and Elsa for the film and everyone for the food.

This coming Sunday our walk is a little different as it is a walk around Granada´s historic Albaycin areas, this is an organised walk by llex educación and costs 3€, we believe it should take about 4 hours. Meet in the carpark in Nigúelas 9am the tour starts at 10am from the Paseo de los Tristes. We will stop for tapa either in Granada or on the way back to the valley.