Lecrin Valley Limpers

Our walk on Sunday was a new variation of an old walk up to the ridge above Pinos del Valle. We met in Beznar for the drive to Pinos, and then followed the Campo road that goes up to Giralda for 5 km. We set off walking following an excellent campo road as it twisted, turned and climbed through Olive trees, Pine trees and a good selection of wild flowers. At the top there was a fine ridge walk with views over to Caballo and down to the coast at Motril, in the distance you could see Africa. This was the hottest days walking we have done so far this year. For the last 8 months we have been looking for somewhere in the sun to stop for lunch, on Sunday it was shade that we all wanted. Just before we started our descent we found a shady spot. I know there were no tables and chairs, but it was cool so we sat by the side of the track and ate our sandwiches. Setting off again we soon ran into problems with Mr Ferrari ( Graham) when a wheel came off, he said he was happy to fix h

Our walk last Sunday was to Pico Lopera, an easy walk in spectacular countryside. There was a worry that it might have been a little warm for walking, the forecast for Granada was 35 degrees. Fortunately by the time we started the climb a small breeze had got up and it made the ascent very pleasant. At the top we had plenty of time to enjoy the view and eat our snacks before we headed back down to the bar. There was a big notice outside the bar saying “We speak English” and they obviously knew what the English liked. Yes, they had warm beer in cans, now in the UK when it’s summer and 15 degrees, warm beer is delicious. When you are in Spain and the temperature is 35 degrees, you need a cold beer. We walked 9 km and climbed 304 metres In the afternoon we went to Mike and Sheila’s for tapas The photo was taken on Pico Lopera

There was no walk last Sunday as it was Chite Fiesta, and it is the one week of the year when we don’t plan a walk. Instead everyone goes round to Arthur’s for a garden party. Normally you can rely on the weather to be hot and sunny but this year there was a chill breeze blowing. It was so windy that Arthur’s latest magic trick had to be cancelled. I think he was intending on being a human cannon ball and was frightened of missing his pool in Chite and landing in the dam instead. Normally it’s a bit like Ascot when all the Ladies get to wear their summer dresses, this year most were also wearing a fleece as well. As usual there was an excellent selection of tapas.

For our walk this Sunday we went into Granada for a walk through Sacromonte. Normally we park up by the cemetery above the Alhambra but on the last few occasions the local bobbies have being out ticketing and towing cars away. So we drove to a new spot a little higher up. The way up from the cemetery has deteriorated since the last time we were up there, you can no longer describe it as a road, it is just a series of craters in the ground. It looked more like a moon buggy testing ground than the road up to a picnic site.   After we had all arrived, shaken and stirred, we set off to follow a little track that took us down to the Alhambra, and then we continued down the Cuestra de los Chinos to the rio Darro where a young guy from South Korea walked with us as far as Sacromonte, I think he thought he had joined an official Granada tour there were so many of us. You follow the road through the gypsy quarter before climbing up to the path that follows the acequia real b