28th July 2013 Ermita Vieja

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Can I start by offering my apologies for not going on the walk this weekend, and for cancelling the tapas at our house, the Mrs threw a wobbly and ended up in hospital. Hopefully by this coming weekend she will be a lot better and the planned walk will proceed as arranged.
A big thank you to Mike who was volunteered to lead the walk, and to Kees for taking the photos.
Walk Sunday 28th July
What a wonderful morning is was for a walk; another perfect day in Andalucía. Thirteen merry souls set off from the Dilar River car park and headed up towards the Ermita Vieja. Everything went marvellously for the first ten minutes or so. It was when I spotted a path that turned off to the left that things started to go a little array. I had been looking for such a turning, so we happily trotted along it. A good few minutes later the path petered out into a lovely shady glen, perfect for afternoon tea of cucumber sandwiches and champagne. But we had a walk to do, so we turned around and retreated the way we had come. Back on the original path we carried on uphill, and low and behold, very shortly, there was another path off to the left. This turned out to be the correct one, and we were soon back on the road where we were supposed to be. (An easy mistake to make.) At this point some Wag at the back pointed out that the shady glen on our left looked just like the one we had been in some fifteen minutes before. This comment was treated with the disdain it deserved.
We carried on up the hill. Stuart had advertised this part of the walk as being mainly in the shade; but since we had last been there the loggers had been at work, and the "shade" was neatly stacked in piles at the side of the road. Never the less we soldiered on under the blazing, relentless sun.
Eventually we came across a signpost proclaiming that Ermita Viega was only 1.1 km. away. We stopped for a little rest, and I congratulated myself on the fact that we were actually on the right path. Why there was a signpost there , in the middle of nowhere, and not down where I had taken a slight deviation, I have no idea. It was at this point that Dave decided to throw his walking stick down the steep bank at the side of the road, and was having trouble retrieving it. The other Dave, (big Dave,) stepped into the breach and edged down the bank with Kees hanging onto him, and Julie and myself hanging onto Kees and the signpost. Why we were the anchor persons beats me; but anyway we got the stick back.
Twenty minutes later we arrived at our destination. The announcement that we had reached the Ermita Vieja was greeted with tumultuous applause; whether this was from relief, gratitude or surprise, I don't know.
We stopped here for our early lunch, and then made a largely uneventful and leisurely journey back to the car park, and a welcome drink in the nearby bar.
A good day was had by all. I hope.
We walked 8 km and climbed 422 metres.
The photo was taken at the Ermita Vieja
Until the next time.
Mike.

ps. We all wish Olwyn a speedy recovery, and the welcome return of Stuart.    

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