Lecrin Valley Limpers

Hi We arrived in La Caleta to be greeted by the wind blowing a hooley. We headed straight for the safety of the bar. It was shut: dark, shuttered, empty. The first mutterings of dissent started to rumble.  Fortunately rescue came, not in the form of a guardian angel, but from the woman next door decked out in her dressing gown, and a man from across the street, both of whom declared the bar to be open. Lights went on, doors were open, shutters raised, and very soon we were enjoying lovely warming coffee and watching the angry sea crashing onto the beach outside. Refreshed, we started our walk. The first bit was nice and easy along the beach, and then we had to navigate our way round a small headland. There is a good wide path but unfortunately, from time to time, the sea was cascading onto the rocks and splashing up onto it. We had to time our crossing to perfection. Thirteen of us managed to get across the short stretch relatively unscathed and dry; unfortunately, one you

This week we had two walks planned, the first was our big, end of the month walk, I know we have another week to go to the end of the month but traditionally we have an easy walk between Christmas and the New year. The second walk was around the Lecrin Valley with Hilary. The big walk started from Molvizar, a pueblo at the bottom of the hill near to Salobrena. It is not an inspiring village as you drive around the edge, but it is quite a pleasant to stagger through after a long walk and a beer. The track starts by going up hill, and this continues by a series of roads, tracks and footpaths for the next 6.6 km. A few people were thinking that next time they would join Hilary on her easy option walk. Near the top we were stopped by a lad on a quad bike who asked us if we had a rope he could borrow as his friends motor bike had broken down. With a promise that he would find our cars in Molvizar and leave it underneath one, John gave him his climbing sling.   On the way up

Can I start by thanking everyone for the magnificent Silver Boot that was awarded to me on Sunday. It was an honour to accept it, and it will take pride of place on top of my map drawer. Can I also say a great big thank you for the Christmas present, I will buy something extra special with it. If anyone is wanting to take out the walking insurance this year can you please read the notes at the end of the email. On Saturday we had the group Christmas dinner at the WOK in Granada. A lot of food was consumed in what must be one of the best value restaurants in Granada. The weather last week had been pretty good, with a decent amount of sunshine, and temperatures you would expect in December, but the weekend weather was predicted to be poor, with low temperatures and increasing amounts of rain forecast as the week progressed. We had arranged to go down to Guajar Alto and walk back to Guajar Faraguit. Hoping that this valley would protect us from the worst of the weather.

Hi This week we went into Granada. and up to the recreational area of El llano de la Perdiz, behind the Alhambra, for our walk. We could not have chosen a better day to go, the temperature was around zero, the sky was blue and the sierras were covered in snow. We started from the carpark and headed off to the Reloj de Sol, an enormous sun dial that also points to the summits of the mountains surrounding Granada.  Continuing we headed off downhill to the start of a path that runs alongside an old disused acequia. We followed the path into Cenas. The views were outstanding. A lot of snow arrived last week so it looks like the ski season will have got off to a good start. It wasn’t a big walk and we had plenty of time to admire the views. Finding a wall to sit on in Cenas we stopped for a little lunch, with a promise that we would stop again when we had finished all the climbing. After our snack we continued on a gentle climb that took us back towards the carpark. I ha

Hi This week we had two walks planned, one the big end of the month walk and a second shorter walk from Restabal. The weather had steadily been heading downhill all week, with a drop in temperature and a significant amount of rain. By Friday the snow had fallen down to the 1000 metre line above Talara. Our big walk was to the top of another Caballo, this one over towards Alhama de Granada, at 1500 metres there was a serious chance of snow on the summit and the forecast was suggesting the temperature would be down to 4 degrees in the Northerly wind. A major rethink was needed, as I did not think I would be able to tempt many of my friends out of their beds for a walk in these conditions. A new plan was devised, one that would take us to Almuñécar on the Costa Tropical. Even the name sounds good when the snow is virtually in your back garden. The benefits were obvious, sun and temperatures around 18 degrees. There were only a couple of slight problems, heavy rain was due