Walk Sunday 28 December 2014 Salobrena

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 young lady from France got hit by a mini tsunami and got a trifle wet. I was roundly condemned for this mishap, there were even some who suggested that I had shouted, women and children first; there is not a grain of truth in this.

Order restored we headed for Salobrena. This section was very pleasant as we were sheltered a bit from the wind. The trek up to the Castle is through the Old Town; narrow streets, attractive white washed town houses, colourful pot plants and hanging baskets, and plenty of steps. There were a couple of mutterings from some saying that they thought this was supposed to be an easy walk; these were ignored. As we approached the Castle everybody was getting excited. Many had been up here before always to find the Castle closed. I reassured them that this time that would not be the case. I had checked with the Salobrena Tourist Office the previous week and been assured that it would be open on Sunday the 28th of December. No problema!

Puffing and panting we arrived at the solid wooden gate.

It was shut: closed: locked. A dirty great big padlock enforcing the message.

My reputation now in tatters we headed back down the hill. We found a man in the Museum who had the keys but wouldn't open up. He told us it was shut for renovation until May.

Tail between my legs I guided everybody back down to the town centre constantly being hackled with snide remarks from all quarters about castles that they had visited, and had been open, and how interesting they had been.

Eventually I called a halt at a bar for further refreshments. Some had coffee, some beer, some a strange red concoction, but we all received a very delicious tapas, even those who had coffee. My reputation was marginally restored.

We now headed for the front. I suggested that seeing as we had a further six hours of daylight left, we could bang it out up and down the promenade and try to beat our long distance walking record. There were no takers. Instead we took a leisurely stroll to the far end of the front and back, finishing up for a well earned rest and drink at one of the many bars.

Hopefully a good day was had by all.

Until the next time.

Mike.

We walked 10.8 km and climbed 110 metres.

ps. I will go and see the Salobrena Tourist Office shortly and explain to them that a group of foreigners had gone up to the Castle, and despite the assurances from them that it would be open, it had been closed. I hope to negotiate compensation for hotel accommodation, air fares, restaurant bills, and anything else I can think of.

Thank you Mike it was a great day out. I just hope you have not set a precedent with the 3 bars.