Lecrin Valley Limpers

Our walk last Sunday was our yearly Almond Blossom walk from Saleres. Normally it is a walk we do in February but, because of the very mild weather we have had this winter the blossom started appearing in December, so for the first time we did the walk in January and I must say I think it was the best display of the blossom ever. The trees were loaded with flowers, the sun was shining, and the colours were spectacular, what else could you wish for. The walk started in Saleres and crossed the river before starting the ascent up the other side of the valley. I don’t whether it was the sun coming out or the climb but by the time we reached the top I was considerably warmer than I was in Saleres. We stopped for the group photo amongst the Olive trees, which caused a few comments, seeing as it was the Almond Blossom walk. But these are my favorite Olive groves, the rocks and the terracing are fantastic and anyway there was some Almond trees behind us and it was my camera. Cont

We did a new walk from Beas de Granada this week and we have given it the name “The walk of the many excuses”. It was going to be a long walk and, even before the start, the excuses were pouring in as to why the stalwarts of the group would not be able to come. Freya was worried that her old granny was not up to it. We had Mark, who had suddenly decided to check when his return flight back to the UK was and found he was returning on the Saturday, not, as he thought, the following Thursday. We had Fernando who had beat himself up with the shower and required a trip to the hospital to have his wounds stitched up. Mike also excused himself by claiming he had picked up a bug after his recent flight back from the UK. The trouble is, he uses the same excuse every year. Personally I think that he eats so many pork pies and drinks that much beer he can’t get his boots on.      The walk was a linear one, starting in Beas de Granada and following a high level ridge back to Granad

This week winter finally arrived, the temperature dropped down to around 15 degrees and on Tuesday it rained non stop, for 2 hours, and there was a thin covering of snow on Caballo. With the bad weather predicted to last at least 3 or 4 days and, with the possibility that we might get some more rain on Sunday, I organised a local walk from Lanjaron.  When we met at Beznar on Sunday morning there was a stiff 10kmph breeze blowing and questions were raised about the suitability of walking in such atrocious conditions, and whether we would have to wear jackets. I did not think it was suitable for T-shirts and shorts and we finally settled on long trousers and fleeces with the option to wear a jacket if needed.  I had intended parking in the carpark in Lanjaron, but of course this being January it was closed. Well it would be, wouldn’t it.  The walk goes down through the park, and for once I chose the right entrance, with an unlocked gate. We did take in the scenic tou

We started the New Year with a spectacular day out, we went to the Conchar wine fiesta. Never have so many got so drunk, so quickly.  We had a late, 10 am meet in Cozvijar and then drove to the start of the walk from the Mirador above Conchar. The weather forecast was not very good, with a bit of rain forecast for the afternoon and, when we set off, low cloud was hanging around the hill tops.  The walk starts by following a track along the rim of the Rio Durcal valley. This was a new route for me and the group, it has only recently been waymarked but between us we have walked the various constituent paths that now make up a very interesting circular walk.    We had not gone far before Tim and Helga caught up with us, they had joined the group a few weeks back but this was their first walk with us. I have no idea what they thought of us by the end of the walk.  There was a steep descent down to the river and a then fallen log bridge to cross the river. I wasn’t sure