Walk 10 January 2016 Lanjaron

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 tour of the park  when we crossed the river twice, but I think I got away with it and  no one noticed the detour. I can’t imagine the shouts of “lousy guide” were aimed at me.

 The path continued down to the river on a series of campo roads and connecting paths. This made an interesting way down amongst the spring flowers and Almond blossom. At the rate the seasons are advancing this year we will be holding summer barbeques in March.

 When we originally discovered this path, a number of years back, the river crossing  was always an adventure, with everyone standing around excitably waiting for someone to fall in. Recently the Ayuntamiento have spoiled the fun by erecting a concrete bridge. They have also waymarked and improved the path as it climbs up the steep hillside. I now walk up this track with a big smile on my face, as I remember a couple of times before the waymarking took place. Then a woman, who I can only describe as a Nazi storm trooper, used to appear from out of her bunker and shout obscenities at us, for walking on what she thought was her land.

 She was still there in her jack boots, but now she is secured in her fortress behind a 3 metre high chain linked fence. Waving goodbye to the madam Furher we continued the walk up to the Ermita de el tajo de la cruz. Which, according to legend, was built to stop the local witches building a coven here. I am pleased to say none of the ladies on the walk were consumed by a lightning bolt, but Jan did push his luck when he attached himself to the cross. After a short stop for lunch in what must have been the windiest spot in Lanjaron the group split, with 3 people taking a shorter route back to Lanjaron. The rest of us continued on a slightly longer route that joined up with the GR7 on a circuitous path back to Lanjaron.

 We stopped in the village for light refreshment and then headed home after a pleasant mornings stroll around Lanjaron.

We walked 11.3 km, climbed 554 metres.