Lecrin Valley Limpers

This week we went walking in the Sierra Manar, the range of hills behind Dilar.  The walk had been postponed from a few weeks back when it was raining every day, it’s not a walk to do when the ground is wet and muddy. The weather forecast for this Sunday was for sunshine and temperatures of 21 degrees, perfect walking conditions.  The walk starts from the Ermita Nueva and heads up a gentle slope through Olive trees.  After 1 km the path follows the tree line on what at first looks like a level track. It soon becomes apparent that it’s not level at all, but a series of switchbacks with steep ups and downs.  There were only 9 in the group, and we all walked together, chatting and enjoying the warm sunshine. Nobody thought to check that we all turned onto a path into the forest. It was only when we emerged on the other side we noticed our group had dropped to 7, Elsa and Martine were missing.  At first, we weren't worried, we thought they would soon rejoin us. After

This last Saturday and Sunday was the Limpers weekend away to Pitres. We had booked a small hotel in the village and planned to walk on the Saturday and Sunday. The weather forecast was not promising, especially for Sunday when rain was forecast, again. Mind we can’t complain, we knew when we moved to Spain not to expect good weather. It’s why we moved here in the first place, to escape the long hot summer weather, in Northern Europe. We drove up to Pitres on Saturday morning and checked into the San Roque hotel, Julio the owner wasn’t too happy to hear we were cancelling 3 rooms at the last minute, but I think it will be a rare day when he is happy, he has that hound dog look ( large dog with long ears, always looks sad), an expression popular with bar owners.    After coffee in the hotel, we set off on my favourite autumn walk. The weather was good, sunshine and blue sky. We were walking a figure of 8, giving anyone who wanted the chance to drop off in Pitres if

The walk this Sunday was a local one from Talara. The weather forecast was not promising. It wasn’t a matter of if it rained, it was at what time would it start and how heavy.  We met at the crossroads in Talara and the fallback wet weather option was coffee in Antonio’s where we could reminisce about walking in dry sunny weather. It would only be a short discussion as dry weather was sadly lacking in 2018. It was decided to skip the coffee, it wasn’t raining yet, and we had a walk to do. The route was designed with 12 options to shorten it when the rain started, it also went close by a number of Limper homes where we could seek refuge if necessary.  The walk passed through Chite where we picked up a couple of stragglers and then headed off down to the dam. This is a wonderful path as it winds its way down the hillside in and out of the Agave plants, Fortunately, I had brought my machete with me, as a number needed trimming. I had to be careful this week, my care

With the temperature forecast to reach 20 degrees on Sunday we decided on a walk from Albunúñelas. Last year Jan and Martine had discovered a barranco that we had never explored. I thought it was time for us to take a look. I was astounded by the number of people who turned up at the carpark. I had thought by advertising it as a Jan walk it would have put most people off. Originally the plan was to drive from the carpark up on to the ridge but there were so many people and cars I thought we would have difficulty parking when we returned to the village looking for a bar. A new plan was drawn up, we would walk up to the ridge and afterwards finish the walk in the village, next to the bars. This would add a bit of climbing and distance to the walk, but not a lot. From the ridge we had superb views over to the snow-covered peak of Caballo, bathed in sunshine under a deep blue sky. A far cry from the poor people of Nigúelas who were wandering around in a thick fog.  

This week with snow on the Sierras we decided to go down to Nerja for our walk, at least it would be warm down there. I left home in long trousers, fleece and a jacket. One hour later, at the start of the walk from the caves, I was down to shorts and a T-shirt, don’t worry I had not thrown caution to the wind, they were all in my rucksack along with another 2 coats.  The route was a circular one setting off from the caves and the idea was that we could do an easy and a harder walk, with the easy walkers walking with us for the first half of the route and then making their way back along a 4X4 track, whilst the harder walk went up a hill. Trying to keep track as to who, and how many there were in the group was impossible, even Einstein would have had trouble keeping up with all the comings and goings. For the first 1km, the track follows a 4X4 road to the picnic site, it then drops down into a superb barranco which fortunately, even after all the rain, was still dry. Th

Our unseasonable weather continues, we have had more rain, with snow on the Sierras. The forecast for Sunday was for cloud and a cold northerly wind. There is only one place to go with a wind like that, Lanjaron. We had two walks arranged this week The longer, end of the month walk and a shorter one with Hilary.  Both walks started together from the Repsol garage in Lanjaron, and I was amazed at the number of people who had turned out, 30 on the last count. We got moving pretty quickly in case any more turned up. The walk climbs up the hillside behind Lanjaron and then along an acequia to a picnic site where we stopped for elevenses and the group photo. Unfortunately, by this point, we had lost two of the group. It was their first walk with us and the hills were too much for them. Setting off again we soon picked up another acequia running back towards Lanjaron. This was an absolute delight, the Chestnut trees were loaded with fruit and there were some superb looking mu

Hi Spain has had some horrific storms in the last week, fortunately, Granada escaped the worst of it, only suffering from heavy rain and cool temperatures which brought snow to the Sierras.  To avoid walking on muddy footpaths our walk on Sunday was mostly on hard 4X4 tracks. The walk started just outside Santa Fe on the La Malaha road. It was a circular walk taking in the thermal baths, calling it a bath is stretching the definition of a bath to the limit, a thermal pond is nearer the mark, but even that is doing a disservice to ponds.  The walk starts off amongst Olive groves and climbs gently up to a picnic area in a pine forest where we stopped for elevensies.  With an eye out for the future, we took a level wheelchair accessible path through the forest to a lookout with distant views over to Moclin. Will the younger members make a note of this, one day we may require taking out and you will be abe to push our wheelchairs along the track.  After walking 6 km

With Stuart still convalescing (well that's what he tells us and I’m sure there is no truth in the rumour flying around that he just wants another week of being pampered by Olwyn) I was again leading the walk. Our walk started at the crossroads in Talera where after several recounts we decided there was 27 or maybe 28 of us. This is always a good number as you can afford to lose a few on the route (a little more about that later). Stuart, I think maybe we need a new protocol of a roll call to ensure we have an accurate headcount.   With so many people milling around early on Sunday morning I thought we had better get moving before the Guardia were called for causing a civil disturbance. We set off walking down the main shopping street of Talera (That's about six shops) and through the tunnel taking us under the motorway. Soon we walking along a very pleasant 4 x 4 track alongside an acequia with nice views across to  the white villages of Bezner and P

Thank you Brenda for the photo, I shall be having words with you later. Hello, This week I was handed the responsibility of leading the group around Albuñuelas while Stuart stayed at home with his feet up being served endless cups of tea and cake from Olwyn. Wel l it didn’t take long for some to think we were lost before we had even left the pueblo, what they hadn’t realised it was all a part of the grand plan to have a tour of the streets of  Albuñuelas. After being put on the right route out we steadily climbed the winding path out of the village with great views back across the gorge to the village and beyond to the Sierra Nevada. I had the route but also having our two locals, Michelle and Diane on the walk what could possibly go wrong?  Nothing, I just thought we would climb a little further up the steep path, passing the narrow path that turned off our main track to take in the views from a little higher up.  Returning back down to pick up our path, we then walked a

This week we hit the tourist trail for a walk around Granada with our guide Rafa. I must say he was very professional with his umbrella, and he knew the route and where we were going, not like the usual guy. We met up with Rafa at the Puente del salón and walked up to admire the work of the graffiti artist “ El niño de las pinturas”, superb. The highlight of the walk came early on, Rafa had arranged a visit for us to a practice session of the Granada youth orchestra, incredible. The walk continued on unknown roads and alleyways until we arrived in Sacromonte where we stopped for refreshment at a cave bar. It was closed when we arrived and he was a bit reluctant to open until we explained there were 22 of us. The walk carried on through the Albaicin but, with time pressing as we had tapa arranged and people to meet, we couldn’t linger. Some in the group tried very hard to get lost but Rafa would always find them. After the walk, we went to Rafa’s for tapas.