Walking in Spain January 2011

We arrived in Spain a few days ago and on Thursday 13th January, as a 1st walk of 2011, Rosemary & I did one of our favorite local paths down to Cala Liebeig, along the undercliff for a picnic at Cala del Moraig. Here we have a short rest after the very steep cliff climb.

The view back towardsCap D'Or and Portet is spectatcular.

 On Saturday 15th January we walk the cliff path from Cala Pinets to Calpe, note the Ifach in the mist.

 After Beer and Bocadillo in a cafe we head back along the same path to Cala Pinets. This is another favorite local walk.

On Wednesday 19th January David walked with the CBMW from the village of Abdet.  This was a lovely walk in two beautiful valleys, thanks to our leader, our friend Peter Green.

On Thursday 20th January we met our friends Jan & Paul for a most enjoyable walk along the promenades of Calpe with a snack at the "Pensionistas Social Club". Note the view of the Ifach.

 On Saturday David walked Sierra Afaro with the CBMW near the village of Tollos. A beatiful sunny day but very cold with a hard frost on the grass.

 Finally on Saturday 29th January Rosemary & I walked to Calpe again as it was too wet to do the CBMW walk on Cabo St Antonio.  Here during a brief pause the strong wind throws big seas onto the base of the Ifach. Then it was on to the Pensionistas Bar (again).

Last Walk of 2010 - Boxing day 26th December

David has been rather negligent about doing our blog so he is now trying to catch up.

While we were home for Xmas we did our last walk of 2010 with our UK Walking Club - the Saffron Walden and District Footpaths Association.  This Boxing Day walk takes place every year and here we head out through the snow in Audley End Park.

The Black and White contrast of these trees by the River Cam has a special Winter beauty. 

Back across the Park to Saffron Walden with its spectacular Church.  Then home for a cup of tea and a slice of Xmas cake. Soon we are back to Spain for Mountain Walking in 2011.

Xmas in the UK - 2010

 We returned to a very cold UK for Christmas with the family.

 For the Birds in our garden bathing was out and skating was in!

 The snow was 7" deep but we kept our paths clear and enjoyed the Christmas Spirit and lights!

 After our traditional Xmas "sweet making" we enjoyed lunch with our four grandchildren.

 Jon opens presents with Henry (4) and James (6) on Christmas Day.

 After Christmas lunch a walk in the snow.

Grandparents enter into the fun - love the Rabbit ears!

A good time was had by all.

A winter week in Moraira - 3 December 2010

 MONDAY (11th October)

We always walk with the Monday Club and this is our first walk after the summer break. Ten of us walked along the coast from Javea to Portichol, a shorter distance because of the very hot weather.

 This coast is really beautiful but quite rugged, our picnic lunch was on the beach at Potichol. What a lovely way to start the week!

TUESDAY (12th OCTOBER)

A favorite local walk of ours is to the beach at Portet, there is a very good path and lovely coastal views. Here Rosemary is looking out over the Moraira Marina with Cap D'Or in the background.

 Portet beach is quite small but the combination of soft sand, shallow water and two Beach Bars is fantastic!

WEDNESDAY (24th NOVEMBER)

Peter Green (centre) leads this walk from the mountain village of Tarbena for the Costa Blanca Mountain Walkers Group (CBMW) who organise walks on Wenesdays and Saturdays. Here a group of us pose on the edge of a deep baranco (ravine)

 Spectacular views and good company were followed by a well deserved lunch in a Tarbena Restaurant.

THURSDAY (25th NOVEMBER) 

 We usually walk into Moraira several times each week, Rosemary absolutely loves to sit admiring the sea as well as looking around the many shops!

 The weather is cooler now but still 10 degrees warmer than the UK. The flowering Hibiscus bushes do not seem to mind the cold and Rosemary wears her Pashmina!

FRIDAY (3rd DECEMBER)

Friday is Market day in Moraira and althougth there are not as many stalls at this time of year the market is still large and a useful place to buy small Xmas presents as well as the regular vegetables, cheese and aceite(olives etc). Montgo makes a dramatic backdrop for the commercial bustle (note the full shopping bag)!

 We are always cheerful at the sight of food!

 And later at  lunchtime we are at Pepe's Restaurant in Alcalali village in the Jalon Valley for our Christmas Lunch with some of our walking friends.

SATURDAY (23rd OCTOBER)

 Another CBMW walk in the Marnes Valley with our friends Paul & Jan.

 The Bernia Mountain Range makes a dramatic backdrop for our "banana break"

SUNDAY (5th DECEMBER)

 A different route into Moraira across the beach on another lovely winter day.

 The sea providing some spectacular sights with Moraira in the background.

Then home to our little apartment for tea and cake after another brilliant week in Spain.

Cap D'Or Tower - 20 Nov

The walk up to the Torre (Tower) on Cap D'Or (Golden Point) is one of our favourite "local" walks that we try to do as a couple on every visit to Moraira. This is partly because it is visible from our terrace, very close, does not take too long and has wonderful views of our coastline. This is one of the worst bits, the steep roads up from Portet to the start of the footpath and Rosemary pauses to get her breath back.

Once past the initial steep path it becomes a bit easier with splendid views of Portet and Moraira yacht marina against the backdrop of the Sierra Bernia Mountains. Whilst this time of year is not as colourful as spring (with masses of flowers) there are still bushes of Rosemary (!), Heather and Gorse on all sides.

Now turning right around the corner we are on the seaward side and looking northwards to Cap de la Nau, the most easterly part of the Costa Blanca. Whilst there is not a sheer drop to the sea it is still steep enough to need a good head for heights. 

Another 180 degree turn to the right and the path leads up to our objective, the Tower. By this time it is so windy that it's difficult to keep your cap on! At this time of year at this altitude the wind can be very chilly indeed.

Reaching the Tower the only shelter from the wind is at the back, sadly for us this was occupied by a Spanish courting couple (no photo!) We decided to retreat to a beach bar in Portet.

Just time on the way down for a view south towards Calpe and the Penon de Ifach also in the mist behind the towers of Benidorm.  The gathering dark clouds also had their own message for haste, this is not a good spot to get caught in a rainstorm in November.

 We had to admire the surf far below the cliff.

The rain started just as we reached the road but we were soon at the beach. Then lunch at the beach bar (inside!) at Portet to end a nice morning's walk on a changeable autumn day. By the time we were half way through lunch the sun had reappeared and the surf was sparkling.



Morocco Trip - Fes to Moraira - 12 & 13 Nov

 Having left Fes at 7.30 we had one last "pit-stop" before arriving in Tangier with an hour in hand before our 14.00 ferry sailing. Compared with Wednesday, today's journey has been excellent on much better roads.

 Our spare hour was spent eating our rolls and fruit on the beach at Tangier.

Bob and Janet, our walking friends and trip organisers, can relax too having almost got their "flock" back to the safety of Spain.

 This unusual and non-pc sight was a fitting end to our visit to Morroco.

 Our Driver, Pepe, and our "coach-minder & facilitator" Youssef say a final goodby. I could not understand why Youssef slept on the bus overnight as we had removed our luggage but the answer to my query "what could they steal?" was obvious - the Bus!!

 As we left Tangier we passed this French Cruise Liner disguised as a Tall ship.

 This Strait is very busy with Tankers, Cruise ships, Fishing boats etc and our "Jet ferry" travelled at very high speed - an exhilerating and very smooth crossing back to Spain.

 The ferry approaches Tarifa and home.

Then back to the Royal Costa at Torremolinos for a really nice dinner, a walk along the promenade and an evening of entertainment, too noisy for us but very quiet in our room and a restful night. On Saturday morning the journey home started a 9.00 and Pepe, our excellent Spanish driver, got us back to Moraira by 5.30. An interesting trip to see a whole different culture, many thanks to the organisers Bob and Janet.