Monday Club - Alt de Ampel / Marnes - Monday 9th May 2011.

Paul & Jan are being decorated so today's Report has fallen to me.  We (11) set of uphill from the Maserof road at a gentle pace on a very warm & sunny morning. It was good to welcome back Janet after her injury and Colin, Rosemary & David back from the UK.

Some of us returned on Saturday from a walking holiday on Mallorca but on the Island we really missed the wild flowers so common in the Costa Blanca, like this beautiful Pyramid Orchid.

On the plateau the views of the surrounding mountains are fabulous.

As we reach Marnes the Sierra Bernia dominate the Broom shrubs -

- and other gorgeous flowers!

Soon we are on our way down the Barranco we know from the "Dos Barrancos" walk -

- with  Pat (our leader) & Rosemary setting a gentle pace almost to the lunch stop.

Lunch over and we prepare to attempt the steep downhill section.

Although we still have the enthusiasm to admire the "Love in the mist"

Finally we are safely back on the lower paths leading back to Jalon after a lovely walk combining parts of two walks that we have done separately previously. 

Next Monday, the 16th May, we will be walking the Bernia circuit (not the Forat/goat cave) from the Bernia Inn Parking at 10.00 am

Boating - Maintenance & Launch

Even when we are at the Marina for boat washing, polishing and maintenance there is still time for lunch and a chat on the bank with friends.

With "Summer Love" still out of the water David can check the propellors, shafts, rudders, etc

The starboard shaft and propellor have been vibrating so David has removed them (after a long struggle) to be checked by an Engineering Company.

Wednesday 13th March.  At last the maintenance is finished, parts refitted with a new bearing and she is ready to be launched, here the lifting frame is being positioned around the boat (still on it's blocks).

Blocks away!  Andy our Marina Engineer gets us mobile.

Have wheels will travel - in front of the workshop and towards the "lift out" - watched by Rosemary.

another view of the "ladies".

Almost in!

Rosemary gets busy with the mooring ropes and we look forward to a happy season of boating.

April 2011 - Walking in the UK

Today, Monday 4th April, we are walking from our house in Saffron Walden to visit Caroline in Debden, note our Cherry tree is in blossom and spring flowers.

These Cowslips are common in our fields and on banks.

The Blackthorn in blossom makes a nice back-drop for Rosemary's hat as we cross the fields.  

Violets make a bright splash.

It is a dry day if a bit cloudy and if not lost we are having to discover the route.

Debden at last for a chat & nice cup of tea with Caroline & Dominic before we catch the Bus back to Saffron Walden.

Today, Wednesday 6th April, is the "all day" walk with SW&Dist Footpaths Assn.  We 12 started from Henham Church and took a circuitous route to Widdington for a Pub Lunch before our return circuit.

It is a fine day with sun & cloud and dry underfoot.  Here we are walking past some interesting creatures!

Our route takes us along some small treee lined lanes -

- and across the fields.

In the "green lanes" these Celandines make a bright splash of colour.

Debden Church was open and a good spot for a pew in the cool!

Our very nice lunch was at the pub in Widdington -

 - before returning to Henham. Many thanks are due to our leader Robert Bartlett and our sweeper, his wife Christine who got us all safely back.

Today, Sunday 7th April, we are again walking with the Footpaths Assn. in a circuit around Saffron Walden.  Our Leader is Jean Coe and her husband David is sweeping.

These Narcissi are naturalised in this coppice.

Our path takes us along tracks and through country lanes with pretty Farms -

- and the butterflies put on a display for us.

This has been a lovely walk from home in good company.

March 2011 - Walking in the UK

Sunday20th March - we were with "Saffron Walden & District Footpaths Association on their March Walk from Newport towards Wicken Bonhunt. The weather was fine and cool enough for some brisk walking.

There is a real feel of Spring in the air, the tree buds are bursting and theUK is getting green!

We have been walking with this group for many years but wished they walked more than once a month. The next walk is an "all day" with a Pub Lunch

Granadella - CBMW - 5th March

After the usual 10.00 start 38 of us set off across Cumbre del Sol high heathland on a bright sunny morning. After a brief water stop at the Mirador (Viewpoint) our CBMW leader Bill Burford took us down then up and along the ridge.

The ridge is not as precipitous as it looks and has wonderful views along the coast.

Having accomplished the ridge Rosemary descends to the Fort for our banana stop

The Fort is in a ruinous state but we must not complain because the damage was done by the Royal Navy!

At this point there is a short drop with a chain to assist walkers and we relax for a few minutes while our leader checks that everyone has caught up. Granadella beach is visible to the right but is actually is a long walking distance away!!

On the next part the zig zag path means we can look back to Alan sweeping the tail end of the group.

The path goes up steeply with a hand rail (really intended for casual tourists!!) -

- but even welcomed by our seasoned mountain walkers. Then on to another viewpoint.

Lunch was on Granadella beach (note Bob's relaxed position) and then back uphill by a more gentle path to the start point.  This walk is very local to Moraira for Rosemary & myself and we often walk it by ourselves if we get bored or restless and with our Monday (walking) Club too - but it takes much longer with 38 walkers!!

Do not forget that it is easy to follow the walks of the Monday Club on Jan & Paul's Blog: -

http://newjanandpaulinspain2011.blogspot.com/