Andalucia 2019 - A few more photos from Spain

 

Here are a few more photos from our recent holiday in Canillas da Albaida, given that I was only able to post three at a time when we were there.

 

The above picture shows our daily breakfast routine at Posada La Plaza, featuring 'fry eggs Gustavo', our genial host. 

 

Click on any of the daily titles, as below, to reach the posting I made on the day. Also, click on any picture for access to a slideshow of all 54 images.

 

Sunday 3 November 2019 - Cuevas de Agua, and some wine tasting

 

 

We arrived from Manchester, via Malaga, in light rain. Tom joined us for a stroll to Competa and back - 2.5 km each way.

 

 

 

Competa - the main square

 

Canillas, from the Competa road

 

Sunday 3 November 2019 - Cuevas de Agua, and some wine tasting

 

Breakfast outside Posada La Plaza

 

Resting at a fire break

 

 

 

 

Grape press at the Bodega

 

 

Monday 4 November 2019 - The Silk Route

 

Sunrise from our room in the Villa

 

Ascending to the Silk Route

 

On the Silk Route

 

Lunch at Antigua Venta de los Pradillos

 

Another ruin - Cortijo Maria Dolores - where we joined the Silk Route

 

Ermita de Santa Ana, the church that overlooks Canillas

 

 

Tuesday 5 November 2019 - A Circuit via Salares

 

Our walks took us into the Parque Natural areas near Canillas

 

 

Looking down to Salares

 

The Roman Bridge at Salares

 

Grape press at Salares

 

 

Theo really appreciated our custom for his 'tapas of the day'

 

 

 

Wednesday 6 November 2019 - Nerja

 

 

 

Stunning formations in the vast underground caverns

 

Nerja - above and below

 

 

Sunset over Canillas

 

Thursday 7 November 2019 - Cerro Verde

 

 

These pictures show the ascent of Cerro Verde.

 

 

 

 

Soon after leaving the summit, we succumbed to a short interlude of rain.

 

 

 

 

Friday 8 November 2019 - Acebuchal

 

Every time we drove past Competa, we admired this view of the town from above the crash barrier

 

Narrow, scratchy paths were a feature of the week

 

Lovely paths led to a minor summit and a col

 

 

We saw several ibex during the course of the week - shyer than their Alpine relatives

 

 

Acebuchal - a hamlet ravaged by Franco and rebuilt with loving care

 

 

 

 

Then it was back to the Villa for a swim - for some.

 

 

And admiration of the Canillas sunset before our final group meal.

 

That was a lovely week with a great bunch of people. We have lots more photos that hopefully will be collated in a photo book, including a few pictures from Granada, where Sue and I headed to next. I'll add a few more images from that part of our trip later, but this is enough for today.

 

Pyrenees HRP - 2004 - Day 46

 

Sue and Martin's Big Adventure

 

Day 46 - Thursday 9 September 2004 - Stage 37

Postcard Summary

Fawlty Towers to Les Bouillouses

Splendid ascent of Pic Carlit (2921m).  Hot, sunny, hazy – 9.0 hours, 20 km, 1400m ascent

A lovely walk up and down Pic Carlit, the highest peak in the Eastern Pyrenees.  More people around in this pretty area with lots of lakes, but the countryside is opening out and we are clearly entering lower areas.  Martin fell over and grazed his shin, but luckily nothing is broken!  Even had some gentle sections today – a sign of things to come?  Not a cloud in the sky – made for a hot walk.

 

 

Diary Entry (by Sue)

Our last (but one!) big obstacle today - Pic Carlit at 2921 metres in beautiful weather - it's been a superb day as we now sit in the bar of the Refuge des Bouillouses and rest!

 

In our hotel this morning, we were somewhat premature for breakfast, which eventually materialized at about 8.30. There is a 'Fawlty Towers' ambience here - the coffee ran out, the toaster didn't toast, and when we came to leave, they only accepted cash. (9.15.)

 

It was a beautiful morning - a clear sky and slightly hazy views. A track climbed gently away from the col and the road, and we were soon sweating in the still air. After an hour, a stop by a shepherd's hut for water and to apply suntan cream. The track was left for a flat area that soon turned into a path that climbed through pines initially, on the bank of a stream. Then, up grass to the Col de Lanous and a new view - of a large lake and dam, and to Pic Carlit. (See top picture.)

 

Refuelled by mountain mix, we descended a good path to the bottom of the dam, where a 900 metre ascent started. Despite the heat, it was a nice path, winding beside streams and over rocky sections. We saw our first marmot for ages during this climb - he soon made off to his hole. It was sweaty work again.

 

Lunch at the Étang des Fourats, a small green lake at 2457 metres. A brew was welcome with the last of the bread and usual pâté and fish. Martin refilled water bottles, and we watched people ascending the 'intimidating west face' of Pic Carlit just above us.

 

 

In the scree, a zigzag path was evident, and tiny figures were on the top nearly 500 metres above us. In fact, it was not too bad, and it took 1 hour 5 minutes, rather than 1 hour 15 minutes as both guides suggested. The strategy was 'slow and steady', and although steep, the path was good. The view from the summit was a surprising one. Below were blue lakes, but more significantly, the terrain was pine covered rolling hills, with a distant ridge - the big hills are left behind.

 

 

 

An eagle was flying around the summit, and there was a small grey friendly bird on the summit itself.

 

After a good snacking on chocolate, the descent - first steeply down scree, then scrambling down a ridge. Interesting with poles in hand! The lakes became closer, and were reached after a rough stony section. We both enjoyed the path from here - gently descending, then an area of blue lakes and pine covered slopes - reminiscent of Canada.

 

 

There were a few folk around, including a Dutch man who started the HRP on 4th June and had tried to have a discussion with the author of our guide - Ton Joosten, but he wasn't helpful. Soon afterwards, sand on a rock caused Martin to slip, removing the skin on one of his shins, but luckily nothing worse.

 

The path emerged next to the large Lac des Bouillouses.

 

 

We crossed the dam. Still lots of people and cars here in the early evening sun. No problem getting a bed in the Refuge (arrived ~ about 6.15 pm), and just time for a shower before dinner with an English couple at 7.15.

 

The temperature rose to 26°C today, which felt hot with so little breeze, but it was a pleasant 21°C when we finished. The guardian of the refuge is an older, bearded man with a smiley face. He maintains the refuge in a 'spic and span' sort of way and provided a good dinner - carrot soup then tomatoes and black olives with a nice dressing, then an omelette and fried potatoes. Crème brulée for pudding was good too. Ironic that we should be paying half what we did in Fawlty Towers (Hotel du Col)! To bed in a half full dormitory for ten, at 9.30 pm. The refuge is at 2005 metres.

 

Stats and route (Viewranger):

20 km, 1400 metres ascent, 9 hours

 

 

Back to Start
Next Posting
Previous Posting

Index

Introducing 'Rocko'

 

Yesterday's forecast of heavy rain was 100% wrong. Today's forecast of a dry day was 100% wrong. Why do we bother looking at weather forecasts?!

 

After a 'just about dry' Great Run Local at Wythenshawe Park, Sue went bellringing and I jogged off in increasingly damp weather, to meet Kate and Co at Dunham Massey.

 

The autumn colours beside the canal in Altrincham, where lots of rowers were going through their paces, were pleasant enough, especially as they were accompanied by the dulcet tones of the bells of St Margaret's.

 

 

Towards Dunham the gloomy vista was enlightened by the surprising sight of two ladies on surf boards!

 

 

 

Kate and Co duly turned up, and the new member of the family, 13 week old 'Rocko', a Cocker Spaniel, went for his first 'big walk' - all of 2.5 km in the rain!

 

 

A deer was encountered. It must be used to dogs. Oscar and Rocko didn't quite know what to make of it.

 

 

 

Oscar is supposed to be reaching Rocko how to behave, which seems a little odd to me, as Oscar has not yet learnt (after about nine years), how to behave himself!