10 Apr 2010 - Orba Castle

It has been suggested that we might lead a Monday Club walk to Orba Castle, and we wanted to do a recce first to make sure that the river is fordable. This is one of our local walks and it’s nice not to have to drive to the start. You can even see the castle clearly from the end of our road.

The first part is a very easy stroll through the orange groves along the dry(ish) river bed towards Murla. The heights ahead is Cavall Verde (Green Horse) not Orba Castle.

There was more water in the river than usual, but it did not stop us walking along the river bed to Murla. We had to cross the water in two places, but it was not difficult.

The weather forecast had been particularly good, with a clear sunny day. For once it was wrong. When we started it was cold enough to require a jacket, though it soon heated up and the jackets were removed. But we had cloud all day, and when they covered the sun it could be quite cool. Good for walking mind.

There are two paths up to Orba Castle. The more difficult and longer one is favoured by most of the Monday Club, so that is the one we tackled today. On our own we normally take the easier route, and I had forgotten how steep and tiring the first part of this one could be.

Once the initial climb is done, there is a long walk along the crest over large slabs of rock. Not very difficult going, and providing excellent views back to Parcent and ahead to the castle itself.

And so to the castle itself. Jan climbed to the top whilst I fiddled with the camera to achieve this “stitched” wide angle view. One of my better efforts.

And from the same spot an example of the close up function. It is clear from Jan’s expression that she has had to wait longer than she wanted for me to finish the photography.

Jan wanted at least one photo of me. Her photographs are getting much better, there was a time when as often as not part of my head would be missing.

Another attempt at “stitching”. You have to take three adjoining photographs, and each one has to match the previous one. A very small image of the previous one is shown on the viewer and has to be matched up with the next photo. Unfortunately the image is not very clear and matching is very difficult. But still pleased with this attempt

We used the easier route to descend from the castle. It is not as well marked as the official one, but is obviously well used if this cairn is anything to go by.

5 Apr 2010 - Col de Rates

We met in Jalon car park for yet another new walk. This time it was our old favourite Col de Rates, but via the Stations of the Cross from Jalon. So not quite a new walk, rather a combination of two old ones. When the CBMW do the Stations of the Cross it is usually a short walk combined with a lunch. However we would join the Barranco Negro path and continue up to the Col de Rates.

Most of the villages in this area have their own Stations of the Cross on a nearby hill, and Jalon is no exception. It would have been more appropriate to do this walk on Good Friday, but Easter Monday was quite close.

The path soon leveled out and led through this very English looking wood. Unfortunately there was more cloud today than recently, and the breeze was cool

Our destination, the Col de Rates, soon came into view. Not one of the big peaks in the distance, but the col between them.

Then came views down the Jalon Valley, with Parcent and its white church tower in the centre.

When we last did this walk, about three years ago, the heather and bracken was much thicker and higher. This area is used by local hunters, and perhaps they have cleared the path. Whatever the reason, it was much easier going today than last time.

Margaret is a Monday Club regular, and it was nice to see Heinz again as he has not walked with us for some time.

Pat and Mick have also walked with the group for many years. They have a holiday home here, and spend each Monday with us when they are in Spain.

It took us about two hours to reach the junction with the Barranco Negro. Good view of the Donkey Sanctuary and Bernia, and our road is the one going to the right.

It was not long before we were climbing again. This is the hardest part of the climb, but Peter set an easy pace and it seemed much easier than when Jan and I do it on our own.

David and Pat take a short break.

At the top of the climb there is a finca where we normally have a break, but there were three cars there today and it was obviously occupied. There was not a suitable alternative, but we were all ready do lunch as it was gone 1pm, so we just sat beside the track.

We have done all of the climbing and it was now a pleasant walk to the Col de Rates. We call this the “hidden valley” as it is a well cultivated area surrounded by the mountains. Coming at the end of our difficult climb it is striking, though there is a good road from the opposite direction.

Having reached our objective there was just time for a short stop to admire the view down the Jalon Valley.

There are three paths leading up to the Col de Rates, and our one back to Jalon was the worse of the three. It used to be a very good path until it was badly damaged in heavy rain a few years ago. No effort has been made to repair it, and it now requires great care and a little scrambling to descend in safety.

Despite the overcast skies it proved a very enjoyable walk, and an interesting variation to our well walked Col de Rates.



Next Week

Pat confirmed that Ann has offered to lead next week’s walk, but she was not sure exactly where it would go. The start point is off the Calpe to Altea road. Just before the first tunnel you turn right and pass rubbish bins. Those of you who have done this walk before will recognize the description; anyone else should ring Ann for further directions.

2 Apr 2010 - Granadella

David and Rosemary have just returned to Spain after a few weeks in UK and wanted to do an old favourite walk. Granadella is one of their “local” walks, and we have not done it this year. We met at their house in Moraira and drove to the start at Combre del Sol in our car.

It was Easter Friday when we did the walk, and the area was much busier than usual. During the walk we passed more walkers than normal, even a few Spanish.

David has found a number of alternative walks in this area, but today was my favourite option. It starts with a level walk for half an hour to a view point. Then a scramble over the headland, to another view point where these photos were taken.

We have David to thank for this photo which he took with our camera. Although we are still a long way from Granadella, there are good views of the beach from this point.

We are soon making our way down the far side of the headland, and have good views of our lunch picnic spot. This abandoned castle was built in the late eighteenth century, and was used during the Napoleonic Wars. I have been told that it was once fired upon by an enemy ship, but not sure whether it was French or British (the Spanish had both as allies at different times).

We were lucky to have the fort to ourselves for most of the time we spent there. There were a couple of other visitors but none who stayed for more than a short look at the lovely view.

Being a Bank Holiday there were a lot more boats than usual. David and Rosemary have their own boat in UK and described the advantages and disadvantages of the different boats we watched go past.

Today was pretty well ideal weather for walking, and indeed sitting. It was quite chilly this morning as we left Parcent, and we both wore our jackets. But by mid morning the sun had warmed up the day, and we began the walk in shirtsleeves. By midday it was warm, but with a cooling breeze. So although the fort is very open and provides little shelter from the elements, there was no problem today.

It was so nice sitting at the fort that we stayed longer than usual. With the Monday Club we would normally restrict lunch to half an hour, but we could please ourselves today. I suspect it was nearer to an hour before we got going again.

The path from the fort to Granadella beach involves a steep climb and a couple of places where there is a chain fixed to the rock where the path is too dangerous on its own. Health and Safety is not taken as seriously here as in UK!

From a distance the beach looked fairly quiet, but when we reached it we found the whole area packed with parked cars. The main attraction seemed to be the two restaurants, rather than the beach itself.

I bought my new camera because I wanted to be able to take wide angle views. It does it by means of “stitching”. You take three photos and the camera combines them into one. However the edges of the three photographs have to match, and I have not quite got the technique right yet.



It was a very pleasant walk. We returned to Moraira to freshen up, and then went to Teulada for a meal in Las Vegas. A very nice way to end a very nice day.