8 May 2010 - Calpe Ifach

When we moved to Spain in 2006 we spent a week in Calpe waiting for our house to be ready. On our first day we explored the town and visited the Ifach. We walked up to the information centre and on to the tunnel, but there we turned back as we were wearing sandles. However we promised we would return soon and finish the walk. It has taken four years to do so!

Warm and sunny morning for the drive to Calpe to meet David and Rosemary for today’s walk – the Ifach.

Anyone who has been to Calpe will know the Ifach, it dominates the whole town. It is a much visited nature reserve and the path to the information centre is an easy walk. From there on boots are recommended, though we did see many young visitors in sandals

It was very appropriate that we were met at the entrance by a sea bird, because we were to encounter many of them along the path and as it is the breeding season they were not always friendly. Both Jan and David were attacked by angry birds during the walk; Jan’s hat was even knocked off.

Along the path to the tunnel there are a number of well signed vantage points, and this seemed a good location for a photo opportunity.

This is the view from the vantage point, and we were already above the birds who circled below us.

We soon reached the tunnel, which was built in 1918 and leads through the rock to the north eastern side of the Ifach. The large numbers of people who had used it have polished the rock so much that they have become very slippery, which is why two ropes have been attached to the side of the tunnel as hand holds.

From here on the path becomes quite difficult, and there are signs warning that suitable boots should be worn and children not allowed. Despite this we passed at least two families with young children wearing sandals. We even met a teenager walking in bare feet!

This is pretty typical of the path beyond the tunnel. Again the rock is slippery and we had to use the ropes. Jan does not like “exposure” and did not really enjoy this part of the walk at all.

We soon reached this vantage point, and from here to the guard post at the sea end of the Rock the path is very good. The guard post is a small platform which used to be a lookout and which now offers some spectacular view out to sea.

This area was covered in nests and noisy sea birds who obviously were not pleased with our presence. It was surprising that the nests were so close to the path, which at least today was very busy.

The guard post was a very suitable spot for a well deserved rest. The walk had proved longer and more difficult that I had expected.

This is not the guard of the guard post; it is yet another angry sea bird. We did not realise when we decided to have a rest that there was a nest just behind the rock.

The nest is right behind Jan and me. But we found the birds did not seem to mind too much providing we were not too loud, and we did not approach too close to the nest.

It was not only the sea birds who kept us company, there were also plenty of butterflies. Unlike the birds, they did not seem to be bothered by us and allowed us to get quite close for photographs.

Half way back to the tunnel we found this sign, which directed us to the path leading to the top of the Ifach.

Then it was uphill once more, and it was back to poor and very slippery paths.

We could soon see the top of the Ifach and realised just how busy it was. Most visitors seemed to be teenagers or young families with children. Not too surprising, as we found it quite hard going. Though we did pass an older German lady who was also wearing sandals and dressed for a stroll along the promenade rather than for climbing.

It took us about half an hour to climb to the top and for much of the way there was no path and we had to scramble over rocks and pull ourselves up using the rope attached to the rock at the more difficult sections.

It was busy at the top, and quite difficult to move around because of the smooth rock slabs. But we managed to find a suitable spot to sit and admire the view.

And there was much to admire. This is the view to the right towards the La Fossa beach and beyond to the dive centre and further to Moraira

Directly below our viewpoint was Las Salinas, the lake and nature reserve, plus of course the yacht club.

Then to the left Platja Arenal Bol beach leading to the town centre.

We were quite surprised to find that the Ifach also had two young cats, who seemed very relaxed with the visitors who were quite happy to feed them. We did wonder how they would get on with the sea birds. They were quite prepared to attack humans who came too near, and the one who dive bombed Jan would have hurt her had she not been wearing a hat. So I hate to think what they might have done to these small cats.

We left our sandal wearing German lady here, and made our difficult way back downhill to the main path. We did feel a little guilty that we had not asked her to come with us. But we need not have worried; she overtook us before we reached the tunnel!

And then a final farewell to our feathered companions. It had been a lovely walk, though longer and more challenging than we expected. When we started at 11am I though we would be back down by lunchtime. It was in fact 3.30 pm by the time we got back to the cars. This was as long as many of our Monday Club walks, and every bit as tiring. We had all enjoyed the walk, and the extension to the top, even Jan. Though whether she would want to do it again remains to be seen.

6 May 2010 - Castell d'Aixa

When we realised we would not be able to walk due to the rain on Monday, we arranged with David and Rosemary to do the Castell d’Axia was from Pedreguer. With the sun and blue skies it was hard to believe it was only three days later.

This is the fourth time that we have walked around Pedreguer this year, three times with David and Rosemary. This is the same walk that we did a few weeks ago on our own, but this time we would climb the hill to Castell d’Axia.

There were a great variety of flowers, all of them in full bloom. Jan and Rosemary were in their element, and there were many stops to admire a particular bloom, such as this Pyramid Orchid. I have to admit that even David and I were impressed.

There was a serious fire in this area two years ago, and it cleared all of the undergrowth. There are still many blackened trees, making the profusion of colour all the more striking.

Rosemary was very excited when she saw the first Anemone, but we soon found many more of them.

This part of the walk is particularly exposed, and on previous visits has been very cold and windy. There was a cool breeze today, but the sun was warm and the overall effect very pleasant for walking.

Rosemary has always been very excited when she found a Bee Orchid, and I could never understand why as (to me) they look like weeds from a distance. I had not realised how much they look like a bee and such fine detail. She even picked one to show me at close quarters and was pleased when I agreed how interesting they were.

It took us just over two hours to reach the hill on which the ruins of Castell d’Axia stand. Last time we stopped at the foot of the hill to have our lunch, and were tempted to do so again today – especially as it was just after 1pm when we got there. But David wanted to look for a new path which seemed to start at the castle. So we all agreed to climb the hill.

The views throughout this walk are very impressive, but became even more so as we gained more height. This is a view of Castelet de l’Ocaive. We had climbed this hill to view the castle about four years ago with the Costa Blanca Mountain Walkers.

In less than half an hour we had reached the top, and were surprised to find a large flat area covered in grass and flowers, looking very much like a meadow. There was also a prominent trig marker, but not much sign of the castle.

The views had been impressive so far, but these were really breath taking. It was interesting to identify the surrounding peaks and walks we had done. Indeed you could see almost all of our regular walks from here.

We had not encountered any other walkers, and we could see none from our viewpoint. There was however lots of butterflies and low flying birds for company.

We were spoilt for good spots to sit and have our picnic lunch

We would normally spend no more than half an hour over lunch, as muscles get stiff and getting started again can be difficult. However it was so pleasant today that we spent a full hour here, and were sorry to leave.

The walks in this area have been well signposted within the last year, but putting the regular yellow and white on the trig marker was a bit over the top.

Then it was time to go, and the downhill walk back to the car. It was 5pm by the time we finished, but still a warm evening. So we walked into the village for a very welcome cold clara (shandy) outside one of the café’s in the square. This is definitely a walk we will have to do with the Monday Club after the summer break.

3 May 2010 - Rain Stopped Play

Despite the weather forecast of rain all day, and this view first thing this morning, we decided to go to Tormos and let David decide whether to attempt the walk or nor. It was still dry when we got to the car park and there were eight others ready to walk. However just before 10am the rain started.

We sat in the cars for a few minutes, but it was soon obvious that the weather forecast had been correct and that this weather was in for the day. So David decided to abandon the walk.

He will lead the same walk next week. So let’s hope for better weather for the Tormos to Campell walk next Monday. Meet in the same car park at 10am.