26 September 2016 – Javea to Portichol

As always it was nice to meet up with everyone after the summer break.  This year we started walking a little earlier than usual.   The first Monday in October is when we usually meet for the first walk.   So we were pleased to see that either everyone remembered the correct date, or perhaps they checked on the blog.

It has been a long and hot summer, and more so than usual during September.  So we were pleased to find it was cloudy rather than full on sun.   Despite that it was still pretty warm and close.   Walking on the coast at least we had the benefit of the sea breeze. 

For such a short walk there is a lot of variety in the scenery.   We soon reached Cap Prim and followed the track downhill to Sardine Bay.

This lovely little bay always seems to be deserted, at least when we visit it.   Some of the group have swum here in the past, but not today.

We did however have our “banana stop” on the beach, as we often do.  There are lovely views to Javea and Montgo.  There are also new, and private, steps leading up to the large expensive new buildings above the bay.

As well as an opportunity to have a short break and eat our bananas, it was also an opportunity to catch up on summer experiences.   Pat injured her knee, and is still wearing a support.   Fortunately it is now much better, and did not affect her walking at all.

On such a warm and humid day the climb out of Sardine Bay was much more difficult than the descent down.

We were soon able to enjoy the views down towards Portichol

There are many fine view points, and we usually make the most of them all

There are still a lot of summer visitors around, and also quite a few boats

The path around Cap Prim is very good, or rather the many paths.   It is a small area and you can always tell your location by the constantly changing views.

As we rounded the headland, we were rewarded with this excellent view of Javea and Montgo.  This is my favourite part of the whole walk

There was some debate about which path to take, but all led to the main track down to Portichol beach.

This is a very popular beach, no doubt because of the nearby car park.   However it is covered in stones and quite painful to walk on without shoes.   This is another beach where many of the group have a swim.  But again no takers today.

It was so pleasant on the beach that we spent longer than we should having our picnic lunch.  So the steep climb up from the beach was more difficult than usual.   It is the part of the walk that I least enjoy, and aching legs and the heat did not help today.  We soon reached the seating area near the car park and had a well-deserved rest.

Monday 3 October 2016

Next week will be Lliber to Senija via The Cross.   Meet in the central car park (with the medical centre) at 10am.