After
another grey and wet week we were fortunate to have a cold but dry and sunny day for
another of our favourite walks.
With
a turnout of 19 it was also our largest group yet. It would have been even larger but one
couple had to cancel at the last minute, and we had already turned down another
two new walkers to keep the total below our limit of 20 in each group.
The walk started badly when we found a group of workmen working on the “Stations
of the Cross” path from the village
Fortunately
I remembered the alternative track we had used many years ago when we first did
this walk
It
was only a very small diversion, and we were soon back on the familiar track to
the aerials
It
is quite a steep track right from the start, and some of our group found it
more difficult than others
With
a larger group its always harder to keep everyone together, so we had a couple
of brief stops to allow those at the rear time to catch up
Although a short walk of only 7km, there is still a climb of just over
400 metres, including this steep section right at the start. Some of our newer members found it quite a
challenge
So
our banana stop at the abandoned finca was a welcome chance to have a sit down
and recover. The views from here are
not bad either.
We broke the walk into two groups for the second part of the climb. David took the “A Team”. Jan and I took the rest at a slightly slower
pace over the rocky surface
After
a short break at the car park and view point, we continued up to the aerials and along to
the end of the ridge
It would be hard to find a better spot to have a picnic lunch, and the
sun made a welcome appearance
We often have to find shelter from the wind, but today there was no need
Jan has started a new tradition of supplying boiled sweets during the
lunch break, which seems to be quite popular with everyone
And
of course we had to take the traditional group photograph. If the group gets any larger I will have to
invest in a wide angle lens!
Once
more we had an early lunch stop, partly because it is a shorter walk but more
because this is such a good location.
Again no one complained.
Although it is a steep climb up, it is a pleasant and gradual stroll
back down to the village
The flowers were looking particularly bright and colourful, perhaps
because of the recent rain. Anneke was
not the only one to be tempted to record them
You
might expect the bar to be pleased when 19 thirsty walkers unexpectedly arrived
on this quiet midweek afternoon.
However the barman did not appear to be particularly impressed. Perhaps because he had to set up some extra-large
tables for us all.
Another very enjoyable walk, and just what was needed to cheer us all up after a grey and wet start to the week. Thanks to all for joining us again.
Walk Stats
This
walk of about 7 kilometres from Benimeli at around 90 metres above sea level
reached a high point of 435 metres near the top of Segaria and included a total
ascent of about 410 metres. Including
breaks and a lunch stop it took abouit 4 hours to reach the bar in the village
square at an average walking speed of 3.0 kilometres per hour.
