Salpamo

Yesterday we drove out to Alfaix to hook up with our cousin's, a good catch up & lunch in their complex's restaurant terrace in beautiful sunshine.

Today's walk was an easier route to Salpamo than last weeks mountain goat trail, this time it was a gentle incline, walked at pace along a dry river bed to meet the gang for a 'menu del dia' lunch in one of Salpamo's three restaurants.  We planned on a two-hour hike to get there which in fact took twenty minutes less. 

Almond tree in bloom

Christobal

This gave the four walkers time to fit in a 2Euro pint and a tapa before the girls arrived by car, we wish we hadn't....

You don't have to come far out of Mojacar to get the real Spanish deal, refreshingly not a word of English is spoken by the owner/staff of Restaurante Cristobal, there is no menu to point at, you choose from what they tell you they have in that day, between us we managed to order a feast. 

The food and beer kept coming alioli & bread, a plate of salad, then a plate of paella - by now I was full - my main course of chicken & chips was yet to come and after that, a rice pudding desert. Coffee and brandy to finish off all for 11Euro a head. I reckon just the three pints of beer I quaffed would of cost more than this back home.

Feeling a little bloated three of us decided we would decline a ride home and walk back the way we had come, Martin led, I had to jog to keep up, downhill all the way we knocked 15 minutes off our out time.

The Algarrobico Hotel aka Illegal Hotel

Tuesdays walk to the viewing point above Mojacar.

Roly at the peak.

What makes this sunny picture more interesting is that Barry & Paul are only two hours drive away enjoying a skiing trip in the best snow the Sierra Nevada's have had in a long time.

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Today's hike was a major undertaking, the walk started from Sopalmo, 3000ft high up on the road to Carboneras, from there we followed the path of the December storm water down to the beach to follow the shore line around to The Algarrobico Hotel which has been the subject of a legal battle with environmentalists.

Road to Carboneras clinging to the cliff above.

 A handy 450 meter service tunnel meant we didn't have to traverse this particular hill.

Showing us the way to the top

These young  Ibex's were startled to see three old codgers on their turf.

Walking around the shore to the 'illegal' hotel on the right.

The Illegal Hotel . Greenpeace painted it the black colour to spell out I.L.L.E.G.A.L the first two letters have been painted out.

If you would like to read about the ongoing dispute click here.

After water and vitamin C we started the climb back to Sopalmo, it was a huge effort to keep going

This end of the tunnel is a bit of a squeeze to get into.

We took a detour to walk down to Solpalmo beach.

Memorial to a young girl who lost her life when she camped on the beach,
she was washed out to sea by a flash flood.

When we finally got back to the top - three hours later - Sue, Bev & Wendy joined us for a nice cool glass of what we wanted and a few tapas, which made the effort worth while.

Winter watch

It's been cooler here than most parts of the UK for a few days last week, we even saw snow.

A little snow on the hill tops above Mojacar.

Yesterday the warm sun returned in time for a visit toVilllaricos .

My favourite vessel in the harbour, love that tiny wheelhouse.

The cold snap ..

...in the UK you will be glad to hear isn't affecting us here. So to all our friends and family in the UK here are a few warm photo's to brighten your day. 

The numbers for todays hike swelled to seven, stalwarts Barry, Martin & I were joined by Roly, Paul ,Russell and Kimberley. 

Paul Russ & Kimberly

Roly & Martin.

Summit of our hike.

Barry & Martin

After our walk we all went to the Friday market in Turre.

Beer and tapas at the Indian restaurant.

Peace and quiet

Betty the outlaw's  time with us has come to an end, as she left her broomstick back in Somerset she went on an Easyjet flight from Almeria, Sue went with her to make sure she didn't return got home safely

Before leaving for the airport we had breakfast with the Mojacar crew which has now swelled to eleven peeps. Betty enjoyed her winter break and although I joke at her expense on this blog, I enjoy her company very much, we will have more fun together on the boat during the summer no doubt.

Carrying on with my fitness regime -     Barry & Martin came along for the twin peaks challenge  climbing up and over the regular daily mound , along a dry river bed then up a second mountain to the summit.

Martin & Barry at the summit.

Mojacar in the distance

I had proper hiking footwear and walking poles, I still managed to slip a couple of times on the descent, landing on the floor once. Martin on the other hand was poleless in his 10 euro trainers from the local Euromarket, he was as agile and surefooted as a mountain goat !

It was four hour hike including a stop off at a beach cafe for refreshments.

We wait for the straggler

We found  Wilson  down on the shore.

Mind the telegraph pole

I've been yomping over the hills with alarming regularity {two days on the trot so far) in my mission to get a little fitter.

Betty's next door neighbours have a holiday home near Huercal Overa, she has been badgering me to take her on a visit so yesterday we went on a a 45minute drive. We had a nice afternoon with Steve & Fred, we were supplied with tapas and a glass's of Cava for those not driving.

Typically Spanish way of doing things

and another

In the evening it was paella time with Cathy, Martin, Richard & Linda) -who are also enjoying time away from the UK winter,- Paul & his surprise guest, niece Hayley, and my outlaw made up a table of nine So that makes seven boaters here. Friends Roly & Bev have crossed the Pyrenees and will be arriving Monday and Dot & Gordon are flying out next month. .....It's going to be a social couple of months.

Had the darts rematch with the Rose & Crown on Thursday, it's a bit off putting when the landlord tells me if I didn't hit my double I will be barred.... all in good fun. I actually lost both of my singles and the doubles game but my teammates won the match overall.

Was the millennium..

really 17 years ago!

Joined in with the  new years dip in honour of Elaine Mcbride organised by her hubby Paul to raise money for a couple of good causes.

Money was being raised for Leo the lion  a young lad who is recovering after brain tumour surgery, I got to  speak with his mum and found out that she was originally from the Isle of Man - small world isn't it.

The sea was fer fer fer freeezzzing at first but the body soon got used to it and most dippers stayed in for a ten minute swim. Hot chocolate was available to all, with a splash of brandy if you wished.

A well organised event that raised more than 1000 Euros.

Dippers belting out the Robbie Burns number 'Aud Lang Syne'

Today local guide 'Canadian' Barry took Martin and me on a walking tour of the hills that surround Mojacar. As we yomped up a dry gorge I realised how unfit I have become lately so tomorrow I will start a fitness regime.... manana.

Barry & Martin waiting for me to catch up.

The balanced stone (centre picture) was erected by our guide.