Dryathlon 2015

Dryathlon 2015

By atrekinthesun   06:43   No comments:

We are doing the 2015 Dryathlon (not drinking for the whole of September) for Cancer Research UK. If you would like to join our team please let me know or if you would just like to make a donation to Cancer Research UK via our Justgiving page just follow this link http://www.justgiving.com/owner-email/pleasesponsor/Cyril-Deeming

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Failed caminito del Rey

Failed caminito del Rey

By atrekinthesun   14:57   No comments:

Friday 21st August 2015

Took a steady drive in the motorhome to Camping Parque Ardales ready to walk the Caminito del Rey with our Spanish friend Javier and his brother Francisco. When we were settled in at the campsite we walked to el kiosko where we were going to meet with Javier and start the walk from, only to find that the walkway was closed due to high winds. We were all very disappointed we had a cup of coffee and then walked the for about an hour and a half to the start of the walkway and back. We then went back to the campsite and went for a swim in the lake.

Saturday 22nd August 2015

Walked from the campsite along the road to Restaurant El Mirador Ardales where we took the track that leads you to the start of the Caminito del Rey but before we reached the check in point we took a track off to the right. We followed this uphill for a while until the track stopped. There was a small footpath which continued steeply uphill which we followed, this eventually turned left down towards El Chorro where we did not want to go so we carried on going uphill some more until we got to the top of the ridge where a firebreak went right. We followed this for quite a way and were heading in the right direction as wanted to make a cicular route back to the campsite. Eventually we got to the end of the ridge from were we had great views down to the lake and our campsite which was quite a way down. The path deteriorated from here but there were cairns marking the zigzag path down the hill towards the campsite eventually finishing up on the road opposite the entrance to the campsite after about 3 hours of walking. It was getting quite hot by then so we had another swim in the lake.

Sunday 23rd August 2015

La Vuelta a Espana had started on Saturday and today the stage came past the campsite but unfortunately it would have been too late as we as we were meeting with friends that evening. We decided to leave the campsite early and drive to Pizarra which was on the Vuelta stage today and we could do a walk before the race went past. We had a book with us that did a walk from the railway station up El Hacho de Pizarra. From the station we entered the Raja Ancha recreational area and followed the signposted route up to 'El Santo' which took about one hour forty five minutes. From the top we had great views of the surrounding area and we could see Alora, Coin and some beautiful scenery before returning back down into Pizarra for coffee and tostada. Drove the motorhome onto the outskirts of the town and parked up to watch the Vuelta stage 2, we only had to wait about 10 minutes before a breakaway group of half a dozen riders came by followed by the main peloton after a couple of minutes with Movistar & Sky teams at the front. Afterwards we made our way to meet our friends for a meal.

El Santo

Movistar lead the peloton

Followed by Sky

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The Windmills of Your Mind

The Windmills of Your Mind

By atrekinthesun   08:06   No comments:

We did a walk today in the Sierra de Loja. Starting at Charco del Negro ( today known as No hay Charco see photo)

No Hay Charco

past Cueva Hora

Cueva Hora

and the new Via Ferrata Cueva Hora,which looks very scary to me,

First view of the Via Ferrata Cueva Hora

Map of the whole thing scary

along the Charco del Negro - Fuente del Espino ruta S-3. We did part one today walked half way then back to the start because of the heat. At a future date we will drive to where we finished today and do the rest of the trail. When we started the huge turbines were still but on the way back the wind had got up and they were going like the clappers.

One of the huge wind turbines above the fossils from millions of years ago

We decided to keep Scoobie on the lead today as the last time we walked up there we got into trouble as she was chasing the sheep. It was a good job that we had as there were load of sheep and goats around.

Some of the sheep keeping an eye on Scoobie

On the way back we saw a herd of Ibex very close to the track containing around 12 Ibex Scoobie was going crazy to be let off the lead when she picked up the scent but we didn't let her off.

One of the Ibex before he ran off over the ridge

As we were walking at around 1400 metres it was a bit cooler and was a nice temperature to be out in the hills. Got back to the car after a nice 3 hour walk.

Me and my shadow

Scoobie wishes she could be let off the lead to chase the animals

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Tour de Trabuco - Mountain Stage

Tour de Trabuco - Mountain Stage

By atrekinthesun   09:14   No comments:

We did our own little Tour de Trabuco today. It was not quite Tour de France standard but it was the best we could do in this heat. About 16.5 k in an hour and 15 minutes there was 300 metres ascent, oh and we did stop for a coffee break half way round.

ready to go

and me

one of the hill climbs

No water at the canons?

No cyclist?

Here is one

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Atrekinthesun does Sierra Nevada

Atrekinthesun does Sierra Nevada

By atrekinthesun   06:15   No comments:

We decided to go up into the hills of the Sierra Nevada to get some relief from the stifling heat at home.

Left home Wednesday evening in the motorhome. It had been too hot for weeks now so we decided to go up towards Sierra Nevada to see if it was any cooler there. We had a yoga class on Thursday morning near Iznajar and we decided to go to the lake for the night. On the way there we stopped off for a meal at a lakeside restaurant, which was very nice. Later we sat on the beach and
had a glass of wine whilst watching the sunset. After a few more glasses we went for a midnight swim.

Sunset at the lake

It was very hot in the motorhome and we did not get much sleep that night.

We got up and went to the yoga class which was very good then made our way to the Reina Isabel campsite in La Zubia got settled in then went for a swim in the pool. Had an easy day for us swimming and sunbathing at the pool.

Friday morning was nice a bit cloudy so it was cooler and we went for a walk. Drove up to a font just outside Cumbres Verdes parked up and walked for 2.5 hours it was good weather for walking.

During the walk Scoobie disappeared but came back to us just before we had finished. Had a coffee at the restaurant next to the font then went back to the campsite for late breakfast early lunch. After lunch we went for a swim and had a game of scrabble. Later we went for a meal at the number one restaurant in La Zubia Taberna Hita. where the tapas and wine were great as was the service but the fish dishes that we had were a  little too salty for our liking. On the way home as we were walking past a park we could hear music so we went in to take a look and there was an orchestra playing so we stayed to watch and it was really good.

When we woke up the next day the sun was back so we had a quick breakfast and went for a walk. We started walking at 8:15 and it was flat or downhill for the first 45 minutes then we walked uphill for the next 2 hours but luckily it was in the shade through a forest. Originally we had planned to do about 3 hours but added more to the walk so we were walking for 6 hours of which about 4 hours were uphill. We ended up by ascending Cerro Huenes and following the track back down to Puente de los Siete Ojos (Seven-eyed bridge) to the major track back to the motorhome.

Puente de los Siete Ojos (Seven-eyed bridge)

By the time we finished it was getting really hot but we had a breeze in some parts so it was ok. At the end of the marathon walk we had coffee and tostada in the restaurant and then drove back to the campsite and had a float in the pool.

Got up early again and walked the same route that we did on Friday but in reverse.
Lots of cyclists and runners on route as Sunday morning is popular for sporting activities. Only saw a couple of walkers though. We timed it right as the bar was just opening for our coffee and toast as we finished our walk. Very hot today and a little tired from our 6 hour walk yesterday, so 3 hours today was just right. Went to Taberna Manu restaurant for our dinner and we liked it better than the other one.

Nice restaurant

We decided to have a leisurely breakfast today followed by a swim in the pool then make our way home. After the swim it was cloudy so we thought we may as well do a walk. We drove to the font again and started walking, guess what the sun came out after about 20 minutes, but we were in the shade some of the time so we decided to carry on with the walk.  We decided to let Scoobie off the lead and she was ok for the first half an hour but then disappeared. She came back eventually and stayed with us most of the way round. It turned out to be a very nice 3 hour walk apart from the last 30 minutes when we were in the sun all of the time. As we were parked at a font we put some water into the motorhome and had a nice cold shower to cool us down.

Is this the way down?

We made our way back home where it was even hotter than the Sierra Nevada and we wished that we had stayed for a lot longer.

Fish in the pond next to the font 

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