1 May 2023 – Parcent to Jalon

11 of us for today’s walk

The temperature continues to be higher than normal for this time of year

I choose this walk because there is not much ascent and more shade than usual

It is also May Day and I expected more walkers than normal

This is a less popular walk, and we only passed two other walkers

It was also cooler than expected for the first hour or so

And very pleasant walking through the trees

Even with our constant chatter there was a lot of bird song

After a couple of hours we reached our banana stop

It is an exposed hill but was still comfortable even in the sun

As always the mobile phones appeared as soon as we stopped

Even though we had this beautiful view

From here it is downhill all the way to Jalon

And we had regular water stops

It was however very busy at the Jalon picnic site

Only one table free, and that had large burn holes (perhaps a portable BBQ)

But there was plenty of space and lots of walls to sit on

Jan, Natalie and Anne had walked from Jalon to Alcalali for a drink and snack

We arranged to meet them at the Alcalali Ermita and walk back to Parcent together 

(note Jan’s “walking boots”)

It was again very busy in the cooperativa, but lots of room inside and more comfortable out of the sun

Temperature – 18-24c

Time taken – 5.5 hours

Distance – 14 km

Total Ascent – 336 metres

27 April 2023 – Lliber River Walk

Thirteen of us today, including two new faces

Should have been fourteen but we had one “no show”

Caroline walked with us last year, and is back for a flying visit

Suzanne also walked with us last year but first time this year

Last walk for Norman and Carole before they return to the UK

The high temperatures were forecast

So we came well prepared with plenty of water to drink

There is lots of shade on this walk

So the heat was not much of a problem

Caroline spotted frogs, which prompted an unexpected break

I was worried it might be too hot in the river for our snack break

But those who wanted could find shade

Most didn’t bother and didn’t seem to mind the sun

As always we stopped to admire our “1000 year old tree”

And found it had been decorated with small ornaments

I suspect it was done by local children, probably a local school group

The heat was more of a problem for the last hour

But getting closer to the bar proved a good incentive

It was really busy in bar Varetes

But we all managed to find seats

Temperature – 20-27c

Time taken – 3 hours

Distance – 9 km

24 April 2023 – Juvees de Alt

11 of us for today’s walk

Quite a few less than our normal turnout

It would have been even lower if Clair and Tim were not here on holiday

I think it is mostly because we are in the holiday season

But also partly because most of the group did Baranco Inferno last Friday

This is a spectacular but very challenging walk

And it may be some are still suffering the after effects

The temperatures have risen sharply this week

But it felt even warmer than the forecast

This was particularly so on the long exposed section

It was too hot to take our picnic at the usual place

So we had to push on until we could find some shade

Some of the group found the going hard, and we had to slow the pace

We finally found a shaded spot about half an hour later than planned

And everyone felt much better after half an hour break

We planned to walk back along the side of the Caballo Verde

However half of the group opted for the easier walk along the road back to Benimaurell

We all met up at the bar in the village for a well deserved cold drink

Enjoyed the walk as always, but it was hard going on such a hot day

If these temperatures continue I will have to find some less challenging walks with more shade

Temperature – 19-24c

Time taken – 5.5 hours

Distance – 13 km

Total Ascent – 542 metres