20 March 2023 – Benigembla to Cocoll

 

Today’s walk from our naya, Cocoll is the one in the middle with the tower

Only 13 today, perhaps because I warned that this was a very challenging walk

It took us three hours of steady uphill walking to reach the top

However we did have a good banana stop

And sufficient water stops

Everyone got as far as the final, and steepest, part of the walk

Here we lost two members who decided that they did not want to carry on to the top

Fortunately we were returning on the same track

So they had a longer than usual picnic lunch

The rest of us completed the final 15 minute climb to the airfield

Where we were rewarded with this beautiful view

And our traditional “flying” photo

This airfield is used to refuel fire fighting aeroplanes and helicopters.

No planes today, but a camper van parked on the runway itself

It was quite chilly, so we had a shorter than usual picnic lunch

And I wanted to return to the two we had left behind as quickly as possible

It is three years since I last did this walk

And I found it much harder than I expected

I was not alone in being relieved to reach Bon Aire for a welcome drink

For most of the group this was their first Cocoll walk, and all enjoyed it  

Temperature – 14-21c

Time taken – 6.5 hours

Distance – 13 km

Total Ascent – 698 metres

    

16 March 2023 – Jalon to Alcalali Mirador

 17 of us on today’s walk

The weather was much cooler than on Monday

So the walk was much more pleasant

We have now done the full 15 walks in our current programme

So this was the first walk again, which we last did in October last year

I therefore have no excuse that this was a recce walk

And Barry was quick to point out that we finished 15 minutes early

I countered that was when we returned to the car park – not the bar

It was a little quicker than last time, perhaps everyone is fitter now?

It was pleasant to be walking without jackets

Let’s hope that Spring has arrived a little early this year

Certainly an improvement on March last year, when it seemed to rain every day

We had 13 on that first Thursday walk

8 of them walking again today

That is pretty good retention

And it is good to see the group now well established

Though quite a high proportion are non resident

So numbers may well vary from week to week

We had our after walk drinks at Riu Rau again

this bar is fast becoming our favourite for walks starting in Jalon

Temperature – 14-21c

Time taken – 3 hours

Distance – 9 km

13 March 2023 – Tormos to Fontilles

 16 of us walking today

This included Ali on his first walk with this group

I had planned Tormos to Campell

However with temperatures up to 26c forecast was prepared to adjust the walk

The first part of the walk to Isbert Dam was level and easy going

 We walked through the abandoned rail tunnel

And had our banana break at the far side

So far the going was easy and everyone was happy to continue Fontilles

First a quick look at the impressive new hotel

Then the steep climb up to Fontilles

At Fontilles I gave the group the option of stopping or going on to Campell

Three did not want to continue to climb to Campell

So I decided to abandon Campell and have our picnic at Fontilles

We managed to find a lovely shaded area with lots of seating

It was 1300 when we arrived, our normal picnic time

And everyone seemed very happy with the compromise

After lunch we spent a very pleasant half hour exploring the grounds of the hospital

 And became aware that the actual temperature had risen to 29c

Had we continued to Campell it would have taken another hour and a considerable climb

Even with the shorter walk it was almost 1600 when we arrived back in Tormos for a welcome cold drink at bar Almasara.

Temperature – 24-29c

Time taken – 5.5 hours

Distance – 13 km