Walking (again) with a group

We have friends who spend the winter on the  Mazarron coast and take people out walking.  A few weeks ago they contacted us to ask if we could take them for a walk in Sierra Espuña and afterwards a meal in Venta La Rata.  We could just about fit this is between our orienteering commitments and going to England so yesterday we took them on one of our local walks.  Starting from the Casa Forestal Morti we climbed up to the mirador and then eventually arrived at La Santa where we visited the church before climbing up to the statue of Jesus.  From there it was all downhill back to the cars for a few minutes drive to the restaurant where we all enjoyed another very good menu del dia.

At the old aqueduct to Aledo

Orienteering again

The bullring in Caravaca

A wild bull in the bullring!!!!

We came back from organising in Portugal and then had to help with organising our own regional federation's annual event.  This was  to be held for one day in Coto de Las Maryvillas near Cehegin (pronounced "theyin") where we hosted a world cup event in 2014 and the second day was near Caravaca de la Cruz and finishing by running into the bullring.

Caravaca from the parking area

Back in Totana

Just had three weeks away in the Motorhome in northern Spain and Portugal.  Now back to our first sunset last night.

Cycle ride to Aledo

Today we took some visiting friends on a cycle ride up to Aledo.  We took the small roads through the orange groves and vineyards.  We took a detour to visit the Estrecho de la Algualeja, a gorge with a walking route through it.

Approach to the gorge

Start of the gorge

We then cycled up to Aledo and visited the tower before starting the rapid descent back to Totana and lunch!

Walk to Jesus

Seven of us walked up to the statue of Jesus today. We then descended down to La Santa, before continuing back down to eat again at Venta La Rata.

Bike ride

Yesterday we had a mountain bike ride with friends, see the Cycling page.

Latest walk

Yesterday we took the "group" and five other walkers from the camperstop on a local walk. It started and finished at Venta la Rata restaurant because they wanted to eat there again!  The group are splitting up tomorrow to go their separate ways, so this was their last lunch together for a while.  We had a few non walkers who opted for the meal only and we ended up with a party of 17.

We walked up the GR route (long distance route) on a rambla as far as La Santa and then descended back down to the forest house "Morti" before returning to the restaurant via another rambla (dry river).

Climbing a retaining wall in the rambla

Along the GR

Ascending the rambla