The Last Post (probably)

Due to the fact that there is a limit to what I can write about the area I have decided to finish this blog, unless there is anything specific to report.  I am instead posting on Facebook.

Golden Oriole

A bird sometimes heard but rarely seen, this Golden Oriole was sitting in the mulberry tree right outside our living room window this afternoon.

New (to us) route to Fuente Alta

Wanted a short walk today so set off up Mil Curvas and then took a narrow bike descent path and climbed uphill until we arrived at the ruin at Fuente Alta.  From here we continued in a clockwise direction arriving back on Mil Curvas until the col.  From here we took another narrow path used by bikers to follow a pipeline and passing under the arches before popping out on the trasvase.

Couple of photos here, more on walking route page.

Today's cyclecride

Today we rode from home to see if we could spot the vultures near Zarzadilla de Totana. They were flying but too high for photos. Instead a few photos we took along the route.

Short trip away

We needed to try the Motorhome after a minor repair so we decided to have a short trip away.

We went to climb a via ferrata near Fortuna.

We then went to a new Motorhome parking area at Ricote to spend the night.  The next day we went for a bike ride along the river to Cieza and back over the hills.

More walks and rides

We have recently done some more mountain walking and some mountain bike rides and road riding.

See the relevant pages for photos.

Latest walks and rides

We have done many walks and rides with friends over the last month or so.  I have put some photos in the relevant sections.

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

Inauguration of petanque area

Angel has cleared an area and put down some gravel to use for petanque.  This afternoon saw the first match take place.

Boys versus girls (their choice of name)

Things are serious, the measure is out!

For the record the scores were even but then the boys won on the sudden death!