Aba’s Blog

Managed to get home from a lovely week’s break in Spain despite the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud. My second stay at Casa Granadina was at least as fabulous as the first last October. Rosie, true to her word scoped out some great new walks. The weather was warm and sunny but mostly not too hot which was great.

For the first walk we headed out to Alfarnate. Spectacular mountain views and fields were a riot of colour with wild flowers - I especially loved the poppies.

Other walks took us through the pine forests of Montes de Málaga…

The old railway track out of Guaro taking in the Sulphur spring en route, great views of Lake Vinuela, unusually full after a long wet winter

Back to the spectacular El Torcal (no ibex this time but lots of schoolchildren)…

For our final walk we set out from Casa Granadina under more sunny blue skies and took in the surrounding countryside. Excellent views of the Sierra de la Tejeda en route with Mount Maroma looming in the distance and views of the hilltop town of Comares at various points.

More pics from the walks in Casa Granadina May 10 album.

As well as leading us out on these fantastic walks, Rosie cooked up some fabulous 3 course meals most evenings including the best chocolate cake - check out the Casa Granadina blog for the recipe.

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Just back from another fab week walking in Spain. Staying at Casa Granadina in Huerta de Ranea. Great weather, great walking, great company and great home cooked food courtesy of Rosie - definitely the hostess with the mostest.

My favourite walk of the week had to be at El Torcal. Went there a few years back in the pouring rain and mis. This time though it was wall to wall sunshine and finally, after several visits to the general area, finally got to see Ibex (wild mountain goats). Lots of unidentified big birds too and absolutely fantastic views. It’s a pretty special place.

Apart from Ibex and big birds, it’s kind of par for the course that any walking in rural Spain will bring you into contact with barking big dogs and/or yappy little dogs. Both of which sound equally fierce. Generally though (well the ones that aren’t chained up anyway) seem to back off if you stand your ground. This pretty but grisly dalmation being but one example…

Also on this trip revisted Comares, looking lovely as ever perched all precarious-looking on a big rock. Also reacquainted myself with Los Solano - this time deliberately rather than wandering about completely lost trying to find Mazmullar…

More pics in the gallery.

Back to reality now and plotting where the next trip is going to be…

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Just back from another fabulous week walking in Aracena, Spain with the fab women Lottsa Women Walking and 6 lovely lassies from Leeds. Started off in Galaroza for 3 nights and did a couple of really gorgeous walks.

The best was yet to come with 4 nights at the wonderfully idyllic Molino Rio Alajar. More fabulous walking and a riot of colour provided by the profusion of spring flowers.

Did the same holiday a couple of years back and knew a return visit was on the cards very soon. I was not disappointed!

Ju and Rosie from Lottsa Women laid on well thought out walks at a nicely relaxed pace in excellent company.

Lots of stops for views, photography and eating. Once we got to Molino Rio and they took over the cooking as well - what can I say, delicious home cooked feasts every night accompanied by just the right amount of alcohol!

The weather was good to us, particularly during the latter half of the week so there was plenty of opportunity to soak up the rays. As ever, all over too quickly but at least I have lots more pics to serve as wonderful reminder of a fantastic week.

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Went on another fabulous walking holiday in Spain, this time to the Alpujarras  mountain range just south of Granada.

Capileira and the Mesa Hostal Poqueira was  our base for lots of great walks. Took things easy on day one with a short 6-7 Km circular walk to Cebadilla via Bubion.

Next day saw a slightly longer but equally beautiful walk from Capeleira taking in some of the other whitewashed mountain villages in the area - Capilleria, Pitres, Mecina, Mecinia, Fondales and Busquistar.

Day 3 we walked from Capileira to Pampaneira (the “bottom village” - as in bottom of the hill) and back via Bubion. Had a fantastic dinner at the Estacion 4 restaurant in Bubion in the evening.

The next day we had a day off walking and instead drove into Trevelez over the mountains down a dirt track just outside the top end of Capileira. Spent a very pleasant evening in Ferreirola taking in a stunning sunset.

A storm in the night and the next morning we woke to snow on the mountains above Capileira. We got a lift up to Casa del Simone and had a cold but stunningly beautiful walk around the mountain via Cebedilla and back up to Capileira.  A long walk, the last hour or so in the pouring rain, the hot chocolates back at the ranch were very welcome as were the several beers over dinner.

The last day of walking took us from Capileira via Ferreirola and Pajulia Arabic baths over the Contraversia mountains. A fairly strenuous walk uphill a lot of the way rewarded us with stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountain range opposite and in the distance the Sierra Tejeda and Mount Maroma where I’ve been on a previous visit.

Lots of good walks done in great company and all over way too quickly as usual. I have to say one of the most fascinating places on the trip was this great little Bodega in Capileira. A positive treasure trove of interesting stuff and a nice place for a beer.

More pics in my Alpujarras 08 gallery.

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Have at last got round to sticking up some more photos so check out what I got up to while walking in La Sierra de Aracena, Spain. More photos of the trip on photography pages.

Thanks to Rosie and Ju of Lottsa Women Walking and the other women on the holiday for a great time.

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At the beginning of the week the forecast looked like it would be wall to wall rain for my time in Spain. But nearer to leaving my heart is well, heartened to find that it may well be wall to wall sunshine instead. Off to bed to dream of cloudless skies, spring flowers, great eating and blissfully chilled days. Watch this space …

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Had enough, got the bug, so taking off for another short break to Spain soon. This time to Aracena not too far from Seville. Need a dose of rays. Flight all booked up so I’m a happy bunny.

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Just returned from a wonderful week’s walking in Spain. No spring flowers this time but plenty of mushrooms and other autumn plants to keep me and my camera occupied. See wild plants and Spain albums for recent additions.

Thanks to Rosie of Lottsa Women Walking for organising the fantastic walks, hotels, massage, and a very relaxing week. If you ever find yourself in Alcaucin or Comares I can highly recommend Hotel Los Olivos and Diva Espana - great women’s b & bs in fantastic locations, with fabulous food, and very chilled atmosphere.

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