The season began on a very sad note. The first walk on the Autumn schedule was an easy but varied walk from Rafalets to Las Laderas on 19th September. Noelene & Peter were due to lead it but Peter was in hospital and died that morning. He was a very keen walker and led a lot of the walks having always checked them days before for obstructions and erroneous directions. We will miss him a lot.
Phil & Debbie led the walk and 29 turned up on a damp morning. They also led the walk the following week when 28 walked to Font Horta, out into the countryside and back through the old part of the town.
Andy and Jacqui led 29 along the old railway which was overgrown and quite difficult and rough then into the lovely countryside and back to Teulada. It was a glorious day.
Amazingly 34 arrived for Alex and Elaine’s walk on 8th October despite the start at 9am. This was a tough walk but all managed it although not at Alex’s speed!
The first 10am starts attracted 36 and 33 walkers beginning at Javea Cemetery to Benimadrocs. There was some confusion as Javea Walking Group also met there and some walkers belonged to both groups! This was a longer walk and Mike and Val took it easy.
Phil and Val led the walk on 22 Oct from Algas to Cap Blanc. This sounds easy but involves lots of steps and slopes but the reward is fantastic views.
One new walk was included in the schedule. Mike and wife Jackie planned this walk from Benissa to Benimallunt. It started with a long gravel road uphill but the views from the top were magnificent. The next part was rocky and some walkers were a little apprehensive but all 32 managed to complete it. 2 couples did it twice! It was agreed it would be safer to do it the other way round!
One of the toughest walks in the schedule was led by Alex with Elaine at the rear. This is from the Ermita de Lleus and involves some steep roads out of the valley but 26 walkers were not put off on Tuesday and 19 on Thursday.
On 3rd December 26 walked the 3 Windmills Walk at Jesus Pobre but only 6 on Thursday! Similarly 19 did the Ladoga/ Las Laderas Walk on 10th Dec. but only 5 on Thursday.
The final walk was on 17th December starting at Rafalets with 19 walkers.
Only one walk had to cancelled due to torrential rain and Tuesday walks averaged over 30 walkers. After most walks several walkers collect at a bar for coffee and a chat which is a pleasant end to the morning.
Group Leader Brian is grateful to walk leaders who stepped in to lead the walks which Peter Holley was scheduled to lead. Dave has left Spain, Noelene has a hip problem, other leaders are ‘swallows’ so the Group needs more Leaders for the Spring Walks. Can you help? You may only have to do one walk which means checking the route with a simple map with someone who knows the route and leading the Tuesday and Thursday walks.
N M Cummins