It really is quite amazing how this group that I started for
walking has snowballed. I set it up last year because I was no longer allowed
to cycle following my accident; I was getting a bit old for the gym, and was
fed up with walking on my own. Initially I had a number of people that were
interested, mainly people that I already knew, but often I would cancel the
planned walk because no one wanted to come. It then somehow grew into a
hardcore of about 10 of us walking regularly, but 3 weeks ago I had 15, last
week there was 25 and this week an amazing 31 people on the ramble.
The walk today was along the side of the Rio Grande valley
in the outside of Coin, we parked just off the road before the bridge over the
river, and the first part of the ramble took us through the Eucalyptus wood
alongside the river, which did actually have some flowing water in it despite
the lack of rainfall.
The route then leaves the river side and takes to a track
that passes a number of properties with their Orange orchards and then passes
the large Ferrari Horse Stud before rising to the Acequia track. One
interesting feature was field of Bulls alongside the track contained only by a
single strand of twine.
As we rise out of the valley floor we enter the more rural
route with field planted with cereal crops, and as we rise we have views to the
route that we walked the previous week. Once we top the incline we are then on
the Acequia track These tracks almost always have a reasonable surface and are
fairly level as they are used to service the Acequia, which is the ditch or
canal that carries the irrigation water for the crops.
We follow this track with its views across the valley and to
the Sierra de Mijas. The weather today was again kind to us and it was ideal
rambling conditions, there was an almost clear blue sky, plenty of sunshine and
a temperature in the high teens.
At about mid-point of the walk the track drops into the
valley of the Arroyo de Cazalla and then rises again out of it and at this
point the track has changed orientation and the Sierra de los Nieves are now
visible.
We continue along this track passing many Olive groves and
Orange orchards and maintain the fabulous views across the valley to Pico Mijas,
and memories of our trek to la Bola, until we reach the metalled camino that
drops back down to the river, again passing many properties and their attendant
small holdings. Eventually after almost 9 km we reach the river and the end of
the ramble.
I believe and hope that everyone enjoyed themselves,
including those for whom it was their first time.
Could I give a thank you to Alan Kenah for being my 'sheepdog' and keeping a look out from the back so that no one gets left behind.
We would like to wish Jackie and Ian Brown a safe trip back to
Scotland and hopefully you will both be joining us again when you return in
December.
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