September, sunshine & showers

So Summer is over! in the last two weeks it’s been noticeably cooler………..thank you, much more pleasant for walking! But along with the cooler weather came rain, and boy did it RAIN! In the Murcia region figures of between 35 and 80 litres of water per sm fell in an hour. At the Leahy’s hacienda, we had our fair share. In all the time we have lived here and Paul says in all the places he’s visited (and he’s been to a few) we have never seen rain like it. It caused some havoc with the newly laid camino (the council re-laid it mid August). The Rambla below our house which is dry was for an hour or two at least a raging torrent. Mud and water were the order of the week.
Walking was suspended for only the shortest of time allowing a break to enjoy some of the other treats Murcia can offer. A days shopping at La Noria artisan shopping centre, a good mix of old and new, a days pampering at the Spa, or maybe a visit to the roman baths in Alhama de Murcia followed by a leisurely menu del dia. .
Then, as is in Spain, no sooner was the rain over and the blue sky returned and the sun shone with temperatures returning to a very comfortable 25°+. The effect of the rain was to make the whole place seem more lush, the trees seem to have sucked in the water and are standing taller, greener and lest wilt like, if you get my drift. All this makes the walks in the Espuna seem different………….flowers look more vibrant and wildlife appears energised.
A lovely walk we took recently, started from the ‘Casa Forestal Morti’ along the Camino del Algarrobas’ (trail of the carob trees) we climbed steadily and easily through the trees on a lovely walking surface. The
walk wends it’s way up a wide forest camino right on the edge of the Espuna Regional Park, with stunning views. Eventually we cleared the trees and the vista’s opened up to the head of the wide valley and the abandoned hamlet of Algarrobo. After taking time out at Algarrobo to enjoy the views back down the valley the path crosses the ’Collado de las Chaparras opening up the views down into the historically important Guadelentin Valley, much fought over by the Christians and Muslims. Beyond the Guadalentin the vista stretches to Mazzarron and the Mediterranean Sea .
The excellent path winds it’s way around the hills until reaching the Collado de la Zarza (pass of the brambles) fortunately nowadays cleared and easily navigable. From here starts the descent and gives new and equally impressive views out over the lands behind the medieval village of Aledo towards the Sierra de Pedro Ponce (pronounced ‘Pontheh’ fortunately for Pedro) We finished our descent along a leafy valley with views of the old monastery before arriving back at the casa forestal. An excellent day.
For more information on other things to do if you get caught in the rain in Spain visit our website at www.visterverdetrails.com/otherstuff