Walk to Frigiliana

 It was all Sheila's idea.
 We had had a sunbed day and a Nerja town day, so she suggested that we walk to Frigiliana.  This route is popular with able walkers staying in Nerja and surrounding areas and ends in the once Moorish village high in the Sierra De Tejeda. Most people get the bus to Frigiliana and walk back.

 We set off at 10.00am following the Rio Chillar right from the beach. A path on both sides of the river makes for a rapid start but when the main road is reached, the N340, the path and onward route is unclear. We looked for an obvious path but we only saw the river bed. Crossing the road bridge we decided to head for a large car park and there we took the chance that a minor road would lead us in the right direction. I had previously looked on Google Earth, which showed a track on the left bank of the river but this was all private and padlocked.

 The river was low and as it happened this driveable track was where we needed to be. It was also quite surprising considering the urbanisation and agricultural properties on either side, that the river was so clean. Also sugar cane was in abundance too.

I remembered that, when we passed the new motorway bridge that the river split in two. I couldn't remember which branch we needed to take.
I decided to stay with the main river which we learned later was a mistake. We should have taken the left fork, the Rio Higueron, which on this day was dried up. So we continued on the Rio Chillar. It was a good track most of the way and then we came to an access post into the National Park. Mmm, i thought!
This doesn't seem right.
 We walked on for about 5 minutes and then turned back looking for another way. Just as we retraced our way to the access post a Spanish walker was heading our way. Sheila asked him for directions and i just about understood that we needed to go uphill for quite a way, then down to the river bed then up again. He drew a line in the dust emphasizing the distance was still quite far. We thanked him and we went up hill on the minor road/landrover track.

 Entrance to the National Park.

Processional Pine Caterpillars.

 On the track we came across this spectacle. I had never seen this before. They are Processional Pine Caterpillars. Harmful to adults if touched, causing irritation/nausea. Serious illness's to children and can be fatal to animals such as dogs or cats.
 The track went up and up and then we saw the river bed with the path descending.

  Heading wrongly into the National Park, following the Rio Chillar

 The correct river, Higueron

 This was the Rio Higueron that we should have taken when we passed the motorway bridge almost an hour ago. We gave ourselves an unnecessary hill climb to get back into this valley.
In the last 2 photo's you can see the track heading up again. We called this cardiac hill, it just was relentless. On the way up we passed two ladies struggling with the gradient and one said that we must be used to hills as we were not out of breath. We didn't tell them we had just done one hill by mistake.

 Once at the top of the track the main road is joined for a short section which took us into the village.
Walking down the main street i was a bit disappointed, all that effort and is this it! We sat down outside a cafe and had a coffee. After about 15 minutes we were joined by the two ladies we had met on the hill. All they said was "We are going to the pharmacy for Panadol". And off they went.

 I said to Sheila that there must be more than this and thankfully we carried on walking. Around the corner and covering the hillside was Frigiliana proper. Absolutely breathtaking.

 Frigiliana or Friginhilli as Sheila now calls it, is a maze of quaint narrow winding streets, brimming with shops, bars, cafes and of course, tourists. It's a beautiful place to spend time here. You need a day to do the place justice or stay longer in the numerous hotels.

 There is also a walk from here to the caves that we passed on our first walk in Nerja. It says 14.6km. Going further into the park and completing this walk we would need to take it more seriously and come prepared with a map, boots or trail shoes and waterproofs. None of these we had today.

 We had a lovely walk round and we were pleased we made it to the village after our errors of navigation earlier. The bus back to Nerja is every hour and costs 1 euro. Great value for money.
 It took us a little over 2 hours to do the walk but if we had known or been better prepared for the route we could probably take 30 or 40 minutes off that time.

 About 2 hours after we left Frigiliana and returned to Nerja, it went very dark in the hills. We couldn't believe just how fast the weather was changing. It was so dark we couldn't see the hills any more. From being bathed in sun and blue skies there was a big storm coming in.
When we got up this morning the hill tops are snow covered again. Increadable.

 We will do this walk again sometime, on another trip, and do a circular walk. The area is stunning and many options.

A waddle sort of day. Nerja pt3

 We had a really nice evening in the company of some Dutch folk who were impressed with our venture  into the hills.
Today however we are stiff as boards and waddling around as though we have had hip replacements. I don't know, you would think we never walk anywhere.
It started with a waddle into the old town to find some socks which would stop my feet thinking they were walking on egg shells.
 That job done and with the sun now strong in the azure sky (Thanks Martin), we decided we had better take full advantage of the free vitamin D on offer and hypothetically plug ourselves into an English speaking sunbed.  I set the timer to go off when both sides were medium to well done.

 Lunch was taken after another short waddle across the road to a tapas bar.
Spanish omelette, Garlic Prawns, Meatballs, Beef steak, Chicken wings, Croquette potatoes, Salad, bread, 1 wine, 1 beer, 2 coffee's.  All for 10 euro 40 cents whilst sat out in delightful 17 degrees C.

 We get asked quite a bit if we are cold as we are in the minority here in shorts and tee shirts. Most of the locals and those on holiday seem to be dressed for winter. Gloves, scarfs and hats in abundance.

Honestly, the weather this last couple of days has been as good as any we had in UK last summer. Bring it on.

Unplaned Sierra Navada foothills.

 Today was a strange sort of day. I said yesterday, that we had a plan. We were going to walk to the Roman Aqueduct and then chill out.

 According to the map the aqueduct was located just on the edge of town, within an hours walk. That seemed just the ticket. I had only brought my Inov-8 sandals, no waterproofs, etc etc. This was a holiday with a bit of walking, not a walking holiday.

 So why am i sat here now, having done 25km and have a blistered foot and an aching body.
Well. After breakfast and before Nerja had realised that a new day had begun we were striding out along the narrow shadowed streets trying to find a sandwich shop and to buy a bottle of water. Just before the church of El Salvador we eventually found both.

 The only people about were the homeless and they were still stiff and lethargic after a cold night, even the ubiquitous pooch was still asleep.
We found the road we were looking for, which headed north, towards the old east/west coast road before the new motorway had been built. It was all up hill as it would be, with our hotel being at sea level. Soon we joined the N340 and turned right.

 According to the map we had, we follow the N340 for 4 roundabouts and then the aqueduct is on the left a little way up the gorge. There were no “trails” to it unfortunately but to be fair the footpath along the N340 is pleasant and the road is not that busy.

 After 4 roundabouts there was still no sign of this aqueduct but the signage for the Caves was still with us. I said to Sheila that if we pass the caves we have gone to far. So that became the marker.
At the 6th roundabout we actually saw a sign for the aqueduct. We can only assume that extra roundabouts have been installed since the new motorway came into existence.

 Just before reaching our goal and on the right, we passed a small but well built aqueduct. We guess it was the same period as the one we were hoping to find.

Eventually the N340 crossed a dried up river and behold stood the Roman Aqueduct. It was disappointing that we couldn't get to it. To touch it or see where the water ran.  All we could do was photograph it.

 We was going to have lunch here and admire the location but it wasn't to be. The caves were just a short distance further and so the plan changed to get to them instead.
 Another roundabout and then a short uphill walk brought us to the very grand entrance to the caves.
At this point we noticed off to our left a notice board with walking routes. It seems we were at the start point for the GR242. It seems that this is a 4 day walk over 64km of high country. I will find out more on getting back home.

 So we gave the caves a miss. The day was lovely. No wind and temperatures around 16 degrees C.
Shall we do 5km up the track, knowing we had to return the same route? Like i mentioned earlier, we were not prepared for walking trails. We had 500ml of water, half a sandwich and a tangerine. We set off to get as far as El Pinarillo and hoped that it didn't rain.
 El Pinarillo is a picnic spot and was just about the right distance for us considering that by the time we got back it would be 25km in total.
 The track is driveable and seems like it is very popular with the locals. For the walker in sandals it was quite painful.
The views made up for the pain and the pungent aroma of the Lavender was wonderful.

 Our onward path is just above the tree line left of centre.

 El Pinarillo

 View from El Pinarillo

 Snow on the tops

 A massive cobweb with captured prey

A good finish, Apple Strudel and a nice cold beer and G and T.

I developed a blister on the way down but it wasn't surprising considering my footwear.

Another beer and i won't feel it until morning.

A wonderful day out.

Nerja - Spain

 We did well getting through Malaga airport with only an hour delay. We had no bags and so we got through very quickly. However it makes little difference as the coach taking us to Nerja still had to wait for the tail enders in the baggage queue.
 The hotel, Rui Monica is fine although the check-in procedure was laughable. Oh well, the internet connection is good.

Friday it rained most of the day and sometimes it was torrential. Lots of folks caught out and looked like drowned rats. We had a quick walk round just to get our bearings and then headed to the pub.

Today, Saturday we have done about 6 miles, all very casual like. Just along the coast. I might not have got wet yesterday but i did today. Trying to get that big wave shot, i took one step to near the waters edge and the big wave got me. Soaked, head to toe.

 We have a nice walk planned for tomorrow to a Roman Aqueduct, so i hope the weather is a bit better than today. The morning was really nice but the afternoon got quite windy and with it a drop in temperature.

 The view from where we are staying.