A truly memorable first trip to the Alpajurras valleys, tucked away in the mountains south of Granada. Ancient white villages of Arab origins on steep slopes, & ruins of Arab Baths & ancient water mills. We walked on cobbled mule paths in an area thankfully not scarred by tourism. (Photo: Sierra Nevada snows from the Alpujarras)
Another trip organised by Gill & Andrew L. up the valley towards Peña Escrita. The weather is really hotting up now so we took it easy up the steep country roads, picking up plenty of windfall avocados. We saw a mule with basket panniers being used to transport fruit from the fields.
We had our first bike ride for 2 weeks, up the Miel valley, terribly hot! The smell of herbs wafted all around. No traffic at all. The track on the return journey was very steep & slippery in places. We spotted lots of wild cerise orchids. (Photo: Head of the Miel Valley)
Gill & Andrew's friends have arrived to take their car back, so Gill generously took the last 
opportunity with her wheels to lead us up another local valley. Graham, following in his car to the start point, was taken off guard by the road's sudden change from tarmac to cart track surface. He hadn't time to temper his 'Jeremy Clarkson' motoring technique, so a passing little old Spanish lady was completely enveloped in a cloud of dust from his spinning wheels! Thankfully she emerged eventually unscathed, shaking several pounds of stone dust from her shawl. The walk was up a dry river bed & incorporated a disused quarry, to Mike's delight. The valley was dotted with derelict small farms & lots of active beehives. (Photo: a Compo & Cleggy moment - l to r Mike, Graham, Banny & Andrew).
opportunity with her wheels to lead us up another local valley. Graham, following in his car to the start point, was taken off guard by the road's sudden change from tarmac to cart track surface. He hadn't time to temper his 'Jeremy Clarkson' motoring technique, so a passing little old Spanish lady was completely enveloped in a cloud of dust from his spinning wheels! Thankfully she emerged eventually unscathed, shaking several pounds of stone dust from her shawl. The walk was up a dry river bed & incorporated a disused quarry, to Mike's delight. The valley was dotted with derelict small farms & lots of active beehives. (Photo: a Compo & Cleggy moment - l to r Mike, Graham, Banny & Andrew).
We were taken to Ronda (northeast of Malaga) by our kind Danish neighbour, Nils (& his miniature Dachshund, whose name is unpronouncible to non-Danes!). Fantastic winding mountain roads. The journey was slightly marred by Saturday motorcyclists racing this challenging route. Ronda is in a stunning location straddling a very deep gorge. There are dramatic vertiginous views from the town walls & bridges, picturesque plazas, & beautifully preserved Arab influenced architecture in the church in the centre. On the cross-country return we saw many eagles & vultures wheeling around the cliff tops. (Photo: Nuevo Puente {new bridge}, Ronda).
