Butterfly Adventures Walking Tours

September Relaxing Break

2011-07-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

For those of you who will be working during the Summer, why not treat yourself to a well deserved Relaxing break in Andalucia in September?

We have still a few places left on our September Relaxing Break (20th-23rd September 2011). If you would like to relax fully and be pampered while enjoying some stunning guided walks and well being therapies, this relaxing break will be ideal for you.

This Relaxing break is designed so you can recharge your batteries while being looked after, with attention to every detail, to ensure you enjoy fully your break and come back home fully rested and energised:

Airport transfers and all transport
Welcome drink before settling in in your room
3 nights half board (B&B and dinners) single or double occupancy in a luxurious boutique hotel/Restaurant just outside Ronda
Handmade natural soaps and bath salts
2 wellbeing therapies of your choice
2 morning guided walks

We are lucky to have in Ronda experienced and qualified therapists, who provide top quality wellbeing therapies. We can offer the following wellbeing therapies for total relaxation:

Reflexology - an in-depth foot massage including foot bath. Each part of the foot connects to a different organ in the body, vertebra, brain etc… So this massage helps to alleviate specific problems and also allows vital energy to flow through the body so that you can feel more balanced, healthy and grounded. Highly relaxing.

Shiatsu - a Japanese method of massage which works with the meridians (energy fluid lines) using pressure points to release blockages. Resulting in a more effective energy flow therefore leaving you less stressed and with a sense of improved wellbeing.

Thai massage - a 2500 year old technique for relaxing the body and calming the mind. Ideal after walking as it can help to relieve back pain, tense shoulders and neck, stiffness, sciatica, etc....

Reiki - a highly relaxing natural healing technique based on Universal Life Force, channelled through the practitioner's hands.

Light Touch Reflexology - less pressure applied than traditional reflexology, making it ideal for anyone who enjoys reflexology but prefers a softer touch. This treatment is wonderfully relaxing and soothing and leaves you feeling relaxed and revitalised.

For further information regarding itinerary, price, accommodation, what is included and what is not, etc, click on Ronda Relaxing break. There is a limited number of places left, so book now to avoid disappointment!

The smurf village or blue village in Andalucía

2011-07-02T06:33:00.000-07:00

Nestled in the Serranía de Ronda, Júzcar is now seeing hordes of tourists due to its very unusual attraction... This charming pueblo blanco or white village has been turned into a striking blue village to host the launch of the new Smurf cartoon “The Smurfs 3D”!

This little traditional Andalucian sleeping village hidden in the Genal Valley within forests of sweet chestnuts and against a dramatic backdrop formed by limestone craggy outcrops, just 20 minutes south of Ronda, was thought to be the perfect place to launch Sony’s Smurf cartoon worldwide premiere. And what a fun idea! The very small population of Júzcar felt it was a great idea (they have such a great sense of humour) and agreed to have the entire village painted in blue for the duration of the summer... Come September, the village will turn to its traditional whitewash again.

All in all, it is very surreal to walk around a complete blue village (including its church) but the colour is beautifully complemented by the contrasting splashes of colours of the geraniums and bougainvilleas. It is actually quite charming, reminiscent of Chefchaouen albeit less subtle with just one shade of blue.

It seems that The Smurfs or “Los Pitufos” has been exceedingly popular in Spain in the 80s when this cartoon first came out and they are all very enthusiastic with the new release. So far, the inhabitants of Júzcar are not showing any signs of having the blues yet and everybody seems to be enjoying it and not minding the increasing number of people flocking to their village to see this blue wonder. Some even have asked if they could keep their house blue... They are also going to have a craft market on Saturdays throughout the summer to make the most of this sudden influx of people.

If you fancy going to see this Smurf village for yourself, try and make it a week day as it is very crowded during the weekend, to say the least but avoid Mondays as most bar/restaurants are closed. If you fancied making a day out of it, why not visit some of the Alto Genal villages?

Coming from Ronda, on the Ronda/San Pedro road, take the first turning on the right hand side before the Petrol station "La Ventilla" and then take the first left to go and see Parauta, a pueblo ecológico part of the Biosphere of La Sierra de las Nieves, with its artistic cobbles and the only remaining Moorish arch (Plaza de la Constitución). Follow Parking signs and park by the church as there are very limited amount of places to park in the village centre.

Turn back onto the road you came from and at the t-junction, turn left. The next village you will be coming to is Cartajima, the highest village in Malaga province (846m). Turn left into the village and park in the car park signposted for the Hotel Castaño or on the road. It is mostly outstanding for its lovely views over the surrounding mountains and villages (Parauta and Pujerra).

Return to the road and turn left to continue to Júzcar, the Smurf village. Do also visit the newly opened Centro micológico (the mushroom centre) next to the church – it is well done and shows how rich this area is in quality mushrooms.

Then continue onto the same road to Farajan. Notice its lovely church with its well preserved Minaret (most of the churches were built onto Mosques after the Catholic Reconquest) and the particular architecture of its chimneys.

Then, continue onto the last Alto Genal village, Alpandeire, with its imposing cathedral sized pink church. Best to park at the entrance of the village as streets are very narrow. Note round bulges in houses that indicates indoor private wells. Many houses here have one. This village is mainly famous for being the birth place of Fray Leopoldo, a well known monk who has just been sanctified by Rome. From the Fray Leopoldo view point, you can see Morocco on clear days.

Continue your journey on the same road, and you will come to the Ronda/Algeciras road. At the T-junction, turn right to get to Ronda.

However, if you would like to do a morning walk in the Genal Valley, while it's still cool before visiting the blue village, why not let me guide you? Visit the following link for more information on our guided day walks.

I hope you will have a great day out! Let me know how it went.

Going cheesy in Andalucía

2011-04-25T09:32:00.000-07:00

Beyond all the restrictive and globalising EU rules and regulations, there are still, thankfully, a few die-hards clinging onto their traditional way of life in Andalucía. I have just had the privilege to be introduced to goat cheese making with one of our walking guests who has a farm in the UK and has a keen interest in goats, farming and the protection of the environment. Juan, one of the local shepherds, was happy and kind to show us how he makes his delicious cheese and he turned out to be a mine of information and a wonderful, calm and amused teacher.

We spent a couple of hours on his farm learning, step by step, all about goat cheese making as well as tasting the yummy end result, which is nothing like the industrial Spanish goat cheese you buy in shops! The first step after milking the goats is to make the milk curdle by adding rennet to it - did you know that rennet is actually the membrane lining the stomach of a young goat? Juan told us that most people in the Serranía de Ronda used to make their own goat cheese and lots of shops in Ronda used to sell rennet. You cannot buy it anywhere nowadays though, a tradition fast disappearing with industrialisation and globalisation.

For the curdling process, you cut a little piece of the rennet and grind it in a pestle and mortar. Then you mix this powder with a little water to make a paste and add this paste to the milk. Juan had thankfully already milked the goats - there was about 10 litres of milk in a vat - and had added the rennet mixture. He checked if the milk was ready by sticking a wooden stick into the milk and he told us, if the stick stays firmly and perfectly upright, the milk is curdled enough to make cheese. Since the milk wasn’t quite ready, we waited for a while longer, sampling his cheese, looking at his goats and asking him all sorts of questions. We found out that he has always been a shepherd. He started with a handful of goats when he was young and his herd grew very quickly. His parents used to have goats and used to make cheese and he learnt from them. He stopped selling his milk to industrial cheese making companies because the price is far too low and not worth his while. Instead, he only milks a few goats and makes a few cheese to sell locally.

Once the milk is ready, it is a matter of separating the curd from the whey: Juan sat himself on a little stool with the vat full of milk in front of him and started pressing the curd down with his hands, very gently and repeatedly. This way, the curd gathers at the bottom of the vat and the liquid stays at the top. Then he scooped the whey out into another smaller vat. Apparently when the milk is warm, this process is quicker. The whey used to be added to the pig feed as it is very nutritious. Now he adds it to his hens and dogs feed.

Once all the excess liquid has been pressed out and scooped out, and only the curd remains at the bottom of the vat, it is time to place the curd inside a platted belt handmade with esparto grass that has been rolled twice and tied so as to hold the curd together in a round shape (see photo bellow). This makes an interesting pattern on the side of the cheese! These belts used to be made in Parauta and Igualeja, two Alto Genal villages famous for their esparto grass skills.

The belts were placed onto a grooved wooden board (allowing the whey to drain out). Juan filled the belts with the curd and patted it down, until forming a uniform round cheese. We tasted the curd and it was surprisingly sweet, a taste very similar to cream. Neither the milk nor the curd had a goat smell or taste actually.

Then the cheese is left to dry, being turned now and again. Juan adds some rock salt on one side, once the cheese is dry enough so as not to absorb the salt too quickly. The next day, he removes the remaining salt and turns the cheese over to add rock salt onto the other side. The salt is added to taste.

Then, it is a matter of leaving the cheese to dry further, cleaning it with whey everyday to remove any mould forming on the outside and after about 30 days, it is mature enough to keep for ages. In Andalucía, they like to preserve goat cheeses in olive oil or in fat. They eat it as a starter or tapas and it is also eaten with homemade Membrillo (Quince paste) and walnuts, which are a delicious combination! ChefShop offer a lovely organic quince paste: Membrillo (Quince Paste) - Organic by ChefShop.

Walk in the Serranía de Ronda: Alpandeire - Atajate

2011-04-04T10:40:00.000-07:00

Time: 1:30 to 2 hours
Ascent: approx. 100 meters
Descent: approx. 250 meters
Distance: approx. 6 km
Type of walk: linear
Walking level: low/medium
Time of the year: avoid in hot weather as there is not much shade on the Atajate side
Starting point: opposite the pharmacy and the Hotel Restaurant La Casa Grande
Description: this walk meanders through Cork Oak woodland on a wide dirt track, crosses a little river (mostly dry in Summer but be careful in wet winters as it can be quite wide and deep)and follows an old Moorish path cobbled in places through ancient olive groves. The last section leading up to Atajate, the smallest village in Malaga Province, is concreted.

View Larger Map

Park by the church if at all possible and take the street at the back of the church leading down to the Hotel/Restaurant La Casa Grande on the right-hand side and the chemist on the left-hand side. Take the way-marked track (yellow and white stripes) on the right behind La Casa Grande and follow it down, round a block of buildings ignoring the track on the right, and where the track forks, take the dirt track on the right going up, with a house on the left-hand side. Keep following the main way-marked path down through cork oak woodland, ignoring any tracks on the right hand side.

After a very wide right-hand hairpin bend (red sandy soil and fenced land with a ruined farmhouse in the distance and little tarns to your left as you are going downhill), keep following the same track down (bearing right) and keep an eye for a smaller track going down to the left with small metal green posts either side of it. Leave the main track and take this smaller track on the left and follow it downhill. The track will eventually narrow and fork. Take the path on the left-hand side, ignoring the one going to the right which takes you to a property.

Keep following the path down to the bottom of the valley, walk past a farmhouse with orange groves. Cross the river immediately after the property, and carry on uphill (the path skirts round the property).

Go through a first gate and keep following the track up. You will come to an intersection, turn right and shortly after, at the second padlocked gate (there is a sign on a big oak tree warning against bees – take the path opposite that sign), leave the main track and take the narrow way-marked ancient Moorish stone path immediately on the left. Follow it up. It crosses ancient olive groves.

At an intersection with a goat track, with a stone wall opposite and a sign reading something like “prohibido de paso” (there’s a ruin also further away to the left), take the continuation of the stone Moorish path slightly up and to the right. Be careful here as the path is not obvious as it is hidden by bushes! DON'T turn left or right on the goat track, but CROSS it and take the path opposite behind bushes.

Follow the stone path up and go through 2 or 3 makeshift gates. It has been recently cleared. This path follows a fence on the right-hand side and on the left, the edge of a field. Just before the end of the cobbled path, you will walk under a very impressive oak tree. At the end of the path, where it comes onto a wide track, turn right and follow the main track going up to Atajate.

5 tips to ensure blister free walks

2011-03-18T09:16:00.000-07:00

In order to fully enjoy your walking, whether low level walking, hill walking or mountaineering, it is important to avoid the formation of blisters. Here are 5 tips to ensure blister free walks:

1) Wear proper walking socks adapted to the time of year – they will have extra padding where needed to ensure comfort and protection from blister prone areas of your feet. Winter walking socks will keep your feet nice and warm and comfortable in winter and summer walking socks will keep your feet nice and dry with their moisture wicking properties. If your feet are extra sensitive, you can also get anti-blister walking socks which are double layered to reduce friction and therefore prevent blisters. Never wear tube socks though!

2) Wear correct walking shoes suited to the type of walking you are doing: light weight and flexible walking boots or shoes for low level walking (normally low cut). More rigid ones with medium ankle supports for hill walking/trekking. And high-cut boots offering all round high levels of support and duress for mountaineering.

3) Ensure correct size and fit for your new walking boots: always try new walking shoes with a pair of your walking socks since walking socks are bulkier than normal socks. With your boot fully laced up, stand up and your foot should feel comfortable, supported and snug but not tight or pinched in the boot. Then walk around the shop and make sure your toes don’t touch the front of the walking boot, your foot doesn’t move around in the shoe and that your heel doesn’t lift up from the sole. Then, unlace the walking boot and slide your foot as far forward as possible in the boot so that your toes touch the front of the boot; you should be able to place your finger between your heel and the heel of the boot with just a little friction. This is to ensure there is enough clearance at the front of the walking boot when walking downhill as feet normally slide forward in the boot, especially if you are carrying a heavy rucksack. If your finger cannot slide into the gap, then the boot is too small. By the way, never wear brand new walking shoes on a long walk without having broken them in beforehand!

4) If you have a very long and steep descent ahead of you, you can tighten a little bit more your laces at the front of your walking shoes (not too tight that your foot is uncomfortable or pinched and that it is cutting your blood circulation though!) to avoid your toes hitting the front of your shoes when your feet slide forward in the boot. Don’t forget to undo your laces and tighten them normally again once the descent is finished!

5) It is also advisable to take with you blister care products such as special second skin plasters. Nowadays, there are wonderful products available to prevent blisters and to treat and relieve blister pain instantly if you do get some despite of all the care and precautions taken.

And to find out how to relieve and relax tired aching feet after a hard day’s walking, visit Sara’s Blog Treat your feet!

Ronda - Estación de Benaoján walk description

2011-03-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

Time: approx. 2/3 hours
Ascent: approx. 350 meters
Descent: approx. 300 meters
Distance: approx. 10 km
Walking level: easy
Time of the year: avoid in hot weather as there is no shade.
Best time for wild flowers: January to beginning of June
Starting point: Wide open square of the Barrio San Francisco, Ronda (parking spaces available around it most of the time)

Leave the wide open square of the Barrio San Francisco and the old walls of Ronda (and mini round-about) behind you and walk up the Calle Torrejones (A369 road) signposted for the Camping El Sur (it is also the old road to Algeciras/Atajate).

View Larger Map

Keep walking up, past residential areas until you see a big pink sign indicating La Virgen de la Cabeza. Turn right here and the road forks immediately. Ignore the road on the right going to La Virgen de la Cabeza and take the road on the left. Follow this road down amongst olive and almond groves and keep going downhill.

The road will turn into a dirt track and will fork: ignore the track bearing to the left signposted in blue – this is the walk called “los amanisco” (linear walk), and continue downhill on the wider track bearing right.

Stay on this main track now which will go over 2 passes with meadows on either side. After the first pass, the track will go downhill and up again and you will come to a farm gate. Take the little path to the right of the gate (crossing a river bed - dry most of the time) and follow the path going up in between 2 fences. When at the top of the second pass, you will have great views over Ronda and its famous New Bridge behind you and of the Guadiaro Valley and the village of Benaoján in front of you.

Follow the track downhill with fields either side of you. Watch out for the Sexima Tower, also called Arabs tower (a vigil and protection tower used by the Moors during the Catholic Re-conquest - Ronda was taken in 1485) silhouetted in the distance on the left hand side. You will also be able to see your destination, the village of Estación de Benaoján, an extension of Benaoján which sprung up around the then newly built train station when the Bobadilla-Algeciras train line was constructed (1850).

Just after reaching a derelict building on the left hand side and a garden on the right, go through the pedestrian little gate to the left of the main gate (well, chain and make shift gate) and continue downhill on the track. Walk round the next “chained fence”. The track turns to tarmac and reaches the main ronda-Banaoján road. At the road, turn left, and before you reach the bridge, take the little path on the left, behind the Armco barriers. And turn left again almost immediately taking the little path going downhill under the trees. You will shortly reach a track.

If you want to have lunch in a cute place and visit the Cueva del Gato, the longest cave complex in Andalucía, turn right, under the road bridge, and follow this path along the river Guadiaro, cross a dry river bed and walk to the right of the Hotel 4 Paradas where the path continues right behind it (don’t go through the gates), and follow the path cobbled in places, along the river until you reach the second hotel/restaurant Cueva del Gato. To see the entrance of the caves with its lovely lagoon, go across the bridge (might still be in a bad state of repair but still passable after last year's floods). Turn back to get to Estación de Benaoján. It normally takes 30 minutes to walk from the bridge to Cueva del Gato.

If you prefer to go to directly to Estación de Benaoján, turn left on the track and follow it along the river, ignoring tracks on your left. At the little bridge (start of the Estación de Benaoján-Estación de Jimera de Libar walk), turn right, cross the bridge and walk up the road leading to the railway crossing, cross it, turn right to get to the train station and there are 2 “bar/restaurants” there. Or turn left and follow signs for Hotel Molino del Santo, if you fancy a gourmet meal by a babbling stream (only 5 minutes away).

Train times departures (journey only takes 20 minutes)
Benaoján to Ronda: 8.27 / 13.11 / 17.16 / 20.24 (not Saturday or Sunday)
Ronda to Benaoján: 07.30 (not Saturday or Sunday) / 09.15 / 16.16 / 19.49

Search Amazon.com for Walking guides andalucia

List of what to bring when walking in the Serranía de Ronda, Andalucia

2011-03-05T09:36:00.000-08:00

When going on a walking holiday in the Serranía de Ronda, Andalucía, it is important to pack all the key items which will enable you to enjoy fully your walking holiday. Here is bellow a list of the items that are in my opinion essential to bring with you:

Essential items for all seasons

√ Worn in walking boots (you will be more likely to get blisters with brand new boots)
√ Walking/hiking socks (goog quality socks adapted to the time of the year you will be walking will keep you nice and comfortable)
√ Water bottle (always have plenty of water with you as you can easily get dehydrated even in winter)
√ Light weight day pack (a must to carry all your essentials)
√ Walking stick if you normally use one
√ Lightweight trousers for comfortable walking in all terrain (some walks can be overgrown with long grasses and thorny bushes so wearing trousers will protect your legs from scratches and unwanted bugs such as ticks)
√ Travel insurance including hill walking (For great value for money and flexible Travel insurance policies, visit Walking holiday travel insurance)
√ European card (for European travellers)

Spring and early autumn

√ Light clothes for warm, sunny days
√ Warm clothes for coold days and cooler evenings (evenings always cool down a lot in the Serranía de Ronda)
√ Lightweight waterproof jacket for the occasional showers

Summer

√ Hat √ Sun cream
√ Swimwear √ Sun glasses for sensitive eyes
√ Sandals for “afterwalking”
√ Light fleece only if you are staying in the Alto Genal Valley as nights can sometime be a little chilly (very refreshing after the heat of the day!)

Late autumn and winter

√ Warm clothes, ie fleece, thermal tops, etc.. (Even though Andalucía is thought to be warm and sunny all year round, it can get very cold in late autumn/winter especially at higher altitudes such as in the Sierra de las Nieves)
√ Warm hat (to use especially at high altitudes such as in the Sierra de las Nieves)
√ Gloves (same as above)
√ Waterproof jacket
√ Waterproof trousers
√ Light clothes for warm, sunny days, such as T-shirts...

Whatever the season you are walking in the Serranía de Ronda, it is best to use the concept of layering clothing, with base layers such as thermal tops or T-shirts, mid-layers such as fleece tops and outer-layers such as waterproof jackets. Here is a link to an interesting article about Learning to layer clothing.

Cultural spring walking holiday in Andalucia

2011-03-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

For lady walkers who enjoy sightseeing, we have designed a special cultural walking holiday in Andalucia for women only for this spring.

As well as 4 guided walks in incredibly diverse scenery and 1 guided tour of the delightful town of Ronda so rich in history, we will take you on a day trip to visit the Acinipo, an old Roman settlement with its well preserved theater and breathtaking panoramic views, and Setenil, a very unusual semi troglodytic white village built in its riverbed rocks.

We believe in not rushing, therefore you will be able to visit at your leisure the many beautiful sights of interest that the Serrania de Ronda has to offer.

Combining walks, cultural visits and delicious local cuisine, you will have a great insight in the culture and history of this beaufitul part of Andalucia while enjoying a relaxing, stress free holiday.

Details of this Cultural spring walking holiday in Andalucia are the following:

Extended walking holiday dates:
16th to 23rd May 2011

Holiday type:
Women only cultural walking holiday

Cultural walking holiday prices:
Double occupancy: 708 € (approx. £599)
Single occupancy: 877 € (approx. £752)

Prices include:

- Airport transfer (Malaga airport) and all transport
- Welcome drink
- 7 nights in luxurious hotel accommodation (single or double occupancy) - 1/2 board (breakfast and dinner),
- 4 guided stunning walks at your own pace in a small friendly group in the Serranía de Ronda, one of the best area for walking in Andalucía.
- 1 guided tour of Old Ronda rich in Moorish history
- 1 sightseeing day to the Acinipo and Setenil.
- The opportunity to treat yourself to relaxing wellbeing therapies on offer for total relaxation.

For further information or to book your Cultural spring walking holiday, do email us now!

Circular walk in the Serranía de Ronda: Júzcar – Alpandeire – Júzcar

2011-02-20T10:16:00.000-08:00

Time: 4/5 hours
Ascent: approx. 350 meters - Descent: approx. 450 meters
Distance: approx. 15 km
Walking level: medium
Time of the year: avoid in hot weather as there is no shade
Starting point: village centre of Júzcar, from bar/restaurant Torricheli
Description: 1st half of the walk takes you to the base of the dramatic limestone crags Los Riscos, with great views over the Genal Valley and its white villages and Morocco on clear days. The return takes you down to the river on the old Moorish path, then uphill more gently through cork oak woods and Sweet Chestnut woodland interspersed with short sections of road.

Google map

Ver mapa más grande

Turn right on the steep concrete road climbing behind the bar/restaurant Torricheli. At the top, where it meets the main road, take the track on the left signposted “Los Riscos”.

This dirt track soon becomes concreted (in order to avoid the track being washed away by the torrential rain we get in winter to keep these limestone hills accessible to the local shepherds and now walkers since the Junta has just opened a brand new circular path*). The path is lined with Sweet Chestnut trees (the main agriculture in the Genal valley) and a few Cork Oak (the bark is still being harvested for the cork industry). You will also see two other white villages: Pujerra (behind you as you are climbing up and Cartajima in front of you).

After a short climb, you will reach a path and a small white building on your right, and a parking area with an information board and an ancient threshing stone circle (or “era” in Spanish) on your left.

*To start the newly created circular walk called “the path of the 5 threshing stone circles”, take the path on your right hand side sign-posted “Sendero”. This will add another 1 to 1 ½ hour to your walk. For more information on this cute little walk, click on Short circular walk in the Serranía de Ronda.

To proceed with the circular Júzcar – Alpandeire – Júzcar walk, continue straight on on the main dirt track between the car park area and the white building (you can see it disappearing in the distance in front of you), following the base of the limestone crags called Los Riscos and the fence that runs along on the right hand side. Ignore any paths on the left.

This track meanders through olive and almond groves, very pretty in January/February when the almond blossom and the Wide-leaved Irises are out. In spring, watch out for Love-in-the-mist and different varieties of Orchids among the myriad of wild flowers that grow on the edges of the track. If you love birds, you might see Blue Rock Thrushes, Black Wheatears or Griffon Vultures to name just a few.

After another short climb, you will come to a meadow with a small white building and a restored, raised era on the right hand side. Continue straight on, through a makeshift gate (please leave it as you find it – used when livestock is left to graze unattended).

Keep on the main track, still following the base of Los Riscos and the fence on the right hand side, ignoring any paths on the left. After the second makeshift gate, you will have great views opening on the left hand side over Alpandeire (bellow you), the Bajo Genal villages in the distance (Benadalid, Benalauria, Algatocin, Benarrabá) and Morocco on clear days.

Follow the path until you join a tarmac road (MA-7307 continuation of the MA-7302/7301/7303). At this junction, turn left and walk on the road for about 500 meters (in Spring, watch out for Peonies and Blue Bells nestled in the limestone rocks on the left hand edge of the road and in January/February, enjoy the almond blossom on the right hand side of the road). Even though this road is very quiet, do take all the usual necessary road safety precautions.

When you reach a small building on the left hand side of the road, go through the makeshift gate opposite on the right hand side of the road. Then follow the path to the left of the gate, leading away from the field and following the fence round to the left. Follow the track up for about 15 meters keeping an eye on the fence on the left hand side to spot a small makeshift gate. Open the “gate” very carefully so as not to hurt yourself with the barbwire.

Great views again over the Bajo Genal Valley and over another white village, Atajate, the smallest village in Malaga Province, right in front of you. At this makeshift gate, turn immediately left and follow this ancient Moorish footpath down. This path, still cobbled in places, meanders down through thyme, lavender and curry plants, making it a very pleasantly scented path. In spring, watch out for different varieties of Orchids.

Follow the path downhill, crossing 2 makeshift gates until you join a wider dirt track. At this junction, turn left and follow the track up, past ruins and a cute little shrine painted in yellow on the left hand side. When the track joins onto another track, turn left again and follow this main track up, until the village of Alpandeire opens up in front of you.

If instead of a packed lunch, you would rather enjoy delicious Spanish cuisine, you can either eat at La Casa Grande (situated opposite the Chemist or Pharmacia, on the caraterra de Ronda), a gourmet Hotel/Restaurant, which serves fantastic cuisine and also caters for vegetarians (no doubt that their salads are the best in the area!), or El Tapeo if you prefer tapas (they offer a great selection of freshly made tapas – situated on the Avenida de Andalucía). Both are closed on a Monday.

Follow the track down, past a house on the right hand side. At the bottom, you reach a T-junction. Turn right and take the first street on the left to enter the village. Where the streets fork, walk up the street on the left called Calle Posito. Then turn left and walk up round the church to get to the Restaurant La Casa Grande. Or turn left and then take the first street on the right, past a little water feature with gold fish and the village bakery on the left, and turn right onto Avenida de Andalucía to go to El Tapeo which is before the Fray Leopoldo view point.

To get to the start of the walk heading towards Júzcar, go to the Fray Leopoldo view point at the bottom of Avenida de Andalucía and take the first path on the left, behind the view point and right by the house no 35, and keep Left at the house no 53. (Do not go down the path of the Stations of the Cross which bears right). In about 50 m, the path becomes a grassy track and then a steeper cobbled downhill path (the old Moorish Camino). About 5 minutes from the village take the right fork past 2 pillars of an old gate. Continue downhill to the river.
Cross the river and continue following the wide track for about 2 km. There are good views along the ridge of the village of Farajan on the right and Alpandeire on the left.

At the tarmac road, turn right and follow the road for about 500 meters until you see a dirt track on the left hand side. Take this dirt track and continue straight on until you reach a makeshift gate in front of you. Go through the gate and follow the footpath downhill until you reach the tarmac road again. This path is signposted with yellow and white lines on posts by the side of the trail. You will have lovely views over the white village of Júzcar.

At the road, turn left and follow the road for about 100 meters. Watch out carefully for a footpath cutting through the Sweet Chestnut trees on the left hand side. Follow the path downhill until you meet the road again. At the road, turn left and follow the road back to Júzcar for about 1 km.

Description of this circular walk in the Serrania de Ronda provided by Butterfly Adventures. As sometimes waymarks disappear or footpaths change or get fenced off, do bring a map with you to complement this walk description.

Holiday activities and wellbeing therapies on offer in Ronda

2011-02-16T10:11:00.000-08:00

How better to make the most of your holiday in the Serranía de Ronda by enjoying extra activities?

If you need to unwind and use your holiday to fully relax, there is nothing better than enjoying massage, reflexology or shiatsu sessions in the comfort and privacy of your hotel room after a day's walk in beautiful surroundings or a day's sight-seeing in Ronda.

Well-being treatments do complement very well walking holidays or any holidays as they help you relieve pains and stiffness as well as leaving you relaxed and revitalised. They also help you eliminate any stress accumulated through a hectic lifestyle.

If you are looking for a more active holiday, why not go cycling or mountain biking in the Serranía de Ronda? Another fun and energetic way to discover this beautiful part of Andalucía.

If you feel adventurous and enjoy strong sensations, why not try paragliding or hang gliding tandem flights? Soaring with the majestic Griffon Vultures or gliding at exhilarating speed above stunning countryside a few kilometers outside of Ronda....

Or if you love bird watching, why not let yourself be driven by a specialist who knows where rare and interesting birds are so you can enjoy great sightings of incredible diverse species.

Ronda is very fortunate as there are many holiday activities and wellbeing therapies on offer. For a detailed list of qualified and experienced therapists and activity professionals we have found in the Serranía de Ronda, click on Ronda wellbeing therapies and holiday activities.

Special offers on women only walking holidays in Andalucía, Spain

2011-02-15T06:25:00.000-08:00

We are pleased to be offering a 10% discount on our Women only Spring Walking Holiday - 25th April to 1st May 2011 to our blog readers. To benefit from this walking holiday special offer, please mention the promotional code EBSO01. This special offer is valid until 28th February 2011.

Based just 5 minutes from Ronda in a beautiful riverside hotel, you will be able to experience the best of Andalucia and enjoy a totally carefree, relaxing walking holiday in Spain. Spring is probably the best time to visit this unspoilt part of andalucia where everywhere is lush and ablaze with colours from hundreds of varieties of wild flowers: Sweet-pea, Lupin, Field gladiolus, Periwinkle, Poppy, Love-in-a-mist, Orchid, Iris...

The wallking holiday prices per person for 6 nights/7 days are now:
Half board double occupancy: 590.40 Euros (approx. £508 / 810 USD)
Half board single occupancy: 719.10 Euros (approx. £619 / 987 USD)

Included in the walking holiday Prices:
- Airport transfers from/to Malaga airport and all transport.
- Welcome drink before settling in in your accommodation.
- 6 or 7 nights in luxurious hotel accommodation, double or single occupancy, half board (breakfast & dinners).
- 4 guided stunning walks at your own pace, in a small friendly group, in a beautiful non touristy area of Andalucía - ideal to get away from it all!
- 1 guided tour of Old Ronda rich in Moorish history.
- The opportunity to treat yourself to relaxing wellbeing therapies on offer for total relaxation

Not included in the walking holiday Prices:
- Flights & Insurances (travel & hiking)
- Lunches
- Fees for other activities
- Hotel bar / mini bar

If you would like to book a place on this holiday and benefit from the 10% discount, do email us now to avoid disappointment, as we have a limited number of places. Remember to mention the promotional code EBSO01. Or click on Women only Spring Walking Holiday to find out more about the holiday.

If you wonder why we are running women only holidays, have a look at our earlier post - Women only walking holidays – sexist?

Women only walking holidays in Spain – sexist?

2011-02-11T06:25:00.000-08:00

Running women only walking holidays since 2004, we are often asked why women only? And isn't this sexist and discriminatory? To answer these well founded questions, we need to explain how Butterfly Adventures came about.

Nowadays, women travel more and more but not all of them feel comfortable or safe to travel independently, and this is exactly our philosophy - enabling women to travel safely and in a fun way on their own, but within a group of likeminded women.

So in 2003, my husband Ian and I moved to the white village of Cartajima, just a 20 minute drive from Ronda, Andalucía, Spain. It was the ideal location to develop our ideas for specialised holidays aimed at women travelling on their own. Due to my own interest in the local wildlife, fauna and walking, it seemed natural to start women only walking holidays; holidays where women whether widowed, single, divorced or married travelling on their own, can come and enjoy stunning walks, at their own pace, in a safe, comfortable environment, and take the time to get to know this beautiful part of Andalucía, its culture, its people and its history, not to mention its gastronomy.

Our main focus on the walking holidays is on relaxing. So many women lead stressful, hectic lives that holidays should be relaxing and reenergizing - this is our philosophy! Therefore we offer different levels of walking to suit our guests’ needs. No backpacking - airport transfers and all transport included and accommodation in a lovely charming hotel with swimming pool. No starting walking at the crack of dawn – instead have a swim in the sun before enjoying a lovely breakfast and then get ready without rushing. No rush either while walking - walk at your own pace and take the time to enjoy the varied scenery and chat. Lunches mainly taken in typical local restaurants in white villages we walk to - added comfort and a great opportunity to enjoy delicious Andalucian tapas/meals and talk with the locals. We also have on offer numerous well being therapies for total relaxation after walking, provided if requested in the comfort of your hotel room.

Due to the success of the women only walking holidays, we have now added mixed group walking holidays but our main focus is still on women only holidays. Our guests have been exactly the women I had in mind when designing these holidays the only surprise being having a high number of married women wanting to come and walk in a women only group being able to walk at their own rhythm and not having to keep up with their husbands' faster pace!

Our next available women only walking holiday is 25th April - 1st May 2011. For more information, click on our Spain walking holiday package.

Walking holiday in Andalucia - 17th-24th May 2010

2010-08-03T04:18:00.000-07:00

Here are more photos of another delightful small group I had the pleasure walking with in May in the Serrania de Ronda: Alan, Louella and Emma.

The weather was fabulous, with perfect deep blue skies, and the countryside was still nice and green with an abundance of wild flowers (orchids, irises, blue hedgehog broom, foxgloves, ...)!

Such a fun and interesting week hearing about Emma's experience as a wwoofer (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms voluntary worker) on an organic goat cheese farm in Andalucia while on Sabatical from her GP practice, prior to joining our little walking group.

It was also fascinating hearing about Alan and Louella's art work, being both artists, and about Louella's Dad, who had had a very special bond with Spain all his life having fought with the Republicans during the Spanish Civil War (to find out more about Louella's Dad, click on Sol Frankel). Not to mention gardening and alotments!

I will keep very fond memories of the wonderful time spent with Alan, Louella and Emma while walking in the Serrania de Ronda and visiting Ronda.

Organic & eco-friendly outdoor clothing - Rapanui

2010-07-30T03:44:00.000-07:00

I have just discovered a fabulous range of outdoor clothing : Rapanui Clothing. Not only this range of outdoor clothing is well designed, fashionable, comfortable and fun but it is also organic as well as being made in an environmentally friendly wind powered factory! Each item of clothing is traceable too with maps and information showing its entire life cycle!

Rapanui Clothing, created in 2008 by surfing brothers Mart and Rob Drake-Knight, are ideal for young and young at heart outdoor enthusiasts! With naturally antibacterial, hypoallergenic, soft, lightweight and breathable bamboo and cotton fabrics, their range of base layers and mid layers (from socks to tops and sweatshirts) are just perfect for any outdoor activities as well as daily wear, while being eco friendly and fairtrade!

Well done Mart and Rob for creating such great outdoor products! You are a great exemple showing that technical outdoor clothing can be made out of natural material as well as being eco friendly and human friendly.

To see their range of organic outdoor clothing for yourself, click on Rapanui outdoor organic clothing.

Teignmouth & Dawlish Ramblers in Andalucia (2)

2010-07-29T02:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a few more lovely photos taken by Peter Sillifant, brilliant photographer as well as walking member and treasurer of Teignmouth & Dawlish Ramblers, while walking in Andalucia with us. The following photos are fun photos of the group and one of me (showing the itinerary of the day at the start of the walk in the Sierra de las Nieves National park with a silly hat on!).

Here is a link to more fabulous photos taken by Peter while the group stayed in Ronda and in Granada: Ronda/Granada Spring 2010 photos. If you like beautiful photos of stunning scenery, delicate wild flowers and wonderful life scenes, you will definitely enjoy Peter's photos of Ronda and Granada. Best of all, his amazing shots of Granada's Alhambra, showing beautiful details of the intricate carvings and geometry of this palace, are well worth looking at. Enjoy!

Teignmouth & Dawlish Ramblers in Andalucia

2010-07-07T09:14:00.000-07:00

The weather and time of year (end of April/beginning of May)couldn't have been more perfect for the Teignmouth & Dawlish Ramblers group! The wild flowers were at their best and in abundance in the Serrania de Ronda (fields of wild irises and Gladioli, different varieties of orchids, Giant Squills, etc...), the valleys were luxuriantly green, the temperatures were lovely and warm and the sky was deep blue! Perfect for such great company!

Such good fun with this lovely group which was so interested in the flora, history and culture of the Serrania de Ronda. I also learnt more names of flowers I hadn't been able to identify before thanks to Nigel and Claire's fountain of knowledge on flora! Thank you so much!

Here are a few photos I took during the guided walks in Ronda area, the Guadiaro Valley, the Genal Valley and in the National Park of La Sierra de las Nieves:

New walk in Juzcar checked by heavy rain

2010-04-07T02:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I managed to escape in the morning to try and discover a path newly opened in Juzcar, a small village just outside ronda, Andalucia. It was a funny morning with clouds rolling over the southern Bermeja hills, pushed over by the Levente (south-east wind) making the sky grey and moist. It was rather warm though.

I drove to Juzcar and parked in front of the Hotel Bandolero. Had a quick chat with David and Ivan who were actually outside. Walked down in the street right in front of the Hotel and followed the concrete track down to the left. Just a few meters down, I saw a lovely field full of Narrow-leaved lupins (see photo above). The concrete path soon turns into a dirt track.

I kept following it down ignoring a track on the right. The bank sides were covered with daisies and Periwinkles in varying shades of purple. Where the track forks, I took the left track and ignored the one fenced off. This is the section that has been newly opened up. It has been widened in places, cleared, walled and some cute steps have even been added in one place (see photo on the left).

The path meanders down through Oaks, Cork Oaks and Prickly Pears, and follows the Arroyo Riachuello, a stream fuller with the heavy rain we have had over the winter, which was gushing down at the bottom of this very narrow, steep valley and could be heard from the path above.

There were a few lush green terraces along the path, carpeted with ubiquitous Periwinkle and planted with fruit trees (see photo of the orange tree and Quince tree in blossom on the left).

The path eventually narrowed and steepened down to the river Genal (see photo on the left of narrow path meandering down amonst Prikly Pears).

There is normally a bridge accros the river, but it had been totally washed away and the river was way too high and strong flowing to attempt crossing it (see photo of the river on the left)! So, after a little rest by the river, enjoying its deafening strength, I had to just turn back and retraced my steps!

While walking back up, I noticed a very distinctive creeper, Dutchman's Pipe, that is growing on the path. Apparently, its roots have been used in Spain since at least the 16th century for reducing fever. See photo on the left.

I also noticed an old tattered umbrella that had been left hanging on a lichen covered oak tree. It looks as if it has been there for a long time as it was blending extremely well with its surrounding! See photo on the left.

It will be a fantastic walk to do once the bridge has been replaced or the level of the water has come down. Maybe in the summer! Back at the Hotel Bandolero, I had a lovely coffee with Ivan before returning home. What a great start of the day!

Spanish hospitals...

2010-02-11T10:47:00.000-08:00

It looks like Cartajima is under a spell! So many of our "vecinos" have been admitted to Ronda Hospital lately! When Ian hurt his back badly last year and had to be taken in an ambulance to Ronda's emergencies, where he spent 24 hours being administered painkillers and anti-inflammatories in drips, we realised that in this area everyone who knows you, comes and visits you if you are poorly, be it hospital, your home or even the emergencies if you stay there long enough! Bless, 2 of our "vecinos", Antonio and Juan Martin, came to the emergencies when they heard Ian had been taken there! Unfortunately, they missed us as they arrived when Ian was being taken back home in an ambulance and I was following him in our truck!

So now, in turn, we go and visit people we know in the village who are ill. And this year, it seems that's all we've been doing! Barbarita, a delightful little lady so full of energy and still showering in her backyard in cold water with a hose, Winter or Summer, had a bad do and was taken to Ronda Hospital. We went to see her, and it was so great seeing her comfortably sat upright (at 90 degrees without any pillows to support her!) on her bed and her wrinkled little face radiating with a big grin - she won't say her age but she must be in her 80s and she still walks up and down the hills to go to tend her land! What a bundle of energy! A great relief to see she was fine and eating with gusto the afternoon snack the patients are given (a cake and a glass of milk).

Paco, a lovely man who lived away from Cartajima all his working life, came back to retire and kept saying that the village had been asleep for all these years, had also been taken to the hospital on the same day. But, unfortunately, he wasn't well at all and he has since been transferred to a residential home for stroke victims in Malaga. It was so strange and sad seeing such a fun loving man, drifting between sleep and waking confusion. And worse was that in this hospital, a lot of the care relies on the family, which means if you haven't got any, you are quite neglected! Paco having never married, his sister living on the coast, he was left on his own and it was the family of the patient on the next bed, who was looking after him (shaving his growing beard, asking the nurse to change his bedding, clean his eyes, etc...). During our visit, more Cartajimenos came and went, making the whole scene very surreal, as if it were a village meeting place, going from one door to another! Barbarita, Paco and Pepa, our next visit, were on the same hospital floor, not far from each other!

We left Paco to go and see Pepa, the proprietor of the village only grocery shop. She had been admitted because of a very badly infected toe due to diabetes. Many villagers have got diabetes... Pepa was quite moved to see us. She is another lovely lady, probably in her 70s, but difficult to say, very kind and generous (so many times I come home from her shop with cucumbers, courgettes, etc. from her garden she has deposited into my bag!). She looked OK, apart from having been very worried about her toe being amputated. Thankfully, her toe was healing well so it was saved. Bless her, she was on her own in the usual hospital twin rooms and complained about it as it was rather lonely and boring for her. The rooms are all twinned room and have all a television, a telephone per bed and of course a bathroom. But as we found out, no vases!

We had purchased a bunch of flowers for both ladies from a kiosk just outside the hospital, but nowhere could we find a vase for them! The nurses seem to be totally puzzled we should be asking them for such an item and obviously couldn't care less! Barbarita's son, Juan Macho, deposited the bouquet in a Coca-Cola cardboard cup. "Macho" is his nickname - they all have one which is just as well as there are so many Juans, Pacos, etc., you would never know who is being refered to otherwise - and why "Macho" I don't know as he is round and extremely small, with probably the shortest legs ever, so much so that the 3/4 length shorts fit him as normal trousers... Bless him! And he is the most generous person I have ever met! A friend of ours put it brilliantly that way: "you will never go hungry if you live near or know Juan Macho!" So true... But, terribly difficult to get away once he starts talking...

To go back to the flowers, Pepa rung her daughter-in-law from her mobile to ask her to bring a vase! Sorted! A week or so later, we took more flowers to Amalia this time, who badly broke her leg in 2 parts and dislocated her left shoulder, but this time we were prepared! Spanish style, we took with us a cut plastic bottle! Not very aesthetic but at least practical! Amalia (looking lovely in the above photo), a gentle, hardworking and quiet lady, is the proprietor of Cartajima bar/restaurant "Casa Amalia", and she never ceases to amaze us how she can prepare fresh delicious meals, at the drop of the hat, for a full restaurant (probably sometimes amounting to 100 or more people in busy Summer evenings!), in her tiny kitchen! With orders being served at the same time per table by her husband, Baltazar, walking briskly with his chest puffed out like a cockerel, laden with mouthwatering plates.

We found out later, while talking to Amalia's Venezuelan daughter-in-law, Gabi, who just got married (see photos in earlier blogs, further down) and just gave birth to a lovely boy, and Gabi's Mother, that they were surprised that everyone brought her chocolates and sweets at the hospital when she had the baby! The custom in Venezuela is to bring flowers or fruits. I realised then that bringing flowers to hospital patients is obviously not the custom here, in this part of Andalucia!!! You just live and learn!

Singles special offers - April walking holiday

2010-02-09T02:07:00.000-08:00

Are you in need of a holiday, but not sure what to do or where to go? If you enjoy walking, why not join our small friendly singles group and enjoy a carefree walking holiday in Andalucia in April?

Contrary to most organised holidays, we believe in taking the time so that you enjoy your walking and your surrounding, and feel totally relaxed, and go back home feeling refreshed and with a better understanding of the area you visited, its culture, its history and its people.

To make sure you have a carefree holiday, we include airport transfers and all transport, welcome drink, 7 nights in a lovely hotel (either B&B or half board), 5 guided walks and 1 guided tour of Ronda, which is a fabulous little town worth visiting.

As well as enjoying stunning scenery, you will have the opportunity to visit typical Andalucian white villages, 'Pueblos blancos'. More over, we believe food is also a big part of getting to know an area, so you will be able to sample delicious tapas lunches in some lovely restaurants in these villages.

For total relaxation, we have also massages and other well being therapies on offer, for you to enjoy after walking, in the comfort of your hotel room.

Our next singles special offer is for our Spring walking holiday - 18th to 25th April 2010.
10% discounts - offer valid until 14th February 2010.

If this is your kind of holiday, do contact us or visit our walking holiday special offers.

Spanish Wedding (continued)

2010-01-13T04:42:00.000-08:00

Here are a few photos of Baltasar and Gabriella's wedding celebrated on 09 January 2010, in Cartajima, Andalucia, spain. For an account of the wedding, see blog bellow

Spanish Wedding

2010-01-13T02:58:00.000-08:00

Last Sunday, we had the privilege of being invited to a Spanish wedding. Baltasar (son of Baltasar and Amalia who run the bar/restaurant Casa Amalia in Cartajima) and Gabriella were wedded in the church of the village of Cartajima, just 20 minutes from Ronda. We were all blessed, as the torential rain stopped and the sun shone all day instead! It was terribly cold though, but what a lovely day nonetheless (and it snowed all day the following day!!).

The church ceremony was scheduled for 12 am. Church bells rang half an hour before the service was due, to let everyone know in the village about it, and rang again 15 minutes later. We then assembled with everyone else outside the church to watch first the arrival of the Groom and his mother and then of the Bride and the "Padrino de boda", Martin Berasategui. We then followed the bride and the padrino into the church and a lot of poeple stayed outside, sunning themselves in the sun. The ceremony was short and very cheerful. The young priest had a good sense of humour and made everyone laugh!

After being pronounced Husband and Wife and signing the wedding certificates, the wedded couple made a quick exit through the rice and petals, with a few brief pauses to receive congratulations and photo taking, and departed in a beautiful vintage car to go and do the wedding photos with the Groom's mother and the padrino, who followed in another vintage car both owned by Amalia's brother, Alfredo Corbacho, who collects vintage cars.

We then made our way to the Hotel Reina Victoria in Ronda where the reception took place. A lovely apperitif was served and followed by a very nice sit down meal. A plan of the table arrangement with names per table was displayed in the lobby of the hotel so you could find where you were sitting. We knew we were placed with Charo, the wife of our dearest friend Juan who passed away last September, and her family. It was only a question of finding out where the table was. Not so easy when there was at least 400 guests!

The meal was extremely good, with gambas, oysters, concha finas, jamon for starter, leg of lamb or fish or steak for the main course and a lovely desert, all copiously accompanied by champagne and wine. We were actually contacted the day before by Auxi, Baltasar's sister, to choose our main course in advance. How organised is that?!

The meal was very emotional to say the least! Juan was obviously being terribly missed by everyone who knew him and we all shed tears. Then, the padrino, Martin Berasategui, brought everyone to tears with his speach. As some of you might have wondered, Martin is indeed the famous Spanish Chef, in fact one of the best Chefs in the world (http://www.martinberasategui.com/). Baltasar chico has been working for him for a few years now and according to Martin, Baltasar is the No 1 chef and he believes he will make his mark in the Spanish cuisine but also in the World cuisine. He also said that he considers him like his own son... Wow, what a compliment!

On a lighter note, plenty of flamenco singing was to be had and good laughs from other friend's speaches. At the end of the meal, during the dessert, coffee and liquors, the bride and Auxi came round all the tables and pined a delicate porcelaine jasmin flower to the women's top (married women with the flower stem going down and single women with the flower stem going up) and the padrino went also round the tables to give cigars to the men. This is the time when you give your envelop filled with money (the custom is to give at least the cost of the meal) to either the bride or the padrino. No wedding lists here! Most people I saw giving an envelop, gave a very small envelop with their own names written on it (so that the bride and groom know who it is from). We didn't know about the particulars of the envelop, so we gave them a card with our best wishes + dinero, of course. No wonder Auxi looked perplexed with our bigger envelopp addressed to Baltasar and Gabriella!!! Chatting to Baltasar's and Auxi's grand mother about it, she said that unfortunately there are always a few people who if they can get away from giving the envelop, they will do their best!

After the meal and exchange of envelops/brooches/cigars, we all went back to Cartajima. Baltasar and Amalia had extended the bar/restaurant to cater for the number of guests by adding a big marquee from the restaurant's door, in which a great little band was playing. More drinks and more delicious food as well as dancing all night were had by all! The night was perishing cold, but a portable gaz heater was wheeled into the marquee, which meant you had to remove some layers of clothing if you were dancing!!!

It couldn't have been a better day! We had such a fabulous time amongst great people! See next blog for a few photos of the day

May women only walking holiday

2009-12-28T01:59:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year everyone! We hope you've all had a relaxing Christmas break and a good start to 2010. If however, you've got winter blues and feel you could do with a break to unwind fully, why not come and join us on our May Spanish women only walking holiday?

Whether you are widowed, single, divorced or married but travelling on your own, come and enjoy stunning walks, at your own pace, in a safe, comfortable environment, and take the time to get to know the Alto Genal, a beautiful and unspoilt part of Andalucia just 20 minutes from Ronda, and enjoy its delicious gastronomy.

Our philosophy is that holidays should be relaxing and reenergizing as so many women lead stressful, hectic lives. Therefore we have designed our walking holidays with that in mind:

We offer different levels of walking to suit all needs.
Airport transfers and all transport are included.
Lovely, comfortable accommodation with swimming pool in the charming Hotel Bandolero situated in the white village of Juzcar.
No early bird start or rush in the morning but instead enjoy your breakfast and get ready at your leisure.
No rush either during the walks - walk at your own pace and take the time to enjoy the stunning scenery and chat.
Enjoy delicious Spanish tapas/meals at lunch time in typical Andalucian restaurants in the "Pueblos blancos" we walk to. And in the evening, savour Ivan's gourmet cuisine, the Hotel Bandolero's Cordon Bleu Chef.
Visit typical Andalucian white villages as well as beautiful, historical Ronda.
For total relaxation, enjoy well being therapies after walking, provided on request in the comfort of your hotel room.

If you fancy getting away from it all, do join us. Our next available women only walking holiday is 24th - 31st May 2010. For more information, contact us or click on our walking holiday package.

A call for mass opposition against the EU Directives & Codex Alimentarius

2009-11-30T01:05:00.000-08:00

While you were peacefully sleeping, the European Commission have been secretly preparing over 300 Directives & Regulations which threaten to destroy our health; natural foods, vitamins and herbal supplements; anciant traditions and practices; healthcare businesses; animal welfare; the environment; plus take away our 'consumer rights and choice'. Sadly neither the media nor the Government are informing us of these life threatening issues!*

Please visit urgently Joining Hands in Health to find out more about these threatening EU Directives and Codex Alimentarius and to see how you can help protect your consumer right and health choice. We must act before the end of December 2009 otherwise it will be too late!

*Taken from Joining Hands in Health website.

Walking poles/walking sticks - just a new craze? All you need to know about walking poles

2009-11-20T05:59:00.000-08:00

Is walking with walking poles or walking sticks just a new craze or is it really good for you? Judy, one of our walking guests, introduced me to pole walking or Nordic walking. We actually bought a pair of walking poles for her to use while walking with us, as she was travelling light and couldn't bring her own and we thought it would be a good idea to offer such service to our walking guests. Judy was a mine of information and she kindly explained to me how to use the walking poles. Many of our successive guests have since used our walking poles but I am surprised to see that not many people actually know how to use them to their full capacity. Please read on to find out more on how walking with walking sticks is good for you, how to choose walking poles, how to set up your walking poles so you can fully benefit from them and if it is better to walk with one or two walking poles.

Walking with walking poles/stick is actually good for you because:

It helps with your balance (ideal also when crossing rivers or on slippery terrain).

It supports your body weight and thus reduces stress on your feet, legs, knees, hips and your back (especially when going downhill). So if you have any problems with any of these body parts, the walking sticks will be a great help. And if you haven't got any, they will lessen the normal "wear and tear" associated with walking.

It helps when going uphill by giving you that extra push.

It gives you a better posture and enables you to breathe more efficiently.

It is very good for working out the upper body such as the arms, shoulders, upper chest, neck and the upper back, while helping to loosen any tensions that normally accumulate in the neck and the shoulder area due to stress, working at a desk/computer, etc...

It increases your heart rate without your feeling it (easier cardio workout).

You burn a lot more calories.

My 5 top tips for choosing walking poles:

Despite people saying the one piece poles are more secure and durable, I find telescopic walking poles more comfortable for walking on mixed terrain as is the case here in the Serrania de Ronda. You can then adjust them depending on the terrain (see how to set them up for more info on walking poles adjustment).

Choose poles with a comfortable handle. I prefer soft textured handles that feel smooth to the touch. Plastic ones can be a bit rough after a while and a bit slippery with sweat on hot days.

Choose poles with comfortable straps designed to support your wrists.

An added comfort is the shock absorbing features that some poles have. Some says this feature adds some weight to the poles, but it cushions impacts on your wrists when walking on hard ground or on rocky slopes.

Light weight poles are indeed a must.

How to set up your walking poles/sticks:

The height of your pole is very important so as not to strain your back or your elbows: while standing tall and holding your walking pole, the inside angle of your elbow should be at 90 degrees.

When walking uphill, you will need to shorten your poles to obtain that same comfortable height.

And when walking downhill, you will need to lengthen your poles to obtain that same comfortable height.

Use your straps instead of holding firmly your walking sticks: put your hand through the strap and adjust it so that while holding lightly the handle, the heal of your hand rests comfortably onto the strap (that's why it's important to buy walking poles with ergonomically designed straps). While walking, apply pressure onto the straps instead of gripping the handle. This way, your hands and wrist don't get tired.

Walking with one or two walking poles?

Well, the general consensus seems to be that it is much better to walk with 2 walking poles for a good walking rhythm, balance and general workout. However, the main thing is your being comfortable. If it feels weird walking with 2 poles, I would use just the one. You won't get the full aerobic benefits but it will still give you some support to relieve your knees, hips, legs and back.

I would like to thank Judy for sharing with me her knowledge about pole walking and I hope you will have found this information interesting and helpful.

Fun scenes encountered while walking in Andalucia

2009-11-03T05:30:00.000-08:00

It is amazing how often I come accross unusual and funny scenes while walking in Andalucia. So much so that I have decided to start taking photos of funny sights I encounter on my walks or just scenes you wouldn't expect to see in the middle of "no where" or I should say, in the middle of the Andalucian countryside, sometimes only accessible by a single track footpath.

Here are a few funny photos I would like to share with you:

A witch fully dressed in normal witch apparels from the pointy hat down to black shoes tied up on a fence post outside of Alpandeire.
An idylic scene with plastic table and chairs in a field on a path between Parauta and Igualeja.
On the same path, a rubish bin tied up to a Sweet Chestnut tree in the middle of the countryside!
A sign warning walkers against bees on a path between Alpandeire and Atajate (there are indeed beehives in the viscinity).
A bath and shower contraption just outside Atajate,
And finally, a pair of big black knickers on the old Moorish cobbled path going to Atajate!

Movies about Ronda and Alto Genal scenes

2009-10-31T01:22:00.000-07:00

Here are links bellow to Michael Szpakowski's QuickTime movies he made while walking in the Serrania de Ronda and visiting Ronda with us. They are such little gems, so delicate and timeless. Attention to details we take for granted or just don't notice captured in a melancholic and very subtle way.

Michael is an artist, composer and educator. His music has been performed all over the UK, in Russia and the USA. He has exhibited work in galleries in the UK, mainland Europe and the USA. His short films have been shown throughout the world. He is composer and video artist for Tell Tale Hearts Theatre Company and a joint editor of the online video resource DVblog. For more information about him and his work, please visit http://www.somedancersandmusicians.com/

If you would like to watch his movies capturing Ronda and scenes of the Alto Genal, make sure you have Quicktime, that your sound is on (some are silent though) and click on the poster image, then go and have a cup of tea or a glass of wine, or read a bit as some of the files are huge downloads.

A postcard from Ronda is the biggest file to download but well worth watching. Such a delicate and warm capture of Ronda and its people with fantastic work with light and shadows, accompanied by a touching piece of music. Enjoy!

A postcard from Ronda

Two villages of the Alto Genal

Four

Walking holiday in Andalucía, October 2009

2009-10-30T03:53:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos taken during our walking holiday in Andalucia with Hilary, Stuart, Janet and Michael, beginning of October 2009, who were so much fun to walk with. I don't think I have laughed so much while walking!

Thank you ever so much for being so enthusiast, appreciative and so interested in the area, its fauna and flora, its history, its culture, its people and its cuisine. It was a real delight walking with you.

We were also blessed with the weather! Beautiful deep blue skies and delightful temperatures, so much so that you all enjoyed the hotel swimming pool and some of you even managed to have a swim in the morning before the walks and in the afternoon after walking!

The following photos were taken in the Sierra de las Nieves national park, in the Sierra Bermeja and on some of the paths linking the 7 Andalucian white villages of the Alto Genal:

Mourning in Cartajima

2009-09-18T08:27:00.000-07:00

A very special man, Juan Corbacho, passed away on 16th September 2009, at 12:30, in Cartajima. When we met Juan, he had been cleared from throat cancer for many years. But sadly, the cancer came back at the beginning of the year.

He will be missed by all his family and friends. Yesterday was his funeral (17.09.09), our first funeral in Spain. As is the custom here, family, friends and neighbours go and present their condolences to the family of the deceased and accompany the family and the deceased during an all night wake. We went to the family house to say our farewells to Juan and offer our support to his wife, children and family in the afternoon. The house was so full of family, friends and neighbours that we didn’t stay very long but went back again in the evening when there was a little less people in the house.

Juan was so little in his refrigerated coffin, only his head showing amongst the white satin cloth. He had lost so much weight. His face though was peaceful. He died peacefully surrounded by his family. And he was taken the following day to the village church and the cemetery surrounded by so many people. We had never seen such a crowd in the village apart from at festivities celebrated in the village. We were told that people came from Ronda, Juzcar, Pujerra, Farajan, Igualeja, etc.

He was such a lovely man, that everybody couldn’t help but like him. We took to him as soon as we met him. He was a very generous man who would help anybody any time. He was down to earth, honest and direct as well as being sensitive and warm. He was witty and liked jokes and joking. We spent many an evening in his company at Baltasar and Amalia’s bar, laughing with him.

He was little and thin but so strong and full of life and so animated, always gesticulating his arms about while talking in his hoarse voice. He loved flamenco, a passion he passed down to his Down syndrome son, Adrian, and loved bull fighting. We have a better understanding of the art of bull fighting thanks to Juan. He would explain to us while watching some corridas on the TV, the rules, the reaction of the public, the passes, etc. And he would know immediately whether a bull would be a good one or should be sent off. He also loved collecting mushrooms and would go as far as Grazalema to collect them. I used to see him in the Sierra de las Nieves while walking with guests during the mushroom season. The mushroom season is about to start....

We will never forget you Juan. Showing us how to cut Jamon properly, giving us the key to his gate so we could park our vehicles somewhere safe from fireworks during any festivities happening in the village... We will never forget 2 years ago, inviting us to his house on Christmas Eve. What a wonderful night it was, spent with his family, feeling part of his family. And actually driving to our house on New Year’s Eve to physically take us to his house to spend New Year’s Eve with his family! Since we were on our own, he told us they were our adoptive family for that night! What an honour! And how generous and thoughtful! We will never forget these very special moments.

The church service was very quick; Juan would have actually laughed at it as the priest was talking so fast, it looked as if he was late to catch a train!!! Nobody stood up to say something about him, and I felt it such a shame that the life of such a man wasn’t celebrated (I guess, too short a time to prepare an eulogy or maybe not the custom), but I feel the need to at least do it here, in our blog.

After the short rather noisy service (the church was full and lots of people were standing outside), we all followed Juan and his family to the cemetery. Some of the villagers took some long church candles to presumably walk with them lit, but it was so windy and stormy that the candles never got lit. I wonder if Juan saw the funny side of this...

We then gathered round the “pigeon-hole” like tomb where his coffin was slid in, and everybody watched the village builder, Jesus, blocked the tomb with bricks and cement. There were so many people, and the alleys being narrow, we were spread out in the cemetery, amongst graves. We couldn’t see much apart from tops of heads and right in front of us, an expense of land in front of the cemetery full of cars, where a 4x4 was trying to get out and ran into 2 cars in the process while being supposedly guided by another man!!! So surreal, but a great reminder of the Andalucian practical outlook on life, life goes on. When Jesus finished his work and the crowd started dissipating, we walked down to the grave to hug again distraught Juan’s daughters and wife and immediate family.

Saddest day in Cartajima. We will miss you Juan. Rest in peace.

September walking in Andalucia

2009-09-05T06:59:00.000-07:00

Even though it is September now, it is still very hot here in Andalucia, but temperatures were just fine for walking this morning, with a lovely cool breeze keeping us cool!

We have got some friends staying with us and Zuzka and I fancied going walking. We walked to parauta from Cartajima, a great path in hot weather as it meanders through Sweet Chestnut groves, which provided us with some lovely shade.

The sweet chestnuts are looking great now in their spiky green husks. The villagers in this valley are now hoping it will rain soon in order to enable the sweet chestnuts to get bigger.

The sky was an amazing clear deep blue, providing a dramatic contrast to the white pueblos blancos and the grey limestone outcrops of Los Riscos and the round features of the mountain Almola.

To round off nicely our walk, we wondered in the little streets of charming Parauta. Here are a few photos of our walking and of the white village of Parauta.

Summer walking in Andalucia, Spain

2009-07-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

I have managed to fit in a lovely walk despite the heat! Rona, a friend of ours, came to visit us to exchange some Reiki sessions with me and we went for a walk the following morning in the Genal Valley. Rona is a reflexology and Reiki practitionner and a hang glider instructor and she also runs Suroma holidays, offering activity holidays, law of attraction courses and yoga and 5 rhythm dancing workshops. We meet up once in a while to exchange Reiki sessions, which is always great! We should do it more often really!

We set off for our walk at about 9am and it was already quite hot! But, thankfully, the path we followed meandered through Sweet Chestnut woodland, enabling us to walk mainly in the welcome, cool shade of these majestuous trees. They are actually in bloom at the moment, turning the whole valley yellow. Their yellow blossom is very pungent and I would imagine that the pollen count would be quite high at present in the upper Genal Valley!

The bottom of the valley was also very cool and shady, where we crossed a cristal clear river, which eventually joins the Genal River.

We don't normally advertise walking holidays in the Summer because of the heat, but on the rare occasions we have had walking guests, we normally set off walking at 8am. This way, most of the walking is done when it is still cool. If you are walking independently in Andalucia, try setting off about 8am and aim to finish your walk by 10:30 / 11am.

We then reached Parauta, a Pueblo blanco or white village and enjoyed a welcome andalucian breakfast (toast with olive oil and a coffee) in the lovely courtyard of the restaurant El Anafe, which is covered with flowers. What a lovely way to start the day!

Christmas walking holiday in Andalucia, Spain

2009-07-05T05:30:00.000-07:00

Since it is too hot to be doing any walking at present over here in Andalucia, we are planning our next special walking holiday: a Christmas walking holiday in andalucia for those who fancy doing something very different for Xmas this year. We are mainly aiming this Christmas walking holiday to singles or divorced, widowed or recently separated people who enjoy walking in small friendly groups. Christmas can be so stressful but also very sad if you are going to spend it on your own. So, we would like to make it a fun and relaxing time!

We have chosen this time the Altamira apartments for the accommodation of this Christmas walking holiday. The flats are very nicely decorated and cosy with wood burning stoves and central heating. They will make a perfect setting for a fun and friendly holiday. These lovely flats are self-catering, but if you fancy having a fully relaxing holiday, there are 2 bar/restaurants in the village where you can have delicious tapas or meals at very reasonnable prices.

As per usual, the walking will be tailored to the group's need. December is normally nice and dry, so we should be able to enjoy lovely walks in nice weather, in the Genal valley and in the Sierra de las Nieves national park.

An added bonus, for those who are fed up with the Xmas count down and all the commercialism associated to it, Christmas is not a big thing here in Andalucia. They celebrate instead the 3 Wise Men (6 January). So, you can easily get away from it all over here!

For more information on this special walking holiday, click on our Christmas walking holiday.

How about yoga and walking holidays in Andalucia?

2009-06-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

A friend of ours, Kate McHardy, is teaching Yoga classes at the Hotel Molino del Santo in Benaojan, Andalucia, Spain, just outside Ronda, and I thought it could be a good thing for me to join this yoga class in order to stay supple. And... I love it! She is such a great teacher and I feel so energised after each yoga sessions. It is a very round practise, which not only gives you a good work out but is also very relaxing and centering.

I am so delighted with these yoga classes, that I thought it could be a good idea to offer a yoga and walking holiday in Andalucia this August to start with... The hotel Bandolero would be a great venue for it since David and Ivan have now a lovely spacious Art gallery / workshop room upstairs with French windows leading onto the terrace, looking over the swimming pool.

So, we are now working on a yoga and walking holiday package with kate and David and Ivan and we should have it advertised on our website shortly.

Let us know what you think about a yoga and walking holiday in Andalucia. Is it a good idea? Is there anything that we should include in particular?

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this.

Relaxing break in andalucia, Spain

2009-06-12T08:35:00.000-07:00

It is now getting rather hot in our Genal Valley, Andalucia, and the walking season is winding down now. We have been busy though walking with another delightful guest, Barbara, who joined us for a Relaxing break in Andalucia.

We went walking in the morning to different white villages of the Genal Valley (Alpandeire where we had great views over Morocco, Cartajima and Parauta) and, as Barbara was very fit, we also walked in the stunning Biosphere Reserve of la Sierra de las Nieves where we walked up a steep footpath through the indigenous Pinsapo pines, stopping to take in the views and the flowers still in bloom. After about a 400 m climb, our effors were rewarded by the superb views over Ronda, San Pedro (Costa del Sol), the Genal valley and its white villages and Torrecilla (the highest peak in the National park at over 1900 meters). We then meandered down a wider track and stopped to have a picnic half way down while enjoying the views. We went to see afterwards, the impressive 26 meters high Pinsapo de las Escalateras nearby.

Barbara also enjoyed some of the wellbeing activities on offer and the complementary natural soaps and bath salts which are handmade in Andalucia and sold in Ronda in the Andalucia Soap Campany shop owned by Sara, a friend of ours, situated Calle Sevilla 23. David, actually kindly gave to Barbara these lovely natural products that he has available in the hotel and this made us decide to make it part of our Relaxing Break packages. It will be indeed great for our future guests to enjoy beautiful walks and then relaxing massages or natural face-lifting massages, etc... followed by a lovely bath with natural handmade salts...

Thank you once again Barbara for your kindness and generosity and for the lovely time we had in your company.

We have also decided to have now a minimum number of 2 bookings for our Relaxing breaks so that our guests don't feel too lonely in the evenings in the hotel Bandolero, when it is quiet, as was the case with Barbara.

We are not scheduling any walking holidays now until september but our Relaxing Breaks in Andalucia, Spain are available throughout the Summer. It is in fact an ideal time as you can also make the most of the hotel swimming pool! Click on the following link if you would like to find out more about our Relaxing breaks in Andalucia.

Photos of flowers in Andalucia, Spain - early May

2009-06-08T04:04:00.000-07:00

Here are a few photos of flowers we encountered on some of our walks in the Alto Genal, Andalucia, Southern Spain, which were taken by Helen Boyton, early May. She kindly gave us the permision to post them here. The Serrania de Ronda is indeed spectacular in Spring with its incredible variety of wild flowers. This year, early May was exceptionnally great for wild flowers. Contrary to what most people would expect from Andalucia, the Genal valley is very lush in Spring with its forest of Sweet Chestnut trees doning their new fresh green leaves and its wild flowers growing in meadows in more exposed areas or adding some accents of colours under the dapple shade of Oak and Sweet Chestnut woodlands. If you love wild flowers, April and May are the time to visit this non touristic area of Andalucia.

Grey-Leaved Sunrose

White-Leaved Bugloss

Viper's Grass

White Cistus

Poem about Juzcar, Andalucia, Spain

2009-05-27T09:57:00.001-07:00

David Stuntz wrote these 2 lovely poems during one of our walking holidays in Andalucia, based in Júzcar, and kindly emailed them to us so we could post them here.

The first poem is about the andalucian white village of Júzcar and its predominant mountain Almola and depicts vividly the area and its people.

The second is about.... me! So touching! Thank you so much David! I hope you will enjoy reading them.

David also added a fabulous poetic touch to this walking holiday by reading to us all poems from Jimenez, during our lunches in some of the lovely andalucian restaurants we walked to. Thank you very much David for sharing Jimenez poems and your own poems with us!

A Drama In One Act
Júzcar, Andalucia, May, 2009

The curtain opens to the sight of
las casas of Júzcar clinging to steep slopes,
like natural outcroppings.
The sheer limestone face of la Montaña Almola
frowns overhead, angered by centuries of pillage,
its rock quarried for walls and white-wash.

It is late afternoon and siesta is over. Long shadows
accentuate the stark whiteness of the village.
Young school girls, slim in their tight jeans,
flirt with boys, pretending not to.
Boys as lithe as matadors,
eyes intense as Flamenco dancers.

Up the narrow, winding spotless streets,
old women and grandfathers, like El Greco portraits,
gossip in doorways, beneath balconies
where wrought iron railings
support roses in full bloom.

Tension mounts as the play begins.

To Sandrine
So Much More Than Our Guide
Andalucia, May 2009

I recall a Booted Eagle floating
in lazy circles, hardly moving
its graceful wings, so at one with
its environment; so aware of every inch
of its terrain. Like Sandrine.
Forget the predatory aspect for the moment.

I recall three dogs, herding
a flock of goats to fresh pasture.
One Mastiff, two Spanish Water Dogs.
With broad smiles, they came to greet us,
then quickly returned to their task.
Leading and protecting. Like Sandrine.

I recall the white Asphodel, standing
tall and alone, but somehow belonging there
amongst the May bloom of Andalucia.
A seed from some foreign land, transported
by a frivolous breeze, a wandering bird.
Like Sandrine.

David Stuntz
Júzcar, Andalucia, Spain,

May 3-14, 2009

Photo gallery of our wonderful walking group, early May 2009

2009-05-22T09:25:00.000-07:00

With fond memories, we are posting some of the photos we took of the wonderful walking group we had the immense pleasure to welcome and guide in the Alto Genal, Andalucia, Spain. We enjoyed fantastic weather, beautiful walks, a great flamenco show in Ronda and we were blessed with a myrial of wild flowers... Thank you Barbara, Bruce, David, Helen and Margaret for such a lovely week!

Gaelic workshop and Ceilihd in Júzcar!

2009-05-18T05:44:00.000-07:00

Never in a million years would you imagine a Gaelic language workshop and Ceilihd happening in Júzcar, Southern Andalucia! Well it did happen and we had the pleasure to be involved in it with a late afternoon guided walk starting from above Alpandeire down to Júzcar along the dramatic limestone outcrop of Los Riscos.

This leisurely walk offered the group a very informal way of learning more Gaelic. Fiona MacKenzie and Gillebride MacMillan, prize winners and famed Gaelic singers, organised this event at the Hotel Bandolero which had become Gaelic for the occasion with Scottish flags flapping lightly under the Andalucian sun and little posters stuck everywhere showing the names of everything in Gaelic!

We had a fantastic time with Fiona and Gillebride as well as Christine from the Isle of Lewis, Ian and Mary from the UK and Josepe from Catalonia who did so well mixing Gaelic, English and Spanish! To round up the event, Fiona and Gillebride organised a Ceilihd to which we went with some friends! One of our friends, Kate McHardy, impressed us with an off the cuff Gaelic song she sang beautifully as well as a solo dance! We had the privilege to enjoy Fiona and Gillebride singing and there was plenty a dancing and singing (Gaelic as well as Spanish!), ending fantastically this Gaelic workshop.

The Bea Eaters are back!

2009-04-11T05:41:00.000-07:00

The multicoloured iridescent Bea eaters have indeed come back from Africa since beginning of April! The cherry trees, which are another products people here grow to sell, have bloomed and are now in leaf. And the sweet chestnut trees are now starting to don their fresh green delicate leaves. The weather is still lovely interspersed with a few rainy days.

Last Tuesday, I went for a gorgeous walk with 2 of our guests, Niamh and Connie, in the National Park of la Sierra de las Nieves. It was a very dramatic day, windy and cloudy, but by the time we reached the top of the Puerto de los Pilones, the clouds had burnt off, leaving a few cumuli here and there in the distance and leaving us dramatic views over the Costa del Sol, Ronda, the Alto and Bajo Genal valleys and Gilbraltar shrouded in dark clouds in the distance. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see Morocco this time. The walk up on the single path through wind shaped Pinsapo Pines glistening in the sun with cloud moisture, was nice and cool and we saw quite a few deep pink Orchids (Dactylorhiza incarnate) and lavender in bloom. On the way down, following a wide dirt road, making it easy to enjoy the scenery, eagles soaring and lovely views, we saw pockets of miniature daffodils. A rare sights too: a young wild mountain goat on its own, on the track, which seemed to be poorly. It kept walking ahead of us keeping itself at a safe distance from us. It managed to find a little opening off the track on the left and tried to hide from us there. We walked past it and reported its sighting as soon as we saw a park ranger who confirmed that it must either be poorly and abandoned or its mother must have died and it is starved. They were going to try and find it and help it back to health.

After a little picnic back at the recreational area where we had left our truck (the northerly wind was too cold to eat higher up), we went to see the Pinsapo de la Escalatera, a 26 meters high Pinsapo pine with a 5 meters diameter. On the way, we saw a pale pink Pyramid Orchid.

More walks!

2009-03-17T01:06:00.000-07:00

We are still experiencing amazingly warm weather, sunshine and deep blue skies! And making the most of it! Ian and I discovered another new walk a few days ago, which is lovely and very different again from the ones we know. We left our truck at the lovely railway station of Benaoján (Estación de Benaoján) and crossed the railway line and a little bridge to follow a lovely single path meandering up and down along the river Guadiaro for 7.5 kms with about 200 meters ascent and 250 meters descent, leading to Estación de Jimera de Libar. It is a very spectacular walk with gorgeous vistas over the river Guadiaro and surrounding mountains. We saw Orchids which looked like Bee Orchids. Once in Jimera de Libar, we ate on the sunny terrace of the Allioli friendly bar and then caught a train back from Jimera’s station.

The swallows are busy nesting and we spotted birds of prey flying in the distance. We couldn’t make out though whether they were Booted Eagles or Short Toed Eagles.

A few almond trees are still in bloom but most of them have now fresh green leaves. The Plum trees though are in full bloom and the meadows of blue lupins are appearing here and there!

Sunday walk in the Alto Genal, Andalucia

2009-03-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

The weather was so lovely yesterday, that it was a shame not to make the most of it! Ian was collecting a friend from Ronda and taking him to Júzcar, so we organised to meet up at the Hotel/Restaurant El Bandolero. I set off to Júzcar (one of the 7 white villages of the Alto Genal) under a deep blue sky. I also had in mind to discover a newly opened path.

The walk to Júzcar from Cartajima is very easy with a steep descent of 250 meters and a gentle climb of 100 meters. The path was bordered with light purple Periwinkles, Daisies and clumps of lilac crocus-like Romulea Bulbicodium here and there. On the Júzcar side, there were a few pockets of strong scented Narcissus Tazetta.

A flock of Griffon Vultures were thermalling effortlessly and “cackling” above me and a myriad of small birds were chirping away in the trees as well as Green Woodpeckers emitting their distinctive laughing songs while flying inconspicuously in the woods in the distance. I could also hear the sharp hammering noise of a woodpecker resonating in the valley. I also disturbed a couple of Jays which flew off from one tree to another squawking loudly.

It was lovely and warm (T-shirt weather) and it felt good to alternate between sunny and shady parts of the path. The Sweet Chestnut trees are still bare but the path also meanders through oak trees and cork oaks which provide a lovely canopy and cooling shade. Temperatures must have been about 20 degrees, which was very pleasant for walking.

The newly opened path was lovely, mainly amongst oaks and cork oaks with a few Tree Heathers (Erica Arborea) covered in white blossom on the edge of the path and deep red earth underfoot and gorgeous views over Pujerra, one of the 7 villages of the Alto Genal. But it was a bit disappointing as it was only short (about 30 minutes) and marker posts had been removed which I found later on dumped in a heap behind a tree! The path had also been obstructed in one place with heavy branches! So I had to scramble round! Obviously, a farmer not very keen on this newly opened footpath!!! To my knowledge, there are only 2 other signposted walks where unfortunately signs disappear or get switched round (no entry with the path mark)! But, I have never met yet an unwelcoming farmer or shepherd on the walks in the area! They are all so nice and talkative and always wanting to make sure you know your way and won’t get lost.

Once in Júzcar, which is a real sun trap, nestled in the mountain side facing South West, I met David and Ivan from El Bandolero and their 2 Finish guests, “Duti” and Jan, who had just come back from a lovely mountain bike ride in the Sierra de las Nieves. I sat with them on the restaurant terrace, enjoying great conversation while sipping Ivan’s gorgeous, refreshing strawberry milkshake. Ian and Chris joined us later on and we ended up finishing off the day with a few delicious tapas in great company!

Spring is in the air!

2009-02-28T05:34:00.000-08:00

After a very cold and wet winter, it is warming up at last and it feels like spring is starting! All the locals kept moaning about it and telling us that it hasn’t been that cold for at least 50 years!

The last few weeks though have been delightful with sunshine, deep blue skies and warm temperatures.

The Wide-leaved Irises (Iris Planifolia) have been adding deep purple splashes to the grassy hills sloping down from the dramatic limestone rocky outcrops overlooking Cartajima since December and the delicate Hoop Petticoat Daffodils (Narcissus Bulbocodium) can now be seen in a few rocky pockets too. The lovely light purple Periwinkles (Vinca Difformis) against its dark green foliage are gracing nearby streams and mountain sides. The Hairy Blue Lupins (Lupinus Micranthus) are about to bloom along the paths and under the sweet chestnut trees still bare.

The migratory birds are also making an appearance! The swallows have been back for over a week now in Juzcar and just a few days in Cartajima. Cartajima being a lot higher from Juzcar maybe accounts for them not arriving at the same time… They are actually earlier than the previous years. They normally come back beginning of March. The Eagles should follow very soon!

Spring is indeed in the air!