18 March 2024 – Alcalali to Jalon

The weather forecast for today was 29c

In fact it was only 25c, plus a cooling breeze

We came prepared for a hard, hot walk

But in fact it was quite peasant, though quite warm

We had 21 on today’s walk

Well above our preferred 12 to 16

However we had four non resident, but well established visitors

We also had a new couple who have recently moved to the Valley

So we made an exception and allowed the bigger than normal group

As often happens this caused minor problems

It quickly broke up into three separate groups

Most of the group knew the return route

And the gap between the three groups became ever longer

This often happens as each group becomes unaware of the other groups

It’s not a great problem

But it can make it more difficult for new members to mix in

This ceased to be a problem when we reached bar Toni at the end of the walk

Temperature – 21 to 26c

Time taken –3.5 hours

Distance – 10 km

11 March 2024 – Lliber Zoo

 17 on today’s walk

This included Robin and Sandra who are here for three weeks

Last walk for Norman and Carole who return to UK tomorrow

Lovely sunny morning, though quite chilly

Nice to have the sun after a couple of cloudy Monday walks

Not much to see at the zoo, we didn’t even stop

So we needed a short break to recover from the hill

I changed the route slightly today

We didn’t go to the river for our picnic break

So we had it at the picnic site near restaurant Val du Pop

It was quite cold sitting down, despite the sun

So everyone spread out to find their own “sun trap”

Previously we walked down the road to Lliber from here

But today we walked along the side of the hill

Lovely views, including this one which has featured in many of our blogs

The track is a little more difficult

Which is why we have not used it for our valley walks

We had a couple of water stops to admire the view

Or to watch and admire this rock climber

I was pleased that everyone managed the track ok

So we can use this new route in future

Lovely and sunny, but quite busy, in the square

We are not allowed to move the tables, but can move the chairs

So we all managed to sit close together, if not at the same table

Lovely walk, lovely group, lovely day

Temperature – 13 to 19c

Time taken –3 hours

Distance – 8 km

4 March 2024 – Jalon Play Area

 This is a new addition to our walk programme

At present we have 12 valley walks, each 9km and about three hour’s duration

We also have three longer walks

These are Isbert Dam, Olta and Bernia

This makes a total of 15 walks

Each year we have 41 walking days (weather permitting)

So we would repeat each walk about three times a year

I would like to increase the number of walks available

However they have to be suitable for the group as a whole

Isbert Dam has a scramble and is a little longer at about 3.5 hours

Olta is a shorter version of the Olta circuit also about 3.5 hours

Bernia is from the car park to the fort, again about 3.5 hours

I would like to add another 5 suitable walks, making a total of 20

This would mean that we do each walk twice a year

This is the first of those extra five walks

The distance is about 9km, but the track is more difficult than normal

It took 3.5 hours to complete

 A few members found it more of a challenge than normal

One found it very difficult, but that was due to a medical condition

Most completed it without difficulty

More important they all enjoyed it, and want to do it again

 This was the easiest of the proposed new walks

We will try another one in two or three weeks

Temperature – 12 to 20c

Time taken –3.5 hours

Distance – 9 km