11 November 2024 – Parcent to Col de Rates

 

16 of us on today’s walk

Which is more difficult than our usual walks

Most of our walks are gentle valley walks

But once a month we try something more challenging

This is by far the most difficult so far

But it is the most iconic walk in the Jalon valley

And most of the group wanted to do it, at least once

I wanted to have good weather for this one

Not only because the track is more difficult than usual

But also because I wanted them to enjoy the view at the top

No point in all of that hard work if you can’t enjoy the view

The weather forecast had been poor all week

So I arranged to confirm on Sunday whether we would do it or not

The alternative was a valley walk from Parcent to Alcalali

Fortunately the forecast was good on Sunday

It was sunny but cool, ideal for hill walking

I was pleased that everyone reached the mirador without any real trouble

The improved mirador area is a good place to rest and recover after the climb

 But there were mixed feelings when I explained we were not having our picnic there

We stopped so everyone could admire the view and identify our many valley walks using the original stone map

And it was only a short climb to the restaurant

And an opportunity for another group photo

Then a picnic at our seculded  area

With spectacular views of the Jalon and Orba valleys

It was too chilly to sit for long

And we were soon making our way downhill to Parcent

This is a great walk for photo opportunities

Including this old favourite

And I would like to give credit to Martin, Maureen, Tina and Pierre for their lovely photos

It was good to see that the newer information stands now include an English version

Including this history of the “Raisin Trail”

I had so many good photos, including 70 I took, that it was difficult to select those to appear on the blog

 

I try to restrict it to about 20, but there are 38 on this one

We completed our walk with a well deserved drink at the Cooperativa in Parcent

Where Jan joined us for a drink

She was not able to do this one due to hip problems

But hopefully she will be able to walk again soon

It was a very enjoyable walk, and I am sure that everyone will sleep well tonight

Temperature – 11-19c

Time Taken – 5 hours

Distance – 9 km

8 November 2024 – Monday Ramblers Monthly Meal

 This month 24 of us met at Pepe Restaurant in Alcalali

It was a lovely afternoon spent in good company with excellent food

As always the service was excellent, both friendly and efficient

This was also an opportunity to bid farewell to Gary

He has organised all seven meals since our first one in July

Sadly, for us, he is now moving down south with his partner Lesley

Thanks to Lynn who organised the farewell presents and card

He has promised to keep in touch, and will hopefully be able to join the occasional Monday walk

The whole group wished them both all success in their next adventure

 

4 November 2024 – Alcalali to Parcent

 

  

28 of us walking today

It should have been 30, but fortunately two dropped out

It’s not too much of a problem, because they all know each other

And no one is likely to get lost of a valley walk

Once more we had lovely walking weather

Despite having some scattered rain all week

This was Gary’s last walk with the group; he has bought a property down south

It was nice to see Duncan and Marilyn again

They arrived yesterday, but wanted to get out as soon as possible

It is also the last walk for Ann and Peter for this visit

It was really nice to meet up with them again after many years

Everyone was very quiet walking across the bee hive field and no problems this time

The river was not as deep as I had feared it might be

Most followed me in walking across

But a few brave, or fool-hardy ones, did the obstacle course

We had a short break and I gave Jan a ring to meet us at the font in Parcent

Her hip is very painful and she did not want to risk the whole 9km

But did feel up to walking down to the font and then with us to Alcalali

Lynn and Barry seemed to be enjoying the walk, after a break of a few weeks

Jan joined us at the font just after we arrived there

Valencia had decreed a five minute silence at 1200 for victims of the terrible flood

And we had our own during our picnic break at the font

The flood was last Tuesday, but they are still finding bodies in the wide spread destruction caused by the water

It is only 116 km from Parcent to Valencia, and it could so easily have been our Jalon valley which suffered the damage.

It was a more subdued group which set off on the last leg back to Alcalali

But it was not long before there was the usual hum of chatter

With such a large group it is difficult to keep aware of what is happening at the back

And the bigger the group the easier to push the pace and forget the slower ones at the back

So we have frequent water/photo stops to allow everyone to recover

And they are quick to tell me if the pace is too fast

Jan often walks at the front to make sure I keep the pace down

Because it is easy to forget the pace if I get talking with one of the faster walkers

  We had a very short water stop at the Ermita

We needed to decide where to have our after walk drink in Alcalali

Both bars in the square are closed because of the extensive road works

The two alternatives were No Nombre and Musette

We had heard not very good reports about No Nombre

Musette is a cycle cafe and there is not very much space

We decided on No Nombre and were very pleasantly surprised

Very friendly host and lots of space for our larger than normal group

Temperature – 16-19c

Time Taken – 3 hours

Distance – 9 km