A Hard Walk - But What Rewards!
By nariz
23 comments
Having finally reached the part of the year when the Summer tourists and the annoying flies have gone – it’s time to start our walks and climbs again. We got ‘soft’ over the Summer – a combination of lazing around on the balcony with vino and just enjoying the garden without too much work to do, so we decided a ‘gentle’ walk was the right way to go as a starter. Why, then, did we decide to take the route out of the village we drove to which pointed to ‘Picu Jano?’ Surely even our sketchy knowledge of Spanish should have alerted us that ‘picu’ means ‘peak’ – therefore an upward slog! So, undaunted, off we set looking back at the village on the way.
The track was a constant uphill slog, not made any easier by the fact that we were not on top form, therefore walking upwards made our legs feel like lead and as though we were struggling through a tide of treacle!
Then there was a gap in the track-edging trees:
This began to look interesting and spurred us on to greater heights. We even began to stop moaning about our legs acheing and noticed a few interesting things along the way, like this fungi on a tree:
and the amazing knobbly bole of this oak tree:
I wonder what the story is there?
We carried on upwards, groaning all the way, until we finally reached the peak and had the most amazing 360 degree views:
Lunch at that point was a lovely tortilla made by Partner, the remains of a Victoria Sponge and a flask of coffee. Then we thought cheesy ‘proof’ photos were in order before the descent:
We nearly didn’t make it down as we were challenged by this huge dog – one of the Mastins indiginous to this region and used to guard livestock. He actually came over all soft and silly after scaring us with his deep loud bark, but we made a hasty retreat all the same!
What a fantastic day that was! It’s a walk we’ll definitely do again in the future – if my senior legs can cope with it!
13 Nov, 2011
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Comments
Waht beautiful pics! And sooooo high up!! omg I couldnt have climbed so high as that..I have Vertigo!
Sounds like you had a lovely day out, albeit your legs were sore! THanks for sharing :))))
13 Nov, 2011
Fascinating set of photos Nariz ...
wonderful walk ... :o)))
13 Nov, 2011
Fantastic views from up there. It was definately worth the effort ! I hope you had a good rest after arriving home :o)
13 Nov, 2011
Slept like a log, Hywel!
13 Nov, 2011
Lovely blog and pics,Nariz..well worth the aching legs !
Nice to see you too,looking very happy..must have been the Tortilla,and the achievement..Lol. What is that you are resting against please..and who the heck walked all that way to build it ??
13 Nov, 2011
Oooh, I love the scenery in your part of the world, Nariz, thank you so much for the photos! And well done you for all that climbing.
We've met scary dogs in Greece, so I've now got a "Taser" which is harmless, but makes them back off.
13 Nov, 2011
It's a 'monument' to top the peak, Bloomer - just to show where the peak actually is. You see them on top of many mountains - there's one on Cribyn in the Brecon Beacons in South Wales if you're ever in that neck of the woods, one on Montgo in Javea, Southern Spain, another on Coriscao, San Glorio, near here. I think it's so that cheesy photos can be taken to prove that the person in the photo standing by whichever monument actually made the climb.
We've wondered in the past whether we should have a taser, Sheila, but we've found that although these Mastins make a dreadful scary racket when they bark, under all the flashing eyes and snarling teeth they are really soft and silly and enjoy a pat or two. Having said that, I shall probably be back on here in a few weeks saying that I can no longer type with both hands as I've lost one to a Mastin! ;o)
Thanks for all your comments. Nice to know that other people appreciate my lovely little world.
13 Nov, 2011
Great blog nariz & lovely pics..wouldnt get me up there though ..well done.:o)
13 Nov, 2011
Wow Nariz, the views are fabulous, I`d love to have been with you, thankyou for sharing...
13 Nov, 2011
Lovely sharing this walk with you ... I would have been rooted to the spot if that dog had come so close ... just have a fear of large dogs ... :o(
13 Nov, 2011
Hi Nariz,Wooow wonderful, stunning, i would love to have been with you :)
13 Nov, 2011
Thanks all. :o)
14 Nov, 2011
A wonderful place for a walk such amazing views, you did very well. Not sure my poor old knees would make it now lol
15 Nov, 2011
I wonder about the reliability of my 'poor old knees' every time I start a walk but, even though I ache for a couple of days afterwards, they've not given up on me yet! :o)
16 Nov, 2011
Sometimes you just have to get on with it......don't you?
18 Nov, 2011
Precisely!
19 Nov, 2011
I love this blog! I can't stop smiling. Wow! it is beautiful and tranquil looking ...with a 360 that's just breathtaking! Glad you shared this. Walks like that are good for the mind as well as the bod!
19 Nov, 2011
That's just what we feel, Lori! An achievement of this kind bolsters us up for days.
20 Nov, 2011
Had a little chuckle to myself about your description of the quietude...but would (from my childhood living in a tourist town) reversed the adjectives...annoying tourists and summer flies! LOL....I do that now because I'm a "Local" again.
26 Nov, 2011
The reversal of those adjectives works very well here. Lori!
26 Nov, 2011
Great to read about your climb up that "pico!" What fantastic views you had as a reward for persevering to the top! Around here we have an odd "pimple" or two on the "pancake" countryside. That's why we love going back to Cuenca with all the high hills around, you feel sort of "cradled" between the high hills. Though walking up & down the hill to my mother-in-law's flat has become very "telling" on the old legs now! We marvel how years ago we could run up & down them with no fuss - now we look like a pair of old codgers! LOL!
26 Nov, 2011
You and me both, Balcony! I huff and puff and groan my way up mountains, but I refuse to give up! Mountains are such fantastic 'beings' and really put you in your place in the scheme of things! I can fully understand why the Nepalese and Tibetans pay such homage to Chomolungma (Everest) and refer to it as 'Mother.' I feel priviledged to live surrounded by lovely peaks.
27 Nov, 2011
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What beautiful place, how wonderful to have such lovely walks and views on your doorstep.
13 Nov, 2011