Link to Jan and Paul in Spain 2023 Blog

We have started a new blog for 2023 and you can find it by clicking on the link below

https://leniston2023.blogspot.com/

We have also done a Review of the Year on video on YouTube which you can find here

https://youtu.be/mRje9t9eHN4

 

22-31 December 2022 – Christmas at Rothbury

Our first visit to Rothbury since December 2019

Stuart and family had visited us here in Spain in August

But this was our first visit to the UK since Covid

We had forgotten how cold and wet it could be

But this walk on Simonside brought it all back

It also reminded us how beautiful Rothbury is, even on a cold and grey day

Lovely to share a family Christmas again

We also had a family meal at Cosmo in Newcastle

It is one of those “eat as much as you can”

We tried our best, but the kids won hands down

I managed 4 main and 3 desserts

On New Year’s Day we finally saw the Rothbury Pipe Band

They play outside pubs throughout the valley and then have a quick one inside

19 December 2022 – Benidoleig Seguili

Ten of us today for the last walk of 2022

It was overcast, but dry all day

It did not seem as gray as the photos indicate

And the sun did come through for short periods

It was also warm enough to walk without jackets whilst moving

However you need the sun to experience  this walk at  its best

As always we had frequent water stops to admire the view

And when the sun did shine they were impressive

Because of the weather we made good progress

And has shorter stops than usual

As always “the hill” slowed the pace considerably

And we did stop to move this tiny mouse off the road

And the sun made an appearance as we had lunch

And our final stop was the mirador

Where we had a 15 minute break

To admire the view and take some photographs

The last section is a long, difficult downhill track

We reached the bar right on time at 1500

 

Where Rochelle treated us to two large portions of chips

Temperature – 16c

Time taken – 5 hours

Distance –11 km

 Total Ascent – 460 metres

16 December 2022 – Walking Group Christmas Meal

 

Setting the scene

We had a combined meal for both Monday Ramblers and Valley Explorers

We booked a meal for 19 at Pepe restaurant in Alcalali

But 23 turned up on the day

The waiter was not happy to have four extra paying customers

Which set the tone for a lovely meal but less than lovely service

We were surprised, and very pleased, to receive a number of Christmas presents

Including not one, but two, silver whistles for Jan to control us all on the walks

The group kindly insisted on paying for our meal

A very enjoyable meal and a fitting way to celebrate many happy walks during 2022

15 December 2022 – Lliber River Walk

 

Eight of us today for the last Valley Explorers walk before the Christmas break

I was surprised to see a large group of rock face climbers

You just have to admire their courage

But I thought climbing was banned on this particular rock face

Very pleasant walking conditions today

And lots of very friendly dogs (and dog walkers)

Lovely scenery, despite the cloudy sky

And lots of water/chat breaks

This is a new walk for us

Or rather a variation on an old favourite

The banana stop has been used many times

And was not quite as serious as this photo suggests

We have called it “Lliber river walk”

But of course the river, like many others around, is completely dry

Rochelle, Sarah and Bianca engaged in some tree hugging

We now reached the new part of t he walk

Which was a little used track on the far side of the river

We celebrated with a distribution of sweets when we rejoined the out ward path

Which we followed back to Lliber

And a welcome drink in the square

Temperature – 17c

Time taken – 3 hours

Distance –9 km