Here’s to a Happy and Healthy 2020
Don’t forget walking is good for both your physical and mental health, so why not join us?
What a few weeks it has been as our walking programme got into full swing. The fabulous Murcian countryside has been at its autumnal best with mainly clear blue skies and amazing colours. It has been a bit chilly at the start of walks, but you soon get warmed up when you get into your stride. Trying to select photos has been difficult as there are so many fabulous ones taken during the walks and a big thank you to the many photographers. When I see the photos posted on our Facebook page I have one of two reactions, either “It looks like I missed a really great walk,” or “I don’t remember seeing that.” People spot very different things and I really admire people who can walk and take shots as I can only do one or the other.
Tina and Kevin showed the group the delights of the area around the Embalse de Cenajo; a walk of 10 km. The first part of the walk followed the River Segura on a wide-open track and it had everything; river, reservoir, paddy fields and fabulous trees. This would have made it into our walking book, but part of it is across private land and Tina and Kevin were able to get permission for us to cross this section.
Archivel and Barranda is an area of Murcia new to many of the group and the day was led with great enthusiasm by Alfonso. It was nearly 18km and it included two steep climbs to Roman settlements, where the weather at the top was very windy. It is hard to pick highlights, but lunch was pretty amazing (sadly I couldn’t stay) and so was the visit to the Museo de la Música Étnica de Barranda and we were treated to a guided tour which included the group making music. Well worth another visit.
My partner Chris and I showcased our local area, Casas Nuevas. Judging by the comments we had from the group they thoroughly enjoyed the 16km walk up into the Parque Regional Sierra Espuña and then through an area called Umbria del Bosque. The weather was perfect and the colours of the rock faces were spectacular. It was warm enough afterwards to eat outside on the terrace at Albergue SIULA who did us proud with a gorgeous meal.
Martin and Jessica decided it was time to really stretch out and led a pretty challenging walk in Sierra de Ricote, ‘El Estrecho del Moro’. The group covered 19km including a lot of walking uphill and crossing the mountain twice. It took six hours including a stop for a picnic lunch. One of our Facebook members commented “Thank you WARM for a challenging but very satisfying walk today – a feeling of contented fatigue this evening”
January Walks:
Thursday16th – Los Bebedores
Saturday 25th – Caravaca
February Walks:
Saturday 1st – NW Murcia
Saturday 15th – Calasaparra
Saturday 22nd – San Pedro del Pinatar
Saturday 29th – Moratalla
Details of each WARM walk is normally sent out about a fortnight ahead. If you are interested in joining us on a walk and want to be on our mailing list contact Norma on Warm2005@gmail.com indicating your nearest town. Most outings are in Northwest Murcia (approximately 1½ hours’ drive from the coast).