My first focus this month is a very administrative but necessary part of being a formal association; the Annual General Meeting. Our aims are:
Organise walking routes (mainly within the Region of Murcia) to enjoy the countryside, physical exercise and friendship, sharing many mutual interests.
Promote membership of people from different nationalities and the interchange of languages (mainly English and Spanish) likewise, exchanging different cultures.
Promote friendship and an appreciation and knowledge of open spaces, towns, villages, areas, culture, and gastronomy.
Welcome new members without prejudice against colour, race, beliefs or sexual orientation, etc., actively and without discrimination.
Support projects that coincide with the objectives of the association.
Those of you who read this column regularly will have seen evidence of this in how we operate. To discharge our responsibilities, we must have an AGM. Last year we had to be very creative because of COVID and we had a virtual event via the internet. This year we had a very short meeting and did our important business and then made a fuss of our wonderful retiring President, Jessica O’Hanlon. The pictures show her with some of her gifts which all had a Murcian theme and she has a photo book with comments from some of our members.
I will give you a few highlights of the walks since 15th October, the cut off for November’s copy.
After the AGM, the WARM walk of the four hills, was led by our new President Martin and his wife Jess, (our ex-President). It was an 18-20km walk, depending on whose device you believe! It was certainly challenging, but the views at the top were stunning. It was the first long walk for some time and there were some tired bodies at the end.
The Swarmers, led by me and husband Chris, set off from the schoolhouse at la Bermeja on their own 10k challenge. It was an undulating walk through the Ricote countryside with a few short uphill sections. Thankfully the picnic was in the shade as it was a hot day.
On Saturday 23rd October we were at La Noria of Abarán on the River Segura to Siyasa the Moorish ruined town overlooking Cieza on Atalaya for a walk led by Cedric. This, as always, was a bit of a ‘magical mystery tour’. It was good to see plenty of water in the Segura.
I also led the final walk of October which was a SWARM special. Apart from steps up from the beach at Isla Plana, it was completely flat and followed the coast from Ermita Nuestra Señora del Carmen to Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción. There were benches for a picnic and two people even had a swim! I swam at the end and avoided the cameras!
Future Walks
December
Saturday 4th – Los Grenedicos – WARM
Saturday 11th – Calasparra (Christmas Walk) – SWARM & WARM
If you would like to join one of our walks, then please email WARM2005@gmail.com and let us know where in the Murcia area you live.