Healthy Walking Group report, February 2016

26th/28th January. Teulada, Els Molins, Castellon

It was very misty for the Tuesday walk and there were no views. 24 members

enjoyed the walk which started at Teulada Cemetery and had some steep parts to it.

On 28th the sun shone and 47 enjoyed wonderful views from the renovated mill at the top of El Molins urbanisation. Walkers were interested in the excavations near the car park which have opened up a large cave and remains of buildings in it. Roman?

Wednesday 27th January. Regular Walkers New Year Meal.

47 regular walkers met at La Brisa,Teulada for an enjoyable and noisy get together.

A comment was made about some not recognising some of the diners. As we do the same walk twice a week, regular walkers on Tuesday do not often meet those who walk on Thursday! Non walking partners were also at La Brisa.

The Blossom Walks

2nd/4th February Parcent, south through orange, almond & olive groves

Robert Verbruggen works out the walks schedule and every six weeks he emails it to all members of the walking group. Two days before the scheduled walk on 2nd February he notified walkers that the Blossom Walks would be the first two weeks of February instead of the last two as the blossom was fully out. Despite this alteration 60 walkers drove to Parcent that Tuesday. That is the largest group to date however Leader John coped admirably. It was cloudy but all enjoyed the beauty of the area. There are areas in the woods where there are tiny daffodils less than 1cm across the flower. Whilst crouching down to photograph them Tim spotted a beautiful Orchid. Coffee was at Castelvie in Alcalali.

31 walkers did the walk on Thursday 4th February. It was cloudy.

9th/11th February Parcent, northwest loop

This is an undulating walk along tracks around hills and orchards ending with a steep hill from the Wash House to the top of the village. Once again it was dull and the blossom looks best with the sun on it and blue sky behind.

38 walkers did the Tuesday walk, but 20 walkers on the Thursday walk were blessed with a fair amount of sunshine which brought out the colours of the countryside. Brian led this walk in reverse and avoided the steep hill for which some walkers were grateful! 18 walkers enjoyed coffee at Tramonti restaurant and some stayed for a meal.

Sadly, shortly after this event, Irene Mowle’s husband Alan, died. The group sent their condolences to Irene.

16th/18th February Benissa to Senija (The Cemetery walk!)

This walk is a level walk through the vineyards and fields including two beautifully kept Cemeteries. 30 or more members did these walks. Coffee was at the little bar at Brico on the Teulada industrial estate.

23rd February Around the country paths from Les Fonts

This walk leaves Les Fonts uphill and then drops into the carefully manicured fields in the valley below the urbanisation. It was a delight to see the neat cultivated fields and we admired a lovely allotment opposite the watermill. The variety of healthy vegetables growing side by side was a credit to the owner. It was unusually hot for February and many went to the bar in Benitaxell to revive with coffee or a beer.