After three days of constant rain we decided to
cancel the planned U3A Green Horse walk.
Although Thursday was forecast to be clear and sunny, we considered that
it would be too wet, muddy and slippery for hill walking. Instead we offered this linear walk along
Los Rotas followed by Cabo San Antonio to the windmills above Javea. We notified the four walkers who were
expected to do the Green Horse walk, but unfortunately all opted not to do this
alternative. However having missed our
Monday walk, and spent three days indoors looking at grey skies, we decided to
do it anyway. And it turned out to be a
very enjoyable walk
We noticed these two very unusual dogs, not a bark
between them. They looked more like the
grumpy old men from the Muppet Show.
Instead of walking up the road to the tower, we took
the track on the opposite side of the valley towards the abandoned
urbanisation. We had to climb just as
much, but it was easier going on the reasonably dry track, rather than the
concrete road.
We first visited this abandoned housing project nine
years ago, and we never cease to be struck by what a shame it was to be
abandoned. I understand that it was an
illegal build, but it’s actually more of an eye sore abandoned than had it been
finished.
You can see what wonderful views they would have had
from this area
The buildings have been turned into a colourful art
gallery, which is an improvement on the previous bare walls
When we first visited some of the buildings were
almost complete. They had been tiled and
wired for lighting. All have now been
vandalised and are empty shells
After a short water stop we made our way across the
open heathland to the Windmills. Much
of the damage from the fire last year has been covered by new undergrowth, and
many of the fire damaged trees have been cut down.
We arrived just before 1pm and found a sheltered spot
for our picnic lunch. It was warm and
sunny, but the wind was quite cool.
The picnic spot at the Windmills is the highlight of
this walk, with its beautiful views over Javea and the coast beyond
We have often admired the very individual buildings
which you find on the Cabo San Antonio, and this must be one of the most
impressive. Very much a “new age”
looking house it must surely have had a very imaginative owner.
The difference since our last visit, before the fire,
was very striking. The whole area was
now open and offered wide views. There
were still a few fire damaged trees, but most have been cleared.
The cairns were hardly necessary now, as you could
see from one side to the other. Someone
has spent a lot of time buildings new cairns, or perhaps they have just been
hidden by the dense undergrowth in the past.
Jan felt the need to add to this monster cairn.
Returning on the opposite side of the valley we had
this excellent view of the whole of the abandoned urbanisation. What a terrible waste of money, and no doubt
many dreams and hopes of those who had bought “off plan”.
We soon reached the tower, where we had a short water
stop to admire the views along the coast
It’s a long walk back to the marina, and we often
stop at this rustic bar. It’s about the
only one where you can get a coffee and do not have to have a meal, and it’s
always very busy.
Finally the closest we could get to a “group photo”
today. It’s a shame that there has been
so little interest in the Thursday Explorers but hopefully numbers will
gradually increase.
David and Rosemary are back from Portugal next week,
and we plan to tackle his “Fossil Walk” from Pinos to Marnes.
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