It’s now Monday, February 18 and having given my knees and feet a day off, it’s time for another hike! This time we used google earth overhead views to pick an interesting caldera which was very black and circular.
The first entry point to the trek indicated that the path was closed for bird mating season. Back down the road we stopped at a small shop / tourist spot and bought some cheese, bread, chorizo, and honey rum for our hike. When we asked the lovely lady at the shop about the hike, she pointed us to an entry point across the road. This entry point merely indicated to stay on the path – so we left our car and headed off well stocked.
This turned out to be one of our best hikes ever. We hiked in first across a rubble wasteland where the path was difficult to find at times. En route, we came across a lovely largish blue egg which had been compromised. And then up to the top of the caldera where a symbolic swig of honey rum and some delicious cheese jump started our trek. The route around the caldera was pretty sketchy; I should highlight not due to the honey rum, just plain out a very narrow path with steep drops on both sides. We had a challenging time figuring out the route around at times, having to dip into and out of the top edge to find a navigable path. One of my most invigorating hikes for sure!
Once we hit about the 90% done mark, we stopped for a lunch and as we were wrapping up, we noticed a ‘police’ car drive in – quite interesting and raised our wonder as to the reason; then it sounded the siren – which further piqued our interest and had our attention as to what emergency???; then the driver got out and waved at us; we promptly gave energetic return waves, but at which point we wondered if the lady in the shop was concerned about our welfare??? But alas, no one was concerned for our welfare – rather it was concern for the birds. It turns out we were hiking in an off limits area! From the end of January through to August the birds – buzzards – are breeding. They are protected, endangered and unique to this mountain. As per the ranger, there are many, many volcanoes we are free to hike – BUT NOT THIS ONE! He was very passionate about his cause, and we attempted to explain that we truly meant no harm – and that the path entry did not indicate closure – only to stay on the path – and that the woman at the shop indicated it was open, but he was quite agitated. So he escorted us down and luckily we were spared any fines or arrests. Quite the added memory to our days adventure.
But one hike is never enough. So our next stop was the Dam at Penitas. A bit of a challenge to find, with more nerve racking driving for Dan, and several spots with goats hillside. It was well worth the effort to get there though.
We started on what looked like private property, but opened up to the topside of the dam with what appeared to be quicksand. But firm testing confirmed it was capable of supporting lots of weight. It turns out the dam was from 1940-ish. At the time it enabled farming in the valley but the dam didn’t continue all that long due to the rapid collection of silt which filled in the reservoir. There is a wonderful chapel down the valley past the dam wall – which itself was fantastic. Here there were some nesting birds (not buzzards!) including a pair of ducks. The colours of the rocks down the valley walls were vibrant and changing in the late sun – I am hopeful that Michael was able to capture them.
Once again we took advantage of the burned calories and headed for a major meal. This time to La Horna – in Villa Verde near our BnB. SO MUCH MEAT!!! The starter of croquettes of Iberian ham (pigs are only acorn fed) was like butter. I had goat stew, and the others shared an Iberian pig platter for 3 (should have done 2!!!). The stew was good, but the pork platter was amazing – the platter had potatoes, red peppers, sausages, 3 cuts of pork; ‘between the ribs’, neck and ‘breast’. We also had shared desserts and wine and coffee. As is common at the nicer restaurants, our meal was followed with free house liqueurs – this time a house secret. We think perhaps honey or agave rum with cream and cinnamon on top. Despite being our largest bill yet at 120 Euro (or $90Cdn per couple all in), it was very reasonable considering the feast!
Oh my, those poor birds. 🙂