Back on track to Los Barrios

Feeling very happy that my leg survived a relatively easy 20kms today with no pain. It is wonderful to be walking again. Rob is being a hero and carrying some of my gear. Not much, just some, okay....

Not a fabulously scenic day but walked through some interesting shrub lands reclaimed from former grazing. However, it was a day of interesting encounters: a locked wire and post gate we eventually found a way to crawl under; a scary big dog who snarled and  barked and jumped up at our backpacks - me first then he had a go at Rob; a couple of dudes in a car who made us feel a little uneasy and made us look back to see they weren't following us with ill intent; a group of storks clacking their beaks in warning; fields of horned beasties we had to pass through, along with their friends, cattle egrets;

a horse who nodded at us; 

and 5 kms of road-walking, the most we've had to do on this trail. We survived. 

Had a nice view of Gibraltar.

Enjoyed the fields of flowers as we approached our destination. 

Arrived in Los Barrios to discover there is a big fiesta here tonight and the town is full of delightfully dressed-up ladies. There is even an open-air rock concert starting at 10 pm. Don't think we'll make it as we're tired - but we will hear it for sure. Actually not sure we'll get much sleep what with the concert, our room above a bar and very lumpy beds!

La Almoraima - or is this heaven?

Well, it was once a convent and we are sitting in the cloisters, birds chattering all around, a big cold glass of gin and tonic at hand! 

We spent most of the afternoon on loungers around the pool - yes, we even swam - 

Rob spent most of the time in the warm toddlers pool. 

This 4 star hotel (which we got for a bargain) is set in a gorgeous garden from which Rob spotted a black-shouldered kite and possibly an Egyptian vulture. He is a happy man. The setting is within the enormous Alcornocales parque natural.

Dinner in the courtyard

We are here because we are optimistically back on our Coast to Coast walk. We do like to finish what we start and the leg has had 10 days to heal. Fingers crossed.

Cadiz

A few days exploring Cadiz further up the coast. Interesting ancient city surrounded by sea. Old, narrow cobbled streets, and easy to walk around the old areas. 

 The Cathedral is massive, Moorish influence obvious.

Lots of cool statuary dotted around.

Nice gardens

Beautiful doors

Plenty of beaches

Interesting museums - Phoenician pots for transporting salted fish

The mercado - there are still fish in the Atlantic

And most important, lots of excellent tapas bars

Sojourn in Tarifa

Views from our window 

That's Africa over there - note the Norfolk Pines

Night scene

Pina coladas

Spot the kite surfers

Castillo de Castellar

Found amazing health service in the small town Jimena de la Frontera. Free consultation with English-speaking Doctor; €1 for huge box of pain killers; examination, ultrasound and taping by physio for a song.

That's my right calf. Small longitudinal tear. You know the drill - Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.

We had made a booking at a hotel in a beautiful 13th century castle in Castillo de Castellar. Found a bus and an exorbitant but informative taxi/tour guide and finally made it. 

Gibraltar in the distance.

So a do nothing day for me following doctor's orders so I can hopefully repair the damage. Make that days - but we will go to Tarifa tomorrow. Too isolated here on a defensive hilltop! Note that Rob seems quite happy to keep me company when he could be out exploring or watching the vultures, kestrels, swifts and crag martins wheeling around!

Difficult day deals disaster!

The morning was fun - cool and easy walk through cork forest. 

A fun hour or so finding our way on a scantily  marked track, walking most of the way with some new-found friends, John and Anne. An easy amble through lovely NZ-like forest. 

A cute shrine in a riverside rock.

We didn't give her any offerings and we were punished for that omission with a horrible afternoon. Hot hot hot long climb, on and on and on. A neverending crawl into Jimena de la Frontera. In  all, 25 kms which took us an unbelievable 10 hours. Resulted in heat rash and an injured calf muscle for Debby. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

Whenever the guide book suggests the day will be a little easier, it turns out to be difficult! The morning was fine - we descended into early morning mist.

Had a quick look at Casa de la Piedra, carved out of a limestone boulder.

Walked along a weird little backstreet as we approached a village and a strange man shouted at us. A little scary.

Later we faced a tricky descent over rock faces, glad there were wires to hold on to.

Crossed a bridge and crawled through a tunnel.

After a hot climb we carefully descended more rocky slabs (which were incredibly slippery) next to the stunning Canyon de Las Buiteras. 

It seemed a long way in the heat alongside the Rio Guadiaro with its emerald green pools.

Hot and tired we fell into the nearest bar for an icy drink before heading to our accommodation for the night. Big day tomorrow! Will my sore right calf survive? Will Rob's sore toe be okay? Arrgh.