The Beautiful South
For bureaucratic reasons, we did not travel up to the Sierra de las Nieves, but instead ended up in the Sierra Blanca behind the village of Ojén (a leisurely 20 minute drive from Marbella). We parked up by the cozy Refugio de Juanar, and took the Senda de José Lima (named after one of the old forest guards who in their time rode around on motorbikes and were equipped with rifles – a similar route on the other side of the road is named after the other guard, José Marquez). This route leads down, up and behind the valley, overlooking the pinsapo (Abies Pinsapo – unique to the south of Spain if I’m not mistaken) and chestnut forests. The walk is great for those looking for fresh herbs for their roast or stew… plenty of sage and thyme readily available for the picking. We reached an altitude of 1,105m (according to the pretty print-out handed to us by the monitor) and covered about 5-6km in all. Once back at our starting point at Juanar, we stretched our legs a little further to the ‘mirador’ (viewing point) that overlooks east over Ojén, as opposed to the better-known walk to the main and older mirador, which overlooks the coast. Both provide breathtaking views and a great place to stop for a bite (just remember not to litter!) and relax after such a trek.
It was a great experience, and the people in the group were friendly, down to earth, mostly Spanish and of all ages (for once I was not the youngest in a group!). It would also seem that more and more people are interested in exploring their surroundings and environment, which comforts me as I have observed that the newer, younger generations seem to care very little for them. This movement is also aided by more publicity and lobbying by the local town hall environmental departments. I’m sure more can and will be done, but hats off to all of you for the time and effort you’re putting in. The coast is plagued with construction and sometimes, leisurely as it may be, one needs to escape from the fading paradise of old that has become a concrete jungle, to find some peace and tranquility in the untarnished land. It takes very little effort to change your surroundings for a day, and this often provides us with great moments. Some of which we may not encounter if we stay huddled up in the same spot. So get out there, discover a little of your country, of yourself, either alone or with company. Step out of the dullness that may be overshadowing you. No matter where you are, it could be anywhere… Rotterdam And the women tug their hair The whole place is pickled This could be rotterdam or anywhere And everyone is blonde And when faced with dull and dutiful This could be rotterdam or anywhere The whole place is pickled This could be rotterdam or anywhere This could be rotterdam or anywhere
Beautiful South (Heaton/Rotheray)
Like they’re trying to prove it won’t fall out
And all the men are gargoyles
Dipped long in irish stout
The people are pickles for sure
And no-one knows if they’ve done more here
Than they ever would do in a jar
Liverpool or rome
’cause rotterdam is anywhere
Anywhere alone
Anywhere alone
And everyone is beautiful
And when blondes and beautiful are multiple
They become so dull and dutiful
They fire red warning flares
Battle-khaki personality
With red underwear
Liverpool or rome
’cause rotterdam is anywhere
Anywhere alone
Anywhere alone
The people are pickles for sure
And no-one knows if they’ve done more here
Than they ever would do in a jar
Liverpool or rome
’cause rotterdam is anywhere
Anywhere alone
Liverpool or rome
’cause rotterdam is anywhere
Anywhere alone
