Rio Grande & Airstrip

Somehow the weather seems to know the date and normally on September 1^st the temperature drops a few degrees and then a few more in October, but for some reason the weather has got itself into a muddle and the temperatures are rising during the first week of September. Because of the norm I decided that the first Saturday in September would be the start of the new walking season, but that was almost a mistake.

The walk started off with the sun in some cloud and the temperature quite pleasant but as the walk progressed the temperature rose as did the humidity. Fortunately over half of the route was in shade so it was only really the last kilometre that caused discomfort.

This route starts at the Cepsa Filling Station and takes us along the service road beside the A357 and the first part is along the newly widened and surfaced access to the new Hospital which was over 4 years late in being opened and, whilst there was great publicity and fanfare at a grand opening a few weeks ago I have yet to see any cars, apart from the security guards, in the car park.

A short way past the Hospital we leave the service road and onto a track the passes finca’s and through Orange orchards. Just before this track meets our route to the river we have gained a couple of extra walkers, two puppies escaped from the field where they were housed and wanted to play with mine and Pete’s dogs. Whilst we made somewhat muted efforts to shoo them away they became part of the group for the duration of the walk.

Our route then takes us to the confluence of the Rio’s Guadalhorce and Grande and along the bank between the Rio Grande and the Runway of the Forest Fire-fighters base. Whilst on the track towards the river a van stopped and informed us that he was the Bee Keeper and he was going to tend his Bees and warned us to take the upper path past the hives, this was unusually considerate.

We pass through Eucalyptus woods and eventually emerge at the Fire-fighters base where 3 years ago their control tower was busier than Malaga Airport and 5 Helicopters and 7 Aeroplanes were based here fighting the inferno that started in Barranco Blanco on the last day of August, and spread as far as Marbella.

We skirt the base and take the track along the other side of the Airstrip and back past the confluence where we then take the upper path along the banks of the Rio Guadlahorce. Whilst battling our way through the overhanging cane we hear the Beekeeper’s van, so hopefully there will now be no drama.

It's then through another Eucalyptus wood with the relief of the shade and out onto the track with a short detour to the river’s edge for the dogs to cool down and have a drink. As we follow the track towards our finish the pups are now flagging and a long way from home, so several of the group took turns to carry them. We then head up the only incline on the route and back to the start, but this was exaggerated by us being totally exposed to the now blazing sun and high humidity.

We collected a good amount for the charity pot which was swelled by Ann & Dudley bringing along some bags of home grown Cherry Tomatoes and selling them for a donation, so thank you to them.

Footnote;

Sue with Pia took the puppies back to where they had escaped from and put them back under the gate, there was a kennel there and shade and water. I doubt that they would do much more than sleep for the rest of the day after their big adventure.

What a great group this is, there’s always plenty of banter, friendliness and good will.

For all the photos from this walk click on this link