On March 13th, a small group of WARM Walkers ventured to Tazona in Castilla La Mancha region. Sounds exotic and seems a long way to go for a walk but it is only 25minutes from Calasparra and 20 from Moratalla.
June and I met Neil at his house on Canada Verde and were a bit concerned about his sense of direction when he turned the wrong way, going towards Calasparra and passing Tony & Shirley going the other way – wonder what their thoughts were at this time ! Luckily, no handbrake turns were tried and we eventually went up to the Sanctuary Structure roundabout and headed off towards Tazona.
Our fellow walkers Tony, Shirley and Dave were patiently waiting at the side of the main road at the onset of the village and a quick check was made to ensure we were all there – though Rick had a “senior moment” and had forgotten Dave was coming- not a problem as Dave has a stature that makes him impossible to miss. No offence intended as I am looking forward to some Hot Cross Buns on a forthcoming walk.
There was an opportunity to buy bags of oranges as the local “white van man” and his lady were selling these to a few locals. One elderly resident carried 2 bags away and was probably going back to her house for arm raises in the kitchen to ensure strong arms to flick the dust off the window frames or to push her Rolser through crowds in a market.
June was working her fingers rapidly to manipulate her GPS – we don’t know if she broke a nail – because there was some cursing but I believe she was extolling the virtues of this excellent little gadget. It was soon up and running, thanks to a bit of help from Shirley and around 9.35 we made our way towards the village of Los Olmos 0.7kms from the main road.
The first part of this little trek was along the tarmac road and then took us through the village past builders, housewives and a water pipe layer, all doing their utmost to look busy. Either that, or it was coming up to “desayuno” and the prospect of bocadillo, brandy, beer, ciggy was overwhelmingly imminent.
Passing a small herd of goats penned in at the junction of 2 roads (strange location) we ventured off towards our next target – the track. June was prompted to initiate a “way point” and this was duly completed confidently not only at this junction but at other locations along the way. Who needs maps when you have a GPS in the hands of our quiet, demure Juney.
Going past the pig farm turned out to be a non-smelly experience, as I have had many times on the bike. The dogs were in full chat and only the chained ones drooled a little as we walked past.
The track has a good surface and is fairly flat for most of the way with a downhill stretch heading towards the hamlet of El Almirez – and that’s not a cigar brand.
Having been there many times before, it was good to see the reaction of the other members of the group to wonder how such a collection of buildings came to be in a remote location. We need not have worried; a lovely surprise was in store.
Whilst looking around the front of the main house, a lady came from the main door – strange people on her land – who wouldn’t be suspicious. On asking, in Spanish if she spoke English, I was absolutely stunned to find she did and perfectly. I introduced myself and explained we were a group of walkers who were from Calasparra, Cehegin and Moratalla and were using El Almirez as a stopping point before heading back to Tazona.
We made admiring remarks on her house and why was the front of the house renovated but not the back. Victoria, as we found out, was the owner of the front part and explained the house was split between herself and her brother, who did not want to renovate his part of the house. It was then that she invited us in for a beer and a look around her house – this was so unusual but typical of Spanish hospitality. To say the interior was stunning in a Spanish style is an understatement. It was tasteful, colour co-ordinated, unusual in parts but modern in others.
Victoria’s house is self-sufficient being eco-friendly with solar panels, a wind turbine, storage batteries for electricity and an enormous wood burning boiler in the cellar servicing the central heating radiators in the rooms. Neil was very impressed and I think a trip to Leroy’s is on the cards. Might have lost your new kitchen Sue!
The downstairs where Victoria lives has a central room from the main door with rooms leading off to the left and right but all are interlinked so you could walk round in a complete circle – great fun if you want to play chase me, chase me. The internet was being installed whilst we were there but at no time did Victoria turn us away or ignore our requests for more information about her lovely home. Built in the late 19th Century it was originally built for 14 families who worked the land of 2000 hectares. It has its own Chapel where Victoria had her first communion and is on the cards for renovating. The land is now down to 600 hectares but Victoria still manages to produce Olive Oil, Almonds and a type of wheat, the name in Spanish eludes me as I write this.
At the meal, Graham was very interested when Victoria mentioned she had a John Deere and a New Holland tractor and I believe a date has been arranged for Graham to “pick” the Almonds and Olives when ready – the umbrella and tree shaker sound great fun to use - boys and their toys eh!
Victoria is a homeopathic doctor who has a practice in Madrid and “commutes” between her house there and El Almirez. She will attend to anyone who needs a diagnosis and would love to look after English clients again. This is how she learnt her English, working on the coast with ex pats. I do have her number if anyone wants it.
We were at her home for nearly an hour and it was such a lovely, unexpected treat it could not have been better if Neil and I had planned it when we walked out the route the week before.
As we were going for Menu del Dia we invited Victoria to come along to repay her hospitality towards us and it was a lovely surprise to see her arrive and join us.
Tony led the way back without problems, though at the pig farm was a bit intrigued that one guard dog had something in its mouth which resembled a goats head and neck – or was it something else?
As usual Captain Morgan’s provided a first class menu with excellent service and at a good price. We all contributed to pay for Victoria’s meal, which she was reluctant to accept but then she invited us to have an after dinner liqueur which ended up being a bottle of Limón cello. A lovely gesture – again.
Saying goodbye to our new found friend – she wants to stay in touch – Victoria then met with someone she had not seen for years. We were glad to bring them together.
What a day – a simple 13.7kms walk lasting 4 ½ hours including stops but turning out to be a memorable occasion for all of us.
Bet you wish you had come..
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