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Thanks to this trip report from Sean James
They say we are fair weather walkers, well today that characteristic was tested.
La Taha (“Ta” meaning obedience in Arabic, and “tahas” being administrative districts during the times of the Nasrid Kings of Granada) Circular or a shortened version of it was today’s planned route. Leaving from one of the La Taha Villages, Mecina we wandered along the winding village to village road heading towards the white washed Village of Mecinilla before trundling down the path, passing olive and almond groves which were looking a little less then at their best following the wind and rain that recently ran amuck through the Alpujarra’s. They say that Lanjaron, in the western Alpujarra’s, which is home base to some of us, received the most rain in all of Andalucia with in excess of 100 mm of rain in 48 hours.
Following the trail through Fondales, another one of the La Taha Villages we made a push uphill through water soaked valleys towards Ferreirola stopping on the trail several times to remove layers of cloths that were thrown on before sunrise.
At Ferreirola we were entertained with tales of sharks in ocean baths at Coogee Beach, (which is just south of Sydney in Australia) from a local who was waiting on a delivery while we refreshed ourselves beside one of the beautifully renovated Lavaderos. Ann Hunt must have known we were coming when we made a quick side trip to Casa Ana, as she had packed up and headed to the coast for some R&R.
From Ferreirola the trail heads east skirting small veggie plots and orchards before reaching the Fuente de la Gaseosa, a water fountain that has a high iron content making the water taste like it is slightly carbonated.
Within this part of the La Taha, the valleys generally have gentle streams and the evidence of waterfalls, today those waterfalls were is full flow and warranted a side trip for some up a narrow track to witness a gushing Salto de Paula. I don’t think Ann Hunter would have chanced this waterfall for a quick dip as it looked freezing.
After crossing Barranco del Castanar we strolled through the narrow lanes and streets of the last of our La Taha villages for the day, Atalbeiter. Perhaps it was a sign of things to come but we saw no one in the town, there were sounds of tools grinding away and music from hidden casitas floating about but not a soul was outside.
As we strolled back down the Medieval Trail towards Ferreirola to close out our La Taha Circular the heavens opened up, the clouds blew in and we got soaked. Vain attempts were made to put on some wet weather cloths and hide our mobiles from the damp but the only thing keep us from throwing in the towel (if anyone had one) was the thought of cold beverages and hot pizza from La Cuerva de Mora Luna.
The lights were on so smiles started to arise upon our solemn faces.
Yep we are fair weather walkers. Pitres and Busquistar must wait for another day.
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