El Perro Negro

Last of the evening sun illuminates the torn, twisted and chaotic upheaval that comprises the Desierto del Gorafe. In the distance, the snow capped peaks of the Sierra de Cazorla.

Alcazaba (3371m) and Mulhacen (3482m) looking glorious late yesterday afternoon from the A92 Motorway north of Granada

"To Blog or Not To Blog", that is the Question? (a grumpy thread)

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Writing blogs seems to be more and more a thing from the past, I guess partly due to the expanded influence of Social Media and everybody's increasingly busy lives? I know that when I write a blog it gets hardly any interaction from the public, certainly nothing as much as a nice photo of an adorable fluffy dog nor even as much as what I had on my dinner plate the previous evening.

Usually when I point my camera at Arko he turns around and shows me his backside. Either that or pulls a funny face. Today he must have seen something of interest over my right shoulder as I managed to get the little blighter 🤣

Eerie sunset tonight in Lanjaron, partly due to the Sahara dust still lurking about

Some beautiful and somewhat lonely trees highlighted by the low winter sun's rays

Exploratory day hike today and all within a short drive from home. This range of mountains lies between Lentegi and Albuñuelas, a complicated mass of peaks, ridges, deep valleys and dry ramblas. Mostly on faint tracks. Simply stunning!

Lovely walk with Chris Stewart and his group today visiting the quiet villages of Sorvilan and Polopos in the Sierra de Contraviesa. Sea, sun, colour and good banter.

Recommended to do this beautiful hike, especially when the almond blossom is in full bloom. Bars at start and end!

Pretty in Pink! Almond Blossom today in the Sierra de Contraviesa hills, south of Granada, Spain. Looking south towards the Mediterranean Sea

Been out this afternoon scouting out the "Ruta Boabdil" in the Lecrin Valley. In particular the 12km stage between Albuñuelas and Conchar.

Ruta Boabdil Highlights:

• Length 113km, 2726m of ascent
• 14 convenient stages of between 7km and 12km in length
• Passing through 18 villages
• Each stage starting and ending in a village/town

Jumping for joy! I said, "Isaac, whatever you do, if you are going to stumble and fall, please do it to your right" 🤣

The approach to the spectacular and easily identifiable mountain of Trevenque (2079m) along the dry rambla of the Arenales valley. Cumbres Verdes range near Granada, Spain

Is it Mordor? Nah, it's the peak of Boca de la Pesca in the Cumbres Verde range of hills near Granada, with the deep valley of the Rio Dilar to it's left. Have seen it looking more like Mordor though, when temperature inversion blankets the valley floor in low level cloud.

Got to do something very strange this week. I've got to work! Difficult for a semi-retired, aging "has been"😀. A couple I guided way back in Mallorca in 2001 and again in Skye in 2002 have just got in touch, out of the blue. How amazing is that. So in fact, it's not really work and money that is the motivation, it's the re connection with people and memories from the past. Looking forward to it.

Beautiful light tonight over the Tajo Colorao and Lanjarón as the clouds roll in over the Alpujarras

Arko enjoyed his walk this morning especially as there was plenty of mud to get his nozzle into!

Today's dog walk, the "Ruta Pescados" near Lanjaron in the Alpujarras. A newly developed trail once used to bring fish from the coast to the town. Beautiful walk with great views of the Cerro de Caballo

Trying out the new 40mm prime lens on this morning's dog walk.

The amazing Cerro Alfaro!

A superb ascent of this wonderful peak. Winter is the perfect time to visit the Tabernas desert badlands, with clear blue skies and incredible clarity in the air.

Tortured scenery! Cerro Alfaro from the badlands to the north. In fact this shot was taken from the point at which the tank went over the cliff in "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" and Harrison Ford then appeared climbing up from the cliffs below.