1 May 2006 - War Games Room

The wargames room was completed and ready for use on 1 May 2006

We have 20 squares each 2x2 foot. 6 squares have hills modelled on them. The remainder have roads and rivers painted on so that both sides can be used and thus allow a greater variety of possible tables. Jan had built the buildings shown, the trees are commercial.

The table is 6x6 foot and has a raised edge so that the scenery sections fit neatly. This width means that an adult standing can reach any part of the table. It is slightly higher than a normal table, so that it is not necessary to bend whilst moving the figures around.

Below the table are 12 shelves to hold the scenic sections not in use on the table. There is also a little space left over for scenery such as trees, hedges, walls etc.

This room has been extended to create sufficient space for the table, and also space for shelving for the model soldiers and the remainder of the scenery.

There are no windows or natural light in the wargames room. We have included the glass bricks on one wall to allow as much light as possible.

There is ample space for shelving for all of the model soldiers, plus any scenery that will not fit below the table.

22 May 2006 - Isbert Dam

This pleasant 9 km walk from Tormos to Isbert Dam was one of our first with the Monday Club. We started walking with this very pleasant group after meeting Gerald and Maureen on a CBMW walk.

At the beginning of the last century a dam was constructed in this most inviting spot, with a view to solving all future water problems not only for the local farmers but also for the towns of Orba and Denia. Access tunnels were cut through the rock to get materials to the top of the dam, but only a little building work was needed to plug this natural gap. However when the winter rains came the water quickly drained down into an ancient underground watercourse, with many underground chambers and lakes. Isbert's Dam, named after the nearby finca and spring, is now known to locals as Isbert's Folly..

After lunch in the shaddow of the massive dam, we walked back to Tormos for a drink in the local bar. However just as we got our much needed cold beer we had a telephone call to summon us to Alcalali to meet with Marcelo who was arranging for our car to be registered in Spain.

14 May 2006 - Parcent walk

On Sunday 14 May we joined the local people of Parcent in the annual walk. We were joined by our friends, and neighbours, Dave and Sue. The walk started from the cooperativa at 0730, and there was a good crowd - but no other ex pats. A whistle blew, and off they went. No brief, no record of who was walking. We lost most of the children as we left the village, and then it was a hot pace for the mountain.

After an hour or so we stopped for a break, on a huge rock outcrop overlooking Parcent. Jan and I got our coffee flask out, but the Spanish had a better idea - wine. It came in those wines skins that you hold above your head and pour the wine towards your mouth. They found it very funny when I covered myself in wine - and as you can see so did we!


These Spanish walkers are very fit, and they don't take prisoners. So by the time we reached the top of the mountain the group was well spread out. We pushed ourselves hard to keep up with one group, as we had no idea of the route - and they were not waiting for us to catch up. Eventually we reached the top, and one of them took this photo of us looking very much like "king of the castle".



The route was very easy now as we clambered over the rocks on the top. There was no obvious path, but our Spanish friends seemed to know where they were going. Eventually we reached one of the TV masts, and found a group of sky divers. This is a very popular sport locally, and we had often watched them gliding down from the Col de Rates, but this was the first time we saw them take off as it were. They are either very brave, or very foolish.


When we eventually got to the restaurant on the Col de Rates Dave and Sue suggested that we stop for a light lunch. Lovely day, and by now shattered, we were glad to agree. The rest of the group went off down the mountain at a great pace, while we settled down for a cold beer and a salad. Then it was a casual stroll down to Parcent, with not another walker in sight.


Wonderful day. Very hard walking, but great fun. However we might give it a miss next year!

12 May 2006 - Castells Walk

Costa Blanca Mountain Walkers (CBMW) is the largest and most popular walking group in the area. It is similar to the Ramblers Association in UK and it meets twice a week on Saturday and Wednesday. There are usually two walks on each day, one moderate (for reasonably fit walkers) and one difficult (for the A Team types). There is no charge to walk, but all are expected to buy the walking programme which comes out in Spring and Autumn, however at a cost of 1.30 euro it will not break the bank.

Although walking is very popular in this area, particularly amongst ex pats, most of the walks are not easy to find or follow. There is nothing like the Ordnance Survey Map here on the Costa Blanca, and usually only long distance paths are way marked. So the CBMW provide an excellent way to explore the area, and make new friends at the same time.

This was our second walk with the group, unfortunately I did not take any photographs of our first one, which was from Jalon to Parcent.

Castell de Castells is about 10 miles from Parcent. Its a small and very Spanish village, and is reached by driving along a lovely valley. Its a very popular walking area, and CBMW walks in this area are usually well supported. This one was no exception with about 30 walkers turning up.



This walk was led by Gerald and Maureen. are very experienced walkers, and have led walks in this area for many years. During the midday halt for a picnic lunch, they told us about another local walking club, called the Monday Club, and invited us to attend their next walk to see if we liked it. We were already committed to two walks a week with CBMW but were happy to expand our range of walking, and friends.

We already knew that this was a lovely area, but we were still surprised just how lovely. Once again we found ourselves comparing it to Scotland, where we had spent many happy days walking the mountains. Here we were again surrounded by lovely mountain ranges, but this time in pretty constant sunshine.




When we think back to this walk we always remember the lovely poppy fields. There are many flowers to be found in the surrounding area, and I am ashamed to say I know pretty well nothing about them. However to my eye nothing compared to the carpet of poppies.



This was one of our first walks here on the Costa Blanca, and we always remember it with affection. I use a digital camera, and do not normally have prints made. However we were so pleased with this walk that we had some made and framed.

15 Apr 2006 - Orba Castle

On Sunday 15 April 2006 we set off for our first "proper" walk, armed with our copy of the Cicerone Guide Costa Blanca Mountain Walks by Bob Stansfield. We had bought this book in Salisbury, and were delighted to find that many of the walks was in our very own Jalon Valley.

The nearest walk to Parcent was the Orba Castle walk. The directions were clear and simple. Drive to a nearby restaurant, look for a cairn and follow the path to the castle. We were not to know that this walk is well known to local walkers, because the path no longer exists!




We spent half an hour searching for the cairn, which no longer exists. We could see the castle, and decided to just head straight for it. I suppose it took us about an hour, but it seemed much longer. The path was completely overgrown with thick thorn bushes which cut our legs.


When we finally reached the top the views were wonderful. Not too sure if it was worth the pain and effort mind. We were determined to find a better path down, and very pleased when we found a well signed path. Unfortunately it took us down the wrong side of the hill, and we ended at the bottom of the winding Orba hill. After a much deserved rest we had to walk up the steep road to our car. Not our most successful walk!

8 Apr 2006 - Alcalali walk

The walk from Parcent to Alcalali is about 30 minutes each way from the house. So it is not surprising that it was one of the first walks we did. This photo of Parcent was taken from the track and is one of my favourite views of the village

Another view of Parcent, this time with "the green horse" in the background. This mountain was to become one of our favourite walks.

Yet another view of Parcent. This one looks like it is taken from the higher path, which skirts the side of Col de Rates

Col de Rates from near Alcalali. You can see why we think of the Jalon valley as being like Scotland - but with sun.

26 Mar 2006 - Calpe

While waiting for our solicitor to sort out the house purchase, we spent a week in an appartment in Calpe. After the cold and dismal March days in Salisbury, it was magical to walk on the promonade in Calpe and bask in the warm sun.

One of our first walks was up the Ifach Rock. We did not have our walking boots with us, and abandoned the walk at the tunnel, where the path starts to be a little difficult. Before then we had this lovely view looking down at Calpe through the clouds.






This is a view of the Ifach Rock from Calpe promonade. We both fell in love with Calpe during this week, and were to spend many happy Fridays doing our weekly shopping there, followed by lunch at the yacht club.