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!
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