20 Nov 2006 - Jack

Jack is going to hate these photographs when he gets older!

14 Nov 2006 - El Algar Walk

It was a long drive through the mountains for this weeks Monday Club walk, starting from Fonts de Algar. It took us about an hour each way, much longer than we would normally drive.

The Fonts is a tourist attraction near Benidorm, but our walk was well away from the "maddening crowds".

November is often a lovely month for walking here. The heat of the summer is well gone, but we still get warm and sunny days.

This old finca was ideal for our lunch break, plenty of shade for those of us who needed it.

We ended the walk at a local cafe. With a glass of two glasses of beer costing €5 we were reminded that we were on the tourist trail. Next week we will be back to our more normal €1.10 for a glass.

14 Nov 2006 - Jack Leniston

Jack Two Weeks Old

12 Nov 2006 - Alcalali Walk

None of our neighbours belong to any of the regular walking clubs here on the Costa Blanca, but they often ask us what it is like to walk in this area. So one Sunday afternoon we asked them if they would like to come for a short walk to see if they like it or not.

For our first walk we took them to the nearby village of Alcalali. This is about a mile from Parcent, across the "campo". It is a very easy walk along good tracks, but with a small dry river to cross to make it a little more exciting.

By the time we reached Alcalali they were all ready for a break, and we sat for half an hour in the village square.

No one found the walk to be too difficult, but they were still glad to get back to Parcent. I think most found it more difficult than they expected, because we have not been asked to take them on any more walks since!

6 Nov 2006 - Tarbena Walk

Tarbena is a small, and very Spanish, village hidden in the mountains between Parcent and Benidorm. There is a cafe owned by a one armed man who was involved in the Spanish Civil War. The cafe is like a museum, with newspapers, posters and other exhibits on the wall. One of the newspapers carries a photo of the owner as a much younger man, carrying a rifle in his remaining hand.

Of more interest to us is that Tarbena is situated in an excellent walking area. The village is already high in the mountains, so you do not have to climb very much for excellent views such as this one.

This was the view when we stopped for our picnic lunch. I don't remember it being as overcast as this photo implies, but when walking we would be very grateful if an overcast day to spare us from the hot sun.

This is the viewpoint in Tarbena, giving an excellent view of Benidorm and the coast. Everyone is looking remarkably fresh, given that they had just finished a five hour walk in the mountains.

1 Nov 2006 - Jack Leniston

Tired, but very happy, Michelle on the day she brought Jack home.


Proud dad, stuart with Jack and his wide screen TV

The centre of attention could not really care less


Jan and I were pleased as punch to receive these first photographs of Jack

23 Oct 2006 - Benigembla Walk

Benigembla is a small village about 5 miles from Parcent. It is the start of a number of very good walks into the surrounding hills

The walk was led by Gerald. He was following old written instructions, which included directions to turn left at this abandoned car!


We came across this very large snake in the middle of the road. At first we thought it was sleeping in the sun, but it soon became obvious that it was never going to wake up again.

Jan and Maureen sharing a joke. Not sure how they still had the energy as this was a long, long walk.