8th June, 2019
And on to our next adventure!
And on to our next adventure!
After a 6 hour journey, we were still in Andalucia when we reached our destination. We were spending time in a rural area with Spanish friends and the forecast was looking good on all fronts.
Our first stop was at the town of Iruela where there are ruins of an 11th-century Moorish castle. We managed to get to the site before it closed at 2pm and we climbed up, down, in and out of all the places we could even though the tempertures were high. It is an impressive monument and well preserved even though only a 1€ token entrance fee is charged. It's obviously a place for bride and groom photos and I was able to gate crash a shoot and grab a couple of shots myself!
When we'd seen all we wanted and after retracing our route to nearby Cazorla for some food, we headed towards our apartment in Arroyo Frio.
Our first stop was at the town of Iruela where there are ruins of an 11th-century Moorish castle. We managed to get to the site before it closed at 2pm and we climbed up, down, in and out of all the places we could even though the tempertures were high. It is an impressive monument and well preserved even though only a 1€ token entrance fee is charged. It's obviously a place for bride and groom photos and I was able to gate crash a shoot and grab a couple of shots myself!
When we'd seen all we wanted and after retracing our route to nearby Cazorla for some food, we headed towards our apartment in Arroyo Frio.
9th June, 2019
Just "wow" is the only adjective I can use to describe today. We have been at one with nature all day and treated to some spectaculars. I had warned of a need to be ready for anything when rounding a corner; the first corner after leaving our apartment, yielded a huge flock of sheep seemingly doing their own thing. Everything came to a standstill as we waited for them all to cross the road!
Next encounter was with a fox waiting by the side of a track. He's evidently well known and waits in hope of passing tourists not being able to resist giving food (it's forbidden for a variety of reasons).
It's easy to come a bit blasé about seeing wild deer as there are so many of them enjoying life in the acres of woods stretching high into the mountains and across the lowlands. The natural park is the second largest in Europe.
We had a long drive and short trek to reach the source of the River Guadalquivir which is the fifth longest river in mainland Spain and the second longest river with its entire length in the country. The Guadalquivir river is also the only great navigable river in Spain. The actual source is disappointing and it's difficult to reconcile the small outflow with the vast and fast flowing parts of the river encountered as it journeys to its end near Cádiz and joins the Atlantic Ocean.
Not far from the source of the Guadalquivir is a vantage point for looking across a ravine towards nesting areas of vultures. A head for heights is needed, however once I'm settled and looking through my camera lens, I am able to concentrate on the amazing experience of being so close to these huge birds of prey. It's my third visit to this area and the thrill of watching the manoeuvres and displays never diminishes.
Heading back down the mountain we could see the castle at Iruela from on high and full appreciate the reason it was built at that location and the form it took.
When we stopped for a view at one pull off, we were the subject of curious looks from wild goats who were momentarily disturbed from eating by our car.
Just "wow" is the only adjective I can use to describe today. We have been at one with nature all day and treated to some spectaculars. I had warned of a need to be ready for anything when rounding a corner; the first corner after leaving our apartment, yielded a huge flock of sheep seemingly doing their own thing. Everything came to a standstill as we waited for them all to cross the road!
Next encounter was with a fox waiting by the side of a track. He's evidently well known and waits in hope of passing tourists not being able to resist giving food (it's forbidden for a variety of reasons).
It's easy to come a bit blasé about seeing wild deer as there are so many of them enjoying life in the acres of woods stretching high into the mountains and across the lowlands. The natural park is the second largest in Europe.
We had a long drive and short trek to reach the source of the River Guadalquivir which is the fifth longest river in mainland Spain and the second longest river with its entire length in the country. The Guadalquivir river is also the only great navigable river in Spain. The actual source is disappointing and it's difficult to reconcile the small outflow with the vast and fast flowing parts of the river encountered as it journeys to its end near Cádiz and joins the Atlantic Ocean.
Not far from the source of the Guadalquivir is a vantage point for looking across a ravine towards nesting areas of vultures. A head for heights is needed, however once I'm settled and looking through my camera lens, I am able to concentrate on the amazing experience of being so close to these huge birds of prey. It's my third visit to this area and the thrill of watching the manoeuvres and displays never diminishes.
Heading back down the mountain we could see the castle at Iruela from on high and full appreciate the reason it was built at that location and the form it took.
When we stopped for a view at one pull off, we were the subject of curious looks from wild goats who were momentarily disturbed from eating by our car.
10th June, 2019
Last night, walking back to our apartment, we couldn't believe our eyes as we saw two wild boar and 5 babies crossing the road not too far ahead of us. I took some photos, however as it was dark and the boars were running, they're not clear. It's a reminder however, that it is as I said, just around every corner, there's something to see!
Today we travelled to the uppermost parts of this huge natural park of Cazorla (the second largest in Europe). Some of these areas are accessible if you are able to hike for miles, however we went with one of the few licensed companies to have access by vehicle. We learned so much about the park with the ranger, particularly the flora. We left at just after 8am and returned at 2pm, knackered!
Last night, walking back to our apartment, we couldn't believe our eyes as we saw two wild boar and 5 babies crossing the road not too far ahead of us. I took some photos, however as it was dark and the boars were running, they're not clear. It's a reminder however, that it is as I said, just around every corner, there's something to see!
Today we travelled to the uppermost parts of this huge natural park of Cazorla (the second largest in Europe). Some of these areas are accessible if you are able to hike for miles, however we went with one of the few licensed companies to have access by vehicle. We learned so much about the park with the ranger, particularly the flora. We left at just after 8am and returned at 2pm, knackered!
11th June, 2019
So many experiences today and also changes in the area which have made me think. This is the third time I've been to this beautiful nature reserve. This time I have been able to get closer to flora and fauna and yet............I can't help feeling that although I've seen more, something has been lost. On previous visits, things weren't laid on the line. We had search for ourselves. The thrill was so much greater than today when we were required to take a small train to see deer, for example. Previously, we could suss out an area, take our time and feel the thrill of sighting a free and wild animal from a distance. Now the passing of the train signals the arrival of food and so of course, animals congregate.
We did come across some old rams lazing in a field however; their horns were amazing!
A trip on an electric boat on the reservoir completed our packed day. Tonight we go boar hunting!
So many experiences today and also changes in the area which have made me think. This is the third time I've been to this beautiful nature reserve. This time I have been able to get closer to flora and fauna and yet............I can't help feeling that although I've seen more, something has been lost. On previous visits, things weren't laid on the line. We had search for ourselves. The thrill was so much greater than today when we were required to take a small train to see deer, for example. Previously, we could suss out an area, take our time and feel the thrill of sighting a free and wild animal from a distance. Now the passing of the train signals the arrival of food and so of course, animals congregate.
We did come across some old rams lazing in a field however; their horns were amazing!
A trip on an electric boat on the reservoir completed our packed day. Tonight we go boar hunting!
12th June, 2019
Wild boar chase! THIS is what was missing from our trip yesterday. We had to work out what time and location to give ourselves the best chance of seeing these wild animals in their own environment. Antonio had the knowledge and we walked to an area where horse riding activities took place and waited. First, one large boar appeared from the opposite direction. Blimey he was big! He watched warily before taking his chance to cross the road, pass by us and then head to the horse location. Then a family came from another direction and rooted about in the hay looking for food. One of them stopped (a bit too close for my comfort!) to see if we had any food before continuing their route and away.
In some of the photos it's possible to see fencing, however the boars were not in an enclosure. The fencing just denoted someone's boundary!
They move so quickly, it's really difficult to capture images in the dark. Tomorrow night I'll have another go!
Wild boar chase! THIS is what was missing from our trip yesterday. We had to work out what time and location to give ourselves the best chance of seeing these wild animals in their own environment. Antonio had the knowledge and we walked to an area where horse riding activities took place and waited. First, one large boar appeared from the opposite direction. Blimey he was big! He watched warily before taking his chance to cross the road, pass by us and then head to the horse location. Then a family came from another direction and rooted about in the hay looking for food. One of them stopped (a bit too close for my comfort!) to see if we had any food before continuing their route and away.
In some of the photos it's possible to see fencing, however the boars were not in an enclosure. The fencing just denoted someone's boundary!
They move so quickly, it's really difficult to capture images in the dark. Tomorrow night I'll have another go!
13th June, 2019
Boar hunting last night yielded another really big boar which had obviously been enjoying himself rolling in the mud! We saw three in total, two adults and one smaller, however they were aggressive so we kept our distance. They watched us warily as we watched them!
Boar hunting last night yielded another really big boar which had obviously been enjoying himself rolling in the mud! We saw three in total, two adults and one smaller, however they were aggressive so we kept our distance. They watched us warily as we watched them!
14th & 15th June, 2019
A different location and things to search out. Beautiful area of Alhama de Granada and surrounds. We're staying in a cave room in a hotel associated with the hot spring baths in which we spent a good hour and a half today. The photos are from our walk last night around a lake.
A different location and things to search out. Beautiful area of Alhama de Granada and surrounds. We're staying in a cave room in a hotel associated with the hot spring baths in which we spent a good hour and a half today. The photos are from our walk last night around a lake.
16th June, 2019
A couple of stops on the way home. I'm not one for photos of churches (ABC!), however this small, unostentatious building, both inside and out and located in an unkempt field, appealed!
We also stopped off at the local airfield as there was a lot of activity with pilot training. The village of Comares on the mountain top, must be a good land mark.
A couple of stops on the way home. I'm not one for photos of churches (ABC!), however this small, unostentatious building, both inside and out and located in an unkempt field, appealed!
We also stopped off at the local airfield as there was a lot of activity with pilot training. The village of Comares on the mountain top, must be a good land mark.