Middle-aged flash packers

As we are on the edge of the Sierra Nevada, it made sense to do some walking to experience this area.

Our first hike took us to the Cumbres Verdes (the green summits) region which is just a 15 minute drive from our house. We parked at the Collado Sevilla car park after parking somewhere completely different by mistake, resulting in Steve being enthusiastically chewed by a very large puppy.

Cumbres Verdes is named as such because most of the Sierra Nevada is quite arid-looking. There are pines and a river in this area so it is a little greener than one would expect.

Our ascent of Trevenque was challenging. Although not enormously high (2079meters) it is lose underfoot and is quite hard work getting purchase on the scree. However, our hard work was rewarded by sharing our summit view with a young Ibex. At first I thought it was a small donkey but when it came close to us, it had evil goat-like eyes. And it was evil too. After Steve gave it a little of his sandwich (quite a sacrifice), it butted him! Talk about butting the hand that feeds you.

The descent from Trevenque was even harder than the ascent. Getting any kind of grip on the scree was almost impossible and by the end my ankles and calves were really aching. Poor Steve fell into a bush and got lots of prickles in his arm which later came up in red bumps.

We eventually made it down and continued the walk through the valley back towards the car. At this point, what we should have done is had a sit down in the shade, had a drink and a nibble. But no. We just pressed on and on, and yours truly got over heated. Physically and emotionally. I kept dreaming of being back at our house, swimming in the ice-cold pool. Then I started getting cross that we had this wonderful pool and we weren’t using it, why was I plodding along tired, hot and bothered when I should be lying on a bed chair having a snooze after a refreshing swim? Expressing these views to S didn’t go down well, and the last couple of miles were a bit quiet after that.

I did eventually get my swim though and it was wonderful.

I must mention dinner as a warning to any of you carnivores out there who fancy a rack of ribs from Aldi. Not the ones that are prepacked in a box with bbq sauce on them (yum!) but Spanish ones in a plastic bag thing. Keep away from them. They taste like the saltiest bacon/gammon you have ever tasted. I could literally see S’s cells dehydrating with every mouthful. I couldn’t eat them, which was a shame as I was rather hungry to say the least. (Sob).

Which might explain the continuation of my bad mood the next day. Steve wanted to summit the second highest point in the Sierra Nevada, Veleta. Fine. Although tbh I wasn’t mad keen to do it. I suggested we get up early as it was a longish drive and I was desperate to enjoy some chill time. Also fine.

A ski resort has been built in the area with Veleta as the highest point which must make for some great skiing. But it is ugly. I mean really ugly. With snow on it, I’m sure it would be transformed but most of the hike was like climbing up a 3 mile coal tip. I’m afraid I did not enjoy it all other than the sun was shining and it was good exercise.

Steve loved it. It just goes to show, sometimes our boats are floated by different things. S loves height and the challenge of conquering high summits. I like beautiful scenery, the journey to me is more important than the destination. Nothing wrong with either of these. Other than I’m not very good at pretending I’m enjoying something when I’m not. I’m working on it.

And now for expectations of the Granada region as we move on to pastures anew tomorrow:

Ronda – expectations met for me, dashed for S. He was decidedly underwhelmed.

Alhambra – met for both of us.

Trevenque hike – exceeded for both of us despite my over heating

Veleta- it’s a dashed from me and a met from him.

Spanish ribs – Dashed with a capital D from both of us!