Wet,Wet

 Until a week ago the weather was unsettled: the area received more than its annual rainfall in the preceding three weeks. One of our favourite walks is along a rambla that runs near the campsite. A rambla is a dry river bed, which this one always has been in the previous 15 years we’ve been coming here. This year is different.

There are at least 20 dwellings sparsely dotted along the 5 mile long rambla that use it as a road. The water in some places has eroded the surface to form small waterfalls. This waterfall covers the width of the rambla, about 7 or 8 metres across.

And a little further along, where our two friends are walking, it’s a full-blown river.

The residents generally drive 4X4s and we saw them tackling water depths and boulders that would strip the exhaust off most normal cars. But the scenery remains beautiful: the cliffs in the next photo reach nearly 2000 feet.

An info board tell us that the cave of the horseman, coming up next, contains evidence of human occupants 12.000 years ago, so we’re in Flintstone country. Fred’s cavemobile was hopefully a 4X4.

Towards the top of the rambla is a chapel, dated 1971, looking and feeling much older than it is. It is nicely maintained and, most times we see it, someone is cleaning or tidying in it.

The old farmhouse, or finca, below gets more dilapidated each time but was once a substantial prestigious dwelling set in lovely surroundings. Even now, it is possible to see the areas of cultivation running towards the cliffs. The Parks Department have recently installed some picnic tables so folks can enjoy the ambience – folks, that is, with 4X4 vehicles.