17th April, picnic site

A 9km road walk along the main road from Don Fadrique to Amacilles, being sunday no one stops for hitchers.
It was then a rough road for 5km to Canada la Cruz, where I stopped at the bar for an hour before setting off on another road section, boring.
At the pass after 7 or 8km the road became unpaved and downhill for a long way until I came to a picnic area, complete with spring tables and good places to pitch my tent. 22 miles plus for the day.
Since leaving the 247 the GR7 is mostly tarmac, boring

Pueblo de Don Fadrique

After leaving Potones the trail followed a vague path, together with the GR247 for 11km, until they seperated.
The GR7 became a road walk downhill for several kms to Santiago de la Espada. After getting food from the supermercado, I set off to hitch the 28km road to Pueblo de Don Fadrique.
I got 2 v.short rides, yet still walked a long way uphill until.a german guy gave me a lift all.the way to PdDF.
He dropped me off in the village centre, and I went straight to the bar to get my bearings. A young couple invited me for a beer and to join them for food they'd ordered
He, Fredrique spoke slightly better English than my Spanish, never the less after a few beers and wine and several phone calls it was arranged for a shower and place for me to sleep at the village sports centre.
Altogether a good day.

April 15th Potones

The refugio was a lot warmer than the outside temperature in the morning.
The landscape was now a flatter area between mountains, big dry country that is overgrazed. Very few cattle visible.
There was lots of patches of snow about still. Not as spectacular as the previous days walking.
I thought I'd go across country to get to Santiago de la Espada, missing out Potones. After a few km the 1st place on marked on my map was just a road junction, so I cut back to the GR247.
At the highest point of todays walk I was a tad under 6000ft. Then it was mostly downhill to  Potones.
Eventually it became more forested and narrow until a few km before Potones.
The GR7 joined the 247, and from here I'll be following the GR7 all the way.
Potones didn't look much, but I found a hotel for 20euro's for the night

April 14th Rambla Seca Refuge

Each day gets better, the scenery and now the cold wind that's been blowing for 2 weeks has gone.
The 1st few miles were on level track, then the GR left the track and was a path that gradually ascended, with descents through remote country.
On the 2nd ascent, I forded a river 3 times following up a beautiful valley that reminded me of views I've seen of the USA.
I saw lots of ibex and deer from here on. One ibex was in the middle of the track mainly consumed by vultures ? There are lots of vultures each day.
I stopped at the 1st refuge for water and carried on to the next one
I didn't see anyone until shortly before I stopped at the refuge.
33km for the day is my longest day so far since leaving Ronda.

13th April El Hornico

  It was climb and climb with thr occaisional descent all morning for over 3600 to a highpoint at over 5300.
Skirting the peaks so that at times it was warm and still, others windy and cloud, again.
I should have waited another month to walk the GR247 .
It was a lovely descent through woodland with sun and no wind, getting warmer all the way.
I reached my destination, a nature study centre, with accomadation, only to find it deserted. Too early in the year.
It was a good place to stop anyhow. When I noticed a security camera I gave a wave and indicated I wanted to sleep.     After a bit a man turned up in an official vehicle, and took me to the casa rural, (country house). Everything I needed  for 30 euro.
I turned all the heaters on, got washing done and had a long soak in the bath. Lovely

April 12th nr Belerda

Last night's refuge was at 4900', so it was a cold start this morning.
Great walking on quiet trails and mule tracks along the edge of the mountains. I saw only 2 other people, runners.
Then at a pass the views to the south opened up on the descent to Tiscar and then Belerda.
The weather is so changeable from really cold when in the wind and it is cloudy, to warm, when out of the wind and it is sunny.
Belerda was a reasonable size village with nothing much there. At the open air bar I was told that I had to return to Tiscar to find accomadation !
So a steep 500' back to Tiscar and both places were very shut - too early in the year ?
So I walked on to near where the GR245 comes up from Belerda, and found a flat spot on the side of a disused road for the night.
It would have been good to charge my phone somewhere, ah well.

April 11th Collada Zamora

Overnight rain and a slow packing up meant I didn't leave until 10.45.
A long plod uphill with a sticky surface after the rain brought me above spectacular cliffs. The rest of the days 13km was up and down, gradually gaining height.
For the 1st day the scenery was a delight.
I saw a female ibex type creature at one point, and plenty of birds.
The cold wind and cloudy periods meant I was putting on and taking off layers constantly.
When I arrived at the forest house reserve I was disappointed to find no fire or stove, there's masses of wood everywhere !
The place was smart and clean. I had to walk over 1km before I found a trickle of water, mmm
It's going to be an early night methinks.