Walking, Wine and Tapas in Spring

The sun shone as we headed out for our first walk from Parcent to Murla. Although a sleepy village now, Murla was once the capital of the Vall de Pop. It has the oldest church in the Valencian region, said to be built in the 14thC.

We had several encounters with with the local wildlife including mating frogs and about a hundred hungry sheep, some who just couldn't wait!

We visited the village itself and caught a game of Pilota in action, had a look around the new church and its strange tower then headed for shade in the woods above the old Stations of the Cross for our pit-stop.

Then had a lovely return ambling through the forests and farmland. It had been quite a long walk and we all couldn't wait for our Paella at L'Eras.

It was over to Castell de Castells for today's walk to see the amazing Rock Arches. We took a quick detour to see a well preserved 'well', complete with billy can and water, then it was onwards and upwards to see the arches.

It was a great place to have a banana spot although Kumari had us all worried as she decided she would like to walk through the arches! Certainly had me up in a flash! We then headed back down to find our lovely grassy knoll to have lunch on.

We had time for a quick brush up and change before our guided tour of Parcents Bodega. A family run Bodega led by Armando, a man clearly passionate about his wines! I was acting as translator, although by the look on his face I may not have been 100% accurate!

We had a fascinating tour around the Bodega followed by a tasting of their wines and exquisite tapas.

Taking a break under the tree with a broken heart

Carmen's turn to lead the walk; giving us a brief history of Jalon, the Riu Raus and the raisin production. As we walked around the vineyards of Jalon we learnt about the unique way this region turned grapes to raisins via the scalding method and saw the unique buildings they built for this purpose.

We visited the Basset del Arcs and found out that at one point most of the children in Jalon learnt to swim in that basin. Carmen also pointed out the very large houses that were built with the wealth from the raisin era.

We stopped for a tasting of the local tapas in one of the original Riu Raus and recharged for another quick march back to Parcent.

This time just to retrieve the car for our drive up to the 'must see' magnificent Bernia, then over to the remote village of Pinos to eat whilst enjoying the views.

We split up today for the start of the walk. The three Musketeers; Gill, Mel, Kumari and I took on Coll de Rates. Whilst...

Gareth and Chris took a less mountainous walk to Pla de Petracos, a World Heritage Site containing cave paintings over 5,000 years old.

We all joined up at the top of Coll de Rates for our picnic. It was a little windy but with the panoramic vistas and a little wine, no-one seemed to mind.

We returned to Jalon for a tour and tasting at the Xalo co-operative who have recently won two awards for their Mistela. It's a much bigger commercial enterprise than the Parcent Bodega and they ship their wine as far as China.

Playing the clown as usual but not sure what I'm doing here, although it is pre-tasting!!

We had a very busy final day; we all headed up into the picturesque Vall de Laguar and divided into two groups: Chris, Kumari and I heading off on a forest trail taking in Fontilles (A small village surrounded by a giant wall opened originally in 1906 as a leprosy sanatorium), and the quaint village of Campell.

Whilst Gill, Mel and Gareth took on the historic Caballo Verde Ridge walk. Said to be the place of the final stand of all the remaining Moors, it boasts magnificent views both costal and inland.

Gill and Mel were lucky enough to see some orchids on their mountain walk so now with Orchid fever we jumped back in the car and headed to Lliber's Hidden Valley. Home at the right time of year (usually March) to several varieties.

This time the orchids eluded us but had been replaced by some equally stunning wildflowers including this vibrant Spanish Broom.

The ladies spent the rest of the afternoon by their pool, even swimming! (Brave for early April!), before returning to our villa for a final Spanish themed evening. We enjoyed tapas and paella with local Spanish wines, then danced along with Abelado.

A great evening to finish a fantastic week.