Cart drawn by 3 horses
After three punctures in as many days and both gear cables breaking on the same day, I took my bike into Boronat Cycles in Gata de Gorgos at 4pm. They could not fix the cables until 5.30. So I decided to explore Gata’s labyrinth of streets that has always confounded me.
This time I found myself at the back of the village, where a beautifully designed walkway passes alongside the gorge. The bleached white bedrock of the gorge bottom contrasts strongly with the red-brown of the precipitous side of a curve where the gorge leaves the village to snake towards the mountains. I left it there to go back for my bike, intent on returning to complete the walk.
View of the path alongside Gata: Charles in foreground.
So yesterday, my friend Charles and I set out to do just that. Soon after rounding the curve, the path crosses the gorge and we followed a path marked by two cairns, climbing a little, instead of taking the flatter path to the left. But as we climbed there were no indications we had chosen correctly. The path (PR CV412) should have been marked with two bars, white and red. No sooner had we turned round to head back to the other path than we met a local man, Mathias, walking his two dogs. He confirmed we were on the right path and he offered to accompany us on the walk.
As we climbed higher through the lush glen, Mathias pointed out the occasional orchid (pyramidalis). He explained to us that March is the best month to see a number of different species in flower.
A short diversion took us down to the Font de Mata.
The font de Mata.
A few steps lead down to the well which was full of fresh water, continuously supplied by the source in the rocks behind from which an old lentiscus bush (in Valenciano it is called “mata”) grows. Also named the mastic tree, the highly scented resin it produces is used in cosmetics, cooking and medicines as well as in the manufacture of high grade varnish.
Stone drinking troughs by the font.
The well was originally made by the Moors hundreds of years ago, as a source of drinking water and irrigation.
Further up the glen, several remnants of houses from recent times (c200 years) can be found. One of them still has the lower stone of its olive mill in place.
Remaining stone of olive mill.
With the legs now tiring there was a stiff climb to the highest point of the walk (430m). Halfway up, to the right of the track, a small opening in the ground leads down a deep fissure. A metal ring secured to the rock is the only sign that people have tried to explore inside. They had reached water and gone no further.
Once on top, the views are extensive. In one direction, the curve of the Valencian coast to the north. Javea town, dominated by the Montgo mountain is to the east. In the other direction, Benissa with its dominating cathedral-like church points to the Bernia mountain.
The climb to the highest point.
The walk back is quite different, descending over flaky limestone rock, supporting a multitude of colourful perennial flowers.
Heading down.
Just short of reaching Gata, we passed by the huerto (garden) belonging to Mathias’ suegro (father-in-law). He was there as he always is when not working, cultivating fruit and vegetables for the house.
Mathias and father-in-law.
Back in Gata, we shared a beer with Mathias and hoped to see him on the trail sometime in the future. In between cycling.
GALA IN THE GARDEN
On June 25th. we are holding a very special event here at Casa de Vinas to raise money for orphans in S.Africa. We will be entertained by the 30 voice Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir, Jane Betsworth (professional soprano) and John Butson (trumpet). A donation of 10 euro is asked for each ticket. All proceeds will go directly to Family Restoration Services who care for over 470 orphans in the black township of Motherwell as well as providing a home for 25 orphans in the Thamsanqa orphanage.
Although there are 200 tickets for sale, about 140 have so far been sold. Please contact me (eric_olverson@yahoo.co.uk) if you would like to come along.
In recent weeks, our Sunday rides have taken us up the long and arduous climb to La LLacuna in the La Safor mountains, while also heading further north to the rice fields near Valencia. The people of Benissa used to walk to that area to first plant the rice fields, and then later in the year to harvest. The last living person to take part in the annual event died a few years ago I believe. Now of course everything is mechanised but the birdlife that thrives in the flooded paddy fields is still in abundance.
