27 Dec Sonjannika 5c – cos i bailed on the 6a+ though i at least spanked myself trying this time
Start the day rightAdventure approach (2 knotted rope descents)Found the right path after reclimbing the 3rd knotted rope (should’ve turned left at top of this instead of descending it)Ben belaying Sophie from the caveBelaying Jenny from the caveCave exit
Easy day – very contrasting routes – TMS was easily 5b sparsely bolted – VC overly bolted and easierStayed up this timeOor hooseSome locals let off WWIII in the square with a homemade handheld launcher 😂
New Year’s Day 26 – El Realat Ridge 4c
Leaving 08:00Start of El Realat left Puig Campana rightSophie leads off along the 4cBen belaying SophieBen following Sophie & Jenny belaying me along the initial technical crestJenny on a random sectionBen & Jenny approaching El Realat IIBen & Jenny on last castellated section before El Realat IIIBen & Sophie demob happy
2nd Jan – Toix Ridge Integral IV (Ben & Sophie left this morning)
Asked for cognac – Terry? He whinced slighlty and suggested a local favourite, which involved pouring a huge measure into a glass laid on a bain MarieActually good value considering he served over ¼ of a bottle costing €85 – €100
03 Jan – Route 48
3¾hrs of scratchy (including diversions and lunch) 16km +1,340m climbing
Summit view Castell d’Aixa 606mWell..well …well…Never heard these beforeIberian Magpie (pics off internet)😂Disappointing – server appeared not to understand ‘sin gluten’ despite the kitchen being able to explain ingredients were, with the usual cross-contam caveat. She then failed to take Jenny’s order, then failed to serve the coffee i ordered – also a family who had a reservation somehow had to leave without any food
4 Jan Trump attacks Venezuela 😮
Heavy rain overnight and low cloud/rain today so Cooperativa for some cultureMore culture at Flamenco session in Casa Aleluya – father of the owner rang a cowbell to announce his party-piece of drinking wine from a Porrón by funneling it from his forehead via his nose
5 Jan – another very wet cold and heavy cloud day so we went to Valencia
Graffiti tourWe stayed here Axel 4☆
7th Jan – Benigembla 15km circuit after finding excellent café bar (Route 66)
TF? Ice?
8 Jan – Murla
9th – last day – coffee in Cooperativa then walk up to Font de la Pobla from Benigembla (toad Seeking) then lunch in Ruta 66 – then home to Mummy’s Chili
louis hume 