Rock Around The Coast

My walk today was in the area of Aguila Playa. As you know the Canary Islands are Volcanic and it can be seen very easily in this area where the sand is grey or even blackish in some parts.The beaches are stony  and flanked by enormous rock formations.  I find it interesting to look at the varied shapes and sizes and the rocks create cosy areas of visual interest.There are beaches all along this coast which you can walk along when the tide is out but in some places the rocks jutt too far out making natural 'room' dividers and creating little coves. This is when you are forced to take a longer route on to one of the pathways.

Aguila Playa beach

The tide is going out.

Vegetation grows where ever it can, sprouting out of rock faces.

A path that leads to San Agustin. Apartments along here have fabulous views.

I sometimes like to pause and hunt for an unusual stone, there are certainly plenty of them. Imaginative people have converted a stone into a house 'name plate' by painting a design and putting their name on it. They make a colourful addition next to the front door.

There are apartments dotted all along the coast, some closer to the sea than others, here you can see the pathway that runs along the top. On a Sunday the beaches are full of local people, they bring their sunchairs and umberellas, ice boxes and picnics and stay the whole day and have a lovely relaxing time.

The old worn out steps go up and round this big rugged cliff. At the top you arrive to San Agustin where you can go down the hill (a slightly better option that going up) and on to San Agustin beach. This is where my journey ends today, I could walk up them, not that I am a coward or anything, but time is short so I think I will just turn round and head back the way I came. I will attempt the steps another day when my legs don't feel like jelly. 

A Fishy Walk

There is nothing like working up an appetite for lunch, especially a fishy lunch right by the sea. A long walk along the sea front breathing in the fresh salty air and the thought of a good meal can really motivate you to walk that extra mile.
Arinaga  is a little town that can offer both a place to walk and feed and water you as well. It has a really long promenade right next to the sea where a good selection of fish restaurants are arranged along the front. It is nice to know that the fish is coming straight from the ocean that day and right onto your plate.
One of my favourite places is at the end of the promenade and the restaurant is actually built into the rock.  Years ago it was a lime factory and the kilns and chimneys still exist. If you go inside the restaurant you can look up at the huge chimney. There is a large glass window which gives excellent protection from the wind without cutting out any of the view. However on a calm day the very best thing to do is to sit outside at one of the wooden tables, it would be impossible to get any closer to the sea edge.
A glass of white chilled Bemejo from Lanzarote to sip at while contemplating the view and then later something mouth watering, whether it be a piece of local fish, prawns in garlic or mussels, whatever you may choose it will be just perfect.



A Walk In The Park

Nestled  into the back of Maspalomas is the urbanization San Fernando. Apart from the varied bars,  restaurants and shops it also has a library, a market every Wednesday and Saturday, a Farmers market every two weeks, Sports centre, Palanca, Tennis Courts, Swimming baths, Football pitches and what I like most of all a decent sized park.
It makes a change every so often to walk around the park instead of along by the sea. It is nice to see the bright green lawns and many plants which give a tranquil atmosphere.

This tree is growing at the entrance to the park.

The path winds right round the park which makes a good circuit for runners and walkers alike. Hibiscus hedges line the path ways, some have startling red flowers and on others golden yellow.

In the centre of the park there is a little lake which offers a cool rest for various birds. There is also a children's play area including a sand pit, a picnic area, and a little bar. The bar makes a very welcome stop after you have done two or three laps round the park.........

The golden yellow Hibiscus.

Walking around the park you can see the varied collection of plants and Cacti of which all are taken care of
very well.

The Estrelliza or better known as Bird of Paradise.

The. Hibiscus flowers give fantastic splashes of colour everywhere. At night the flower curls up and goes to sleep...Unfortunately the flowers do not last long, if you pick one it only lives a day.
I can't resist picking them though,  they make a lovely table decoration. Or place one in a single glass vase and place it in a visible area, it really is a cheerful flower to have around. I also dry them and make pictures, of course the colour cannot be preserved but the beauty of them never fades.

Follow The Red Brick Road

 Follow the red brick road winding down from Aguila Playa to San Agustin. In places they have even put ramps making it easy for those with wheels.

What a view, San Agustin beach in the foreground and the golden peak of Playa del Inglés beach at the back. San Agustin cannot boast the golden sands of Maspalomas and Playa del Inglés but it does have a natural charm. The Volcanic sand and rock pools make this beach, unique and unspoilt.  

The path that runs behind the beach is shaded with palm trees. 

 I started off on my walk fairly early for a Sunday and most people were still at home sipping their morning coffee. It was one of those days when the weather likes to tease. One minute cloudy and overcast and the next sunny and bright.

The many rocks on the beach add to it's natural charm.

The early bird catches the worm, or in this case a fisherman or two trying their luck.

The rock formations are impressive and support wild life such as crabs and birds looking for a tasty morsel.

This lovely walkway leads all the way to Playa del Inglés. Someone has obviously already had their coffee and now out enjoying the scene.

The rocks have a variety of colours.

This beautiful sculpture is situated right on San Agustin beach and makes a stunning contrast.

Well I think it is time to turn round and head back to the red brick road. I have a steep hill to walk up on the way back so I need to conserve my energy. I will leave the walk into Playa del inglés for another day.

GIVE THOSE POOR OLD FEET A REST

 It is interesting to take a walk through the Masplaomas sanddunes where both wild life and fauna flourish. It is quite a feat to walk up and over the dunes not to mention a good work out for the thighs....  You can imagine being in some lost desert and Lawrence of Arabia about to come dashing over one of the dunes. Actually there is an opportunity to adapt Lawrence's form of travel across the desert by hopping on a camel and give those poor old feet a rest. Alright Maspalomas dunes is not exactly the Sahara and you can't just hop on a camel,  but with a good imagination......

  In the distant background you can see the Camel train ready and waiting to take their visitors off exploring into the dunes.

                                                      These camels are having a day off.

Baby camels, not yet ready to carry heavy lumps.........

                                                This is the best way to see the sand dunes.
Mounting the camel takes quite a time. Everyone has to be strapped in tightly and if one person weighs more that the other, the weight has to be made equal by attaching sandbags to the side that weighs the least. This is to ensure equal balance so that the poor camel does not suffer, not to mention the person who would be hanging from the side of the camel. 

Surprisingly trees and vegetation grow in abundance in the sandy terrain.

The camel train.

It can be quite unnerving being infront of another camel, you can hear hot snorting from big nostrils and hear the licking from a long slimey tongue, sometimes they try to have a nibble at you. 

                        In the distance, behind the distant trees is Maspalomas beach. 
Perhaps after dismounting the camel and leaving him safely tethered it is time for a cool dip in the sea.

Walk On High

I thought I would have a rest from the beach and a real change of scenery. The mountains of Gran canaria are breathtaking and there are many routes to take. I opted for an easy walk, not too high, a little bit rocky but I could cope, and one of the shortest walks only about thirty minutes from base to top. My destination is called Roque Nublo. (Cloudy Rock). Or it could even be translated to 'Rock in the Clouds' as it is one of the highest points on the island.

Roque Nublo, the enormous rock is situated above pine forests.

The begining of the walk, there are plenty of maps to show the way.

Now which way way do we go?

The pathways were good but at times steep. I confess that I had to have a few stops to catch my breath. Not used to hill climbing!

Getting close, but my goodness all those people, like ants swarming over a rock.

Well this it the great and famous rock that you will find on lots of postcards. I did not go any closer, all those peole put me off. There were even people rock climbing.
If I had gone round the other side of the rock I would have had a beautiful view of Tenerife, however I decided to leave that for the next time.

On the way down again back through the pine trees.

This is one of the many reservoirs on the island, just had enough puff left to take a pic or two. One day I will go down and explore the banks.