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.

Early morning on Maspalomas Beach

 

A few energetic people out for early morning excercise.  The distant lighthouse acts as a landmark, and nestled close by are a few five star hotels.  

The natural beauty of the sand dunes that lace maspalomas beach.  

This little lagoon is a part of a nature reserve and proudly protected. It attracts lots of wild life and different species of birds.

One of the life guard posts which are dotted up and down the beach. The coast is fiercly guarded and bathers protected. If a red flag flies, do not swim.......although you would be amazed at how many ignore this warning.  

The walkway past the Ifa hotel where people are starting the day with breakfast on the terrace.

A slight breeze makes ripples on the lagoon, it is going to be another lovely day.

The criss cross tyre tracks have been left by the cleaning lorries.

The sand dunes are protected and well looked after. There are fears that the beach is gradually been eroded, which will affect the dunes also.

Maspalomas beach joins the Playa del Ingles beach round the bay.It is a few miles long and makes a lovely walk. A nice way to start the day. 

These boots are made for walking



A view of Maspalomas beach from across the Lagoon.





A place to work hard on getting a suntan.



Walkway to and from Maspalomas beach with a view of the mountains in the distance. Taken on a real cloudy day without a ray of sunshine. That does not happen very often.



The otherside of the walkway. This was taken on the 'cloudy' day.

The Lagoon which is a 'Nature Reserve'.

It has been very windy today so I thought that I would brave going out in the Midday sun. Well actually it was half past two by the time I set out. I tried to find excuses not to go. However gave myself a good talking too, and was soon on my way. The wind helped to make it a bit cooler. It did not stop people going to the beach though it was packed.
Every time I am on my walk I think why do I make such a big deal about going out. For example
yesterday I persuaded myself that I needed to give my body a rest, and I actually believed it!
How different today, once I was out and in full stride as it were, I felt really great especially after being stressed all morning. By the time I arrived home again I was bursting with the feeling of good health. Later I still felt relaxed and dare I say peaceful. Maybe I have even lost an ounce or two which would be good! There is certainly something in this walking lark ( I guess that is why everyone does it ).
Apart from the great feeling that it gives me, I have found that it is a way of getting intouch with the moment,  a ' Now Moment'.
So the next time I tell myself that I need to give my body a rest I will just sing 'These boots are made for walking'