BEST WALK THIS YEAR

My first visitor arrived on Monday, and hey presto the sun shone, the pool came into its own, and we had to talk Ann out of plunging into its icy depth Just the job having lunch outside. We have had a few trips during the week, to look at apartments in the area, to link up with two therapists in Calpe who will be a good link for having a base to work from. Alternative therapy is alive and spreading on the costa blanca as life gets tougher, and people look to other ways of keeping well.

Unfortunately after a trip to Javea, and the renowned Scallops seafront restaurant, Ann had a sleepless night and missed the trip to see the almond blossom in Jalon. Really frustrating, as we had both been looking forward to it. This walk had been put off for 3 weeks, either because the blossom was not out, or the weather was too grim.So leaving Ann to recover I set off to join the 26 people eager for the experience. The Jalon Valley is a magnet for tourists and yet retains its village atmosphere. There are oranges. almonds. honey and wine,a veri table land of milk and honey.The vines here are just stumps, with a backdrop of trees. The road was an easy saunter and we were soon surrounded by orchards of blossoms, from very pale to dark pink, exuding a sweet honeysuckle perfume.Perhaps I had better not tell Ann about it, although it will be a treat in store for her next February.When we finally arrived back in Jalon it was time for a beer in the famous Halleluia bar, where the owner delights customers by pouring wine from the purron down the side of his nose into his mouth A challenging performance, which nobody is inclined to imitate We piled back into the various cars, laden with oranges, almonds, local honey, and lots of good memories