2 wrongs can make a right!
Wrong #1 - Whilst walking with a Steve G a month or so ago, our walk went somewhat wrong due to a large quantity of new fencing that had appeared, blocking our way and forcing us to modify and extend our walk. It was during this diversion, that the conversation turned towards our neighbouring village of Relleu. We were both in agreement that to our knowledge, the only realistic route from Sella to Relleu and back again was a linear walk, which although a nice walk, meant that the outward and return legs both followed the same path. We agreed how much better the walk would be if it were to be a circular route that could include a stop off in Relleu for refreshment.
Wrong #2 - Earlier this week we thought we would take advantage of the continuing glorious weather and have a day on the beach at Villajoyosa. I set off an hour before Angela, the plan being that I would run down to the Orcheta Resevoir where she would pick me up in the car en route. Unfortunately when Angela was ready to leave, the car would not start (flat battery - my fault!). So, I decided that seeing as it was such a nice day, I would just walk back up to Sella. While I was walking through the village of Orcheta I noticed a ceramic tile that featured a yellow arrow and the words Camino de Santiago. Although I was vaguely aware of a 1200Km walk from Alicante to Santiago de Compostela (the Camino Del Sureste) I had no knowledge of its exact route. Anyway as I continued Sellawards, for the next couple of Km's or so I noticed more yellow arrows painted on the side of the road, until eventually they indicated that the route went off to the left away from the main road and up an easy to miss but inviting little path. I resisted the tempting invite! but, following the yellow arrows had brought back happy memories of my own walk to Santiago via the Camino Frances or Camino Real back in 2005. Once home a bit of research on the Internet showed me that what I had actually stumbled on was the 'Ruta Central' leg of the Camino Del Sureste which joins the main Sureste path at Villena before it heads north via Madrid and on to Santiago de Compostella - mmm, now theres an idea!!! However, what was of interest to me at this moment was that from where the camino and I had parted company, the next village that it would pass through was Relleu - at this point in my head the idea of a circular walk starting in Sella and passing through Relleu was suddenly becoming much more of a reality, and further research was required!
So at 07:00 this morning Eric and I set off to investigate this potential new walk. For the initial 6Km section from Sella to where we picked up the Camino route, we managed to avoid the main road for about for about half of the way, and I believe that with a bit more research we may be able to eliminate the main road completely. Once on the Camino we were initially led up a fairly steep but wonderful little path that took us through some stunning scenery, never having to go too far before coming across another reassuring yellow arrow. My fear was that once up this initial part of the Camino, it would simply rejoin the main road all the way to Relleu. What I was hoping was that the Camino would stay away from the road and follow paths and tracks all the way. Well, I was in luck! With the exception of a very short section on the road, we were on paths and tracks for the whole way to Relleu. Considering the proximity of the two villages, the difference in landscape is quite surprising, the terraces of this part of Relleu being generally much bigger and flatter than those of Sella, and much to Eric's delight (unlike around Sella) we seemed to come across a rabbit with every turn! Once in the village of Relleu, options include a drink or something to eat in one of the bars and a visit to the castle before returning to Sella via the popular and well known PRV route - long live the Sella Relleu Circuit!
MHS - 16 September 2012
