I may be able to 'wet your appetite' with this one - the annual water fiesta. A mixture of music, colour and water - lots of water! One of the few events where a 'total wash out' signifies a total success!
Photo - Habitación en la casa rural "La Casa Blava"en Sella.Last weekend was Fira time in Sella - the Crafts and Local Produce Fair - an event which takes place every year. The Plaza Mayor, decked out with colourful banners and lights, looked very festive. Among the stalls were lovely ceramics, basket ware and local specialities such as honey, chorizo sausages, wine and olive oil. There was a great atmosphere with music and dancing including the popular Jota de Sella and on Saturday, everyone was invited to partake of the huge paella, enough for 300 people, courtesy of the Town Hall and cooked on an open fire in the street. Antique furniture and farming implements were displayed, as usual, down the steps of the Calle Mayor and there was a painting competition, a honey making demonstration and village houses open to the public. On Sunday, a local photographic society KDD, chose Sella for their monthly meet and wandered around the village taking some amazing photos, some of which can be seen on flickr.
As in previous years and along with thousand´s of others, we celebrated the fiesta of San Juan (St. John the Baptist) by heading down to a local beach. Most people arrive fully equipped with friends, family, firewood, swimwear, tables, chairs and picnics that resemble royal banquets. Add to this the combination of live music on a vast stage, a firework display, bonfires on the beach (that for some reason best known to themselves, young men insist on jumping through - OK some not so young i.e. me above!) and at midnight a traditional swim in the sea, then what you've got is a great night out and one that normally carries on into the early hours - thoroughly recommended if ever you get the chance!
Photo Gill Round
Date 18th Jan 2009
Sanchet and Ponoch from Puig Campana
On the Summit of Puig Campana
Benidorm From Puig CampanaApproaching the Col del Pouet we heard the babble of crowds and then discovered that the col was a huge car park. We walked on towards the Paso de Bandaleros and sat down in what is now a black desert but what was then a shady bower for our almuerzo. On the long easy slope to Ponoch we overtook other walking groups and thought we must be first on the summit except for a cyclist in shorts who greeted us as an old friend. It was José Vicente the chemist. He took off to explore the edges of Ponoch while we opened the sandwiches as groups piled around us.
Realets from Ponoch
Ponoch SummitWhen he returned we set off together to return to the Bandaleros, sliding over loose stones at many points. Here we parted and descended to Col de Llam and took the donkey trail on the contouring path below Sanchet to the foot of its ridge. It was on this track that two of us were wondering if we could finish the project (Martin was not entertaining similar thoughts). The rocks of Sanchet, our third summit, were intimidating above us. At the foot of the ridge there came the crucial moment of this story which involves a siesta, an orange and a new attitude. We probably only spent half an hour here but it felt like a good restful hour. At the end of this we somehow felt different. Poc a poc was to be the approach. The big boulders provided firm footing. Soon a breeze wafted up from the left edge. Poc a poc, step by step, we ascended the ridge until forced down right into a gully which led to the summit. At the scramble up to the last summit Martin, who was ahead, called down, ‘We’re not alone!’ Here were a husband and wife team who recognised Terry from the same climbing club in the UK. Much climbing talk ensued.
The Sanchet AscentNow all that remained was the exposed scramble down to the long scree into the wood and the always welcomed arrival of La Carrasca. From here we walked down to the entrance of the Buddhist valley where Angela picked us up and drove us back to Font del Molí to pick up the car, as we lay back tired and exhilarated – you might say, a bit burnt out, but recovering already.
By Terry Gifford and Gill Round
A mountain fire, started by an electricity pylon being blown over in gale force winds, engulfed the whole eastern side of the Puig Campana on the 24th January 2009.
