I have been a bit lapse with my blogs of late as time seems to have slipped by in a flash from Molino la Nava (Montoro) to the end. I have to note though that I never did see a lynx in amongst all those darned olive trees. And to make matters worse my darling husband said to me one evening when we went for walk, “hey look over there” and me, silly me, looked, thinking there was a much anticipated lynx, but oh no, he said “look, it’s another olive tree”. It was and wasn’t funny… But we did spend a great day in Córdoba which we love, even if it is tough to get parked. We moved on from our olive mill hotel to Olivara, Castillo de Locubín, again, wonderful accommodation and the lovely Ana looked after us very well. Sadly no working internet (another reason for the blog lapse). From there the end was in sight, and we spent the last rest day before the final three days of the route in Complejo Rural El Molinillo, Arenas del Rey. What a location, the restaurant was set on the first floor and we had the most amazing panoramic view of the Pantano (reservoir) de los Bermejales. Stunning scenery and we took a trip to the Baleneario de Alhama de Granada, and I was glad to note that I was the youngest of all the clients that day, (that doesn’t happen often these days)! The route on the last three days took us through some of the most incredible scenery, and I know I have said that before many, many times, but this is as different as it gets from the castles, the lush green plains, the olive trees. It is called the Sierra de Tejada, Almijara and Alhama de Granada and a quick google search tells me it is metamorphic rock known as dolomitic marble. So to those of us who are non geographers it means it has geological significance, it’s rugged and barren but wild and mystical as well. Well worth seeing. Sat Nav failures – well, there have been many. I am convinced that some days my Sat Nav lady had had a night on the tiles, as she didn’t have a clue where she was sending me. But the most serious failure happened on the way to our accommodation in Escoznar. I got so lost trying to find the way, I got  bit desperate, when she sent me right, it should have been left, and so on. Finally I asked a guy in a white van if he could tell me where Calle Noria was, he asked me where we were staying and when I told him, he said he’d take me to it. I was so happy to get there! I saw the same guy the day after in yet another bar (I have spent 51 days in bars of some sort of other), and I said to him, THANK YOU! You saved me… All in a day’s work it seemed.

Todays photo is of sunrise at the pantano (reservoir), which was really special. A busy street in Córdoba, and Montefrío, a town hanging onto a cliff in Granada province. If reaching Andalucia was a big deal, then reaching Granada province was an even bigger deal! The final instalment follows soon.