Repeating our journey of yesterday, we head up the GM2 again, eventually driving past the highest point, and then begin our descent, now on GM1. The weather is not at all kind, the only good thing one can say is that the car really needs a wash, and it certainly gets a power clean today!
As we descend on the road to the Valle Gran Rey – valley of the great king, it’s not difficult to work out why it is so named, this majestic valley is amazing, the road twisting and turning forever, we see spectacular views when the cloud parts briefly, until we eventually descend below cloud level and finally the view is uninterrupted down to the two towns of La Calera and the valley’s namesake.
We park in La Calera and head off along the front past a nice beach to Valle Gran Rey, intending to continue on the coastal path beyond, but unfortunately no one told Mr Google the path is closed by a substantial gate and fencing. We later see hard-hatted workmen walking along so presumably it is for safety reasons. Instead we settle for the harbour arm, watching two circling stingrays, before turning around and retracing our steps.
We find a fabulous statue of Hautacuperche, who lost his life in 1488, the aboriginal leader of the island at the time was defending his peoples against invaders.
So far the weather has improved considerably, after a low of 12.5° we’re back to 26° now we’re down at sea level. We observe that the only language spoken is German, we do not hear a single Spanish, English or other voice, and as we walk around La Calera we find a German bakery to buy some savouries, apfelstrudel and cherry cake. As we do this the heavens suddenly open and we’re glad we hadn’t taken the extra path. We dash back to the car only 50 yards away, and sit and laugh for a while before accepting defeat for now, plotting our next destination.
Our plan it to aim for Agulo, allegedly one of Spain’s most beautiful towns, but on the way we have other places to visit. Firstly we stop in a lay-by to enjoy our delightful German lunch, then stop at a disused restaurant designed by the world famous Spanish architect César Manrique. I cannot find out why this is disused.
Moving on we continue to enjoy the crazy winding GM1, and stop to take a little walk to view the amazing interlocking spurs we have been traversing, a geography lesson in itself. The views down the other side to the sea 2000 feet below are breathtaking.
Sadly more torrential rain stops play at Agulo, but with 30 second’s warning at least we don’t get wet, so we promise to come back next year to see this town, and continue our journey back to the Parador.
We enjoy a relaxed couple of hours reading and writing on our veranda, before showering and dressing for dinner, a FaceTime to Sheffield and then head off to the dining room. We decide to favour Cañarían choices tonight, and select Iberian ham and almagrote (cheese pâté) for starters, followed by rabbit casserole and a risotto of mushroom, foie gras and shaved truffle. Everything is fabulous – however we somehow fail to order half portions for the starters so decline dessert!
