Valverde – Puerto de la Estaca – La Gomera.

As a footnote we walked down to the ferry at Puerto de la Estaca on the GR131 this morning. It didn’t look far on the map but it took us longer than we expected. The manager of the Boomerang [did I detect an Aussie accent?] said fill your stomachs before going but we didn’t understand. The route, an old walled and paved way, was a joy to follow but was hard going – it is El Hierro after all. We arrived at the port early expecting to eat lunch but there was no cafe or bar – it is El Hierro after all. The ferry to La Gomera cost as much as the much longer journey to Tenerife, the girl on the till agreed it was illogical – it is El Hierro after all.  And I have to come back to walk the 131 properly.

End of the GR131 on El Hierro.

Ghostly port cafe.

Leaving El Hierro.

The crossing was thankfully calmer than a few days ago and Mount Tiede  was covered in snow from the bad weather last week. On disembarking at San Sebastion  an enterprising taxi driver accosted us and before we knew it we were enjoying the fantastic scenic roads over to Vallehermoso. A note was waiting for us at our booked apartment – just let yourself in. To make the most of the day we jumped a taxi down to the Playa and walked the delightful track up the fertile valley under Rocqe El Cano back to Vallehermoso.  Supper at the superb Agana included the local  potaje de berros, we had seen the watercress being picked earlier. Went to sleep accompanied by the frogs’ chorus.

Start of the GR131 at Playa Vallehermoso.

One for you Conrad.