Degollada de Peraza –  San Sebastion.

The bus up into the Island was full of walkers this morning, we must be good for the economy. Straight into the bar for a coffee before picking up the red and white flashes of our path. This led us down towards the valley of La Laja which I visited Dec 2014, but quickly deviated before we lost too much height across the steep hillside on a shepherds path. Guess what? we came back onto the road so it was only a diversion to avoid the tarmac, but a diversion with a view.

Looking down to La Laja.

Then it was all downhill along a stony ridge to drop right into San Sebastion. We enjoyed the views towards the coast and snowy Mt. Tiede across the water on Tenerife. Behind us the centre of the Island and Garajonay were in cloud as usual. At the first bar we hit late lunch of tasty tapas was taken, it’s great they serve all day, to celebrate completing the GR131 on La Gomera at least.

Finishing off into San Sebastion.

Sunbathing on the hotel roof we chatted to a Scottish lass who has recently partaken in  Stage 1, London to Rio De Janeiro, of the round the world Clipper Race. Her tales had us scared and respectful, no way would I put myself through those deprivations. She is returning for another leg through the Panama Canal. Other people we met were on more humble explorations of the Canaries but all had an interesting story to tell, as had we. This is all part of the travelling ethos – its not necessarily where you go but how you experience it and whom you meet.

Next morning we experienced the expensive Parador Hotel up above the port, sneaked in for a coffee and a walk around their gardens. Didn’t try the heated pool. Within a few hours we are back in Britain and you all know what that means – cold and wet – and memories.