Teguise – Haria.

The title is not strictly true as the military have a well defended installation on the highest point, Penas del Chache 675m, as you can see from the above picture. The day started gradually along the usual sandy track through fields out of Teguise, there were some striking examples of the crushed black larva fields.

Teguise in the distance.

It was already hot and sunny and the wind seemed to have abated. As I gained height euphorbia and senecio plants dominated the rough ground. The beautiful white Ermita de las Nieves provided a sheltered haven for a snack, the wind had strengthened again. Whilst sat there a man appeared with a bunch of wild flowers, produced a vase and water for them and having lit a candle in the doorway  said a silent prayer. The place was obviously important to him and the simple ceremony touching. Whilst up here I also witnessed  the surreal sight of a mule stood in the back of a pickup truck being transported slowly, presumably to some new field for work. Alas not fast enough with the camera.

A thrilling hour was now spent traversing along the lip of the cliffs dropping 600m to a wild Atlantic sea at Farmara. One could just see the Island of Graciosa. Wouldn’t have approached so close if the wind had been any stronger, as it was I was hanging on to my hat. Fantastic spot. Descending into Haria was rapid on an ancient paved track zigzagging down crossing several times the modern road zigzagging up. This road seemed very popular with cyclists powering up, they all looked very fit. There were quite a few English voices amongst them so maybe they are here for winter training. Haria was another pleasant white village with some lively cafes, the coach trips were in. A 3 euro bus trip had me back into Arrecife within an hour and the trudge from the bus station to my hotel. I even had time for a swim in the sea before supper.                                                         This was the best day so far.

Montana Blanca – San Bartolome – Teguise.

I am now using the older  bus station a good 20mins walk across town.  There was nothing to keep me at Montana Blanca when I arrived. The morning was dull and very windy as I walked over to the larger town of San Bartolome.

San Bartolome.

This was a busy spot with complicated streets winding through it and out the other side onto the central ash plain. Hills kept appearing out of the mist

Most of the time I was walking on a dirt road between agricultural fields, an area known as El Jable,  to be honest it was rather boring. A minor highlight was crossing a small larva flow about halfway.

Many of the traditional crops are grown here – cereals, tomatoes, melons, marrows and potatoes. Small pits were dug down to the subsoil and windbreaks built. Now with more mechanisation fields can ‘ploughed’, a layer of manure is spread and then crushed black larva is brought onto site and spread out to act as a  moisture retaining layer.

Imported crushed stone.

Small depressions are still constructed for each plant and sometimes little hedges of wheat planted as a wind break. All manner of other wind breaks are constructed from pallets, boxes and stone. The area is not a pretty sight.

The rise up to Teguise became visible eventually.The town of Teguise had been the Island’s capital at one time and had some fine buildings and plazas. It was worth exploring and enjoying a cortado before catching the return bus.

                                                               The black ‘vineyards’ of LA GERIA.

Uga – Conil – Montana Blanca.

Early morning and I’m back at Uga and a coffee in the bar after the bus trip. Well signed lanes lead out of the village and a track starts climbing up towards the cone of Montana de Guardiama through a dessert of black ash.I’m passing through a well known wine growing area, La Geria. How anybody grows anything here in the black ash is a miracle. But the hillsides are covered in semicircular wind shields around pits dug in the ash with vines hanging in there. The amount of work involved must be immense. At the col I drop my rucksack and head steeply up Guardiama, missing my poles because I travelled hand luggage only. Soon up at the trig point, 606m. The volcanic rocks hereabouts are encrusted in lichens reflecting the moisture laden air of the Atlantic. Views are rather misty but I can see the coaches heading into the volcanic Timanafaya national park. Enjoyed the airy perch.   Ahead are the volcanic summits around Conil and Montana Blanca my destination. Unfortunately its road walking that takes me there passing white villages of mainly holiday villas. Some people must have ideas of grandeur…  others more taste…  and the locals just live…

Passing between volcanoes I arrive in Montana Blanca and there in front of me is the bus stop. My bus is due in 15mins but after an hour I wander to a nearby bar to make enquiries – no that bus stop is no longer used and it ill be another hour before the next bus.  Get me a taxi is my response and I’m back in Arrecife in 10mins for 12Euros.

The defunct bus stop.

In recognition of the La Geria wine growing area I’ve walked through today I buy a bottle of the local Yaiza red wine to enjoy with my supper.

From this                                                                                          to this.

Playa Blanca – Yaiza – Uga.

Today was the trial for the Lanzarote bus service, critical for my week’s walking, verdict good and later bad. After a surprisingly good breakfast I ambled along the sea front to the newish,?futuristic guagua [bus] interchange.

The no 60 guagua came on schedule and had me in Playa Blanca in no time. This is the Southern resort and had little appeal. A few cafes and the ferry from Fuerteventura which could be seen in the murky distance as well as the nearer Isla de Lobos.

I did however find just above the beach a noticeboard with a map and stages for the GR131, it would seem I’m doing it in reverse, stage 5 to start. The tourist information office 5 metres from the above board didn’t know of the existence of the GR 131 but thought I was brave for setting off. One wonders that having spent thousands on the route the authorities would tell the TI.  An outline map would be so easy to produce and would encourage people to try it. Spain has never been good at publicizing their excellent walking potential.

I was soon on my way inland on ash tracks – a feature of this volcanic island. Passing unfinished holiday developments and their associated rubbish was rather depressing. To be honest apart from the ash desert I was in there was little else of interest, few flowers, even fewer birds and the odd lizard scuttling about.

The small village of Las Breňas came as a relief with its cactus gardens and a cafe.

The route continued across the ash below the Femes volcano,611m, which looked to have some good ridge walking. As I approached Yaiza the path came alongside the lava flows from the 1730’s eruption in the south of the island. Further on after the pleasant village the path wound its way through the lava fields. This area is used regularly by tourist camel trains, thankfully I avoided that pantomime. In the background were the craters of the Timanfaya national park where access is restricted.This is barren volcanic scenery which I’ve only experienced in Iceland before.

I arrived in the village of Uga 10mins before the return bus was due. There was a Dutch couple already waiting at the stop.

Church at Uga.

Nothing happened for 45mins which gave me time to watch a group of ladybirds on the tree next to the stop. Just when thoughts of a taxi crept into my mind along came the bus and and Arrecife was soon reached. A very refreshing swim, i.e. freezing, in the rooftop pool .

A busy day, it had been hot and sunny and the walking interesting without being dramatic, wonder how tomorrow will compare.

‘Lanzagrotty‘ was a phrase from last century which the island has found hard to throw off. This is my first visit and my initial impression didn’t compare well to the other Canary Islands I’ve walked and climbed on.

Windy –  Warm  –  Worn  all come to mind on the bus from the airport.

Arrecife, which I had chosen as a base because of its central position and good bus connections, was rather drab – a mixture of Spanish and North Africa. My hotel is OK but the surrounding streets lack a certain welcome. But this a working town and port not a holiday resort.
English doesn’t seem widely spoken which is a pleasant change in Europe so my Spanish will get used and abused.
Things will look better tomorrow after I’ve had a night’s sleep and the sun is shining.
I’m here to start walking the relatively new GR 131 which traverses all the Canary Islands, missing out the wet bits. There are only 5 stages on Lanzarote which should give me a pleasant winter get away. It turns out that this a well signed way with both waymarks and signposts, there are good information boards and even numbered kilometer posts. Named the Camino Natural and not always numbered the GR131.

This is the best I can do for a map at present, will improve later.