Walking on La Gomera

Arriving for breakfast we met the other three members of the group, Hillary, Hester and Jill – ladies of a certain age - and were all fit and raring to go by the time our guide – Juan Miguel- arrived for our briefing meeting.

Off to the local market to pick up supplies for our picnic lunch before we got on the road northwards to the start of our first walk – billed as a gentle opening walk – only 5 miles/ 4 hours. Did I mention that the island is unseasonably hot due to the Scirocco wind blowing from the African Coast – it was 25C as we left the hotel and probably peaked at 30C or so after lunchtime. This made the gentle walk a little more challenging particularly when you consider the eroded volcanic landscape through which we descended towards our lunch stop at Benchijigua. 

Each day we have been treated to some great views of Mount Teide on Tenerife - some atmospheric as the mountain peaks out from above the clouds and others where it just seems to appear from nowhere as you round a bend in the track.

The temperature became more of an issue after lunch as we ascended thought the Santiago ravine with little or no shade on our way to Imada where thankfully there was a welcoming bar serving ice cold local beer – and our transport back to the Hotel.

A good introduction to an island where there are few flat surfaces – everything is either a steep climb or a steep descent -  but hotter than expected, and a bit later return so we missed our evening dip in the pool. Had to settle for a hot shower and a cold beer instead.