Thursday 21 May 2009

Old Road to Osuna








                            



With the modernisation of                     the road infrastructure in Andalucia,many of the old roads have been lost or forgotten about. But many have survived             through lack of use and only are used by people travelling to  work on  outlying farms and in the olive groves .One such road, is the old road from Los Corrales to Osuna,in the province of Sevilla,Andalucia,the Camino de Repla or the Camino Blanco as it is sometimes called,due to the white stone used on it.
For Walking ,Hiking or Cycling,this is a paradise,and virtually traffic free . A peaceful setting as you leave Los Corrales ,on a carpet of white stone. With the sounds of the husel and busel of everyday life left behind you,the sounds of the countryside take over.A warm gentle breeze whistles through the olives,with the sound of birds singing as they fly from tree to tree.
A journey of about 20km which will take you to the old town of Osuna,via good arable 
farmland,olive groves and rugged countryside,with small hills lining your way.The road 
meanders it way,like a river seeking the sea and as you pass, the ruins of old farmhouses  talk to 
you in the wind. The shepherds guide their flocks of sheep and herds of goats through this 
wilderness of hills and olives,just grazing the day away.

Follow the Camino de Repla ,from Los Corrales to Osuna on our Google map on the Location pages on our website

Wednesday 20 May 2009

Activity Holidays, Humaventura.





    




If its an activity holiday you want in Andalucia.Well look on further. In the next town to us,in Campillos,in the provice of Malaga, you will find Humaventura. 
A professionaly run organisation,specialising in outdoor 
activities from caving to horse riding and much more.
Join their groups,meet new friends,open your mind to a different world and make your dreams a reality. Discover the beauty of the surrounding area in Andalucia,walk on paths from yester years and forgotten by the people of today.Ascend the mountains and descend into caves and create an adventure as you travel through it.
As well as adventurous activities in the surrounding area, day trip excursions,weekend and 
longer activity holidays are organised by Humaventura
For anyone interested in outdoor activities with Humaventura,please contact them direct.
For accommodation,please contact Peter at the Villa Cabreros .

All activity photographs an the Villa Cabreros website are courtesy of Humaventura.

Tuesday 19 May 2009

Laguna del Gosque,Nature Reserve.





2 Km to the east of the Villa Cabreros is the small Nature reserve,the Laguna del Gosque.
This small reserve is well secluded from the road and provides a  natural sancturary for wildlife in the area.
It is a seasonal salt water lake,that normally dries out in the hot summer months,leaving a small baronless desert in the middle of the olive groves. With the coming of the first rains in the autumn,the lake slowly springs back into life.At first,what looks like an oasis,the wading birds can be seen feeding.As the days pass and with more rain in the air ,the oasis turns into a small lake, getting larger as winter draws on. This heralds the return of the Pink Flamingos, small flocks arrive daily to feed in the saline waters. A wide variety of bird life can be seen on the shores, feeding a long the waters edge we find shovelers,red knobbed coots,malards,to name but a few.
The lake is surrounded by olive groves and cultivated land,with reeds,canes,tamarik and glasswort growing along the shores.
A picnic and brabque area has been developed about 100 meters from the lake anda small pathway will take you down to the lake.
The Luguna del Gosque is easily accessed from Martin de la Jara,about a kilometer out on the Pedrera road(A353).