Iron Man

Guest blip today since S's day was far more exciting than mine. Here he is at the summit of Mulhacén, the highest mountain in Spain (3,479m). Statistics: 32 km, 2,800 m of climbing, 2,800 m of descent, and about 16 hours (spread over two days). The sobriquet of "el hombre de hierro" was given by another member of the group, who then asked how old he was (definitely the oldest in the group!). The guide took no prisoners -- two of the nine people gave up when they reached the refuge yesterday afternoon, and another turned back well before the summit today. S was a little disappointed that the final climb was so rushed in order to get back before dark -- no time to stop and photograph the many ibex, or the very friendly fox they met. Still, he's now been there and (literally) got the T-shirt.

My exploit was much tamer -- I did a circular walk along the river Guadalfeo in Vélez, passed along the way by dozens of runners competing in a cross-country race. Handily, the road had been closed for them, which meant that the return loop was more peaceful than it would otherwise have been. On the way back I picked a couple of kilos of Seville oranges off roadside trees, and got my marmalade started, alongside some bread-baking. And in the early evening I drove to Orgiva to pick S up and spent a rather boring 45 minutes waiting for him in a cafe, having forgotten to pick up my book on the way out.

Back home, celebratory cava and a swiftly prepared risotto before S caved and went to bed :)