This is the time of year when we normally start thing about our annual Almond Blossom Walk. Last year we did two walks, on 5th and 11th February. You can see from last year’s blog that the valley was in bloom.
This year we have noticed that the almond trees have been very slow to bloom. Not that it makes too much difference, as we have had to suspend both of our U3A walking groups due to the coronavirus.
So we decided to do a recce of the valley to see how the blossom was doing. We had a lovely sunny morning, which would be ideal for taking photographs.
We would not be able to visit a bar for a drink after our walk, as they are all closed except for take-away. However we were quite pleased with our picnic site at Alcalali Ermitia. Jan brought a flask of hot water so that we could make fresh coffee and tea.
This is also orange picking season, and we have seen a few teams doing so over the past few weeks. But it was clear that the recent heavy winds have stripped most of those fields not already picked. There were more oranges on the ground than on the trees.
There were a scattering of almond trees in blossom, but they were few and far between. Often just one tree in bloom amongst a field of bare trees.
It was also sad to see the effect of the almond tree blight. Many fields were overgrown and empty, with holes where the trees had been removed. Owners will not be able to replant almond trees for ten years.
This included many fields which had offered the best views over previous years, and which had been a feature of our annual almond blossom walks. It is hard to see how the valley will ever recover.
No doubt in the coming weeks the blossom will increase, as will the number of visitors drawn by its reputation. Those who have not seen it before will no doubt be impressed. But those who have known it in its full splendour will be sad to see that it is now only a shadow of its former wide spread beauty.
Stats
Time taken – 3.5
hours
Distance
– 11 km
Total
Ascent – 100 metres
Temperature
– 16-24c
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