76.07km – 10H27’
Altitude 1044m
It’s a beautiful day under the sky of Andalusia. The sun is out but there is a cold wind and the hills of yesterday, which are shaped like domes, change as the kilometers pass and become imposing and rugged mountains.
We go through Coripe at dawn in total silence, for this mountain village is still asleep. At Km 9, the point of our camp, Serge thinks he’s Corcovado for a few minutes and then there is a long ascension on this small road, the A8126. There are a few brave souls harvesting olives and we see a total of 6 cars. Next we have the N374, then the N384 with a gentle but constant ascent to the pass of Montejaque at 702 m. There follows a descent to the foothills of Ronda, then a climb to the city, and finally, to finish, an ascent to more than 1000m at the end of the day. Welcome to the Serrania of Rondo! No need to tell Serge what’s ahead, «judging by what I can see, I haven’t finished » and he is right…..
We see the sign « Province of Cadiz » and Joël hears Serge before he comes into view “The beautiful girl of Cadiz has eyes of velvet…,” Serge thinks he is la Castafiore. And while on the subject, Joël has brought variety into the refueling. He is a real chef and only the hat is missing: bacon omelette, crushed bananas with honey, etc., etc. Long live the camping gas at the roadside…. Serge has likes and dislikes and he didn’t like yesterday’s waffles, but the leftovers had some takers and Joël isn’t offended.
After 3 days of camping we take refuge in a hotel on the way out of Ronda. Tonight, water is pouring out: A big laundry is done and it’s not a luxury, shower, close shave for the guys. As Philippe says, there is pre-washing and washing. It’s a real pleasure
Ronda, like the majority of the cities in Andalusia, has a new city which hides the treasures of the old, with its narrow and twisted streets. This ancient city hides in its center the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain (1785). Prehistoric remains have be found here, as in many other cities of Andalusia, then came the Romans, the Visigoths, the Arabs, the Christians and the XVIII and XIX centuries also made their mark on this beautiful city which is a center for tourism.
Serge does not deviate from custom and in spite of my insistent wish that he finish his weekly “short stage” at the 67th kilometer, it’s no, “I will continue.” So run and follow your route, my darling!
We are now in the Province of Malaga, before reaching San Pedro de Alacantara and Marbella tomorrow.
Town : 9km après Ronda (Province de Malaga)