Places to walk

Date of visit 27th February till 5th March 2016
​We've been visiting Charco del Palo for sixteen years. In fact we were sitting on the patio watching the sea when we heard about the Twin Towers attack in New York .
When we arrived the weather was quite cloudy and cool but ideal for a bit of walking and exploring. It's usually to hot to be bothered when we come later in the year. First walk was to Los Cocotoras, a walk which I have done a few times before. I've often wondered about the memorial shortly after leaving Charco del Palo. I assume somebody must have drowned or fallen there. Los Cocooras itself is a small sleepy little village, quite nice down by the small beach, protected and sheltered by a high sea wall.
To the south of the village you can see extensive salt beds, with the occasional trader selling bags of salt..although they didn't seem to be doing much trade!

I've often wondered what it was like up at the dam over looking Mala so I followed Alan's guide and left the car on the piece of waste ground next to the church. I did see a few cars driving up and down to the dam but the road is unmade and quite rough but I don't think Plus Car would have been very pleased if I had taken their immaculate Polo any further!
The walk was not difficult or particularly steep. The climb was well worth it so I walked around a bit and took a few photos.It always seems a bit sad to me to see an impressive structure in a state of neglect and disrepair. I've often wondered about the heart graffiti and what it meant and who went to the considerable effort of putting it there!  I then crossed the top of the dam,the state of the railings are in disrepair although the path itself is quite wide and safe. I climbed down and took a look inside the sluices at the base of the dam, quite spooky so I just went inside, took a few photos and left!
Before leaving I had a look around the derelict building beside the dam but there seemed to be a lot of washing and other domestic clutter about the place so I left, not wishing to intrude on someones privacy. Someone must be living or squatting up there! An interesting and enjoyable couple of hours, though I didn't see any hang gliders!

Graciosa has been another favourite place. I've walked to Casas de Pedro Barba on previous visits, quite easy for the first half but needing a bit more care along the side of the cliff! Does anyone know anything about the small boat, sitting on a sand bank, quite a bit inland, just to the north of the village? Is there any significance to it?
On this visit I walked to Playa de las Conchas, a lovely beach but unsafe for swimming, there were red flags displayed. Well worth seeing, if it's open is the little church in Calleta del Sebo (the capital!), the theme being the sea and fishing.
Usually on arrival we stocked up in Guitiza but this time we decided to try the newly reopened supermarket and we were pleasantly surprised to get most of our supplies for the week. Hopefully it will now succeed . Also tried the new Cueva Paloma and got an excellent meal. He was very busy so maybe that's the kind of thing people want rather than the more traditional restaurant. We still enjoy Reiners too of course!
We never seem to tire of Charco del Palo and you and Alan do a great job organising and promoting the viilage so hopefully see you again later in the year1

​Jim and Sandra