Sol Classic Car Club

A change of direction

Casarabonela and Alora

SOL Classic Car Club were planning a scenic drive round Axarquia in February but the proposed route was made impassible by the recent heavy rains. Rather than disappoint members, who were eager to get out and about in their cars after what seems like never-ending bad weather, a new route was hastily planned and inspected by Committee members Bob Livermore and Ross Candler.

Happily Saturday 21st turned out to be one of those now rare warm and sunny February days, and 13 cars set out from the Taberna de Urbaneja in Monda under a blue sky – a contrast from last month when it never stopped raining! It was nice to see so many tops down again.

Unfortunately Ross Davis and Chris Want never made it up from La Canada where a great deal of time was spent inspecting a faulty water pump. Not even the combined expertise of all the members who stopped to help could fix it in time!

The route led through Guaro up to Alozaina and then across to Casarabonela on a road that offered some spectacular scenery – including snowy mountain tops – and, fortunately, a good surface. The countryside shimmered wetly in shades of green, the grey-green of the olives contrasting with the more vivid green of the yellow oxalis growing underneath.

There was a coffee break at the Hotel Rural Casaron de Bonela where members could enjoy the view up to the village sprawled across the hillside above.

The next part of the drive took the cars to Ardales, passing the huge wind turbines towering above the road and giving an alien feel to the landscape. Then they turned into the mountains at Carratraca toward Alora. Here there were plenty of mud slides and rock falls but thankfully the local Ayuntamientos had sent out JCBs to make sure the road stayed open.

Lunch was at the Venta Los Conejitos where the 23 members and guests were provided with a veritable feast to fortify them for the drive home.

All in all the day was a great success, made all the more enjoyable since there is, sadly, even more rain to come!