For June the Club Torrevieja Classics and Specialists Cars took their members for a trip far from the madding crowd. The members arrived at the Ermita of Pilarica high above Benejuzar which since it was rebuilt in 2001 the magnificent Ermita now has an impressive terrace that over looks the plains of the Vega Baja and the tree lined avenue takes your eye to the jagged Sierras of Callosa. From there the cars took the almost deserted country roads through the Sierras of Orihuela and Redovan through the lemon groves surrounding the Village of Matanza. As four crops are picked from one lemon tree each year no matter what time of the year you are there you are able to see the lemons stretching for miles.
Starting the slow climb they entered the almost deserted Albanilla with the narrow calles only once having to stop when a local in front stopped his car in the centre of the street to collect his paper and pass the day, of course not getting out, then continued. Passing through Mahoya and the steep twisting road though the Sierras del Puerto and Barinas dropping down below are the wine growing plains. Spectacular vista though the lorry logged on a shelf below did not make one corner. The road was so deserted that it was spot the car but always the people on the roadside enjoyed our cavalcade and the fresh air made a welcome relief from the searing sun of the Costa.The inner man was calling and the little village of Macisvenda, clinging to the mountain side, awaited us as was the Mayor to a guide us to deserted street near the little white church. The display of Cars gave the locals something to see while we retired to Javi´s for our meal. The Mayor had just asked the people living there if they could move their cars while we ate. The people are so friendly and interesting that one old man seemed to have lived in nearly every country in Europe and spoke the languages except English and it was a shame to leave him. To save on building large foundations there are many traditional cave houses carved out of the mountain side similar to the ones that used to be in Guardamar and Callosa. During the meal members were able to buy the new car plaques that Albino had organised from Portugal similar to the ones that the Portuguese Historic Car Club has and of which Albino is a member. Having well satisfied the inner man it was on to Honden de las Frailes and a challenging twisting drive down to Albaterra for Ice Cream and coffee then good byes and home.
photos by Keith Nicol
Posts
