La Mata to Roque Faro

After spending far too long at the computer, we were ready for out - some time to  expand the horizons and go walking!  For some reason, we had a desire to re-visit the LP9 between La Mata and Roque Faro - could it really be as nice as we remembered it?
We took the 10.00 o'clock bus - the 'micro' as the locals call it, since it is a diminutive 19 seater - and twenty minutes later we were getting off at La Mata (co-incidentally the subject of our other blog).
It's not a bad start to any walk, I have to admit, to be surrounded by chocolate-box scenery of pine trees, blue skies and the north face of the Caldera.

The little sign indicated that we should head off down a track and immediately we were hidden from the main road.  The track itself was sheer luxury - flat, wide and easy going with majestical views at every bend.  Splendid pine trees stood guard at one side of the track and at the other side, open country revealed beautiful views.

However, it wasn't too long before we were tempted off-piste and we dived down a little, leaf covered path into woodland.  Someone before us had kindly made steps which were moss-covered to one side and shining in dappled sunlight on the other.  This was a little bit of magic!

After wending our way down the path deeper into the woodland, we came to the wonderful sight of a spring which was almost hiding in the crook of a bend.  I can't say we have ever seen a prettier spring - there are large, industrial type springs and small, cute springs - but this was quite large and cute at the same time.

The water inside was about 40 cm deep and through the opening, we could see that it had a diameter of about a metre.  If you could have squeezed through the opening, there would have been enough water for a bath in crystal clear water!  Just nearby was a log, hewn out in the middle.  This is what the people of La Palma used to use as a vessel in which to wash their clothes, according to our old neighbour, Pedro.  

Sorry to tear ourselves away from this lovely place, we followed the little path further along and soon came to the rocky bottom of the barranco.  Stepping over the stones, this brought us to a sudden drop-off - a cubo.  This is where the winter rains force a bucket shape, in other words a waterfall.  The drop off was a fairly impressive 4 metres deep and we did consider getting out our rope, tying it to a tree and shinnying down.  Common sense however prevailed.  And what about those funky gibbon faces etched into the rocks? 

Since we couldn't go any further, we headed up the path again and onto the track.  Now we were in and out of the pine forests, surrounded by bright green brezo.  Underfoot was a thick layer of pine needles and the smell was thick with fresh pine.  Oh and still easy, easy walking!

After an hour, we crossed the road which runs down to El Tablado and here was a gentleman wearing a French beret.  It's not often you see that outside of our village of Franceses.  Just on the other side of the road a sign offered that we could walk all the way to Roque de Los Muchachos.  Mmm, not today thank you.  

Just along from here, we were treated to the sight of hens with baby chicks and a little further along a couple of pigs and then goats criss-crossing out path.  And somehow, the path seemed to keep changing underfoot but always easy and with constantly impressive views.  All the way we were accompanied by the white over yellow blaze to mark the route.  And how about this for a marker? 

We arrived in Roque Faro after two hours of enjoying a walk even better than we had remembered.  And yet only one kilometre by road from where we had started!