Today we explored the mountains via Totana and a detour to the market, one of the best in the area. We bought bread, cheese, ham & olives and headed up into the mountains, to the information centre then settled ourselves at a picnic table in the woods. We had hoped to see wild boar, who often visit the picnic areas hoping to join in, but had no luck.

We followed the Dinosaur walk, but were talking too much and missed the dinosaur-footprint shaped rock. However great fun was had on the rope bridge, and no-one fell off.

Next we drove up to the Pozos de Nieve, the snow holes. From the 16th to 19th centuries the holes were packed with snow in the winter, then in summer the ice was loaded onto donkeys and mules and walked, at night, up to 75Km away to be sold in the cities.

The steep mountain slopes are grazed by Arrui, mountain goats introduced from Africa many centuries ago. We were lucky, we saw 3 herds of them and managed a few photos before they spotted us and galloped away.

A quick detour up a steep hill to see the Stations of the Cross and huge statue of Jesus, then we went to the Ermita of Santa Eulalia with its beautiful gardens.

The picturesque medieval town of Aledo is perched on the edge of a sheer cliff, and driving through the narrow streets, wiggling in between higgedly piggledy houses with balconies filled with geraniums was interesting!

Now to upload more photos!