GR131 Walk Vilaflor to Ifonche

We set out on the Vilaflor to Ifonche route on Sunday, which is part of the GR131, a walking route that spans part of Tenerife, El Hierro, La Gomera and La Palma, designed for an island hopping walking experience. This route is also in Spain, France, Belgium and Holland.
We walked a very small part of it but it trully was magnificent. We walked 11km of the route, which was great.
We started from the marker as shown in the photo which is placed perfectly beside the Hotel El Nogal & Spa Villa Alba, Vilaflor http//:hotelnogal.com An excellent hotel and spa, in a very rural setting. From the hotel as a guest you can go on organised walks whilst staying there. It was the perfect place to end the route as hospitality in the hotel is second to none. We choose to begin here simply because we had seen the markers and thought it would one day be a good walk to do. It really was breathtaking. As you can see from the photos the scenery is ever changing and I can honestly say I have never seen a wild flower meadow in Tenerife looking so amazing. The flowers and the pine trees, the little bridges and all the wildlife, what a day out. The walk has been carefully crafted by the Cabildo to give the walker a real challenge but safely. We needed our sticks and we needed lots of water. At the end of the walk there is a restaurant/bar which was a welcome site. It is our best walk to date and although we felt a bit sore today (Monday) we are already planning the next one.

Lavender Lifts the Spirit

Lavender is by far the most useful herb in the garden. It is loved by many people and is grown in many countries in the world. I am always amazed by its flower heads, each a cluster of mini purple powered flowers with fan like tail tips on top in a slightly lighter shade. The scent is so thought provoking and memories come flooding to our minds as we inhale the scent.
Relaxing yet uplifting in it´s ability to totally focus our minds on rest and rejuvination.
It is the colour of amethyst, a precious stone that allows the mystical thoughts to surface and the psychic abilities to throw forth.
Hope you enjoy the purple shades of our garden here, Pixiepod´s Garden, as I meander through our plants with my purple weed bucket in tow.

Island of La Gomera

Been away for a few days on the beautiful island of La Gomera. It is only a 45 minute ferry ride away from Tenerife and when you get there you just immediately RELAX!! We have been before but we really explored the island this time, with the car.

We even did one of the many walks on offer. The amazing Garajonay National Park is a sight to behold.

We stayed at Tecina Jardin Hotel, it is very well located near to Playa Santiago and is set in beautiful tropical gardens. It has it all, very, very pleasant place to stay.

On my return my little seedlings had grown at least an inch. I have been potting on various plants such as Nasturshiums (this is clearly not spelt right but you know what I mean, don´t you), Cosmos, Tomato, Melon, Calendula and many more, it has been a busy but exciting time in Pixiepods Garden.

I have attached a photo of the woodlands in the Garajonay National Park, please feel free to use this photo, it is a gift from me to you, if however you wish to see more photos and perhaps would like to own one, please see my Etsy shop, www.pixiepod.etsy.com where there are a few on the shelves for sale, always feel free to check back now and again to the store as there is always something new to buy.

Hubby has been busy redoing the garden wall, he is cladding it and changing the coping stones. What a great job he is making, I am helping out where I can but most of the work is down to him. It looks great and hopefully will be maintenance free.

Please, please, please post comments, share your La Gomera experience perhaps?