What a lovely morning; 09:00, bright, sunny, almost cloudless, calm and19C. Just the weather for a drive even hood down. Meeting at the Orange Bar, Entre Naranjos, Vistabella at 09:30; the perfect venue for an early bacon sandwich to power one for the morning”
We were shocked to hear that our drive leader, Terry had been hospitalised and was not able to lead us today; Jan and Norman rose to take the lead but admitting that they had not test run the drive but had, eventually, found the restaurant! With a 10:00 start, passing Fortaleza [still closed, but being refurbed] and the fabulous Embalse de la Pedrera
The crocodile proceeded into Murcia and into Los Garres where traffic lights split the group. La Luz Visitor Center is fully integrated into the landscape thanks to the materials that configure it. Being immersed in a place with views of interest in all directions, it has been conceived externally as a privileged observatory, as its interior design is planned based on an interior route to show how much interest there is and was in the area. The space is distributed over three floors: Ground floor: Exhibition space dedicated to different thematic and historical axes. First floor: Audiovisual room.
Second floor: Murcia Mountaineering club
Second floor: Panoramic terraces.
West: Zoom of Castillo de la luz. An Arab fortress.
- Northern view. Foreground left: The Alberca. Right: Santo Angel. Background: Murcia.
- East. Seminario Diocesano y Misionero Redemptoris Mater de Murcia
Follows a 2.0 km, twisty drive through woodland to the Santuario de Nuestra Señora de la Fuensanta. Its name comes from the fountain at his feet and to whose waters, the faithful people, attributed healing properties. It is a traditional temple of the Baroque of Murcia, consisting of three naves: a larger central and two sides with chapels. The cover (1705), by Toribio Martínez de la Vega, features two towers and a half-point arched door, highlighting two angels holding the coat of the Chapter of the Cathedral – whose initiative is due to the construction of the temple – and a central niche with the image of the Our Lady of the Holy Fountain (Fuensanta), the work of Jaime Bort, flanked by St. Patrick and St. Fulgencio.
Traffic lights again split the group and following a couple of detours followed by a brisk 45km drive to the anonymous Restaurante Rincon Miquel, Los Montesenios. Only one car was lost!
Excellent meat and fish dishes!
In short; a fabulous, interesting drive. Interesting stops followed by a decent meal. Terry – “get well soon” we need more drives like this!