LA GOMERA (E)  DIARY  6

               From Diary 5.
7/11 2025. Day 11. I have seen, what I came for, but they have arranged a rally in Vallehermoso, and I'll head there.
I find breakfast, but no rally yet. Then down to the sea at Banda de las Rosas, where I have to climb the rocks, to find sunshine.

Back through town and put to little Los Loros, way up in its own canyon. Despite the dubious sun, it is absolutely astonishing. The deep canyon have old houses, terraces, fields and views like little else I have seen. It actually reminds me a lot of Machu Picchu.

I stop time and time again, make way too many photos. Then there are glimpses of sun, and I start all over.
A huge dam holds a pond with gravel sides and some ducks. Even a grey heron calls it home.

The narrow sealed road seem to continue on an on - till it is not sealed anymore. I have to remove boulders from time to time, but just have to continue in this uninhabited part.
Realising my photos most likely are identical, I finally turn around - and make more on the way back.

A few rally cars are present in Valleharmoso, and parking a challenge. I sip coffee on the main square, while more and more rally cars slowly turns up. It is greyish and windy, and I appreciate my new long-sleeve T-shirt. I wished, I could remember the plan for the rally - could be presentation at three? I doubt, I will be able to see any proper race - as I don’t have the patience to get stocked on a mountain road for hours.

Well, now I get to spend yet two more hours in a "two kiosk, bar and restaurant town", if which I am familiar with every single alley.
As the sun get slightly more reliable, I find a nice spot an relax. The square is slowly filled up be race cars, the atmosphere not so much.
At two, I learn the technical inspection might be delayed, and then I loose patience.

A bit on the other side of my home, I re-visit Tagulche, with the white houses and palms, scatted over a huge and real deep valley.
I spend quite some time, absorbing the views around Ermita de San Salvador.

Barren and lightly greenish mountains, the scattered village and the deep blue sea, way down. A long hike, almost to Playa de Guariñén reveals less, except an Asteraceae, which flowers and an Apiaceae which have started growth, despite the dry. I slowly head homewards, enjoying the drive through the sunny mountains fully.
The highlights from Day 11. The lot from Day 11.

8/11. Day 12. This is not a full day, and the intention is only to do a few favourite visits. As I even get to start almost an hour later, there are sun on some areas this morning.

One road is blocked by the police, and the rally cars can be heard over half the island. Apparently, here are not any spectators, and getting close the the road is not possible.

I start at the truly amassing area around Mirador Ermita del Santo. It is a bit windy and nippy, and I don't do the entire area. It is one of the few places on La Gomera with pines, and they look great with the sun on.

Next stop is Mirador de la Retama, looking down a huge and almost barren gorge, reaching the sea, several kilometres away. Well, one side is barren, the other have a thin layer of vegetation.

I pass Canada de la Rosa, a great looking settlement in its own gorge. I was not heading all the way, but I pick-up an old fart, and he is aiming for the Spar in Valle Gran Ray, and why not?

I see the beach-area, and start hunting for some snap fasteners.  No luck at all, but I get directed to dress makers, pet shops, plumbers, a book store, and I find a leather sop by accidence. Here I have a long chat with the shop-keeper Klaus, and Austrian with interesting travel tails.  One street have baobab trees, one more than a meter in diameter, and all great looking.

It have passed noon, and I better head on. The great forest "short-cut" I had planned, have been turned into the rally track, and I have to settle for the sound and the main road.

I still get through a bit of forest, before I once again reach the dry south-coastal slopes. I have to turn into little cosy Igualero and the great lookout point.
Just at the edge, I pull over to re-visit the ancient rocks, covered in mainly lichen.

Alajeró is a real nice place, where old farm houses now are home to people with taste. Like I have seen other places, old vine bottles are placed at the gate with water, for passing travellers; a nice gesture - had it been fresh.

At two, I reach the coastal tourist settlement of Santiago and its beach. I see it once more, then head towards the airport, pass the gas station. I'm here early, but I just start accidental deleting the diary, I have written during the day, then process the photos.

La Gomera have so much nature, but too little roads and towns. One week would have been sufficient, unless I should have hiked all the trails. I have spend €817, driven 1021 kilometres and got a clear feeling of, I have seen most - twice. The expenses was less than expected, except the gasoline. I actually spend 5,4% less than expected. Next stop is Tenerife, for another thorough visit - as I have no recollection of my first, 33 years ago,
The highlights from Day 12. The lot from Day 12.   HIGHLIGHTS FROM ALL DAYS