The Road from Santiago

  Whoops!  Wrong turn.  Back we go, through Alpatro. We won’t revisit the Dictionary but we may visit its author - Pascual Madoz Ibanez. Madoz was born in Pamplona on 17th May 1860 - the city has named a street after him. He settled in Barcelona and worked as a writer and journalist. He joined th Progress Party during the First Carlist War [1833-40]; saw service against them and was elected to the Cortes in 1836. He supported the Count of Luchana, then went against him and spent time some in exile.  On his return he was appointed governor of Barcelona and, in 1855, Minister of Finance.  During his time the law to confiscate communal and church laws was passed. He was briefly governor of Madrid, after the 1868 Revolution.  He was due to go to offer the crown to Amadeo of Savoy in 1870 when he fell ill and died in Genoa. He was buried in Montjuic’s cemetery.  His work, Diccionario geográfico, estadístico y histórico de España, y sus posesiones de Ultrama...

I adore Pascual Madoz’s 1845 best seller, the Geographical-Statistical-Historical Dictionary of Spain and its Overseas Possessions.  We approach Alpatro aka Patro and armed with this knowledge we prepare to see: situated on a small eminence within a ravine formed by two mountains; one of which rises from the N. side, and the other from the S., where it is mainly affected by E. and W. winds, and enjoys a temperate and fairly healthy climate , although at certain times non-malignant fevers and some asthmas often develop.  It has 72 houses of medium fabric, and a parr. church. dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady, served by a parish priest of ordinary provision. the terrain , although uneven and mountainous, is quite fertile; part of it is irrigated with the waters of the river. Gallinera , which rises in the area and over which there is no bridge because it is considered unnecessary, given the small flow of said river. The roads lead to Alcoy and the surrounding towns a...

Today we start somewhere and go somewhere else and between times we are nowhere.  We work our way around along a road surrounded, mostly by rocky scrub - but occasionally by olive trees. Near us is the Corral del Monjo. No idea what it is. It has a single, one star, review.  Gustav, two months ago, said ‘Unfortunately only a few overgrown walls can be seen. Beautiful vegetation in the landscape in spring.’ Shall we just enjoy the view.  Why not.

  Let us look back where we came and forward to where we are going.  Welcome to the Alicante region. We are heading for L’Orxa. It is what happens when you get a bit of flattish land in a world of hills, but first, the old paper factory. Google lists it as ‘Antiga fabrica de paper.’  Diegogismero2 sums it up nicely.  ‘If you like abandoned places, this one is quite curious. Easy access, very clear and still visible to the manufacturing area with the water passage systems. The exterior fireplace is in perfect condition. You can also go up to the upper floor.  It was an old paper factory that I imagine would provide work for the entire town of Lorcha.’ Next, to the imaginatively called ‘Pont de L’Orxa.  As bridges go it is well reviewed.  121 people felt it was worthy of note.  What can you say about a bridge in a negative way,  Davy D gave a single star and said ‘Completely deserted.  I would have thought, as a traveler, that was a plus....