Winter sun for 5th Mansfield Sea Scouts

It was 6.35am on Friday morning as we got on the plane dressed in fleece and GoreTex. By 11am we in shorts and T-shirts climbing the cliffs of Sierra de Toix in Spain’s Costa Blanca.  This was our fifth winter activity trip to Spain. Each time led by South African born Jonathan Neil. The trip is popular with our Scouts, many of the group have made all five trips.

 After a relaxing start to the trip we headed for our base at. Hort de Gloria. This is an organic farm in the mountain village of Sella. The remote location is far removed from the coastal bustle of Benidorm.  The experience is added to by the WWOOFers. These are international travellers and gap year students who volunteer around the farm and help with the activities. This year’s WWOOFers, who come from the organisation World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, were from: Sweden, South Africa and the USA. Meeting such a range of nationalities is an added benefit to the Scouts, Scout leader Trev Lowe said of the experience “I know the Scouts appreciate that people are the same wherever they are born or choose to be, the world over, and I am sure this experience will help break down any barriers and prejudices that could be formed in young people during their formative years”.

On Saturday, being Sea Scouts, we were again drawn to the Mediterranean.  Jonathan has twice held the national sea kayak racing crown and we always make use of his paddling expertise. Starting from the marina at La Villa Jojoisa we set off on the 20 kilometre round trip to Benidorm Island. This sea bird reserve is a regular destination for Benidorm tourists in their glass bottomed boats. Our group became the centre of attention arriving by kayak. This was especially so, as the jetty is too high for kayaks and we had to swim ashore leaving our kayaks moored in the bay.

Sunday took us to the Barranco del  Infierno, or Canyon of Hell. This is a one kilometre deep gorge needing 12 abseils to descend. The Explorers drew on their training in the Peak District and beyond to complete one of the most committing mountain days they had attempted. Once emerging from the canyon we still had 1500 Roman steps to climb back to our vehicles.

Our final day on Monday took us to Villena for another mountain adventure. On cliffs overlooking the town are two via ferrata routes. Via ferrata, or Iron Way was a technique used by the German army to cross Italy’s Dolomite mountains. Metal rungs are drilled into a sheer cliff face and climbers are protected from falling by clipping to a cable bolted alongside.

All too soon we returned to a cold and wet East Midlands Airport.

Aqua Ventura  http://www.aqua-ventura.com/
WWOOF  World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms http://www.wwoof.org/
5th Mansfield Sea Scouts  http://www.5thmansfield.co.uk/