Karl Smallman
MONTEJAQUE residents Tony Bishop and Eva Bratek’s long-awaited walking book has just been published.
Describing 30 half-day walks in the Serranía de Ronda, the book also contains flora and fauna notes and photographs.
“Walking in the Ronda Mountains” was written in order to highlight the wealth and diversity of hiking routes in the Serranía de Ronda.
Author Tony Bishop explained, “No such book existed in English.”
Recognising that many people are not interested in climbing mountain summits and the relative absence of waymarking, Eva and Tony have concentrated on walks on public footpaths in the mountains, rather than climbs to mountain peaks on unmarked paths. The in-house designed route maps should eliminate any risk of getting lost.
Many people visiting this part of Andalucía for the first time are impressed by the rich and diverse birdlife and wildflowers. The authors bring these to life with vivid photographs and descriptions.
The book includes walks in the following areas of the Serranía de Ronda:
- The immediate vicinity of Ronda
- The Guadiaro Valley
- The Sierra de Grazalema
- The Sierra de las Nieves
- The Upper Genal Valley
- There are also walks to the top of Los Reales (just inland from Estepona) and near Ojén
Several of the 30 walks are accessible by using just public transport.
To promote the book, Tony, a retired lecturer from Middlesbrough, and his partner Eva, from Poland, a photographer and expert in the local flora and fauna, are holding a book signing on Friday, 1 April between 17.00 and 19.00 in the Casa de Cultura, just off the main square in Montejaque.
There will be a presentation of the book by the authors, including book signing, at the Hotel Molino del Santo at 19:00 on Wednesday 13 April.
“Walking in the Ronda Mountains” is published by Editorial La Serranía and is priced at 10€. It will be available at the Montejaque Tourist Office and across the Serrania de Ronda. Copies of the book can also be bought by contacting Tony Bishop (walkingronda@hotmail.com)
- Retired lecturer Tony Bishop
How wonderful! I hope they give advice about what times of year and what times of day are best. Years ago, I followed instructions in the Rough Guide to Spain and tried walking up the mountain to Cueva de la Pileta. I almost fainted in the afternoon heat.
“Author Tony Bishop explained, “No such book existed in English.””
I am not quite sure why you say that. I have four such books on the shelf above my desk. All in English
Guy Hunter-Watts – Walking in Andalucia, (and also his recent Andalucian Coast to Coast route which covers a lot of the Serrania)
Sunflower – Andalucia and the Costa del Sol
Ceder – Serrania de Ronda, A Guide to Footpaths (English version)
Ronda – Naturaleza y Cultura – issued by the Office of Tourism, in which each route is in English and Spanish, and all are very well way-marked.
Another walking book is most welcome … as an addition to the existing ones.
Tony Bishop, one of the two authors here.
PM, you are quite right about those other books already being in existence and some of them really are excellent. We should have made it clearer in the press release is that what sets our book apart are the copious bird and wildflower notes and photographs, together with lists of notable bird species that are likely to be seen on each of the thirty walks.
In answer to Mona Molarsky´s important point, it is so difficult to be definitive about the times of the year that are suitable for walking. I met some British walkers today who said they were already finding it too hot for hiking and we´re still in early April. Others will get up early in the morning even in July and go mountain walking. However, where there is shade offered at certain times of the day, we have included that information.
Thanks for clarifying that. I shall certainly buy a copy or two. Good luck, and good walking.
Hi Tony, It is good to put a face to your postings on “the forum”. I wish you the best of luck and that the book is a best seller.
Thanks for your kind wishes, Ribeira Sacra. The book sales are indeed going very well.
Congratulations on getting your book published.
If its as informative as your posts on the TT forum I’m sure it will be a great success.
Ritch, many thanks for that message of support. I hope that my Thorn Tree posts are informative and appreciated. In the meantime, the book is still selling well and, judging by the feedback we´re getting, people like it too.
I’m in Ronda and I’d like to buy a copy of Walking in the Ronda Mountains. Do you know where it is sold?
I went to the Libería on Los Remedios, but it wasnt’ there and they didn’t know about it at the Tourism Office.
Thank you.
Hi Julie.
I´m sorry that you have had difficulty located a copy of Walking in the Ronda Mountains.
The following two sales oulets always carry copies of our book.
1. Librería Dumas
Calle Jerez, 8
Ronda
2. Oficina Municipal de Turismo de Ronda
(opposite the bull ring/plaza de toros)
Note that there are two tourist offices in Ronda. The one facing the parador on Plaza de España is run by the Andalucían Regional Government (Junta de Andalucía) and they do not carry our book. The other tourist office, just a minute´s walk away, does carry our book.
If you are still unsuccessful, post again and we will get a copy to you in Ronda.
Regards
Tony Bishop (co-author)
Enohorabuena on your book.
I was in Ronda last year,so beautiful place.
Tony do yuo organise walks in Ronda.
Saludos.
Isabel
Hi Isabel,
Thank you for your nice comment. If you´d like to find out more about walks organised in the Ronda area please check the website “www.rondamountains.com” or email me at rondamountains@gmail.com.
Eva Bratek, co-author
Hello,
I’ve come across this title in exploring the net for ideas for walks in the Grazalema area. Is the book still available? Is it possible to order it?
Hi Sheila, the book is available in tourist offices, book shops and hotels in the area. Also, you can order it online from http://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/SearchResults?an=Tony+Bishop&bt.x=52&bt.y=6&kn=Ronda.
If you have any problems ordering it please drop us an email at rondamountains@gmail.com. Enjoy the area and the book.
Best wishes
Eva M. Bratek, co-author.
Is it still possible to buy your book in the Ronda tourist office? Is it available in Grazalema’s tourist office do you know? thanks