...and unfortunately weather-related temporary pause of the great migration...

The positive realization that ultimately makes me happy: even in our time there are 'greater' things, 'things' like the weather, nature... that elude our planning and 'organization' to such an extent!

At first, I simply did not want to believe it and walked out of Tarifa with the sunrise - which proved to be almost impossible right at the edge of the city, as the footpath was covered by high sand dunes: laborious, yes, but possible to move forward here. I ignored the warning sign posted shortly after, stating that the path was 'temporarily closed,' by taking off my shoes and socks. However, I soon had to realize that in many places, it had become so absurdly swampy that it seemed quite reckless not to want to turn back (especially with a heavy backpack)...

Reluctantly, I ended up much along the road: even the path next to the road was underwater. And how disappointing each time when a nicely marked hiking trail branched off but turned out to be impassable, either completely swampy or washed away or similar.

Both along the coast and in the mountains, it is mainly landslides that become dangerous; on top of that, there are gusts of wind (i.e., the rain comes horizontally) and fallen trees; meadows are swamps and lakes; mud and floods make progress laborious to impossible.

On the third day, I give up - not only because hiking is not fun this way, but because it is simply too dangerous!

My friends in Estepona say they have never experienced a January like this in many decades - this of course only comforts me to a limited extent... It is clear, however, that in the coming weeks (even if the further predicted rain eventually stops, the landscape must first 'dry out' a bit!) it is not good for hiking at least in Spain and Portugal.

So, with a heavy heart, I bid farewell to my dreams and plans, which are not canceled but merely postponed!