Nexonr reader and resident of Calasparra, Rick Mead, joined the Nocturnal Mirror Walk around the rice fields last Friday, organised by the local Tourist Office. He sends us this report.
We met at 8pm at Calasparra Station for the short drive to start point, Molino del Haro. The Local Police were on hand to ensure everyone complied with the regulations, compulsory face masks and a semblance of social distancing.
Once everyone arrived we were all split into groups of 15 with a leader to explain the working of rice production in the fields. The groups were distanced to around 20 metres, so with over 50 people on the route, we were quite spread out along the tracks.
The area we walking around produces only Bomba Rice which provides 30% of the national production of this variety. Some of the planted fields already had rice sprouting. However, after a few days under water, each of the fields will be drained and sprayed with organic bacteria killers to kill any virus that may attack the plants.
Then there was a brief stop off at the weir, which gave a spectacular backdrop for more photos.
As we walked around the back of the fields by the Segura, with the sun behind the mountain of Coto La Dehesa, the water in the fields took on the mirror effect and the reflections of scenery were clear and dramatic. There is also the point where 70% of the surplus water runs back into Segura, if I understood correctly.
There was a Rice Field Tractor with its unusual rear wheel set up on display which also provided a great photo opportunity.
The rice is harvested around October time, so there is quite a short time between sowing and harvesting, ready for the rice markets. I believe
M & S, Amazon and Ebay are stockists of Calasparra rice as well as many independent stockists around the world.
It was dark by the time we arrived back at the cars at 10pm , which of course was a great opportunity for the mobile phones again but this time – as torches !
A well organised walk with a great turn out.
There is a You Tube video of the walk and this is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hWxqko3Icw
