Using Villa Florencia as a starting point, you can make use of the services of an expert guide for trips either on hill walking expeditions, mountain biking or bird watching. Groups are of a very limited size, so a truly individual service is guaranteed and of course personal preferences and wishes are catered for as much as possible.

General Prices 2012
Mountain Biking
Mountain Bike Rental :
1 day – €15
3 days – €40
1 week – €80
Guided Mountain Biking from La Drova :
€50 per day for up to 2 people plus €20 per additional person
(inclusive of bike rental but excludes transport)

Guided Mountain Bike Trips
A Tour of the Natural Park of Albufera de Valencia
Suitable for complete beginners, this trip explores the southern end of the Albufera Natural Park, famous for its rice growing, traditional fishing boats and huge variety of bird life.
The 34km route follows surfaced lanes and is completely flat. We explore the rice fields, canals, Albufera Lake, and the authentic Valencian village of El Palmar.
Price : €70 lump sum for up to 2 people plus €25 per addition person.
Price is inclusive of complimentary transport from Villa Florencia, bike hire and the services of the Guide throughout the day.
Maximum group size – 6 people.

Guided Mountain Bike Trips
The Spectacular Serpis River Valley
This trip takes in the stunningly beautiful Serpis Valley with its towering limestone cliffs and spectacular mountain scenery. We also pass through traditional olive groves and visit Beniarres Reservoir.
Suitable for those with limited experience of off-road riding, the 38km route largely follows a disused railway line – now a gravel track.
Price : €65 lump sum for up to 2 people plus €25 per addition person.
Price is inclusive of complimentary transport from Villa Florencia, bike hire
and the services of the Guide throughout the day.
Maximum group size – 6 people.

Guided Mountain Bike Trips
The Valleys of Albaida & Barxeta and the Historic Town of Xativa
This extremely varied trip starts in the citrus growing Valley of Barxeta, visits the beautiful old town of Xativa and returns via the narrow Albaida River Valley. We then climb up and through a high pass before making our return through remote wooded mountains. This route is 50km and includes a number of ascents and is therefore suited to those with some off-road experience and a good level of fitness.
Price : €65 lump sum for up to 2 people plus €25 per addition person.
Price is inclusive of complimentary transport from Villa Florencia, bike hire and the services of the Guide throughout the day.
Maximum group size – 6 people.

Guided Mountain Bike Trips
The Mountains of La Drova
Very close to Villa Florencia lies the Sierra de Marxuquera. This area offers a number of quality mountain bike routes that take the rider up into some of the more remote areas of our region. The routes vary in distance from 30-40km and all involve some steep climbs and descents. Therefore, only suited to those with experience in off-road riding and a good level of fitness.
Price : €55 lump sum for up to 2 people plus €25 per addition person.
Price is inclusive of complimentary transport from Villa Florencia, bike hire and the services of the Guide throughout the day.
Maximum group size – 6 people.

Guided Mountain Walking
The Rocky Peak of Benicadell
Only 20 minutes drive from Villa Florencia is the towering peak of Benicadell. At 1,100 metres above sea level its summit provides truly spectacular views of the surrounding peaks and coastline.
Although only 8km in length, the route involves some quite steep paths and a narrow summit ridge. For those who prefer a longer route, it can be extended.
Price : €55 lump sum for up to 2 people plus €25 per addition person.
Price is inclusive of complimentary transport from Villa Florencia, and the services of the Guide throughout the day.
Maximum group size – 4 people (limited to ensure safe Guide : Client ratio).

Guided Mountain Walking
Local Coastal Mountains
This 10km route explores the mountains above Villa Florencia. Starting from one of the highest villages in the area, Les Foies, we begin by a gentle walk along clear tracks from which we enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks and the Mediterranean Sea. We then descend via a rocky track down into a spectacular and largely unknown limestone gorge before another section on flat trails overlooking the sea. A fairly steep track then takes us back up into the mountains, but is followed by a relaxed walk along a wide rocky trail that takes us back to the starting point. Suited to those with a generally good level of fitness this
is a extremely varied route and explores some of the lesser known areas of our local mountains. Like all of our guided walks, it is taken at a leisurely pace. There are plenty of places along the way for rest stops where we can sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.
Price : €55 lump sum for up to 2 people plus €25 per addition person. Price is inclusive of complimentary
transport from Villa Florencia, and the services of the Guide throughout the day.
Maximum group size – 8 people.

Guided Bird Watching Trips
The Coastal Wetlands of Valencia
The coastal wetlands of Valencia are critically important as both wintering and breeding grounds for a hugely diverse range of bird species. The exact location that we visit depends upon the season, but no matter what time of year, theres always something special to see. Favourites include Flamingo,, Spoonbill, Glossy Ibis, Booted Eagle and Marsh Harrier. European rarities can include Purple Gallinule, White Headed Duck and Crested Coot. Our guided bird watching trips are suited to both experienced birder and beginner alike.,including accompanied children. Fact sheets and binoculars are available where required.
Why not come along and see the rich wildlife that this very special area of Spain has to offer?
Price : €90 lump sum for up to 2 people plus €25 per addition person.
Price is inclusive of complimentary transport from Villa Florencia, and the services of the Guide throughout the day.
Maximum group size – 8 people

Guided Bird Watching Trips
Steppe & Upland Lagoons
This trip takes us up into the highlands of the interior of Eastern Spain where we visit the seemingly endless open steppe of Castilla de la Mancha. This unique environment of wide open spaces dotted with freshwater lagoons provide habitat for some of Europes most unusual birds.
The Worlds heaviest flying bird, the Great Bustard roams the plains together with Black Bellied and Pin Tailed Sandgrouse.. Other upland birds include Calandra Lark and Rock Sparrow whilst the lagoons hold a wide variety of species including Black Tern, Red Crested Pochard, Gadwall, Black Necked Grebe and Avocet, . Birds of prey can include Hen Harrier, Marsh Harrier, Merlin and Golden Eagle.
Our guided bird watching trips are suited to both experienced birder and beginner alike., including accompanied children.
Fact sheets and binoculars are available where required.
Price : €90 lump sum for up to 2 people plus €25 per addition person.
Price is inclusive of complimentary transport from Villa Florencia, and the services of the Guide throughout the day.
Maximum group size – 8 people

About Your Guide
David Warrington, the owner of Nature Trail Spain has been a keen outdoor enthusiast since childhood and has many years experience of mountaineering, climbing, hill walking, mountain biking and bird watching.
A member of the Valencian Federation of Mountain Sports & Climbing, he is a professional outdoor Guide and a qualified Mountain Bike Instructor. He holds a Certificate in Wilderness First Aid. He has lived in Spain since 2007 with his Spanish wife Carolina, also a keen mountain sports enthusiast and qualified Pilates instructor.
Trips can be arranged through Mark or Nigel at Villa Florencia or
by contacting David directly by telephone on 0034 633 117 310 or e-mail NatuteTrailSpain@gmail.com
You can also visit our websites :
www.NatureTrailSpain.com www.ValenciaBirding.com www.MountainBikingValencia.com

The middle of March always seems to mark the beginning of the new season and the onset of Spring, with the fiesta of Fallas and early guests in search of some warm sunshine on the Costa Blanca.  This year was no exception, and we were pleased to welcome guests from England as well as from Spain.

Mike and Maggie decided to see for themselves what the fiesta of Fallas in Gandía was all about, having been recommended by a friend that it was an event not to be missed.  They also wanted to find some early warmth and sunshine, and they were not disappointed.  The weather was almost consistently bright and clear, and was perfect for the combination of sightseeing, walking and relaxing that they had in mind.  They spent six days with us, and always found plenty to see and do, even if a trip to Valencia city was not on their itinerary – they had already visited there in the past, and wanted to get to know the surrounding area this time instead.  They found Gandía to be a delightful town, and the fiesta of Fallas was taking place there at the time of their visit too, so gave them a taste of what it is all about, without the crowds of Valencia city itself.

Other guests included a family who normally lived right in the centre of Valencia, and who had decided to spend some time away from the noise and bustle of the city at fiesta time.  Again, Gandía seemed a good compromise for them, and they wanted to make use of the self-catering apartment that we have available, with a view possibly to returning here at some stage over the summer period as well. The facilities suited them perfectly, as the son of the family is already an adult so the space provided in the apartment with its two en-suite bedrooms was the ideal solution.  The rural and tranquil environment of Villa Florencia – with its traditional Casa Rural feel – was just what they were seeking for their long weekend away from the city, and when they left, it was with assurances that they would return later in the season to see us once more.

We also played host to a group of three friends from Madrid, who had chosen to come to the area precisely in search of the Fallas fiesta, rather than to get away from it!  Steven was, in fact, originally from the United States but had lived and worked in Spain for several years and currently lives in Madrid.  The others were Spanish, and wanted to come to see what the Valencian fiesta was all about, as well as getting a taste of some Costa Blanca sunshine on the beautiful, award winning beaches that Gandía has to offer.  Steven chose to remain in the Gandía area while his friends visited Valencia city for the day – they wanted to sample the whole Fallas experience – whereas Steven had done so in the past and felt a day in the sun would be more beneficial!  They all had a great visit though, and spent their time out and about during the day, and dining in Gandía or Play de Gandía by night.

Many different reasons brought our guests to stay with us at the start of the season – some in search of some Costa Blanca sunshine, some looking for a fiesta that is found only in this region, and some even wanting to escape the city noise and bustle associated with that very same fiesta – but all agreed that Gandía and its surroundings provided just the Spring tonic they were all looking for.

He arrived by train in Gandía, having flown in to Barcelona from Berlin earlier in the day. We were happy to collect him from the station, and he dined in with us on his first evening. When he arrived the previous evening, it was already dark, so the following morning he was very impressed with the surroundings of the villa and felt he had made the right decision in coming here for an away-from-it-all few days. We asked us for a packed lunch, and then we dropped him off at the hiking centre up in the mountains behind us, near the village of La Drova. He then spent the rest of the day hiking through the mountains along the well-marked routes, and had a thoroughly enjoyable time in the beautiful surroundings. The weather was just perfect for a day’s hiking as well, so he was doubly rewarded on his first day with us.

On the next day, he felt he wanted to sample more of the same but with a difference, so we suggested he come out on a mountain biking trip, organised courtesy of Mountain Biking Valencia, a local organisation based in La Drova. This was a great idea, and Nic was taken by Dave Warrington (the owner) in his people carrier, complete with bikes, to a suitable starting point – and the day started from there. Nic had a wonderful day, completing a round trip of over 40 kms, and seeing so much of the countryside that he would otherwise have missed out on completely. Mountain rivers, gorges, a ruined castle and a beautiful reservoir were all on the route, so Nic really felt that he was getting to see the true beauty of the area and leave the bustle of the cities that he had visited earlier on his trip way behind him.

Thursday was a day for sightseeing again, and Nicholas did not want to miss out completely on seeing the city of Valencia when he was so near. It was another beautiful, sunny day and he caught the train into the heart of the city and soon realised that there was a large contingent of British visitors wherever he went. He was soon told that there was a football match taking place between Valencia and Stoke City! Thinking that this was an opportunity not to be missed, he bought a ticket to see the match – a great experience for him, and one that he enjoyed greatly. He nevertheless managed to fit in a good deal of time exploring the historic part of the city as well, so by the time he returned to us on an evening train, he felt he had had a really full day experiencing not only the beautiful and elegant city, but also seeing at first hand the passion the Spanish feel for their football games. Once again, he had a really great – and totally spontaneous – time, and one which was a contrast to anything else he had experienced on his trip away from home so far.

Friday was time for his departure, and basically a reverse of his arrival. He had a flight already booked from Barcelona to the UK where he was going to be revisiting his sister in Scotland, so we dropped him off at the railway station to catch a train to Valencia and the on to Barcelona in time for his evening flight. Nic said that he had enjoyed his time with us hugely, and that a country break was just what he needed as a change from the hustle and bustle of the cities that he had been visiting on his trip until now. A day in Valencia was great too, but the tranquillity and beauty of the La Safor countryside was a real tonic for him. Days spent hiking and mountain biking were a great contrast and an unexpected pleasure, and he was greatly surprised by the rural delights that this part of the country has to offer.

We thoroughly enjoyed having him visit us, and who knows – maybe he will come here again next year and see the area in the warmth of summer and make the most of the stunning beaches we have here too!

The season that lies ahead in 2012 will be our sixth full year of operation, and we are looking forward to a year of welcoming back previous guests as well as meeting new ones for the first time.  The New Year period has already been and gone and was a busy time for us, with a full house of guests, many of whom had come for the excellent rock-climbing to be found in the area.  We hope to have more rock-climbers visit us in the future, as this is an activity – along with other outdoor and nature-related interests – that we are actively promoting.  In the cooler months of the year the area is a haven for those looking for an outdoor holiday rather than one based around sunshine and beaches.  Mountain biking, hiking, horse riding, bird watching and hill walking are just some of the other activities that can be enjoyed in the immediate area around the villa, or at most within a 20 minute drive. 

Diversification has to be a positive thing, especially in the uncertain economic times that seem to face everyone at present– in whatever European country you find yourself.  In past seasons, we have directed our marketing efforts at a wide range of nationalities as well as at the local Spanish holidaymaker and house renter.  Indeed, our flexibility and the range of accommodation options that we can offer have proved to be a popular concept with our guests.  Many – particularly in the peak holiday season – still prefer to go for the traditional Bed and Breakfast type of visit and spend much of their time during the day exploring the surrounding areas and attractions.  However, even these guests (more often than not) also choose to take advantage of our evening meal service, so in fact have all the advantages of a friendly country hotel but without the constraints that are traditionally associated with that type of accommodation. 

Other guests prefer to have self-catering accommodation, and this is where our apartment comes into its own.  Although it is an integral part of the main house, it has its own entrance, two en-suite bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen and living room.  Guests staying here, however, also have full use of all the other facilities of the villa including the option of evening meals.  Sometimes, however, we are more than happy to offer “Casa Rural” type accommodation to those who are looking for that particular option.  This involves renting a room (as you would on a Bed and Breakfast basis), but without the breakfast – or indeed any other of the catering that we generally offer.  For these guests – and it is generally a Spanish concept – we are happy to allow them to ‘self-cater’ in the main kitchen, which obviously they might have to share with any other guests staying here at the same time.  However, the facilities and the space have always meant that this has never been a problem and has proved a cost-effective and convenient choice for many guests. 

Another possibility is that of Villa Rental (renting the entire house (with or without the apartment depending on numbers) ), which means that groups of up to 16 people can spend time here together, but with sufficient space that it never seems crowded or cramped.  This option has been chosen in the past for either weekend lets – usually for Spanish hen parties – or else for longer stays when an extended family wanted to holiday together.  In this case, guests have full access to the whole property, and basically rent the villa for their vacation with exclusive use of the kitchen, living areas, gardens, etc.  We are still on the property, but in our separate apartment so do not in any way intrude on our guests’ privacy, but are nevertheless on call if any help or advice is requested. 

So we anticipate that we will welcome our guests in 2012 with as wide a range of options and choices as possible, and making ourselves known to as many different types of holidaymaker as we can.  Traditional overnight Bed and Breakfast guests, apartment renters, weekend party groups, special interest holidays, or Spanish “Casa Rural” guests – we look forward to meeting them all during the coming year.  We are enlarging and improving our sun terraces around the pool so there will be even more space for our guests to relax and make the most of the gardens and the beautiful weather that we hope to see in the year ahead. 

The animal lovers amongst our guests will not be disappointed either, as we now have a third dog who has joined the household – a beautiful and placid Spanish Mastiff called Lola who is the very epitome of the expression “gentle giant”, and who we are sure will charm each and every one of our visitors.  She is joined by Aurora and Sandy, so we now have the full set – small, medium and large!  Cat lovers will also be pleased to hear that Sparkle (our Siamese looking cat) continues to thrive, and has grown from a tiny bottle-fed kitten to a healthy 18 month old beauty, so the entire Villa Florencia family is ready and looking forward to welcoming all our guests in the coming season. 

We hope that many new visitors will come for the first time, but of course it is very gratifying when previous guests come back to us again. If the weather is as good for the rest of 2012 as it has been so far, it should be a year to remember!

Gary and Andy from Liverpool were with us for their winter sunshine holidays, the whole time from Christmas Eve through until after the New Year, and dined with us every evening. They would often take day-trips to local places of interest as well as visiting Valencia city, which far exceeded their expectations. Shortly after Christmas we were also joined by a couple from Germany – Axel and Kerstin – who were visiting their daughter who was on a student exchange scheme and studying at the Gandía campus of Valencia University. Most of their time was spent with their daughter, although on several occasions they took advantage of our evening meal service too.

The other guests in the property were a group of friends from Romania who were all proficient rock-climbers, and whose main motivation in coming to the area was for the climbs to be found within very easy reach of the house. Some of them stayed in the main house, whilst two couples were in the self-catering apartment, but they would all spend the evenings together in the public rooms of the villa. Included in this group were two young children who, along with their mothers, did not take part in the rock-climbing activities, but were more than content to take advantage of the beautiful weather and unseasonably warm sunshine during the day. They would happily spend their days in a leisurely way in the gardens, having lunch here as well, or otherwise (on the days when the climbers were taking a day off), would go on trips to the surrounding countryside or even to Valencia or Alicante.

Evening meals were often taken in two stages – some of the guests who had been rock-climbing all day or who had children would dine earlier, whilst other guests would have their dinner slightly later. Whatever combination of accommodation and catering was required for any particular guest, it all seemed to blend together with no difficulty, so the true versatility of what is available at the Gandia Casa Rural really came into its own during this busy period. Particularly gratifying, however, was the way that all the guests emphasised to us that it had been the perfect holiday for them – whatever they were looking for in their vacation, they found with us here! Not only did they all enjoy themselves, but we did as well and we genuinely look forward to the time when they might return to us for more of the same!

Penya Roja Climbing Lodge is a beautiful and spacious country home, located just minutes from two of the Costa Blanca’s best climbing rocks, Gandia Crag and El Bovedon or an easy drive to any of the Rock climbing sites on the Costa Blanca.

Your hosts , Nigel and Mark, run the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge with all of its facilities and comforts like a small country hotel and combine this with a welcoming feeling of informality and relaxation. Our aim at the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge is to provide an exceptional standard of individual service to our guests, making them feel that they are in a friendly and informal atmosphere where they can relax and unwind without the usual constraints of a conventional hotel.

Our B&B accommodation consists of 5 spacious bedrooms (three twins and two doubles) all have air-conditioning and heating, are well furnished and benefit from housekeeping services on a daily basis. Complimentary tea and coffee making facilities are provided in each room and all have modern en-suite bathrooms with power showers.

Additionally there is a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom self contained, self catering apartment for rent.

The lodge also has ample car parking facilities – we would suggest that guests hire a car in order to derive the greatest benefit from the surrounding towns and countryside.
The public rooms of the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge include a bar and lounge for the use of all our guests, where – depending on the season – you can either have a refreshing drink after a hard day’s rock climbing around the pool, or enjoy your favourite after-dinner liqueur in front of a log fire on the cooler winter evenings.
Breakfast and dinner are both served on the glass-enclosed terrace which has panoramic views of the nearby orange groves and mountains.

For those who wish to venture further afield, the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge provides an ideal base for daily excursions to Valencia, Benidorm or Alicante

Bouldering, climbers accommodation Spain, Climbing, climbing in Spain, Costa Blanca, Rock Climbing, Rock Climbing Holidays, Rock climbing in Spain, Sports Climbing in Spain

In amongst all the doom and gloom concerning the economic situation and the housing and property market in particular in Spain, there are still instances of things turning out happily for all concerned.

Back in the summer, we were pleased to have Carmel and her family stay with us whilst they were on a house-hunting expedition here. They had done plenty of research in their quest to find a bargain property on the Costa Blanca, and had narrowed their search to one property that they felt really met their requirements. It might seem strange to come half-way round the world (they spend most of their time in Malaysia) on a property hunt here in Spain and then only look at one house, but they felt that this was the one – and so it has proved to be!

Not for them the standard type of “villa with a pool” that is so often the target of the foreign property purchaser in Spain – they were looking for something different. There are plenty of homes of the more conventional type on the market – and they have seen lots of them in Malaysia too, of course – but they already had their eye on a large townhouse that simply had character oozing out of every nook and cranny. Located in an inland village, they had found a house that was actually originally two houses that had been put together many years ago, and in fact dated back several hundred years. Beautifully restored and updated, it was now the house that they were looking for! With a tranquil courtyard which is the location for a stunning pool and relaxation area, the house has a bathroom for every bedroom, lots of reception areas and a well fitted, modern kitchen.

Property at great prices abounds at the moment in Spain, and the Costa Blanca is no exception, but Carmel was particularly taken with the extra qualities that this house possessed. Peace and calm are somehow built in to the brickwork here, and it is rare to find a house of this age and type in such a good condition and state of general repair. Bargain properties often end up not being such a bargain once all the updating and renovations have been carried out by the purchaser, but here was a house that had already been refurbished and then lovingly maintained by the previous owner.

It was therefore a very happy Carmel who arrived at our door last weekend, all ready to secure the purchase of her new home. All the details had been sorted out by her Spanish lawyer in advance, so when Monday morning dawned bright and sunny, it was a good omen that all would go smoothly with the paperwork, and that no complications would unexpectedly arise. And so it was – in no time at all Carmel and her eldest son, who was accompanying her on the trip, were in a position to take up residence in the beautiful village home that has become their tranquil haven. A greater contrast to their life in bustling Malaysia would be hard to imagine, but when we visited them there this week it definitely looked like a story with a happy ending.

The family is now looking forward to a happy, family Christmas together in their new home in the sun, which they will be using for an ever larger part of the year. They will still be splitting their time between Spain and Malaysia due to work considerations, but – having seen how happy and settled they already look – there seems little doubt that those members of the family who are in a position to do so, will spend as much time as possible in their new Spanish home. After so much time moving around the world, they are all looking forward to the peace and stability that a small Spanish village has to offer. We look forward to seeing them many more times in their new home, and of course it is always good to see former guests become neighbours and friends.

The property market in Spain may have suffered a spectacular decline in the recent past, and it is true that this plays an enormous part in the present woes of the Spanish economy. However, a housing market which is suffering from an excess of supply over demand can only mean good news for any buyers who happen to come along. We were pleased to welcome a couple from Belgium recently who were on a serious house-hunting expedition, had done their homework thoroughly before leaving home and who arrived at our door with a full diary of appointments with local estate agents.

They were looking for a property that would be large enough to accommodate their visiting children and grandchildren, which had a swimming pool and fairly large gardens (so that there was always something to do!), was within about half an hour from the beach, but yet would be easy to leave unoccupied for the times when they would be back in their own home in Belgium This was to be a property for holidays and winter time – some of their time would still be spent in Belgium, as this was not a full move, but rather an additional home for them to use.

They soon found out that they were in a very enviable position indeed! They saw round a large number of houses and quickly realised that they were a rare and much sought-after commodity – serious prospective purchasers with no house to sell in their home country first! The estate agents let them know that most of the houses they were viewing would also be open to negotiation, so a buyer with ready cash and no reason to delay could always put in an offer and hope for the best! This area of Spain was the place that they decided would suit them best because, apart from the stunning scenery and all the amenities close at hand, it was within reasonable driving distance of France and Belgium, as they were anticipating that many visits would be made by car. Much further south and an extra overnight stop would be required, and further north – where they had already investigated – was not so much to their taste.

They had originally booked in with us for two nights, but when they realised that there were so many properties that might suit them here, and that the area really did live up to their expectations, they decided to stay for five nights and see as much as they could. In the end, they found many houses that met their basic requirements and represented good value for money. Spain certainly has a large number of bargain homes on offer at the moment, as they found out! By the end of their trip, they had narrowed the list down to two houses, and it was a question of deciding between them. They both loved both houses, but unfortunately, one preferred one property, and the other preferred the other! However, what they did agree on was that this was a strong position to be in, as they could now go home and think carefully about the choices from all angles before making a decision. Whatever house they chose would be one that they both liked and the decision could now be made based on logic and what would suit their visiting families best – one of the major reasons for them making the purchase in the first place, after all.

It was a pleasure to have them stay with us, and we thoroughly enjoyed their company and hearing about their daily house viewing activities. As their visit proved, there are certainly bargain properties in Spain at the moment with a great choice of homes at prices that have not been this low for many years. For all the problems besetting Europe generally at the present time, Spain is still a great place to consider for either a permanent move, or a second home. Wonderful weather, great food, a cost of living that is significantly lower than most countries in northern Europe and easy accessibility by road and air all combine to ensure that Spain retains her place at the top of the list for many overseas house-hunters.

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