Memorial bench for keen walker

A STONE bench has suddenly appeared at the Cabo de la Nao lookout point in Javea.

It bears a small plaque with a photograph of British resident Michael John Ballantyne and an inscription that ends “Your family does not forget you” in Spanish. 

John’s family chose this spot for a reason, as he died on here of a heart attack on April 3.  He was taking part in the Mirador Challenge, an annual walk that starts in Granadella and finishes at the Plana de Montgo windmills, visiting Javea’s 15 lookouts along the way.

The bench was inaugurated last month by his family and friends who completed the unfinished walk in his honour.  They have also suggested that future editions of the Challenge could bear his name.

Memorials of this kind are common in the UK but according to the Spanish provincial press, some locals find the concept a little disturbing.