Well... it might of course not be the first time that a small land slide has taken away part of this  centuries old track, but it is quite clear that it is an increasing problem.

What is seen on this pictuere is the (Bolulla) track, a few weeks after the heavy rain we had in late 2007 (some 300. mm in 24. hours).

The reason for such slides though, in my opinion, is not so much the rainfall itself, but rather that the terraces are no longer being maintained.

It is inevitable over years, that part of a terrace is breaking down thru malicious or accidental action by humans, or simply thru natural wear and tear over the years.















And alas!... when the water has found a way to flow straight down, instead of slowly " following the terraces around the mountain"... it does so. Straight down with the "domino effect" seen on these two pictures.

With the next heavy rainfall then, we shall see a ravine developing on this very spot, cutting deep into the soil/gravel and finally in the soft  mountain itself.