tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48274883222339136372024-03-13T16:41:30.548-07:00Birkenhead to Barcelona 2018Pete and Julia Dolan from New Zealand, cycle from Birkenhead (near Liverpool) England, to Barcelona, Spain, via France and Portugal. Pete's 85 year old Dad tags along for two weeks, (also cycling!) following the Loire River from Orleans to Nantes in France.Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-22045394938930734702018-11-27T10:37:00.001-08:002018-11-27T10:37:52.047-08:00And Vango was his name.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDLblTu4nx8I1eHzuFBwvuKH4tTKNoFGUvLUcs_uG8AQtgOKwbM7b9bfl6zyMN9q5BPPY8eDU_SaSjkcL9Hh5jtCfqCI-RigvgJqfX9DAAYIWxRPKVQQA_uTNc6AlXAU1LUe2yUhl-hN0/s1600/IMG_20180811_123341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="575" data-original-width="431" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDLblTu4nx8I1eHzuFBwvuKH4tTKNoFGUvLUcs_uG8AQtgOKwbM7b9bfl6zyMN9q5BPPY8eDU_SaSjkcL9Hh5jtCfqCI-RigvgJqfX9DAAYIWxRPKVQQA_uTNc6AlXAU1LUe2yUhl-hN0/s640/IMG_20180811_123341.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When it arrived, we spread it out<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Upon the lounge room floor<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A Vango Mirage 300+<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From an Aussie online store<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We weighed up all the benefits <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of several potential homes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In the end we settled on<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This semi-geodesic dome<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We needed something big enough<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For us and all our gear<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Seduced by it’s roomy vestibule<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With length and height to spare<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coloured green for camouflage<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With day-glo orange ropes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To prevent us tripping in the dark<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like a pair of drunken dopes<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It sheltered us in Portugal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
England, France and Spain<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through heat and wind and thunderstorms<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And rains upon the plain<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It didn’t see a lot of grass<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just rock hard ground or sand<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it was always there for us<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This was not a one night stand<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Most people know of Van Gogh <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He of the starry, starry night<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But our canvas is the work of art<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
(Polyester actually, ‘cause it’s light)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So for once our tent comes home with us<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To leave it here would be a shame<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s tough and strong and done the job<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And Vango is it’s name<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That’s Vango…….V-A-N-G-O, <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vango<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQQtvWLBD4Y-ETqTvFoK12veUWH9bYvkqRtwtkidHf8WBgQMxYSAUHkkGkoiu25m7RZfWOiQcAY-Xnp7EEKcQ6d029u4JCrO5IpWQ9xBMCk3Z59ot6jThk3o-kmqqkTeu7ROipSFvBNns/s1600/P1120989.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQQQtvWLBD4Y-ETqTvFoK12veUWH9bYvkqRtwtkidHf8WBgQMxYSAUHkkGkoiu25m7RZfWOiQcAY-Xnp7EEKcQ6d029u4JCrO5IpWQ9xBMCk3Z59ot6jThk3o-kmqqkTeu7ROipSFvBNns/s640/P1120989.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-87877784828766032912018-11-20T23:29:00.002-08:002018-11-20T23:29:34.739-08:00Ju's relections<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Coming home I am filled with a sense of gratitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly, thankful that I got to do this trip
and to arrive home safe and sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
mostly to be lucky enough to live in such a beautiful place with such loving
family and friends to come home to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first person I see at the airport is my beautiful sister
(well, she is my twin!) and I am so thankful I get to go through life with this
wonderful person who I am lucky enough to have by my side from conception.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has brought my Dad to the airport with her - he turned 90
while we were away and I am happy he is still here for me to come home
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is a brave, strong man who took
the chance after the war to start a new life in a country on the other side of
the world when he didn’t even speak the language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m so glad he took that chance because it
led to me being born here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pete and I
have been to many amazing countries, but more and more as the years go by, I am incredibly grateful to call New Zealand home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As
we drove home from the airport along the rubbish-free streets and looked at all
the lush green grass and trees, I felt a new appreciation for the people in local government who had set up
systems to keep things ordered and clean and for preserving and protecting our
beautiful environment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKHZHX8JBzdphyphenhypheny-igroNO6TUE36VnNyTfK0Zp-fvz0iT-6cUaGpFSAY8iGnbZro2QDqjrYctDo7cTnKMkSt01Q6RmH_q__rbQCn-HqJAzo1PfB3NBOSSsJ69sXHIAMotNI6X5NcW17Qm/s1600/IMG_20181119_050221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="472" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRKHZHX8JBzdphyphenhypheny-igroNO6TUE36VnNyTfK0Zp-fvz0iT-6cUaGpFSAY8iGnbZro2QDqjrYctDo7cTnKMkSt01Q6RmH_q__rbQCn-HqJAzo1PfB3NBOSSsJ69sXHIAMotNI6X5NcW17Qm/s400/IMG_20181119_050221.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A welcome home gift from Briana - she thoughtfully<br />
provided a can of sardines so we'd still feel like we were<br />
on holiday!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was so lovely to see all our beautiful children at the airport looking happy and healthy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That they took
time out of their day to come and welcome us home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They bought food and made cuppas so we could
just talk and soak up the warmth and love of being back in our home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They made us dinner, had looked after our
business, painted the fence and looked after the house for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel incredibly lucky.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Later in the afternoon Pete and I went for a bike ride – all
that sitting on the plane is just not good for a body!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Again I felt such gratitude, this time for
the coastal walkway and the fact that it was not raining so we could get out
and enjoy it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not just a safe place to
cycle, but a great place to meet friends, which of course we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always good to see friends but especially
good to bump into Ray, who married us 31 years ago.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was quite windy but we decided to go for a swim to try
and rid us of that kind of seasick vertigo feeling you get after a long plane
ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water was warmer than any of
our Atlantic swims and we even managed to bodysurf a few waves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
<br />
How lucky are we to have all this on our
doorstep?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always fun to travel
overseas with the joys and challenges it brings, but coming home is never a
chore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love this place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-19613285888276447382018-11-18T10:45:00.001-08:002018-11-18T10:45:20.695-08:0015th November (raining and thunderstorms)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our final morning in the Barcelona apartment. Tomorrow, we
will leave this city for our journey home. It rained overnight and it was still
drizzling on and off throughout the morning. Today we had no plans except
checking on last minute taxis and arrangements that need following up. Dad had
slept well last night, so we were glad about that, just hope we all get a good
night tomorrow and everything goes off as it should arrangement wise. Whilst he
slept, Ju and I had snuck off to the supermarket at 8.30am, not remembering
that they open at 9am. Back for breakfast, without all that we initially
required. Managed another trip to get supplies later on, also without getting
wet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Fixed a couple of holes in the boxes from when they had been
shipped from Seville, purely with cardboard, but it did the trick. Although we
have confirmed a carrier for the boxes, we have yet to confirm a taxi for the
passengers, namely us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About 12.30pm we
strolled down the road, looking for a place to eat some lunch and eventually
found a nice café/bakery serving lunch and coffee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Blobbed at the apartment for the rest of the afternoon, as
the weather closed in and got worse as the day progressed. By 5.30pm we were
witnessing a great thunder and lightning storm and the streets were literally
running with water. I’ll bet the locals were looking at us on our balcony
wishing that we’d get the hell out of town, as they haven’t seen anything like
this before. For us, it was quite an impressive show for our last night here.
And it was free.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And so we come to the end of another adventure. This one
hasn’t had as much cycling as we would have expected to do, but it has given us
the chance to cycle the Loire Valley, with my Dad, not many could say that. It
proved to him that even at eighty five years old, there are still things to
achieve, although Dads been doing that his whole life. Tomorrow, we’re up at
six o’clock, with a pick up time of eight o’clock to get us to the airport,
sort the luggage and hopefully be eating breakfast by nine. Definitely looking
forward to catching up with our kids and the rest of the family, plus our great
friends, many of whom have been along on this ride with us, in spirit, with the
odd comment thrown in on the blog.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
All there is for us to do now is write our reflections on
this tour and thank our amazing staff at Face to Face, without whom, we would
not have the opportunity to undertake such enjoyable, quite often stressful,
but always enlightening tours on the road less travelled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-38983661947158927542018-11-15T10:54:00.001-08:002018-11-15T10:54:30.470-08:0014th November (sun and cloud and mild)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
If the average apartment in Spain is like the one we are
currently staying in, I wonder how people manage it. Dad, who normally sleeps
pretty well, had a shocker last night. Because of siesta in the afternoon, a
huge amount of the population don’t finish work until after 9pm and others even
later. As they tend to eat out for evening meals, it means they don’t get in
until 11pm-12am. Then, there is the settling in phase of sorting things around
the home, putting on washing etc. This is fine, if you have a well built home
with good soundproofing and carpets, but therein lies another issue. Most
apartments that we’ve stayed in have walls as thin as paper and tiled floors,
which means you can hear every movement. God help you if people are eating and
keep getting up from the table, it’s a racket. In this apartment, all of the
above apply and every time someone flushes the loo, or runs some water, you
hear that too. But the worst aspect,….yes it gets worse, is that you can hear
everything they say to each other. If there is an argument going on, look out.
The Spanish are loud in all respects, but when arguing, it reaches crazy
levels. Poor Dad had one of those nights, a bit like I have here very often,
where the noise was loud and constant until the early hours of the following
day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He looked and sounded very jaded, so, I suggested that he
may want to spend today indoors, whilst Ju and I explored. He agreed. So, after
breakfast, we took off along the road to the nearest Metro station and hopped
the tube for Tibidabo, heading into the hilly area of Barca. We wanted to see
the church and basilica that was there along with the views of the city. There
is also a little theme park. Our ride up was, thankfully uneventful, as we have
been informed by locals to keep a very close watch on our possessions. After Dad’s
incident on the tube in Paris, we are on the alert. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-4pEaWpz-f_j6VRvMKXLWD7_r10RjJHZ2VHRlsRHLF0Rl-PhWLB7tUd0wMVRz3iepDvxu0ENY_nWqxG_RF5c35e0X8_jVs1l8IZ0UQSOg0w4er4tmImfxebJP4bdwfAqdbC611WInIgm/s1600/P1150320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-4pEaWpz-f_j6VRvMKXLWD7_r10RjJHZ2VHRlsRHLF0Rl-PhWLB7tUd0wMVRz3iepDvxu0ENY_nWqxG_RF5c35e0X8_jVs1l8IZ0UQSOg0w4er4tmImfxebJP4bdwfAqdbC611WInIgm/s640/P1150320.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking up through Tibidabo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A walk up through the suburb of Tibidabo revealed one plush home after another, each trying to outdo the next it seemed with size and design. We were grateful we didn't have to walk the last part of the hill and took the funicular, for Euros 15 to the top. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBZYmLPlxd24KXFTBFFJo-bfk62Xj-ffBvxcrZBZUBvMykr3vHR9P3-3lSCEAf-mWWlinlq-8xxnuuieHnOWeOjsrftwD_shpPmWiVNwh7HmFzI4YBOMh5UacD4bb5ZUEIDSqJvDC3bNp/s1600/IMG_20181114_113710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBZYmLPlxd24KXFTBFFJo-bfk62Xj-ffBvxcrZBZUBvMykr3vHR9P3-3lSCEAf-mWWlinlq-8xxnuuieHnOWeOjsrftwD_shpPmWiVNwh7HmFzI4YBOMh5UacD4bb5ZUEIDSqJvDC3bNp/s640/IMG_20181114_113710.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tibidabo Basilica</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU_aiAWwMzfUJGFN4kHs_0nB1uzrUrH-GMHenB5nmFtrQRf5weGMPvgDIT1TgLNGUvavqeJI8bpvO3Jk1sL9BRRbnAKKGjqdth-yhpFj4punkuZWMIdLIDrBXrDK27zaRn7SLLZGg1XHV/s1600/IMG_20181114_113951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZU_aiAWwMzfUJGFN4kHs_0nB1uzrUrH-GMHenB5nmFtrQRf5weGMPvgDIT1TgLNGUvavqeJI8bpvO3Jk1sL9BRRbnAKKGjqdth-yhpFj4punkuZWMIdLIDrBXrDK27zaRn7SLLZGg1XHV/s640/IMG_20181114_113951.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cathedral underneath, Basilica on top.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdMxBBX1BEFBPVpsrpjV5VK9HRjcE2lhTV2Aqe09exNkJjxsJWLPf3oxjkLCOJhoGxsgoOBlvujSL7V2ZJEu1FIqiHEJ3IxmaAxFZA0r5X8zi_pfzqj1JPhCp1wEURfSEgNwKa879pQv8/s1600/P1150322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdMxBBX1BEFBPVpsrpjV5VK9HRjcE2lhTV2Aqe09exNkJjxsJWLPf3oxjkLCOJhoGxsgoOBlvujSL7V2ZJEu1FIqiHEJ3IxmaAxFZA0r5X8zi_pfzqj1JPhCp1wEURfSEgNwKa879pQv8/s640/P1150322.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorry about all the cathedral shots but we just loved the dramatic clouds and lighting.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcIMx3yUf8kEprD1rO2wXMeutt7zIuD48cRdwEczTNhyphenhyphenMJFlZ4c1V5EGJDSg1MwQdKId7d6MW4UXpg-ifFMobx9PiPGn1n6Il4RaCREbXvbGp3NjuF8A-UYBMobngDUcLjVxNs70nsGad/s1600/P1150325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAcIMx3yUf8kEprD1rO2wXMeutt7zIuD48cRdwEczTNhyphenhyphenMJFlZ4c1V5EGJDSg1MwQdKId7d6MW4UXpg-ifFMobx9PiPGn1n6Il4RaCREbXvbGp3NjuF8A-UYBMobngDUcLjVxNs70nsGad/s640/P1150325.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGQBAvOKf0MSiMmRDnfWS061pb8OiSXdlTkrt1rSuUuUIQDpCEIoLX0biUFUK8fKJlZ6nbzjxLhoXzN-2tXl9AK1agLvi5hgacdpJ7yFPbDppgZKIlRledGVONHWdrj83bJuW48px5jRW/s1600/IMG_20181114_114141.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGQBAvOKf0MSiMmRDnfWS061pb8OiSXdlTkrt1rSuUuUIQDpCEIoLX0biUFUK8fKJlZ6nbzjxLhoXzN-2tXl9AK1agLvi5hgacdpJ7yFPbDppgZKIlRledGVONHWdrj83bJuW48px5jRW/s640/IMG_20181114_114141.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obviously they have fun times in this church, judging by the size of this juke box.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The walk had been pleasant, but up here, a black cloud
was hovering and the wind was cool. I was still only wearing a t-shirt and
shorts, so it wasn’t cold as such. Took some shots up here and visited both the
church and basilica. Once again, it was amazing to see the younger folk taking
photographs of each other. The location doesn’t seem to enter into the
equation. They stand and then pose, flicking hair, turning heads, pouting,
lifting chins, with the background being a block wall, or the edge of a hedge.
Don’t get it myself, but seriously intend to practise my posing for future
trips. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4GlB-sRuW5YkZNkyy81J-ybiQkwviKC5r1bptrAql9Z8n1EuhXHwHJ3laAcFk4TipCMGIGMEGIKfewIxZJoJOp9Sa_Sb4pM2rmdbr75SOwQGgG0ekpNn7NERuFBsacpDIbTnxjLvhrQC/s1600/IMG_20181114_131120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4GlB-sRuW5YkZNkyy81J-ybiQkwviKC5r1bptrAql9Z8n1EuhXHwHJ3laAcFk4TipCMGIGMEGIKfewIxZJoJOp9Sa_Sb4pM2rmdbr75SOwQGgG0ekpNn7NERuFBsacpDIbTnxjLvhrQC/s640/IMG_20181114_131120.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look beyond Pete (I know it's hard to tear your eyes away) and you'll see the street we had to walk up.<br />We were very happy to see these escalators up the steepest part of the hill to Guell Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rode the funicular down and began our walk to Guell park,
where a lot of Gaudi’s work is on show. Although this was quite busy, it was
nice, once again, to be away from the very busy, city streets. Spent a good
while here, wandering the gardens and taking shots. Of course, whenever an
opportunity presents, the authorities will put an entrance fee in place. In the
park, you could walk freely in some areas, but not others. Ju and I managed to
get around paying, by walking to another position to get a shot. The price for
entry was steep, (almost as steep as that hill to get here) for the options that it presented.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEypyHcqzDIG6NXzpmRtFR30n4zuKtDn4hZwzp5OM4MNENtu4jOcbtdThfXQjqveupZ0puR91onEbwoWSAtptet7l4MZzRiyuacnaEh0Q-jMwXapDJD7KqMq0m4LlC6LxyZ6u4g4VmIQkQ/s1600/IMG_20181114_131626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="449" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEypyHcqzDIG6NXzpmRtFR30n4zuKtDn4hZwzp5OM4MNENtu4jOcbtdThfXQjqveupZ0puR91onEbwoWSAtptet7l4MZzRiyuacnaEh0Q-jMwXapDJD7KqMq0m4LlC6LxyZ6u4g4VmIQkQ/s640/IMG_20181114_131626.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking into Guell Park</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3uY63PakNp6ML-GGoqKJsMieAw4FbvRcJV9ghjVQB11Jvj3LBtgQdFmlJORQkhbuYENxIz1PEQ-mFxkg3x-_tJqjmWeS7HqEXOfVl4P1Pikd3E4-SaBq2FrtKVeqiAa7gwBKK7taMGf8/s1600/IMG_20181114_132251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="733" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3uY63PakNp6ML-GGoqKJsMieAw4FbvRcJV9ghjVQB11Jvj3LBtgQdFmlJORQkhbuYENxIz1PEQ-mFxkg3x-_tJqjmWeS7HqEXOfVl4P1Pikd3E4-SaBq2FrtKVeqiAa7gwBKK7taMGf8/s640/IMG_20181114_132251.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZHRxT1G35pYQmLIiYzaUxabXkhHt7L4EbNG-WnL0SoUyBo0MNLzVzAWr9LhD3f55Ip28pvxglgqTWFkQ_WkRyHp5cvJSnts5tgua0iZi3-wyHtgEH2D-aXsdwjd0BfnNOhp-liLrzpAh/s1600/IMG_20181114_132507+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZHRxT1G35pYQmLIiYzaUxabXkhHt7L4EbNG-WnL0SoUyBo0MNLzVzAWr9LhD3f55Ip28pvxglgqTWFkQ_WkRyHp5cvJSnts5tgua0iZi3-wyHtgEH2D-aXsdwjd0BfnNOhp-liLrzpAh/s640/IMG_20181114_132507+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSyfs6PYCUlYaubSiJclDwL_cH8UfR4u1jLTOcAWGzNPgojIGko4uIouQanXuRoX5ccktvLeoGzvUlHZjBQt8nCT2hwLmXC30VSj277En_goFkM0jaAQFEsokN82BgWWlCctO6hUUwiKG/s1600/IMG_20181114_132712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSyfs6PYCUlYaubSiJclDwL_cH8UfR4u1jLTOcAWGzNPgojIGko4uIouQanXuRoX5ccktvLeoGzvUlHZjBQt8nCT2hwLmXC30VSj277En_goFkM0jaAQFEsokN82BgWWlCctO6hUUwiKG/s640/IMG_20181114_132712.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This part of the park was being repaired and had workmen all over it - it also happened to be the bit they were charging for, so we didn't bother.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nd68v5HKhZdhDsn8Yp5WQORR4z1ego_L4I_TyMcyR0k68ACxwxjZuIKL6aiG_jrr7phA1XkS59lBOpzfSHfw3XNrUrmopb0XKfplr0stK8I8icQnIHsvm3PLwbWfm5ran8_cTte3wr3J/s1600/IMG_20181114_131518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nd68v5HKhZdhDsn8Yp5WQORR4z1ego_L4I_TyMcyR0k68ACxwxjZuIKL6aiG_jrr7phA1XkS59lBOpzfSHfw3XNrUrmopb0XKfplr0stK8I8icQnIHsvm3PLwbWfm5ran8_cTte3wr3J/s640/IMG_20181114_131518.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Had some fantastic views over Barcelona today but the camera doesn't generally do it justice.<br />Here you can see the Sagrada Familia taking shape above the rooftops.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO5jLg8TcXNo9XNRB2XxLWXMLJFmrQElZ3iS9fRvTeaoTK2YBi1zpeRD32015pvze_WefYkaoPERUqH5X9cNIVmzScYz1Ec6O_9905Vg_8IHw8NpCW6ZlvwTU3tRrWnK1bQoTBLED3MzY/s1600/IMG_20181114_134005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXO5jLg8TcXNo9XNRB2XxLWXMLJFmrQElZ3iS9fRvTeaoTK2YBi1zpeRD32015pvze_WefYkaoPERUqH5X9cNIVmzScYz1Ec6O_9905Vg_8IHw8NpCW6ZlvwTU3tRrWnK1bQoTBLED3MzY/s640/IMG_20181114_134005.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A young man had tamed and painted this dove to earn some tourist dollars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdad28aLCM1BQMf2LDhuX3C-yNCu3ge-z9sRJS_oISmza2kZ0vicBNJGrQr-S9dLphnC7OkNnqJFUFPxBSi1BzzNDJtWELmibB5d5hYbS9x8ZMsNwfyogvpAzkS0cLNKvJvG3veIHnRSN/s1600/IMG_20181114_140732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBdad28aLCM1BQMf2LDhuX3C-yNCu3ge-z9sRJS_oISmza2kZ0vicBNJGrQr-S9dLphnC7OkNnqJFUFPxBSi1BzzNDJtWELmibB5d5hYbS9x8ZMsNwfyogvpAzkS0cLNKvJvG3veIHnRSN/s640/IMG_20181114_140732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOfQJ87IUKpEXMe3eOCC5po6pjZVgvT_-C7KAwh1N_Gi1pZw5vg0IS3vdYu1-D90tiogjKuEu8T34NhjJnoYo8nGziWsUcd5QriGasmLtBGybTIXO0fcy6BBJvj09aBVikV-J61lwLsz2/s1600/P1150344.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOfQJ87IUKpEXMe3eOCC5po6pjZVgvT_-C7KAwh1N_Gi1pZw5vg0IS3vdYu1-D90tiogjKuEu8T34NhjJnoYo8nGziWsUcd5QriGasmLtBGybTIXO0fcy6BBJvj09aBVikV-J61lwLsz2/s640/P1150344.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDODepFVHP-6sHtIrHsppzdVQlL1U_xpLsULMhInAD_0ss5LBbiLGWm0oMKzAq8e-lVZKb54nJhvJOzqkqlO4JvZi-X8lOsviMSK8J0PRRBl42DdryXCMwcaPP7D_6AVJnCTctIzWgUCY/s1600/P1150345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDODepFVHP-6sHtIrHsppzdVQlL1U_xpLsULMhInAD_0ss5LBbiLGWm0oMKzAq8e-lVZKb54nJhvJOzqkqlO4JvZi-X8lOsviMSK8J0PRRBl42DdryXCMwcaPP7D_6AVJnCTctIzWgUCY/s640/P1150345.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tyyLVBGOmxpTHJAjV18UOsToRX0z7XSb3dHIIBQI2BzVoUnyQHv9bV6Y3ho9oh_dhnU5R5qSOaTAJqxI3jfXvTSGCx2ZaGPv5VGa57K8HjkyrEPGrUQLDWgLePPtFlgWLiSuYeIQt3Ik/s1600/P1150347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tyyLVBGOmxpTHJAjV18UOsToRX0z7XSb3dHIIBQI2BzVoUnyQHv9bV6Y3ho9oh_dhnU5R5qSOaTAJqxI3jfXvTSGCx2ZaGPv5VGa57K8HjkyrEPGrUQLDWgLePPtFlgWLiSuYeIQt3Ik/s640/P1150347.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsj8DfSvtUBPkISkNCrVtKNsskwQzy6b4JENe56NQAHEFokx4zK3l-ypjS1WkWeaYgz7c6cELvHhPrrior7e5tpjHdrbw0Hybcr1ULWEXFiKJqiyIdbzAN43_GElaODhHiWa0Ib-gDWvn/s1600/P1150358.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVsj8DfSvtUBPkISkNCrVtKNsskwQzy6b4JENe56NQAHEFokx4zK3l-ypjS1WkWeaYgz7c6cELvHhPrrior7e5tpjHdrbw0Hybcr1ULWEXFiKJqiyIdbzAN43_GElaODhHiWa0Ib-gDWvn/s640/P1150358.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB_SHCa6BMfxSbp0LoLoXSTxIsZ4T24KseB2mCt34p4WpezZ9LuTq430TOuhZ81PkwDNpKy_yqvDBVR50UerbGBeSFUGAG-WDaWrDmKm2AffpfPUR7dKO_TsA9N9_taSjI7sWQBZNBfq3/s1600/P1150359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfB_SHCa6BMfxSbp0LoLoXSTxIsZ4T24KseB2mCt34p4WpezZ9LuTq430TOuhZ81PkwDNpKy_yqvDBVR50UerbGBeSFUGAG-WDaWrDmKm2AffpfPUR7dKO_TsA9N9_taSjI7sWQBZNBfq3/s640/P1150359.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF92B5_YEKNLzuUFD0Q4CeCZJrWgPTRs9F617_kx6i9LCbkLmTcOeXlvvr2tSZCEqUkeaG5DscZ6O7tJEbO-p30HGcsxOOsPTPShtCrmXVsf0R0lx5ouyxhGWzieX3vbQwTCQvEmjo17TE/s1600/P1150366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF92B5_YEKNLzuUFD0Q4CeCZJrWgPTRs9F617_kx6i9LCbkLmTcOeXlvvr2tSZCEqUkeaG5DscZ6O7tJEbO-p30HGcsxOOsPTPShtCrmXVsf0R0lx5ouyxhGWzieX3vbQwTCQvEmjo17TE/s640/P1150366.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guell Park entrance</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41Obd9V5tjhijxv8iHfPX6JcGv9TSwQudPDR74aNWd3nYE1XkSo15bbDx_bRn9i0R88IU6MWLsREmPtZqqV8ueUDDSkx6ywY582W2IVu2wj4ZPEcocFZPQj3WRGn74jhHnG1O7_aA9Qzr/s1600/P1150367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41Obd9V5tjhijxv8iHfPX6JcGv9TSwQudPDR74aNWd3nYE1XkSo15bbDx_bRn9i0R88IU6MWLsREmPtZqqV8ueUDDSkx6ywY582W2IVu2wj4ZPEcocFZPQj3WRGn74jhHnG1O7_aA9Qzr/s640/P1150367.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The entrance building.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were still a good way from the apartment, but decided to
walk back and on the way, grabbed a coffee and something to eat. Arrived home
to discover dad asleep, sitting up on the bed, leaning into the headboard. He
looked comfortable enough and with little snores, every now and then, figured
he was getting some much needed rest. Julia had been online to try and track
the bike boxes and decided that we should take a walk around there, after a
cuppa.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With dad still out to it after forty five minutes, we took
off to the Post Office. Sure enough, they had arrived. The guy we dealt with
was very understanding of our “no car” situation and loaned us the use of a dolly,
to push one box at a time, back to the apartment. That was extremely effective
as even though we only had three blocks to walk, it would have been a pain
having to carry those 30 kg boxes one at a time through the busy streets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon arriving back with the second box, we
found dad awake. When I asked how he’d slept, he told me he hadn’t and was
adamant that he hadn’t been asleep, whilst sitting in bed. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mind you, he also hadn’t heard us popping back
into the apartment three times, making a cup of tea and shifting the two bike
boxes in and was very surprised to see them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We popped across the road to a lovely café, for a coffee and
cake. Very enjoyable. The late afternoon, early evening was spent blogging and
working out Friday’s routine, for our flight home. At 7.30pm, we strolled
around the corner, where we found an Indian restaurant and enjoyed a delicious
meal and great service. Back at the flat, we enjoyed watching the game between
Barcelona and Real Madrid, played three weeks ago, before hitting the sack,
hopefully, for decent sleeps.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-84724498418676477412018-11-14T10:24:00.003-08:002018-11-14T10:24:55.965-08:0013th November (sun, cloud, mild)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slept pretty well and woke to a nice day. Showered and did
some washing after having eaten first up. Julia and I walked a couple of blocks
to pick up our bike boxes from the Post Office, which we were going to carry
back to the apartment, however, they had not arrived. Back at the flat, Julia
jumped on the internet to track where they might be. Only information was that
they should be here by tomorrow. We still haven’t found how we can transport
them to the airport as the boxes they are in are massive and will struggle to
get in even the shuttle vans with seats in, unless they all fold down.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That put a spanner in the works with our time running out. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We decided that we were going on a walking tour of part of the city today and
our first stop would be the Sagrada Familia, this time in the light of day.
With daylight came a deluge of tourists. Still managed to find opportunities
for photos and I have to say, it is certainly a work of art and totally
different to your average cathedral – and we consider ourselves experts now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhSvIzhnnFQpkHfwIPOAXxwCJDnJfuN0pNAxn9TH93Zp_7H8G3N4f5nhsKkcGHIA-jeEZEXKMhhWN-tqKYhT4PHB5l24FsZrzUL-7HNY2U6sMV069qWU-liJu1F7wK3xcAa6o-rihK6GC/s1600/P1150259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlhSvIzhnnFQpkHfwIPOAXxwCJDnJfuN0pNAxn9TH93Zp_7H8G3N4f5nhsKkcGHIA-jeEZEXKMhhWN-tqKYhT4PHB5l24FsZrzUL-7HNY2U6sMV069qWU-liJu1F7wK3xcAa6o-rihK6GC/s640/P1150259.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfZmlV_DHOw5U5-1RmUGRl_Q3ZzKRcuG_Zeaivn1ZjcB5ZhnMg8ZxGnfvJR__LhuZUzu2OqJeLktIRTQG-_6Yq43jfhEx4IIx9tXbp7c0JBUN2EqE1ekDBYj-kYzb5-wyif8nAXuPnjH3/s1600/P1150264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfZmlV_DHOw5U5-1RmUGRl_Q3ZzKRcuG_Zeaivn1ZjcB5ZhnMg8ZxGnfvJR__LhuZUzu2OqJeLktIRTQG-_6Yq43jfhEx4IIx9tXbp7c0JBUN2EqE1ekDBYj-kYzb5-wyif8nAXuPnjH3/s640/P1150264.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i-eZoq7FT-aTRzNbTm6pXoA3qv34zqxzkuXsBf8GrY8zLk_N4_bduI0vnwvEAdgWcw4x04tqnkfkgN0h056LP1JPgDhFdG79irKED6ids8USlYb-j2L-HdS22-T02n0Ajec3cqVlK4Bo/s1600/P1150269.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7i-eZoq7FT-aTRzNbTm6pXoA3qv34zqxzkuXsBf8GrY8zLk_N4_bduI0vnwvEAdgWcw4x04tqnkfkgN0h056LP1JPgDhFdG79irKED6ids8USlYb-j2L-HdS22-T02n0Ajec3cqVlK4Bo/s640/P1150269.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Didn’t realise that Gaudi (the architect) died
in 1926 after being hit by a tram.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
locals thought he was a homeless person and so he was taken to a paupers
hospital, where he died a couple of days later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He was 73 years old and had devoted over forty years of his life to the
designing and building of the Sagrada Familia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They think it will finally be completed in 2026 but it’s a bit of a
mission, trying to build something of such a huge scale with all those tourists
around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can just imagine the carnage
if one crane operator has an off day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even
though the cathedral is not finished, it is the most visited tourist attraction
in Spain.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvTTbKwM2bW7mvblSk77HNOYoGEhB-gvOl1o9OiX0-dYL9ZZJVbpkX56WoYVr5Emz2e43e7OtwcZyuKhjWSIpH_uJi4XmpdZAy-_NURcnAiu6YdZb01P2dDsi35aB2BjA-udD3EdNytRS/s1600/IMG_20181113_113033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvTTbKwM2bW7mvblSk77HNOYoGEhB-gvOl1o9OiX0-dYL9ZZJVbpkX56WoYVr5Emz2e43e7OtwcZyuKhjWSIpH_uJi4XmpdZAy-_NURcnAiu6YdZb01P2dDsi35aB2BjA-udD3EdNytRS/s640/IMG_20181113_113033.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXIm-kxujgCF0avGVTmvgWpC4zKvR3XpnTDc5TPmXdjkXqQz0hH3LiMZllVeB2EtE6Dk7WpGIvZkxOy1al1Wo5MfQdmoIpQ2pbiwuEyvDNg8mxHReYF-YeLBvtskrcPBpbWGu4oopvgRE/s1600/IMG_20181113_131459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="485" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXIm-kxujgCF0avGVTmvgWpC4zKvR3XpnTDc5TPmXdjkXqQz0hH3LiMZllVeB2EtE6Dk7WpGIvZkxOy1al1Wo5MfQdmoIpQ2pbiwuEyvDNg8mxHReYF-YeLBvtskrcPBpbWGu4oopvgRE/s640/IMG_20181113_131459.jpg" width="546" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Costa coffee beckoned and even though we knew it would be
more expensive than normal, we figured it would be worth it as we hadn’t had a
good coffee in a long while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We ordered
and sat down, before being served our café grandes in takeaway plastic cups.
Not impressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good coffees need
savouring out of a cup. I asked the girl what the story was and was told they
only do grandes in takeaway cups. Perhaps you should have a sign telling people
that then…!! The coffee, apart from the way it was served, was cold. Not in
keeping with their “Every cup a work of art, every sip an experience.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Very disappointing Costa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New Zealand coffees would leave you lot for
dead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO4GKXeZhVyLKIUkKsQaiUe-7Es3u129o_vuDu0tSvRwKVK5T0GsgLFytmc7quI6f-hd5Qd9XxFuFjQHWqVe6T-ZvVjupFbXQgMv3xpZizh91A_ffUWgWlTr26vkmBF_D3Ax3MM_mcfSW/s1600/IMG_20181113_131922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCO4GKXeZhVyLKIUkKsQaiUe-7Es3u129o_vuDu0tSvRwKVK5T0GsgLFytmc7quI6f-hd5Qd9XxFuFjQHWqVe6T-ZvVjupFbXQgMv3xpZizh91A_ffUWgWlTr26vkmBF_D3Ax3MM_mcfSW/s640/IMG_20181113_131922.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casa Batllo, also designed by Gaudi</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoAHmIQMHOWNJ3VobB0xrtRgB-995aify3UBQhqSyn5ztBabKDcFwhyphenhyphenalFbFKoYvlE_Y1NgVV3ZctoQ5h7qnuEHikRmynpN4DrIBEwkrLECNxagJ1hs1e3OFJJfUbmR-44C4AGAXWj6rQ/s1600/P1150278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoAHmIQMHOWNJ3VobB0xrtRgB-995aify3UBQhqSyn5ztBabKDcFwhyphenhyphenalFbFKoYvlE_Y1NgVV3ZctoQ5h7qnuEHikRmynpN4DrIBEwkrLECNxagJ1hs1e3OFJJfUbmR-44C4AGAXWj6rQ/s640/P1150278.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casa Mila</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZVjZfHxESg0kseD9025eN_MWy2kGjUuiDucTHfUarqWhwBxHXIps9Fk_Z66siHdu_huCxxW7cwxhDqHucxtXBqeTSprOHkWkxCJ5_n5_5_HDNdXV1eMf82qs4844M38yr5XLe5ggrJeM/s1600/IMG_20181113_132553.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="420" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRZVjZfHxESg0kseD9025eN_MWy2kGjUuiDucTHfUarqWhwBxHXIps9Fk_Z66siHdu_huCxxW7cwxhDqHucxtXBqeTSprOHkWkxCJ5_n5_5_HDNdXV1eMf82qs4844M38yr5XLe5ggrJeM/s640/IMG_20181113_132553.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQB_VX4HmE3JerQpqJe3pDPWh7EV5wLEMIz5dOJ7BEOceUHUtW_XeQvbsLlDVG5m_BWdWeb4Q3RRAjhyphenhyphenuPy46iGgjnvOhl6-uenPtMVpThRGr_ibhxfvlreNAF10RxnPox1L6mG8_qB_S/s1600/P1150284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqQB_VX4HmE3JerQpqJe3pDPWh7EV5wLEMIz5dOJ7BEOceUHUtW_XeQvbsLlDVG5m_BWdWeb4Q3RRAjhyphenhyphenuPy46iGgjnvOhl6-uenPtMVpThRGr_ibhxfvlreNAF10RxnPox1L6mG8_qB_S/s640/P1150284.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Casa Batllo again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Set off on our walking tour. We were basically doing a Gaudi
walk today checking out his works of architecture and we weren’t disappointed.
If there was a problem, it was that a lot of his work cannot be captured by
camera, because trees that were planted many years ago have grown to block out
a lot of possible options for good shots. Still, we persevered and did pretty
well. He was a man with creativity for sure. The whole city is geared up to
this man and his buildings – it’s quite incredible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then his designs are very unusual and
easily spotted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqCxTD4GIgu2ufoT0-Mf0UBS8OpAH62Dujo4q8ngE3H3s0Gtgz02GV7pMgN3dIcUvkScXEfIDnQNLxWoQx2eT070n1-4JnIIq5DEsFvrG6c_3sHrS_iFjJqKdjrwDSz_hI4v6NJXl-sae/s1600/P1150286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqCxTD4GIgu2ufoT0-Mf0UBS8OpAH62Dujo4q8ngE3H3s0Gtgz02GV7pMgN3dIcUvkScXEfIDnQNLxWoQx2eT070n1-4JnIIq5DEsFvrG6c_3sHrS_iFjJqKdjrwDSz_hI4v6NJXl-sae/s640/P1150286.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWL9ur_jc_5pvw-8IXX3HJkUdpiMSmHZN_4JDTozIfWUxRiyZ6JVwtoYoJ-SG-5cDJSFXsnKN4DxzLzddpqPBzA2RtPZFYEUjIbLbgxjV85TdWTP68tJnwQm94vYeZeJzi8Y-wWf5cSWQ/s1600/P1150290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguWL9ur_jc_5pvw-8IXX3HJkUdpiMSmHZN_4JDTozIfWUxRiyZ6JVwtoYoJ-SG-5cDJSFXsnKN4DxzLzddpqPBzA2RtPZFYEUjIbLbgxjV85TdWTP68tJnwQm94vYeZeJzi8Y-wWf5cSWQ/s640/P1150290.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUK5YoTKPTs0a5dGSS-pCHC1vemPksktlKBa_0DJH4W-7YreX6eahSr_IO55qh4qOqroG1C_PDUV99uWAp7OYArvr5GW7mJGTnkQaTQO97ayk0LK-89ii2Kl6S7c6XV1KCxfgdQR-m6HAk/s1600/P1150301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUK5YoTKPTs0a5dGSS-pCHC1vemPksktlKBa_0DJH4W-7YreX6eahSr_IO55qh4qOqroG1C_PDUV99uWAp7OYArvr5GW7mJGTnkQaTQO97ayk0LK-89ii2Kl6S7c6XV1KCxfgdQR-m6HAk/s640/P1150301.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq5FNMukGHcEPbDFqNt5LJpi3RLSJXqRosR0Fye2Qj2PzSnlrkUyZhPLeO42sYuhM2YHzRsiHEyWy25zSNXtfZPIaKaj8lfQw6XCQcBi0CJ3aaNATehMF-ubNOeqEr7Ozwk552so8UC_6/s1600/IMG_20181113_132145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="403" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOq5FNMukGHcEPbDFqNt5LJpi3RLSJXqRosR0Fye2Qj2PzSnlrkUyZhPLeO42sYuhM2YHzRsiHEyWy25zSNXtfZPIaKaj8lfQw6XCQcBi0CJ3aaNATehMF-ubNOeqEr7Ozwk552so8UC_6/s640/IMG_20181113_132145.jpg" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F58200Yo9keGnAi3lwK_MRHs1TuQTFka6PR47hf0X4gf_lfEbEbfcamBiZBGdNS3ijVw6L9RCkIgEhS2TQbAd_byGr6G0DL-jPtSB1TGHoDluFCjRR-LsgHzxFYBkucTs0uV_2IgKXDn/s1600/IMG_20181113_140825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="405" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5F58200Yo9keGnAi3lwK_MRHs1TuQTFka6PR47hf0X4gf_lfEbEbfcamBiZBGdNS3ijVw6L9RCkIgEhS2TQbAd_byGr6G0DL-jPtSB1TGHoDluFCjRR-LsgHzxFYBkucTs0uV_2IgKXDn/s640/IMG_20181113_140825.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barcelona Cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi7NjMO1l33GwEa4UMEyJDqIbm0h1IwQFkx1PDISxEksbu_g6wD_vuaZgyQxGvt2pmZR968KC0Iabt0XKQxiVJgik1gvlXAgHkDKTGteln_3_95B8vzE9_EJl150D4fG-_LITR5OX0g_k/s1600/IMG_20181113_141447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="449" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi7NjMO1l33GwEa4UMEyJDqIbm0h1IwQFkx1PDISxEksbu_g6wD_vuaZgyQxGvt2pmZR968KC0Iabt0XKQxiVJgik1gvlXAgHkDKTGteln_3_95B8vzE9_EJl150D4fG-_LITR5OX0g_k/s640/IMG_20181113_141447.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This artwork caught my eye - and a few other eyeballs as well by the look of it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD7eZLXubCMNxxjY3CQC-oCd3wJFnUwljlKyeoNYOl_aZ9sZT55TV-C0hdE_-nw9kM0kqYBfuRaY3KPVIvSbMXz7Wt73CLNhYspqO49qVZhoPzpG3qbHHKC5I-zGUR1liZXrGG2B2PqO1/s1600/IMG_20181113_145537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDD7eZLXubCMNxxjY3CQC-oCd3wJFnUwljlKyeoNYOl_aZ9sZT55TV-C0hdE_-nw9kM0kqYBfuRaY3KPVIvSbMXz7Wt73CLNhYspqO49qVZhoPzpG3qbHHKC5I-zGUR1liZXrGG2B2PqO1/s640/IMG_20181113_145537.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete plays tourist guide - and did you know Dad, this wall is 400 yeras old.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnQvFtanDIZZsbIWt6eZynXFATCiXoHrzuY3-ifTMNL_YOJyUSte3Ri6Kk7KPKRgiHw0UAr0xtgXKt4stPYa6lCOBQytI7Gn-99vUaKA7d1WhNY-zbvI4wQVdHvBUZKmGsuL32HsM1h3t/s1600/IMG_20181113_150700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="567" data-original-width="385" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVnQvFtanDIZZsbIWt6eZynXFATCiXoHrzuY3-ifTMNL_YOJyUSte3Ri6Kk7KPKRgiHw0UAr0xtgXKt4stPYa6lCOBQytI7Gn-99vUaKA7d1WhNY-zbvI4wQVdHvBUZKmGsuL32HsM1h3t/s640/IMG_20181113_150700.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had walked a long way, past all the designer label stores
and down to the marina to begin the Las Ramblas walk, before heading to the
Plaza d’Espanya. We were now marching past tenements and apartments. Reached
the Barcelona Arena, which looks like a bullfighting ring but is just a
shopping centre. Paid to go to the rooftop for a view of the city and the
magnificent Museum of National Art of Catalonia, with its cascading waterfall.
And then…..my camera battery died. Luckily, Dad had brought his and Julia was
snapping away on hers, so we had all bases covered. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjCmOVcLwaee1FgZkF2qDzORPnGqNvdznw4XeBCJUEoKOvXg4jSji1SLramO8hIi9AlnrEYcoPV52Tu2mIEXiQPROtPRVjBlJXxH8Q1iG43bBP4JlrhF9zAPD6LKZrv7eFKExYMCrN7CI/s1600/IMG_0748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixjCmOVcLwaee1FgZkF2qDzORPnGqNvdznw4XeBCJUEoKOvXg4jSji1SLramO8hIi9AlnrEYcoPV52Tu2mIEXiQPROtPRVjBlJXxH8Q1iG43bBP4JlrhF9zAPD6LKZrv7eFKExYMCrN7CI/s640/IMG_0748.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the top of the Arena Barcelona</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3rQYnLQCsu6YoptYy6Yt3Duyn459mDu_mOF9AQHEKksK-ECEmXCFXeVZO33-cFhvN7LSofD8k9FASlqQeNPv1IX_TRXKvXIjK3p_FOGR2bh8ris7CWFL7oBeOnYu5UG6j9CU8rAqow_0/s1600/IMG_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3rQYnLQCsu6YoptYy6Yt3Duyn459mDu_mOF9AQHEKksK-ECEmXCFXeVZO33-cFhvN7LSofD8k9FASlqQeNPv1IX_TRXKvXIjK3p_FOGR2bh8ris7CWFL7oBeOnYu5UG6j9CU8rAqow_0/s640/IMG_0761.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Museum of National Art of Catalonia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pFl5hScYgz4G8vRpzczlyq9jGsydoTduBRT8Ab0DsYThJblcvR0hTBg_M6UVcVzuyTBBSU-UwK_5rDW70YXPMzxE2Rmm4-rCY7mIi9QlZL3cngdYRYmIhuPg1AO4L1srBBAY2DahzB9v/s1600/IMG_0767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1182" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2pFl5hScYgz4G8vRpzczlyq9jGsydoTduBRT8Ab0DsYThJblcvR0hTBg_M6UVcVzuyTBBSU-UwK_5rDW70YXPMzxE2Rmm4-rCY7mIi9QlZL3cngdYRYmIhuPg1AO4L1srBBAY2DahzB9v/s640/IMG_0767.JPG" width="472" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cpq9kuVNyoYeBCYq5oGz0k1hwpq0tUzCghxFSkm5Q1PCsmJ5hNh2xYCKl2EVO_TOJlP2Eil7plZ5APF-q8t8ylugE4daiJ459O5xIcyqtqOoG_XHs57umzrBxjYib52fqj9QIcs4gi0N/s1600/IMG_20181113_164700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="677" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cpq9kuVNyoYeBCYq5oGz0k1hwpq0tUzCghxFSkm5Q1PCsmJ5hNh2xYCKl2EVO_TOJlP2Eil7plZ5APF-q8t8ylugE4daiJ459O5xIcyqtqOoG_XHs57umzrBxjYib52fqj9QIcs4gi0N/s640/IMG_20181113_164700.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDLHVWdsmTd5hvIDors-muknE8sEoHijrRzbY_EE4wRTj-ywwRsiVCbB9f8sHjcFdvixi0Uh4u8uFACY8hlQuUXY-0hbbFG2SKCC5aYXbO_-9UlDPr2gLP1eveb4fFwkdksdSuESF4Orp/s1600/IMG_20181113_165951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="466" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixDLHVWdsmTd5hvIDors-muknE8sEoHijrRzbY_EE4wRTj-ywwRsiVCbB9f8sHjcFdvixi0Uh4u8uFACY8hlQuUXY-0hbbFG2SKCC5aYXbO_-9UlDPr2gLP1eveb4fFwkdksdSuESF4Orp/s640/IMG_20181113_165951.jpg" width="524" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdmiL4TcXoojZAy7ffdVAaDaT4Pig2pNEb3F7jsdZl7iLlasAGlzyiXbuks72ub38TUwirGarwFhUxL-qFb3hyVAKAihq1qrjqmE7cCATpjy_GhggvQL9Ypwn8exMy68ahXs0fW4irxgU/s1600/IMG_20181113_170406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDdmiL4TcXoojZAy7ffdVAaDaT4Pig2pNEb3F7jsdZl7iLlasAGlzyiXbuks72ub38TUwirGarwFhUxL-qFb3hyVAKAihq1qrjqmE7cCATpjy_GhggvQL9Ypwn8exMy68ahXs0fW4irxgU/s640/IMG_20181113_170406.jpg" width="478" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4J65L6mcdx1_h9JtUS4tLoIAx27fYhyd3HINlEqxNPIszJ61juArfh-KySPZdQ1TK0O4hCYPMcVzMDO4DVWQ9W3x2-UoIG2B372xYiZz_h3b2-JzB4bdgsL6pgoYtYigBCnaRqbmLBpCa/s1600/IMG_20181113_163719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="570" data-original-width="375" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4J65L6mcdx1_h9JtUS4tLoIAx27fYhyd3HINlEqxNPIszJ61juArfh-KySPZdQ1TK0O4hCYPMcVzMDO4DVWQ9W3x2-UoIG2B372xYiZz_h3b2-JzB4bdgsL6pgoYtYigBCnaRqbmLBpCa/s640/IMG_20181113_163719.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7DzKIh-YVu-54os9s9DztfT4N_5QVVUEuTUvg6zDYL7vy3LYgK5XrLzL9CR-aN2GeDMC0spBAdm3twff5150rAIuSiyKz6S95pgit_2wnNTOiIhOcJEWfA2U2h-fuyTqayFv_G7h6r_P/s1600/IMG_20181113_164825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="428" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ7DzKIh-YVu-54os9s9DztfT4N_5QVVUEuTUvg6zDYL7vy3LYgK5XrLzL9CR-aN2GeDMC0spBAdm3twff5150rAIuSiyKz6S95pgit_2wnNTOiIhOcJEWfA2U2h-fuyTqayFv_G7h6r_P/s640/IMG_20181113_164825.jpg" width="482" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4iZPKiQwaYp96yhL4RVzs4fGD_F8RQpdaBYDZaITPR8YL8NXOTY921mDL4GmQfoG7QYPAj8Wp-H6R1R319589yqHKmy-B9zq6_42FkD1SB2JhVu_Hp9U4m7thEE24zGZ6OFbhyaJRfyx/s1600/IMG_20181113_164949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH4iZPKiQwaYp96yhL4RVzs4fGD_F8RQpdaBYDZaITPR8YL8NXOTY921mDL4GmQfoG7QYPAj8Wp-H6R1R319589yqHKmy-B9zq6_42FkD1SB2JhVu_Hp9U4m7thEE24zGZ6OFbhyaJRfyx/s640/IMG_20181113_164949.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By now, the sun was
beginning to set, so a visit to the Metro and a journey back to the Sagrada
station, soon had us walking to our apartment after purchasing something to eat
from the supermarket. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzllKH31_GzmgZujpGjer_RvS_sTby9nUbEpmrG1kLXNqPBtvRjR82NsfzS3vtIr5f6iDmOwSQrWxLQ-6lJAjb1f01itAqb-xQ_Nf4USvf7DobzDICTi1l5aUn9QMIwbyNGoNxD0dI3VFi/s1600/IMG_20181113_154239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzllKH31_GzmgZujpGjer_RvS_sTby9nUbEpmrG1kLXNqPBtvRjR82NsfzS3vtIr5f6iDmOwSQrWxLQ-6lJAjb1f01itAqb-xQ_Nf4USvf7DobzDICTi1l5aUn9QMIwbyNGoNxD0dI3VFi/s640/IMG_20181113_154239.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One for the HoboGang</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After eating, we spent the rest of the night contacting
possible bike transporters and as of bedtime, still have no idea if we can get
those damn boxes in a car/van/truck. The language barrier is a problem as we have
discovered with even simple requests, which after relaying the information, we
have received something completely different. Only time will tell and time is
running out. Received a message just before sliding into bed from a company
called Get Bag, who reckon that they can get the boxes into their van plus one
passenger. That means that the other two will have to take a taxi. Shouldn’t be
a problem, but, once again, it’ll depend on a variety of factors. All it will
take is for the taxi not to show and we have a whole can of worms related to
checking in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-32535057612506187562018-11-13T13:48:00.001-08:002018-11-13T13:48:29.416-08:0012th November (sun, cloud, mild)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had to be out of the hotel at 7am this morning as the taxi
was picking us up at that time to take us to the airport for our trip to
Barcelona. We’d set the alarm for 6.15am, however, although I had a pretty good
kip, especially after the last three nights, neither Julia nor myself could
relax fully as we wanted to make sure we didn’t miss the alarm, hence, for
Julia in particular, a lack of sleep. During the night she had woken at 2am and
asked me to turn the air conditioning off as it was too noisy and the duvet on
the bed was making us sweat. She didn’t sleep again after that and by 6am we
were up and getting showers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The taxi, ordered for 7am, arrived at 6.55am and when we
walked out to climb aboard, it was chucking it down. The taxi driver certainly
knew the route well and timed the lights to perfection on our twenty minute,
thirty euro drive. The domestic terminal in Barcelona, is much like most other
domestic terminals around the world. They don’t have the glamour of the
internationals, they are just there to get people from one city in Spain, to
another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a coffee and something to
eat at the overpriced café, we waited for our plane to board. Going through the
x-ray machine and it goes off. I’m asked to take everything out of my pockets…I
only had some coins and after removing them, through the machine again, this
time without a beep. Not good enough for Spanish authorities however and this
time I’m frisked, front and back and then they take a machine which tests
whether or not you have come in contact with drugs. I could see my fellow
passengers thinking, “I thought he looked a bit suss in the waiting lounge” and
others suggesting to their friends that they thought I was probably a coke
trafficker. Believe me, the price they charge for a can of coke at the airport,
I could probably make a few bucks just going around selling that. At the end of
all the fuss, I was back to being just another passenger.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ju and I boarded the flight in our tank tops and shorts,
whilst all the Spaniards were decked out in jerseys and jackets. God knows how
they coped on the plane as the temperature was very warm. Good flight and an
hour and a half later, we touched down in Barcelona, home of the Sagrada
Familia, the Camp Nou, but more importantly, Manuel, from Fawlty Towers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, that would have to wait as Dad was
arriving from the UK at 4.45pm so we thought we would make use of the time to
familiarise ourselves with the airport to ensure a smooth exit on Friday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We checked with Singapore Airlines about the size of the
boxes as we were a little worried they would be too big – No Problem they
assured us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found out where the
scales were in case we need to make sure they are not over the allowed
30kg.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found out where the taxis would
drop us off and we bought another overpriced coffee and sandwich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we cruised over to terminal 2 to meet
Dad, who as it turned out had already landed because his plane got in at
3.45pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it was he hadn’t emerged yet
and came out into the arrivals hall about five minutes after we got there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2ybtYjUugwq2zOFn8HzfZfqlJu_2RQQAv62N0DLhP27a0fFZJ6nBF2-IpTMl3VMMnOiEH6uyift919BGCCazdePNKXpJIO6bmlQWZujitSF4uDsChlkwa743OraO2Z7iLUmMvMJ-MwZn/s1600/P1150243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_2ybtYjUugwq2zOFn8HzfZfqlJu_2RQQAv62N0DLhP27a0fFZJ6nBF2-IpTMl3VMMnOiEH6uyift919BGCCazdePNKXpJIO6bmlQWZujitSF4uDsChlkwa743OraO2Z7iLUmMvMJ-MwZn/s400/P1150243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ju gives Dad a hug as he arrives in Barcelona from the UK</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hugs all round and then outside to catch a taxi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got another really good driver who deposited
us outside the apartment half an hour later for another 30 euros.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to wait for the guy to come and open
the apartment for us so sat at a handy bar in the square outside and caught up
on the last two months over a beer for me, a shandy for Dad and a wine for Ju.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were sitting there, we noticed the
Sagrada Familia is right down the end of the square, so that’s handy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Into the flat which is three bedroomed, nothing too fancy
but perfectly fine for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dumped all
the luggage then went into a Chinese downstairs where Dad got an omelette (big
surprise there!), Ju a paella and I had a pizza.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all enjoyed our meals and also got massive
drinks with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad had ordered a rum
and coke which was at least a double and thought we’d be helping him up the
stairs after that as he’s hardly the world’s biggest drinker, but he coped just
fine and we all went for a wander to the Sagrada Familia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWBmN42yoSP7cntHHX0o4Ag2yb7VVigXKZYHTn8kOJ-ZVNTS5OgsshS4lD60suxgb52TvrcwamoS5lcXrgNUXeMmSUE4RCYb-GhzjZgzwuLsB4d8GNZqG0_Xup21XznDsGOkni3d_o0_d/s1600/P1150245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLWBmN42yoSP7cntHHX0o4Ag2yb7VVigXKZYHTn8kOJ-ZVNTS5OgsshS4lD60suxgb52TvrcwamoS5lcXrgNUXeMmSUE4RCYb-GhzjZgzwuLsB4d8GNZqG0_Xup21XznDsGOkni3d_o0_d/s640/P1150245.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view that greeted us as we walked out of the apartment</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7tOnio5cStQxn2F1JcNZ89wC3mg9PkYg2KxnBQpP5vLt_yWhLFL2m7HZbyFm_3p7QZxOM8ApFqJZMofVxWZYQjgSzgWkKtJxAWwIyQJI-LYYYk46ErPlimi7MvYdEQcDzgnl8jZqTJqk/s1600/IMG_20181112_202146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq7tOnio5cStQxn2F1JcNZ89wC3mg9PkYg2KxnBQpP5vLt_yWhLFL2m7HZbyFm_3p7QZxOM8ApFqJZMofVxWZYQjgSzgWkKtJxAWwIyQJI-LYYYk46ErPlimi7MvYdEQcDzgnl8jZqTJqk/s640/IMG_20181112_202146.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KTKXV6l6ZfSa0dAYbb9myKen0OG87FTfTN2A48S5Lri2VSm0rmo7vUp9aOsJ7IyBr4YOmXGY8QsIliVpiqlmEMSi5tTKXXExeHwKqh7VE-HBKEcXNnWNpgtUn0ZtWgO3CnBtBGZ5Rj4v/s1600/P1150249.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KTKXV6l6ZfSa0dAYbb9myKen0OG87FTfTN2A48S5Lri2VSm0rmo7vUp9aOsJ7IyBr4YOmXGY8QsIliVpiqlmEMSi5tTKXXExeHwKqh7VE-HBKEcXNnWNpgtUn0ZtWgO3CnBtBGZ5Rj4v/s640/P1150249.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_7CaNBXEEtjlKUVwqH5n_UrijVovMIaM9BiIx1PVuazWh7qPaI_jdB80i_9Il_Adq81OOGm0R33SUSbkDIxBo_MItdCNRuw5gDW6OUo81kAFQwkRXDChuGYO16SBh9-raDHPI6-HAnSK/s1600/P1150252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_7CaNBXEEtjlKUVwqH5n_UrijVovMIaM9BiIx1PVuazWh7qPaI_jdB80i_9Il_Adq81OOGm0R33SUSbkDIxBo_MItdCNRuw5gDW6OUo81kAFQwkRXDChuGYO16SBh9-raDHPI6-HAnSK/s640/P1150252.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow, what a place!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have seen a lot of cathedrals but this is
something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad suggested that
Gaudi, the architect, may have been on drugs, and he’s got a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The design is really out there, but of
course, that’s what sets it apart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
taking some photos, we visited the nearby supermarket for supplies then went
back to the apartment for a milky coffee and then bed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-57230759882542404232018-11-12T05:45:00.001-08:002018-11-12T05:45:12.580-08:0011th November (cloudy morning, sunny hot afternoon)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Woke to grey skies but a mild day. Moving locations this
morning as we couldn’t book our entire stay in Seville here at Casa de Blas.
I’m hoping we are not staying next to another nightclub and that double glazing
is the norm. As the morning advanced, we checked flights, booked an extra bag
from Auckland and posted another blog from two days ago. Also tried to find out
dimensions on these boxes we’ve shipped the bikes to Barcelona in. We need to
be able to ship the bikes back to NZ in them, otherwise we are in trouble. If
we turn up at check in and they tell us the boxes are too big (they are
definitely bigger than previous boxes we have used), we have no time to find an
alternative arrangement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Apparently as
long as they are not longer than two metres, we should be ok – fingers crossed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeSFmm4dkPAR5E45yBG71FOKeYazF2CP4Ecxhn1PVG7o3Sh4EXC72UaglOChyphenhyphendfvS0tmEmeBj9tjErEucUWtgA4iyvp8W0UM0h1ET3FGAdOPY7EtPWdrphJDD-YgM2_IbLY5WG6DgV28O/s1600/P1150176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpeSFmm4dkPAR5E45yBG71FOKeYazF2CP4Ecxhn1PVG7o3Sh4EXC72UaglOChyphenhyphendfvS0tmEmeBj9tjErEucUWtgA4iyvp8W0UM0h1ET3FGAdOPY7EtPWdrphJDD-YgM2_IbLY5WG6DgV28O/s640/P1150176.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2,000 year old Roman columns in Alameda Square (rectangle)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At 11am we left la Casa de Blas and headed south towards the
town centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped off for coffee
and toast on the way where we were sat outside and only had a guitar playing,
singing guy asking us for money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
definitely a case of I’ll pay you to go away mate, but we let the table next to
us do that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many old and
enchanting streets in Seville and always plenty to look at.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we wandered slowly with all our
possessions for the next week in just a pannier bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Stopped to watch a bunch of fit young guys
perform some very impressive acrobatic and gymnastic dance moves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, they didn’t have the showmanship to
go with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think it may have been
their first time busking and when you see someone who doesn’t know what they’re
doing, it’s obvious.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What some people
will do in the name of busking is quite unbelievable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s one person who sits outside the post
office all day, every day it seems, dressed in a very home-made, extremely
colourful but quite tatty bird outfit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
only know it’s supposed to be a bird, because it has a beak.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sit there all day playing this inane
tune on a yazoo while opening and closing the beak. It has to be one of the
most annoying sounds on earth along with the “It’s a small world after all”
tune played at Disneyland (well it was 35 years ago, and I still remember it!!
Don’t know if they still play it).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8Pu7uvi1coAIu_VjR3gVbGn8KIiO9eOSIFhqht3CCGJzH-ZBk82o0eyKltdYtmbTD5VRzAbF7qQInISotZPpD6rkY1-7ihAxcHjM8YZzjjUF1bVkgJjmWc-KXhCmN7kT1g-iaQH-1JxV/s1600/P1150181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8Pu7uvi1coAIu_VjR3gVbGn8KIiO9eOSIFhqht3CCGJzH-ZBk82o0eyKltdYtmbTD5VRzAbF7qQInISotZPpD6rkY1-7ihAxcHjM8YZzjjUF1bVkgJjmWc-KXhCmN7kT1g-iaQH-1JxV/s400/P1150181.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room at Alcoba Palazio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Check-in time at our new place wasn’t until 2pm but we
chanced going there at 1.30pm and were able to check in straight away. We thought our last place was central. This place was wedged between the palace and
the cathedral and was brand new, only been open for two months! We had a room
which contained two walls of the original city wall and it looked as though
sleep could be on the cards as those walls were thick! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Left our gear and once
again set out on an afternoon of wandering the city streets trying to capture
the flavour that is Seville. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_7JkU19qyVFI3nkG3MR71P_H9mDMOgDOppouni97nGuZZZSsoS4XNmaXgpMk9_X-a9_X4MPB6BLUCs91koAmFaR146aYKazGJ9uvPVgEPkanxzzWUhwwDgL3vIBuoh8iDYWlUT8lj9Tl/s1600/P1150208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_7JkU19qyVFI3nkG3MR71P_H9mDMOgDOppouni97nGuZZZSsoS4XNmaXgpMk9_X-a9_X4MPB6BLUCs91koAmFaR146aYKazGJ9uvPVgEPkanxzzWUhwwDgL3vIBuoh8iDYWlUT8lj9Tl/s640/P1150208.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Part of the cathedral<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IZq3KHT7EFrTNQo90pfPJpH3mpCY7WQ0PHzcwMexbqqFSwc-VI08kYSKsgO6eA40mHkOU27FhVfhYlozOotLzNEk230XiG2DMw9dGAaiG-riKbUDeWmWbBhH2hPStSkGZBYDA3Wmljrt/s1600/IMG_20181111_160923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0IZq3KHT7EFrTNQo90pfPJpH3mpCY7WQ0PHzcwMexbqqFSwc-VI08kYSKsgO6eA40mHkOU27FhVfhYlozOotLzNEk230XiG2DMw9dGAaiG-riKbUDeWmWbBhH2hPStSkGZBYDA3Wmljrt/s640/IMG_20181111_160923.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQTAAxFLl8B53fW0FjNPHAA_GOhI3YaDs3wY4ABlNEUGmn06XWMHEID2HM56K4o25o6OP1eHfoUVmWKUWNvdpagxjcatzp-ZE15vR5CVg5zvzd6xHFRUdA4p2EUnaomhX3VN2Cx00dGkw/s1600/IMG_20181111_161833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQTAAxFLl8B53fW0FjNPHAA_GOhI3YaDs3wY4ABlNEUGmn06XWMHEID2HM56K4o25o6OP1eHfoUVmWKUWNvdpagxjcatzp-ZE15vR5CVg5zvzd6xHFRUdA4p2EUnaomhX3VN2Cx00dGkw/s640/IMG_20181111_161833.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlQ5gCsHD4hk7B_mv12vvo5L51778GoTPHtO3zeDdONq6GCEQhwB8l1TTkE8e2Vnu5GqI6XC_BiB7qH5v-s86czS8Snyj85le7mw2ZNO2h8Z-1pzR7rX5PzL2uEGSmgQ3ZFcftEXvT8w4/s1600/IMG_20181111_180537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGlQ5gCsHD4hk7B_mv12vvo5L51778GoTPHtO3zeDdONq6GCEQhwB8l1TTkE8e2Vnu5GqI6XC_BiB7qH5v-s86czS8Snyj85le7mw2ZNO2h8Z-1pzR7rX5PzL2uEGSmgQ3ZFcftEXvT8w4/s640/IMG_20181111_180537.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So much decorative detail from the cobbles to the soffeits.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3r4PpkpISqqVp4-u-qBzueWWne50s2UCobQ1QTnHP7sgESLCr6MYhL25LmQ3t_ggIdU1qxu55QNfhxb-OPWPwmG_1RWVaBd7BTY8RsWLwQzbxz0gI3pzfo4_M3SQWuRKnsJB3bxnVKBhq/s1600/P1150200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3r4PpkpISqqVp4-u-qBzueWWne50s2UCobQ1QTnHP7sgESLCr6MYhL25LmQ3t_ggIdU1qxu55QNfhxb-OPWPwmG_1RWVaBd7BTY8RsWLwQzbxz0gI3pzfo4_M3SQWuRKnsJB3bxnVKBhq/s400/P1150200.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Interestingly, this time of year is particularly
busy around and most people who live here go away in the months of July and
August, when the temperatures reach as high as forty four degrees. Today we had
varying temperature gauges telling us it was twenty seven to thirty five
degrees. We estimate it was on the lower end of the scale. Although we’ve
certainly been to the tourist attractions, we also tend to go off that path and
see the alleys and out the way places. As far as history or architecture goes,
there is an abundance wherever you wander.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By late afternoon, with the weather still warm, we realised
that we hadn’t eaten anything since late morning, so after a few more kms
trying to decide, we settled on a place just around the corner from the hotel called
Las Iguana Ranas, where we enjoyed two delicious meals with drinks and great
service. Even here, we were approached twice at the table by people asking for
money. Have I lost all my compassion, or do others feel the same way. It’s hard
to imagine being in that position, but when you see them drinking and smoking,
all with better i-phones than I have, I really struggle to feel anything but
pissed off. Maybe I’m being tested, if so I fail miserably.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHNkZR06Oj_rjRGIOsYvmboER2c8rf3VmqxwwbS8RmxpMRpo2puiCYcIoXbrsvBHEQM2C7jIopQ2lwyFmemdYXNzb7kV5YrIS5Cc8G5zOGyKazm4AjnR56cybpsg4ejO6A5LdZtGJ42QE/s1600/IMG_20181111_144832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHHNkZR06Oj_rjRGIOsYvmboER2c8rf3VmqxwwbS8RmxpMRpo2puiCYcIoXbrsvBHEQM2C7jIopQ2lwyFmemdYXNzb7kV5YrIS5Cc8G5zOGyKazm4AjnR56cybpsg4ejO6A5LdZtGJ42QE/s640/IMG_20181111_144832.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daytime Plaza de Espana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG20_9k9nv421cHAX50j4HRN_Ln94g2UvrOremOdJDdjJUrTlSB8dP3dPCdxjSS1EvcBVm-t0O2II7v71hlyE7yXaQUMncyyhAiqWwoTEtLTb2XPo4Jwdnl-vHAZ5oc018vWRLwfL1g2B/s1600/IMG_20181111_185720+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="1000" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsG20_9k9nv421cHAX50j4HRN_Ln94g2UvrOremOdJDdjJUrTlSB8dP3dPCdxjSS1EvcBVm-t0O2II7v71hlyE7yXaQUMncyyhAiqWwoTEtLTb2XPo4Jwdnl-vHAZ5oc018vWRLwfL1g2B/s640/IMG_20181111_185720+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nightime plaza de Espana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG7eq7sxCBAv3q-VyM9J7or9ktzvYn_IxqpGjVE0Gq-zmNjhIAMnhpA9TmuCT49NqjtzE3v4dS6E88BVbo1WoOP0ux24JJ53ApUhp0Ez7IaAr89q5tpbGroOHOQycrejsIO-p-HKpcKNt/s1600/IMG_20181111_191657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVG7eq7sxCBAv3q-VyM9J7or9ktzvYn_IxqpGjVE0Gq-zmNjhIAMnhpA9TmuCT49NqjtzE3v4dS6E88BVbo1WoOP0ux24JJ53ApUhp0Ez7IaAr89q5tpbGroOHOQycrejsIO-p-HKpcKNt/s640/IMG_20181111_191657.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CBFivtKL-FcqbWSM_yFEnz7T0drPoNa2UhvWVbtYB97F4TCBzuenVey5joWJHuAm4xV8FQaFHNf_dArwelzxLrQykI9qFoN8ryrPcFUpQQsWn50VANFxXQ00-j2t0Ytefz0mFZhiBRFC/s1600/IMG_20181111_192345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CBFivtKL-FcqbWSM_yFEnz7T0drPoNa2UhvWVbtYB97F4TCBzuenVey5joWJHuAm4xV8FQaFHNf_dArwelzxLrQykI9qFoN8ryrPcFUpQQsWn50VANFxXQ00-j2t0Ytefz0mFZhiBRFC/s640/IMG_20181111_192345.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHVi5K2EK_7IHlpY53kcEjzLFGbEvzD7FHPGhj3eWfyZH_C16BL9WTKFlMeIK7Wmasn-Vu228M-vy-jkWJv7wxidFQd37n_H7i2XkhKVtTd4lT7G-FGQll3JwzL3_N1Cw8qxpYpokhsfl/s1600/IMG_20181111_191256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHVi5K2EK_7IHlpY53kcEjzLFGbEvzD7FHPGhj3eWfyZH_C16BL9WTKFlMeIK7Wmasn-Vu228M-vy-jkWJv7wxidFQd37n_H7i2XkhKVtTd4lT7G-FGQll3JwzL3_N1Cw8qxpYpokhsfl/s640/IMG_20181111_191256.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCeYEStuKfdKszja7pKLB-IHb-piRqgea3BaHGLy9N0_lHaBNouGEkwkc8KiUJfblAVHuflgUJL142z1KR_jiU4XM_C055MDl9X3AKE95XMRTuXmhCIZ9Zaw1I3kdGiw6-iwYDl6A5Rnv/s1600/P1150226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCeYEStuKfdKszja7pKLB-IHb-piRqgea3BaHGLy9N0_lHaBNouGEkwkc8KiUJfblAVHuflgUJL142z1KR_jiU4XM_C055MDl9X3AKE95XMRTuXmhCIZ9Zaw1I3kdGiw6-iwYDl6A5Rnv/s640/P1150226.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlhlHdzY-UjZdVysaO3vKZzfNwiZTYCQXHLju-MpD0P0_IVedZr9rC7nVLqmLQxwBxNwlVxtFVjhZ61cOCaOciehyphenhyphenxpQIa4v32E-1dPufjj9AMhRDo-WzDbukI7sG_4NhvKsPTxmWsD87/s1600/P1150218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQlhlHdzY-UjZdVysaO3vKZzfNwiZTYCQXHLju-MpD0P0_IVedZr9rC7nVLqmLQxwBxNwlVxtFVjhZ61cOCaOciehyphenhyphenxpQIa4v32E-1dPufjj9AMhRDo-WzDbukI7sG_4NhvKsPTxmWsD87/s640/P1150218.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFYGhvra5oufLJfRIb06RF89gUFfDrU80L57h6eq-SwRsALQfZOpE18-ZyS4gW7iXKJGPPOwHz5tLJUwm_rhpOYz99SbNHRF5bmvTzFh6nuaADNR8yP4yPZFwIfNo2XEwyj3pd8PSlaba/s1600/P1150216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFYGhvra5oufLJfRIb06RF89gUFfDrU80L57h6eq-SwRsALQfZOpE18-ZyS4gW7iXKJGPPOwHz5tLJUwm_rhpOYz99SbNHRF5bmvTzFh6nuaADNR8yP4yPZFwIfNo2XEwyj3pd8PSlaba/s640/P1150216.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A fountain on the way back to the hotel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to the Plaza de Espana for some night shots, and it’s
just as impressive as the daytime. It’s a strange feeling walking everywhere. I
keep looking for the bikes. It takes a lot longer to get anywhere that’s for
sure. Back to the hotel, just in time to watch some footy on Real Madrid TV.
But no…. instead of showing the football, they commentate on the game whilst
the cameras stay focused on the Real bench. I would not believe it, if I hadn’t
seen it myself. This seems to be par for the course over here when you tune in
to watch football – you actually just watch the commentators – I guess Sky have
exclusive rights to showing the actual game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Watched some of a really corny movie dubbed over in Spanish. Don’t know
what country it originated from, but you’d have more fun trying to get a
government department on the phone. Called it a night about 10.30pm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-86318425806308354132018-11-11T11:49:00.001-08:002018-11-11T11:49:51.290-08:0010th November (cloudy with sunny spells, mild)<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Because it was Thursday, yesterday and I didn’t sleep,
because of noise, I made what I thought was a logical conclusion and decided
that tonight being Friday and having discovered the place across from where we
are is a club, by night, I had more chance of turning religious, than getting
any sleep at all. I was correct. If it was loud last night, that was nothing.
The other point worth a mention is that, the Spanish may spit constantly and
let their dogs crap all over the footpath and street, but as soon as the clubs
close, there are the street sweepers, all motorised, all loud and all taking
forever. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Didn’t get out of bed until 9am and then it was a shave and
a nice hot shower before munching some cereal whilst Julia ate a huge peach.
This was a precursor to breakfast which we ate at an outdoor café in the
square, (which is actually a rectangle), not far away. Very nice, reasonable
price. Today had started out full of cloud. Typical. Just the day we wanted to
do a lot of washing. Still, cloud or no cloud, it had to be done, so back to
the apartment and put it on. Had a nice interaction with our host Blas, hung up
the washing on the outdoor roof terrace before setting off to see Metropol
Parasol, a whimsical wooden structure and piece of art, designed by a German
architect, Jurgen Mayer.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQyii9wf-ig5IH-h5VuGJGIJpZQBO1NIThJjTpz4QpoEtxsk4LbUldbTUV8fUpsSk0X3selkXYHAqJTF5RvidNh8rcuWDnSTOjV4eG9LHkV9AM5OROr33CmRI5RN3TbKwr0N5ULJQSj7A/s1600/P1150167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQyii9wf-ig5IH-h5VuGJGIJpZQBO1NIThJjTpz4QpoEtxsk4LbUldbTUV8fUpsSk0X3selkXYHAqJTF5RvidNh8rcuWDnSTOjV4eG9LHkV9AM5OROr33CmRI5RN3TbKwr0N5ULJQSj7A/s640/P1150167.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Metropol Parasol</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the way there we had to sample ice cream from one of the
many ice cream outlets, selling a huge selection. Julia had Pistachio whilst I
opted for Snickers. Very nice, but Tip Top certainly is our pick. The Parasol
is interesting, looming over another square in that part of town. It’s a
definite talking point. The rest of the time until 3pm, we casually wandered
the streets of Seville taking in the sights, of which there are many. Again
there were many buskers, even more churches and quaint streets waiting to be
explored. Then there were all the other
tourists. So many young girls, done up
to the nines and practicing their Instagram poses while their friends played
photographer, then they swapped roles and repeated the whole performance. Fine but just don’t do all your prancing and
pouting in my shot.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NZaV2j-sEKR3rrZmbXflcFYlyWk1aKipXssr5GKwKRpo1-gL6-HmIjzBbYXZh2LlI4eLfaf2Si8XeujT7-lKhWTWbf3540pB2hKgg-7UiZHLcvSAQscZluaxXw1IX2_GUwuf9ymjw_AU/s1600/IMG_20181110_122908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NZaV2j-sEKR3rrZmbXflcFYlyWk1aKipXssr5GKwKRpo1-gL6-HmIjzBbYXZh2LlI4eLfaf2Si8XeujT7-lKhWTWbf3540pB2hKgg-7UiZHLcvSAQscZluaxXw1IX2_GUwuf9ymjw_AU/s640/IMG_20181110_122908.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2llUxLE17KqmkBbH81_tmPqfhVK4mKCL5Ix2Pfy7nxr_2l7HSXZMGbdN-BTBdzgBEyeySAiNKIrxB_XgQd6NnXjNK8E0QPi_dmVxqQndKO3bzb3Rihvy_RSxp250D3NbQfcXCz4ciLcfm/s1600/IMG_20181110_142354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2llUxLE17KqmkBbH81_tmPqfhVK4mKCL5Ix2Pfy7nxr_2l7HSXZMGbdN-BTBdzgBEyeySAiNKIrxB_XgQd6NnXjNK8E0QPi_dmVxqQndKO3bzb3Rihvy_RSxp250D3NbQfcXCz4ciLcfm/s640/IMG_20181110_142354.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI5EmQJOOvWL7GCasBOPf-Nj3PJ1a7iBnyq2-FY5JRe4NMkwptf30ex_FF2s-RHKZo4NJ99NQxPoMhH4qAN4IqK2tN1P-EU737iFczgHV1Jh8w-mFHt-Y7rLtP2-L529o7CtOG6c6fit-/s1600/IMG_20181110_142647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWI5EmQJOOvWL7GCasBOPf-Nj3PJ1a7iBnyq2-FY5JRe4NMkwptf30ex_FF2s-RHKZo4NJ99NQxPoMhH4qAN4IqK2tN1P-EU737iFczgHV1Jh8w-mFHt-Y7rLtP2-L529o7CtOG6c6fit-/s640/IMG_20181110_142647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDSw1-OqKMcrVFooLJmuumuCfwwkBUHr88zhmZjJ59x71qxuv7wahlYXegCuA7V_K6W0RMr_KZVAIGdXZx2t9eYasCr-N4e9qj4hqeyiS6XNN9vtShKtZS8S8M0nhQJsXdzii7cF9KG41/s1600/IMG_20181110_143949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="403" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDSw1-OqKMcrVFooLJmuumuCfwwkBUHr88zhmZjJ59x71qxuv7wahlYXegCuA7V_K6W0RMr_KZVAIGdXZx2t9eYasCr-N4e9qj4hqeyiS6XNN9vtShKtZS8S8M0nhQJsXdzii7cF9KG41/s640/IMG_20181110_143949.jpg" width="454" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Popped into a café for lunch. Should have known this one was
a mistake when after giving the young cocky waiter our order, he comes by about
twenty minutes later and asks if we want more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Actually, we’d just like to eat what we ordered twenty minutes ago
mate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And not your stale bread and dry
olives that you so unceremoniously threw on the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We waited and waited. Finally the cocky guy
says “You not got your food?” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No mate –
are we supposed to go get it ourselves because you’re our waiter and you should
know whether you’ve given it to us or not. Ten minutes later a surly waitress
comes and practically throws one order on the table. Five minutes later we get
the second order. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Couldn’t tell whose
order was which as they both looked the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>You’d think it would be easy as Ju had ordered guacamole and chicken,
but neither plate had anything green on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So we just ate what was put before is as by now it was 3.30pm and we
were pretty hungry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not hungry enough to
touch the dry bread and olives however, but that didn’t stop them charging us
for them! Told the older waiter who informed old cocky boy. “Is there a
problem?” “No problem. We’re just not paying for something we didn’t order and
didn’t eat.” Needless to say, the only tip for this guy is pay more attention
to your customers, for they are the ones who pay your wages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHF11FXBYPPEMccktwHB6XnxLU8albtEHZzpZYyJBUlHZ7_mPu-5TaRWvQUJpNwLBMpyzopUlpT2jXJYe5lCXX5L8sOS33S6-JciCfzdQ5bgd-hN6R2kmtJzr8NQySRB2U0miWRk7fAkv/s1600/P1150159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMHF11FXBYPPEMccktwHB6XnxLU8albtEHZzpZYyJBUlHZ7_mPu-5TaRWvQUJpNwLBMpyzopUlpT2jXJYe5lCXX5L8sOS33S6-JciCfzdQ5bgd-hN6R2kmtJzr8NQySRB2U0miWRk7fAkv/s640/P1150159.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure this is what Nike had in mind.......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At least by sitting inside we didn’t get bothered by the
beggars. This morning while we were
eating our 5 euro breakfasts, we had two beggars approach us asking for
money. We both felt annoyed as it’s not
often on this trip we have eaten at a restaurant and we didn’t like being made
to feel guilty for treating ourselves. (If
coffee and toast can be called treating yourself). Besides, I’m pretty sure
they wouldn’t have been happy if we’d given them a piece of toast, which begs
the question, what did they want the money for?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like all big cities there are a lot of people sleeping rough
and setting up their “shops” on blankets, ready to bundle it all up and run
from the cops if they have to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody
seems to be buying from these people though so you wonder how they can make a
living doing this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGVfiqOxbHTa192atAiZ-7buVsCePztlhclOruBdChlU-mTJUbMBF0134ALmbXzF_vGNPCxUxReo7_TlBKBUHKrQvF0u9HzUaUTrqTuUGJ0IM-D5O-eSxvji2FFZKrKzIpvIagVX2znAs/s1600/IMG_20181110_162159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoGVfiqOxbHTa192atAiZ-7buVsCePztlhclOruBdChlU-mTJUbMBF0134ALmbXzF_vGNPCxUxReo7_TlBKBUHKrQvF0u9HzUaUTrqTuUGJ0IM-D5O-eSxvji2FFZKrKzIpvIagVX2znAs/s640/IMG_20181110_162159.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ysbjxZADegHA8r38194c4C5h3S-8DBH3gFu4iReoAuFcoVuN1uoFEXVeCELx92excs-5_74OZBrSIl-DtbmdExE7Snx5eSzovvK4H6NICJHeeXPiNC6NXBBC7t9kmWUp_jBFJ1r6r-Zw/s1600/IMG_20181110_150614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ysbjxZADegHA8r38194c4C5h3S-8DBH3gFu4iReoAuFcoVuN1uoFEXVeCELx92excs-5_74OZBrSIl-DtbmdExE7Snx5eSzovvK4H6NICJHeeXPiNC6NXBBC7t9kmWUp_jBFJ1r6r-Zw/s640/IMG_20181110_150614.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNecPH1F9qWV4tghTqi-r8gZP3LR4CT2BeJsrRkTCLp_iBUfM1-iRJqL-ophHQpZSas3NhmOLPknPorpsiWEgmKjF7fBQrndd6FcGnw2nd7IyEvxjeMpKByLEH87hMJLVEfBklt8PBvIN/s1600/P1150172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoNecPH1F9qWV4tghTqi-r8gZP3LR4CT2BeJsrRkTCLp_iBUfM1-iRJqL-ophHQpZSas3NhmOLPknPorpsiWEgmKjF7fBQrndd6FcGnw2nd7IyEvxjeMpKByLEH87hMJLVEfBklt8PBvIN/s640/P1150172.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wandered back to the north end of town to our apartment to
get the washing in before it got dark and while Ju loaded the photos on the
computer, I had a kip to catch up on the zzzzz’s I’ve missed the last few
nights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I woke about 8pm, neither
of us could be bothered going out so we just chilled in the apartment and ate
fruit for tea.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-71889930029447285232018-11-11T01:47:00.001-08:002018-11-11T01:47:24.226-08:009th November (sunny and mild) <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve had some pretty awful sleeps on this tour, which is
amazing, as I prefer sleeping outside to inside, but last night, in a beautiful
apartment in Seville, I hardly slept. That was because we are situated right in
the centre of the action and even though it was a Thursday, Seville was
humming. Everyone that was in town last night either walked past, sang,
operated a garbage truck or talked outside our window. This went on until 5am
in the morning, when I eventually slept. Doesn’t help that the place doesn’t
have double glazing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we did open our eyes, it was 9am. Today had dawned with
full sun and we intended to see as much of Seville as we could. It was also the
day that we said goodbye to our bikes as we had to pack them up and send them
to Barcelona, ready for us to pick up and bring home. They did us well on tour
and I was the only one to have anything go wrong and that was minor. Two
punctures in London in two days on the Thames crappy cycle path was the last
one we had and the tyres that we have toured on for the last three tours are
excellent.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I3d7noiKTOiXfdbla2d6sSG9y7OxyIj6NM3EQEUHbDUrEXhGew2txPFL02GEcpVTzxqbiBD74cG1WcOV3gYsi8PYceqRZmwPr3M5f7AFGgJzA_kJdNasqsIOISEk44rWpQvM3_yaKCgd/s1600/IMG_20181109_100629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="928" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I3d7noiKTOiXfdbla2d6sSG9y7OxyIj6NM3EQEUHbDUrEXhGew2txPFL02GEcpVTzxqbiBD74cG1WcOV3gYsi8PYceqRZmwPr3M5f7AFGgJzA_kJdNasqsIOISEk44rWpQvM3_yaKCgd/s640/IMG_20181109_100629.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDwlCgTiUAAMWyrIAVt5c4JMLJOcIYSBxqdBKOmzM7jZ4vz-Tp-lwgq6TAmMjv-o3vWKl92UBljUf6cfWrQUJgfDmvTTWfJkL1c7fLda1lGXQpUHeIOKFpXC5c57TBcj1eIPCPrgoci0V/s1600/P1150103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1600" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDwlCgTiUAAMWyrIAVt5c4JMLJOcIYSBxqdBKOmzM7jZ4vz-Tp-lwgq6TAmMjv-o3vWKl92UBljUf6cfWrQUJgfDmvTTWfJkL1c7fLda1lGXQpUHeIOKFpXC5c57TBcj1eIPCPrgoci0V/s640/P1150103.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a quick breakfast we were out the door on the bikes
for a sightseeing mission, before we packed them up. Seville is full of history
and we aimed to see as much on the bikes this morning as we could. With the
weather perfect, we cycled firstly to the main Post Office to make sure that
they have bike boxes ready for us. That confirmed and at least I knew that was
one thing less to worry about. Set off to see Seville.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUwedxxmCPjfrlXDc5tlu9dANNzKPWHDS7W8vOA6K1QgJASLR2qKcQDYfnU4qm2xxcPrpQtabazHUq2pR03hqiYuu8-irdSzr7KkzQLX_w8JGmOt-5f2mg2o5PptKRhp7V-ikcC3uTD-h/s1600/P1150106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQUwedxxmCPjfrlXDc5tlu9dANNzKPWHDS7W8vOA6K1QgJASLR2qKcQDYfnU4qm2xxcPrpQtabazHUq2pR03hqiYuu8-irdSzr7KkzQLX_w8JGmOt-5f2mg2o5PptKRhp7V-ikcC3uTD-h/s640/P1150106.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6iXsjrdHc-5uzXIJNyELA9-JUORkOAwD8xnT_zmOkGDWI2joDbpbgwwfCYq_XeDjOOeexJjhoNiCvqVbw5S-6VfCJ3JOiNlj3nQ3frjPrcYvvOLtASl_-dbOaIVgdy7BxPyQ_99QJ6fX/s1600/P1150109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq6iXsjrdHc-5uzXIJNyELA9-JUORkOAwD8xnT_zmOkGDWI2joDbpbgwwfCYq_XeDjOOeexJjhoNiCvqVbw5S-6VfCJ3JOiNlj3nQ3frjPrcYvvOLtASl_-dbOaIVgdy7BxPyQ_99QJ6fX/s640/P1150109.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Began at the Cathedral,
which unfortunately is having work done to it (I suppose you’re entitled to
after five hundred years) so not ideal for photos. Did nobody get the memo that
we were coming for goodness sake? This city has great cycle paths and none
better than down by the river Guadalquivir. Everyone was out and about this
morning and the tourist spots were packed. <o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg-SL98IyI7MP6cdPeIY1b8b8LHooaDbD1mpoCvvhUJGZw6FlqPSFfx5RwOccQA_IBLf9T-H2qMz0ld2q8dyOEQCMAxQb4lFN93E7DMPKVppRja7lbiuF4yvxeZ27SaNOSi0v9qYlV6E7/s1600/IMG_20181109_103830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPg-SL98IyI7MP6cdPeIY1b8b8LHooaDbD1mpoCvvhUJGZw6FlqPSFfx5RwOccQA_IBLf9T-H2qMz0ld2q8dyOEQCMAxQb4lFN93E7DMPKVppRja7lbiuF4yvxeZ27SaNOSi0v9qYlV6E7/s640/IMG_20181109_103830.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaCf_xEMt3OikQdFHdOxFTSvI5f-mQTR0OK6whU6TabYaH4AAMxpoeMZUdQ7X-sswji9IC8jTkJTekz6JJwRFvHRzoHft1hkmLUvRCMsHz4HTWPXcPoeQU8BNuwcMzEHTZxpEPZ7tUjqx/s1600/IMG_20181109_104433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="719" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNaCf_xEMt3OikQdFHdOxFTSvI5f-mQTR0OK6whU6TabYaH4AAMxpoeMZUdQ7X-sswji9IC8jTkJTekz6JJwRFvHRzoHft1hkmLUvRCMsHz4HTWPXcPoeQU8BNuwcMzEHTZxpEPZ7tUjqx/s640/IMG_20181109_104433.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Possibly the building that we both wanted to see the most
was the Plaza de Espana. Built in 1928 for the Ibero –American Exhibition of
1929. It was built basically to wow the other exhibitors and showcase Seville’s
talents in industry and crafts. It is absolutely magnificent and Julia and I
wandered around for ages, just marvelling at the tile work alone. Trying to
capture the size of the building is nigh on impossible and unless you had a
wide angle lens or were using a panorama effect, you have to limit your shots. We
are fortunate to have seen some beautiful buildings over the years and this
rates highly.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanReEB3qm7pbXgwhgmpIrakLyrzmY-Dpfdu3dx2tLYMbYYRnKjrAD0CkhYtnd2BgCmnVim_3ZO4CJes36R1PplCI2JmMRVTW8f87uiOusXBzhXUYXHklEDFLamOl1q0X3ynNPCwORWrWu/s1600/IMG_20181109_111841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="1284" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhanReEB3qm7pbXgwhgmpIrakLyrzmY-Dpfdu3dx2tLYMbYYRnKjrAD0CkhYtnd2BgCmnVim_3ZO4CJes36R1PplCI2JmMRVTW8f87uiOusXBzhXUYXHklEDFLamOl1q0X3ynNPCwORWrWu/s640/IMG_20181109_111841.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza de Espana - what a place!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn33fZfutaBMZDBVG1GsRC8O8vT415PIuzHr7mgYN-QOIrKm1gE5DZMbOkbNdtGYdq6MKxer56xExVSTsH9C59in6MqqPLjd0bP2Q_DNtoU34Wnme9FOSdrleu9CgDYTmsssy0wHqlfb6F/s1600/IMG_20181109_110442.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn33fZfutaBMZDBVG1GsRC8O8vT415PIuzHr7mgYN-QOIrKm1gE5DZMbOkbNdtGYdq6MKxer56xExVSTsH9C59in6MqqPLjd0bP2Q_DNtoU34Wnme9FOSdrleu9CgDYTmsssy0wHqlfb6F/s640/IMG_20181109_110442.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1keRrr7XgVmsYopL7KpLis18m0CET51cXe3Q_yvCE6IPfoiaVwvEIJNreIldeRe4GldxgJyffJkwnbjfRQUw5Ts4y7I96hIhA0wfp_yC1N_q4tClTRmI2eyhT_eARJXmeVF63MwghFd3/s1600/IMG_20181109_113644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1keRrr7XgVmsYopL7KpLis18m0CET51cXe3Q_yvCE6IPfoiaVwvEIJNreIldeRe4GldxgJyffJkwnbjfRQUw5Ts4y7I96hIhA0wfp_yC1N_q4tClTRmI2eyhT_eARJXmeVF63MwghFd3/s640/IMG_20181109_113644.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1axYptYbkBRk6sccSVTGlUhM9wnqhtkPVLxs1NzGQ8E1dmYQkmO1aXoAVF068rSyFIrHRNZmHOySOdEPwOvKsnUUEHE6ThhjCnXUuMpLFQqhMU4xM3k5_Dg7Ye0y381P7Rw9ojit146O/s1600/IMG_20181109_111120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1axYptYbkBRk6sccSVTGlUhM9wnqhtkPVLxs1NzGQ8E1dmYQkmO1aXoAVF068rSyFIrHRNZmHOySOdEPwOvKsnUUEHE6ThhjCnXUuMpLFQqhMU4xM3k5_Dg7Ye0y381P7Rw9ojit146O/s640/IMG_20181109_111120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriBfSkY-MVPa68gmhELOPndobDzCoEXCzkgaIQFfq5sCIjIxy5iLYeRXQq-6AI8Pua59uG1TjioQorR_NnV7JMXbupComMQ2nDrMoKuvh1581-0tMekT36PbeE7vdfl2iqV2l-XccuSM6/s1600/IMG_20181109_113216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjriBfSkY-MVPa68gmhELOPndobDzCoEXCzkgaIQFfq5sCIjIxy5iLYeRXQq-6AI8Pua59uG1TjioQorR_NnV7JMXbupComMQ2nDrMoKuvh1581-0tMekT36PbeE7vdfl2iqV2l-XccuSM6/s640/IMG_20181109_113216.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3e6bbU8u2ciW3_AIGsJ0pZIH4yA00Eah7j8KFDk_fUAI6Hi-3gPGTL0hvj6p2_xIO4zcIdV58nWHNCEYc-RO0UkQUCW8Bcru9vo9QLRzvLFSlLYWXhWUCe0hWHeH0D1sNCA-9SUHP5gWp/s1600/P1150141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3e6bbU8u2ciW3_AIGsJ0pZIH4yA00Eah7j8KFDk_fUAI6Hi-3gPGTL0hvj6p2_xIO4zcIdV58nWHNCEYc-RO0UkQUCW8Bcru9vo9QLRzvLFSlLYWXhWUCe0hWHeH0D1sNCA-9SUHP5gWp/s640/P1150141.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdF81O10EBrpOxec7MQ03iWpCs3nmQl6lgWg9fawgu5z24iuuqMoibg7ckcsXySXs0VogIfTeP_urYVB-lQ2fCliAhbe1PbPrZmwM4y5-ajDkqh33nVGpGbB__QXrOypF6TMiVIRPX9CQ/s1600/IMG_20181109_131634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="748" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdF81O10EBrpOxec7MQ03iWpCs3nmQl6lgWg9fawgu5z24iuuqMoibg7ckcsXySXs0VogIfTeP_urYVB-lQ2fCliAhbe1PbPrZmwM4y5-ajDkqh33nVGpGbB__QXrOypF6TMiVIRPX9CQ/s640/IMG_20181109_131634.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The neighbourhood of Triana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj443ouFZoOGYQlwuOSNZNhg9aF2f7CH0IkASiLqqm2C1tdywcMi1Zu-byJOWaY_B7IDc2xlPqmctzIju6_5r287eU74MaOVITn3DdiVefAHUNCrA_WxYJ1MgozmnYge8nsIfvcsdt00s0I/s1600/IMG_20181109_115934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj443ouFZoOGYQlwuOSNZNhg9aF2f7CH0IkASiLqqm2C1tdywcMi1Zu-byJOWaY_B7IDc2xlPqmctzIju6_5r287eU74MaOVITn3DdiVefAHUNCrA_WxYJ1MgozmnYge8nsIfvcsdt00s0I/s640/IMG_20181109_115934.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvL55Rl01TuwXEKK2JEaeIl4_Eb-8TjQk14k5IvRndFOyIHnLKbl6pMNLUrh2K33s3EEu3c-iaL79ioPsVfPbiVoG2SUR2UGgId0Gwzpvp2zy9kfF-Bo5C4_jO-_9qFg2BPwEQC2q9ZkzV/s1600/P1150148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvL55Rl01TuwXEKK2JEaeIl4_Eb-8TjQk14k5IvRndFOyIHnLKbl6pMNLUrh2K33s3EEu3c-iaL79ioPsVfPbiVoG2SUR2UGgId0Gwzpvp2zy9kfF-Bo5C4_jO-_9qFg2BPwEQC2q9ZkzV/s640/P1150148.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzt42mULUliMR2QYULJqNE-4eJVziYtnuQpastTZlXOomEwPKU5q6E0KBP7fuuAu_MSIreWXNYAQT6Ux76jRU87tSvbv96KlbB7207YfIZ7C7xAEP7OTN_K2h29lcHq3F8voDaOfc1udT/s1600/P1150149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzt42mULUliMR2QYULJqNE-4eJVziYtnuQpastTZlXOomEwPKU5q6E0KBP7fuuAu_MSIreWXNYAQT6Ux76jRU87tSvbv96KlbB7207YfIZ7C7xAEP7OTN_K2h29lcHq3F8voDaOfc1udT/s640/P1150149.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QbM8qdfCsaq5eb_mlihTs-RgjcCGcN1n5x1SytFvfcVbiPIvsqVzY8t00lCSaDTLXAIo_I529179JsWQP5pwChWWGLe84yquSg92cXwNNFJLXQajrzXHKQXnA_oS4LQmd54i4owqXVPt/s1600/P1150151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-QbM8qdfCsaq5eb_mlihTs-RgjcCGcN1n5x1SytFvfcVbiPIvsqVzY8t00lCSaDTLXAIo_I529179JsWQP5pwChWWGLe84yquSg92cXwNNFJLXQajrzXHKQXnA_oS4LQmd54i4owqXVPt/s640/P1150151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our jaunt lasted until 2pm when we figured it was time to
eat. Rode the bikes back to the apartment and then shot out for a nice lunch just
around the corner. By 3pm, we were busy cleaning the bikes ready for packing.
Having sorted the gear that needed to go in the boxes with the bikes, (like
sleeping mats, sleeping bags, tent, tool box etc), we loaded up and rode to the
Correos, or Post Office, which fortunately is open until 8.30pm. Dealt with a
great guy, who gave us the boxes and let us pack them up right inside the main
room. They will send them to Barca for us and store them for free, for us to
pick up and take to the airport, when we fly out. My heart was still in my
mouth when signing the form, as it states that nothing else should be in the
box, only the bikes. Had to get them and all our stuff there somehow though and
this was the most effective way.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzS2PpFGRm4kfH0e4rXAL_qRNHHxY_kLmuE-VR_Bf6hkMOxzfSPimW76yK2OTjNJA0qOYDcMbMyIBzH6uRsrzysNaNN91YPf2utoXcjR3hy9YRoa0GFBtbehQnKgi8mNCPai_65MD9033/s1600/IMG_20181109_162121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzS2PpFGRm4kfH0e4rXAL_qRNHHxY_kLmuE-VR_Bf6hkMOxzfSPimW76yK2OTjNJA0qOYDcMbMyIBzH6uRsrzysNaNN91YPf2utoXcjR3hy9YRoa0GFBtbehQnKgi8mNCPai_65MD9033/s640/IMG_20181109_162121.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the apartment we stayed at.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbiGMRIugsLs8EPCzhO75WAbSe3flXAxFfr8OGiPN4Xo0PvoorTdW7Tp3YP757CrQMmP_VUK8BTMbrpX7HeMEfiWOnLELYBiqbF5QsnI2TvrEpejyNfn1xpYrRWQmlCG9ltXFfYiilHcU/s1600/IMG_20181109_162138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="768" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzbiGMRIugsLs8EPCzhO75WAbSe3flXAxFfr8OGiPN4Xo0PvoorTdW7Tp3YP757CrQMmP_VUK8BTMbrpX7HeMEfiWOnLELYBiqbF5QsnI2TvrEpejyNfn1xpYrRWQmlCG9ltXFfYiilHcU/s640/IMG_20181109_162138.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madonna keeps an eye on us as we get the gear ready to take to the Post Office</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After two hours of dismantling the bikes and packing them up,
we left with a weight lifted from our shoulders. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we also felt slightly sad to see our
dependable bikes going off alone into the world without us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All we have to do now, is hope that they send
them to the right address in Barca. Wandered the brightly lit, very busy, city
streets. There was a definite buzz to the place and plenty of buskers on
show.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huge variety of acts but we’ve
noticed they don’t seem to be raking it in and the tourists seem very reticent
to part with their money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were impressed
with a young bmx rider and a guitarist who was playing outside the post office
as we left. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Popped into a café/bar for a
paella and a drink before strolling the streets back to our abode. Facetimed
both the girls and Brody and so glad to see that they are all well and happy.
Wrote the blog and called it a day. Up early tomorrow for a walking tour of the
city.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-40404727420891392432018-11-10T10:56:00.000-08:002018-11-10T10:56:21.303-08:008th November (raining and mild) 10 km<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Woke at 7.30am to pouring rain. Today we only have to ride
10kms to our hotel for the next three nights, but if possible, we would prefer
not to get wet. I know, I know, there are people out there saying “Toughen up
and That’s a first world problem” and you’re correct. But I still prefer to
stay dry over getting wet. The hotel we are staying in is beautifully decorated
and very well laid out, however, why would you put such an effort into
something like that and slip up on something as simple as making sure that you
had soundproofing between your walls. I don’t wish to hear every word of a
conversation in the next room, especially in Spanish. If I have to listen to
somebody, I want to at least know what they’re saying. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Breakfast at the hotel cost us Euro 10 for the two of us.
Not a lot to some, but what they supplied was minimal and mostly stale. For us
it was a big step up from what we would normally pay, but in the end we would
rather have had our usual muesli and fruit breakfast – along with the 3 euro
price tag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our fly sheet drying over the
bath/shower, we blogged, used the terrible internet coverage and prepared to
venture out into the now terrible weather. As I sit typing this I am reminded
of how Scott must have felt on his last day attempting to reach the Antarctic.
Venturing out in this whiteout, I mean hailstorm, well, storm….okay, heavy
downpour, perhaps drizzle….whatever…I am reminded of hardship….yes…and how
resilient it makes us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Checkout time was 12pm. The weather was bad. This was the
final push. A short 10km ride to Seville and that would be the cycling part of
our journey completed. Although it was 19 degrees, it was near whiteout
conditions. We loaded our trusty mounts, but then felt the need for a coffee
from the hotel bar. It was only delaying the inevitable. As we sat gazing into
each other’s eyes, I thought of the many adventures we have undertaken over the
years. A tear slid slowly into the corner of my eye. The kids, my God, how were
they to know just how dangerous this final stage could be. Bad enough on a
normal day coping with cobbled streets, but in the wet with tyres slipping and
sliding, cars inches from our bodies, it all made for tension on a massive
scale and with death, always a possibility, I had to pull myself together for
fear of Julia picking up on those vibes. After all she wants a real man, not a
snivelling pussy. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ju here – We haven’t had much rain on this tour, in fact we
have been incredibly lucky with the weather.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, we did come prepared with not only good rainjackets, but also
rain pants and some fancy plastic overboots for our shoes which we got from a
Chinese online store for $20.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t
think they would last the tour, but because we’ve only worn them twice, they
have.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided for some strange reason
to not put our pants and plastic overboots on as we left the hotel this
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our reasoning was that if it
was too bad, we would take shelter in the underground carpark of the shopping
centre where Burger King was situated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That was only 1 km away and how wet could one get in just one km?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turns out you could get very wet,
especially when you had to ride through puddles which absolutely drenched our
shoes and socks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived in the
carpark in just a few minutes, soaking wet and annoyed at ourselves.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
While I got my towel out and dried off my pants and got out
some dry socks, the rain decided to ease off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pete decided we should go for it – I told him I’d learned my lesson and
was putting my pants and overboots on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think he was determined to prove he wasn’t a snivelling pussy and decided not
to – let’s hope he doesn’t end up with a snivelling cold!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So once I’d done this, we took off again for
our next shopping centre.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a few
navigation issues and just as we were about a km from the next shopping
complex, down came the rain again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t
mind, I was nice and dry and warm. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqPrT2001ezgIm67XJTuCRVUZAegdj3rAyWZCi1Yzwp4I9JO6qgNbJKORiZrYoZM3zJ4rm-D0LUeIBlBhbCpa-jCyw8d8KbY_zKpCjWgIHu18WmkzTWIHPef9ck1OQwwhvzqF2lhfcPBB/s1600/IMG_20181108_144106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="814" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWqPrT2001ezgIm67XJTuCRVUZAegdj3rAyWZCi1Yzwp4I9JO6qgNbJKORiZrYoZM3zJ4rm-D0LUeIBlBhbCpa-jCyw8d8KbY_zKpCjWgIHu18WmkzTWIHPef9ck1OQwwhvzqF2lhfcPBB/s640/IMG_20181108_144106.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meeting up with Santiago and Ebana was a great surprise!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had come to this shopping centre as it contained
somewhere to purchase camping gas and to grab a bite to eat, so we did just
that. After filling up, we were about to get some supplies from the supermarket
when we ran into Ebana, who we had met cycling with Santiago a week ago. They
were having coffee, so we joined them and Santiago’s friend, Juan, from Buenos
Aires, who married a local woman and now resides here. It was great to see them
again and we had a good chat and exchanged phone numbers in case we can get
together before we all go our separate ways.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We then finally got to cycle the last few kms without any
rain, to our next accommodation in the middle of Seville. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our host for the next few days is Blas, a very
nice guy, who helped us in with our gear, made us a tea and coffee and showed
us to our upstairs apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have a
bedroom and bathroom on the third floor and a small kitchenette and outdoor
roof space on the fourth floor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a
real treat to be staying in an authentic Spanish house in the old part of
Seville. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGa20y7ZA__yqZfu7NO1Wdpfbro7NlU99zNUg3U-WSUSjPDZYh3eOu4zndmcYK8wCCbzPrryZ_l54FxxdYXKLIpReEHmjJM0Iew74873hyphenhyphenNat0N49Q9EcAkdW1idxHsoiQJofo_BwTYPc/s1600/P1150081.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinGa20y7ZA__yqZfu7NO1Wdpfbro7NlU99zNUg3U-WSUSjPDZYh3eOu4zndmcYK8wCCbzPrryZ_l54FxxdYXKLIpReEHmjJM0Iew74873hyphenhyphenNat0N49Q9EcAkdW1idxHsoiQJofo_BwTYPc/s640/P1150081.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our accommodation for the next three nights</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HJrj06Gx_a7QqEJfmNPeSmOeb_CZvJ-RU2Lxh3kAZ-GBKOQMj57pqZ-RsNdcakYa_NI06bpSllDpMINJJS3NClr-yAMu0Q0Kx2AzWbj_1XGEqxLxhqevffTcbsn8pV-9uo89WQT6S5ny/s1600/IMG_20181108_172319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4HJrj06Gx_a7QqEJfmNPeSmOeb_CZvJ-RU2Lxh3kAZ-GBKOQMj57pqZ-RsNdcakYa_NI06bpSllDpMINJJS3NClr-yAMu0Q0Kx2AzWbj_1XGEqxLxhqevffTcbsn8pV-9uo89WQT6S5ny/s640/IMG_20181108_172319.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our terrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r48rlKdiJtCEk7JvYWANcWEY2_irepkvsQPIRRKDA13W4coZ0a_4RQyLobMz5bF8z6WWHWDq5kFh7ArouN3_UJVX2nUekc9SU4fXfACjTQLrmUgqCKFQaDsuurg3ajXM7at7MfiOd5TN/s1600/P1150087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0r48rlKdiJtCEk7JvYWANcWEY2_irepkvsQPIRRKDA13W4coZ0a_4RQyLobMz5bF8z6WWHWDq5kFh7ArouN3_UJVX2nUekc9SU4fXfACjTQLrmUgqCKFQaDsuurg3ajXM7at7MfiOd5TN/s640/P1150087.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view from our terrace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOsn1bf6zsuOKi_xCPajiyv2VWVBbPAElb9aIJei1APXdwqY39ziChCf6LhZ3SSoeMFBtaubf1qj0-z_GASuRKSJDCVeteBh6a_OxAVVs3MHSu8vDo77pRJ_v7DVdysk6wLRNs5Ha5-E5/s1600/IMG_20181108_210142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="619" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOsn1bf6zsuOKi_xCPajiyv2VWVBbPAElb9aIJei1APXdwqY39ziChCf6LhZ3SSoeMFBtaubf1qj0-z_GASuRKSJDCVeteBh6a_OxAVVs3MHSu8vDo77pRJ_v7DVdysk6wLRNs5Ha5-E5/s640/IMG_20181108_210142.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seville at night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc0IOfIK09epQ5oCsMah2TSKthFKzVXZgwKqi7idBpM-ODkQDtr7PFetcJNYL-FTUf6FMaQTnGT4Ma9-0Z0PHzL4gunbt-vgLQCiBSHTrmJ6tpF0JgP_ZAPyGQZqanzqIzrAzHH31n2e2/s1600/P1150090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLc0IOfIK09epQ5oCsMah2TSKthFKzVXZgwKqi7idBpM-ODkQDtr7PFetcJNYL-FTUf6FMaQTnGT4Ma9-0Z0PHzL4gunbt-vgLQCiBSHTrmJ6tpF0JgP_ZAPyGQZqanzqIzrAzHH31n2e2/s640/P1150090.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-lDqlv2C_9SVBUkxVZ1ok1OtyDVKm_SawwtmIuUW_bzpHYP1IZQpjpMDsIIa46yHas5_3CGq_56a5YoxrRbYEkcBZ_qeZr6pIaSk-dC7YxCsgyjrmBULOfQEatAz61VOTXdEhATRM7Oe/s1600/IMG_20181108_211247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="696" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8-lDqlv2C_9SVBUkxVZ1ok1OtyDVKm_SawwtmIuUW_bzpHYP1IZQpjpMDsIIa46yHas5_3CGq_56a5YoxrRbYEkcBZ_qeZr6pIaSk-dC7YxCsgyjrmBULOfQEatAz61VOTXdEhATRM7Oe/s640/IMG_20181108_211247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie63CTKQY6WdVrqhkRdapEc45A9AxwIkk9pjEfULLWfmxpH_7-WiDZkqzd-h6V1DjPsKvIHVBWk0cND6pzjIdloBI6352COGIDjBguOYmXUt4Ck0FaIduSrpVZGe3-Rl8Z8eGj3tO6MK5/s1600/IMG_20181108_213727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjie63CTKQY6WdVrqhkRdapEc45A9AxwIkk9pjEfULLWfmxpH_7-WiDZkqzd-h6V1DjPsKvIHVBWk0cND6pzjIdloBI6352COGIDjBguOYmXUt4Ck0FaIduSrpVZGe3-Rl8Z8eGj3tO6MK5/s640/IMG_20181108_213727.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy95VgeTAQvUcoQFaKKvdHR8jzG5NNtVuRP-EZlIBrwhKFJdpLFAZm4Cim2-Qru8HUVWswDam3lJUGkjv7WX980Cb7ebZGtHouPXfmRbYDqrghrOS5CeOjenWJNsTjD0mCh4YQstk85Qlt/s1600/P1150095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy95VgeTAQvUcoQFaKKvdHR8jzG5NNtVuRP-EZlIBrwhKFJdpLFAZm4Cim2-Qru8HUVWswDam3lJUGkjv7WX980Cb7ebZGtHouPXfmRbYDqrghrOS5CeOjenWJNsTjD0mCh4YQstk85Qlt/s640/P1150095.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRt3dBxr9ktqCVxxitXcmQSsWvmlzFocmkebRc8vB0LXiQCPtf6BIa4bqlR4dG8ng8o4uxipw7CE7QFKnBUjURowaQSydiH9zx_eDYl7WK7tWLMSY5WtgTV-CLA4qj_epR1R7aYax01LG/s1600/P1150099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1090" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRt3dBxr9ktqCVxxitXcmQSsWvmlzFocmkebRc8vB0LXiQCPtf6BIa4bqlR4dG8ng8o4uxipw7CE7QFKnBUjURowaQSydiH9zx_eDYl7WK7tWLMSY5WtgTV-CLA4qj_epR1R7aYax01LG/s640/P1150099.JPG" width="436" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSnYg7LIylb4gRwy7LOIxi_yc1rl-r2hLuhfBK32_ik7hoSr7Tf84POVoCwNdHiFE_qBehZSRnmMgn_i93IERTdVJYVSt1U9rFwA_kDqHdsZpjujX8U-vOBxnhGJHIXEHF-LzbmJ-3TKB/s1600/P1150091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvSnYg7LIylb4gRwy7LOIxi_yc1rl-r2hLuhfBK32_ik7hoSr7Tf84POVoCwNdHiFE_qBehZSRnmMgn_i93IERTdVJYVSt1U9rFwA_kDqHdsZpjujX8U-vOBxnhGJHIXEHF-LzbmJ-3TKB/s640/P1150091.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ-0rvHLghdvheuB82W_Yd_fxsRVaDkOwbyaOQARFwo9x5ZakJEiKUo7nMHBpXr3Iw9dznAGZC1Tgu-QIxXqaNW2U_kSRQyLKTcsrvY0TZKNU704YOOzYzzhV5ELReTtdKr-sbjTla65I/s1600/P1150097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXJ-0rvHLghdvheuB82W_Yd_fxsRVaDkOwbyaOQARFwo9x5ZakJEiKUo7nMHBpXr3Iw9dznAGZC1Tgu-QIxXqaNW2U_kSRQyLKTcsrvY0TZKNU704YOOzYzzhV5ELReTtdKr-sbjTla65I/s400/P1150097.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finished some canned food for our dinner, which was a
mistake for me because I didn’t feel too well after eating it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Decided to go for a walk through the city
anyway and felt a lot better after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is a beautiful city with many magnificent buildings and we are
looking forward to seeing it in the daylight……and hopefully nice weather.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-1371621917841462302018-11-08T00:40:00.001-08:002018-11-08T00:40:41.930-08:007th November (cool morning, cloudy with rain - warm afternoon, cloudy with sunny patches) 57 km<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Didn’t sleep well last night. A little bit of outside
disturbance, but mainly all sorts of things running around in my head. Tomorrow
is our last day of cycling. Where has the time gone? It only seems a short time
ago that we were leaving Peg and Andy’s in Neston on the Wirral, to begin this
adventure. Those first few hundred metres with a fully laden bike, I remember
thinking how strange it felt as we hadn’t ridden with panniers for two years.
But like everything that we were getting used to again, it was only a matter of
time before your body adjusted and the unusual became the norm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It also rained during the night, which it wasn’t forecast to
do, but this morning when we woke at 7.20am, the dark grey, heavy clouds were
still lingering and it looked like our last full day was going to be a wet one.
We cannot complain. The only day of serious rain was from Dieppe to Rouen, when
we got absolutely soaked over the full period of the day. Other than that,
we’ve had no rain, other than a mornings drizzle on the Loire.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_i3hs7pDN4qJCypHylsZN0ZPo0pYRJs-iMIpviyt71y7HY7h7qvqd5TzLtnoct061YinBtBlzVZEGBtHx1EmPPl1s8cIkkVJ8J3Nuw2BLWSJJUnYv0VkHD-PowhwaXqYcjFhlQaX1LTb/s1600/IMG_20181107_083826.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="758" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_i3hs7pDN4qJCypHylsZN0ZPo0pYRJs-iMIpviyt71y7HY7h7qvqd5TzLtnoct061YinBtBlzVZEGBtHx1EmPPl1s8cIkkVJ8J3Nuw2BLWSJJUnYv0VkHD-PowhwaXqYcjFhlQaX1LTb/s640/IMG_20181107_083826.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The scenery was not that great but it was flat, easy riding and no traffic.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHOIl-8y_zXRGrGGslQYCGcScBycvvUGxPAtr6BdmhxbkaKfsGELRKFgi4DiLV2_B6kPxxM_XIBSXwGg75QnhDgp8QZv-keYYhFnwY12AbaTQg1j2JKsRyuvHFcZyi8Jm8gFoNySsjA1b/s1600/IMG_20181107_085824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="426" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTHOIl-8y_zXRGrGGslQYCGcScBycvvUGxPAtr6BdmhxbkaKfsGELRKFgi4DiLV2_B6kPxxM_XIBSXwGg75QnhDgp8QZv-keYYhFnwY12AbaTQg1j2JKsRyuvHFcZyi8Jm8gFoNySsjA1b/s400/IMG_20181107_085824.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By 8.20am we were riding along a great minor road Julia had
found last night. The surface was fantastic, the scenery was pine forest, which
we’ve had for some time in this area along with olive and some citrus trees.
However today, we also saw plenty of horses and some cattle. The town we
visited yesterday, El Rocio, is made for riding horses. No roads, only dirt and
sand and we are talking a full sized town here. They have the old cowboy horse
tie-up outside each building and even though cars are there, it’s designed for
horses. The lady at reception was telling us that on one particular day, to
celebrate the Virgin Rocio, a million pilgrims converge on the town. We just
smiled, but thought she had confused her figures translating from Spanish to
English, but no…we googled it and she was bang on. She also said that during
the week, the town has a population of 1900, but it swells every weekend when people
come from Seville and surrounding areas to spend the weekend, riding and just
going back to a different time. There’s
also a lot of drinking, dancing and partying going on which probably keeps the
punters/pilgrims coming back time and time again.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZozxZKQW3qsAgs83TRQq0iNOQzBsU6GmcuTSxpa_WqStc2uV3fKMjlbtmgdlDK1ys2wgJgfxLBbIB4YBZrrYonxltvMN1_Mtd_nHceKuKhy2zbCWqYkh6ReeJJBrRlEHEzp6P5KGM4phA/s1600/P1150076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZozxZKQW3qsAgs83TRQq0iNOQzBsU6GmcuTSxpa_WqStc2uV3fKMjlbtmgdlDK1ys2wgJgfxLBbIB4YBZrrYonxltvMN1_Mtd_nHceKuKhy2zbCWqYkh6ReeJJBrRlEHEzp6P5KGM4phA/s640/P1150076.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church at Villamanrique de la Condesa</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnsRyqRBgndLhrtvBnlqpPRG7MAa67ct0GlyGk0F8-qHaM9caH4prBwnOykkh3RgVMWnVfZXLsyAiMe3qojczVnDc1qTNKljj5nSD4YpDfBwhqDY5pXjWaHve2nxmw5-G6FUSeWkkv0e3/s1600/IMG_20181107_094726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGnsRyqRBgndLhrtvBnlqpPRG7MAa67ct0GlyGk0F8-qHaM9caH4prBwnOykkh3RgVMWnVfZXLsyAiMe3qojczVnDc1qTNKljj5nSD4YpDfBwhqDY5pXjWaHve2nxmw5-G6FUSeWkkv0e3/s640/IMG_20181107_094726.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We got glimpses of the immaculate porches as we cycled by. Beautiful tile work, intricate doors and light fittings with potted plants - these houses looked very inviting and wealthy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Kept our eyes on the weather while riding as those dark
clouds were still lingering and it was raining in the distance. We were
clipping along at a good rate and able to ride two abreast as there were very
few cars to worry about. After about 20kms we came upon the small, but affluent
looking town of Villamanrique de la Condesa. Found our way through their
cobbled one way system, which took us past quite a few Tabacs, with leering, lecherous
looking guys staring at Julia as we rode in. I realise that it’s unusual to see
a woman touring on a bike, especially in these little out the way places. Julia
definitely warrants a look, but they are not at all subtle about it. Reached
the centre of town and decided on a short break whilst there was no rain, to
eat a banana for me and an orange for Ju. Whilst I crossed the town square to
take a couple of shots, Julia ate her fruit. As she did a woman came up to her
and started talking to her in Spanish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We didn’t understand what she was saying but her garb, the way she honed
in on us and the expectant yet dismissive air about her was all too familiar –
she wanted money. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It really is a problem
here. I’m not sure why it’s so prevalent as Spain has a system of paying their
senior citizens. Julia nearly asked her if she wanted her orange, but probably
didn’t in case the woman grabbed it.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ju here – there’s no way I was offering my orange to that
woman.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been salivating over the
thought of eating it for the last 20km as Pete had wanted to get going without
any breakfast – not even a cup of tea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
reasoned she’d probably already had breakfast and most definitely had not
cycled 20km in the past hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Besides,
I’m pretty sure she just wanted money so a “No comprende” is all she got.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I swear, they see an obvious tourist and the
dollar signs come up in their eyeballs like Scrooge McDuck – well Scrooge
McDuck has nothing on me when I’m hungry!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course one of the other reasons Pete wanted to get going
early was because after trying his best for the entire tour to keep our bikes
as clean and grit-free as possible, he had now just ridden through possibly the
dirtiest town in Spain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure that is
the real reason he didn’t sleep well – he was fretting about how he was going
to get those bikes clean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And now, back
to Pete…..<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Found our way out of the one way streets heading for Pilas,
about 6kms away. Unlike the previous town, this one could supply us with a
supermarket to replenish our stocks. On the outskirts, it began to drizzle.
Found a Dia supermarket but it had no café and no cover for the bikes. Hummed
and haa’ed and finally decided after covering the bikes with pannier covers and
tent and sleeping mat covers, to push on to the next town. Not too far down the
road on the outskirts of Pilas, we pulled into a BP garage. Stored the bikes
undercover in a car valet park, there were four, so we figured not too many
people would be turning up today. Inside, we ordered two coffees and a tortilla
type roll to share, from a young lady and a guy. This interaction led to a
lovely conversation, of a sort, with Anna, the garage owner’s daughter and
Andrew, a guy who worked there. Anna, although working today is studying to be
an Attorney. She had fun practising her English as did Julia with her Spanish,
whilst I just smiled a lot and ate and drank and wrote messages on her phone,
which we translated into English. We spent an hour there laughing and sharing
information, as the rain, which had been closing in, finally arrived. Discussed
everything from family to travel, study to Spain and got some suggestions for
our stay in Seville. A big hug for us both before we rode off, once again
confirmed in no small way, what we love about travelling. One piece of info
that we learned today was that the Spanish people don’t place a high value on
money. They regard family, friends and love as the most important things in
life. Can’t argue with that. We left, when the rain had eased, feeling very
happy to have come across these two lovely people.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not too far along the way to our next destination, the rain
began again and this time, there was nowhere to shelter. We were out in the
middle of the country, so we got wet. By the time we reached Bollullos and
pulled into the supermarket carpark, we were soaked and the spray and mud from
our tyres, was all up our backs. Sheltered for a few minutes and the rain
ceased. Parked the steeds and bought some lunch that we could eat outside,
without having to prepare anything. Still no rain, it was holding off. We’d
looked online last night at a hotel in Bormujos, which had great reviews, but
more importantly was only 45 euro for the night and only 10kms from Seville. We
are booked in two separate hotels for our four days in Seville, but they are in
the city centre. We cycled the remaining 11kms with no rain and as we reached
the town, the sun actually showed itself and was hot, but it was not to last
long.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HOmLLGQLOrWhfzdaNxpO1vooqLOf0dY3m9H6TGwclvInRJqcGiQ3EVaPB6TBbaE6HM975VN_WBfqQY8GNtUxRVb3S7sVRMoPTa-ITEhrqsF0wyefkLSFts6VgzbkulXFYQhTrk25-QoF/s1600/IMG_20181107_170936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_HOmLLGQLOrWhfzdaNxpO1vooqLOf0dY3m9H6TGwclvInRJqcGiQ3EVaPB6TBbaE6HM975VN_WBfqQY8GNtUxRVb3S7sVRMoPTa-ITEhrqsF0wyefkLSFts6VgzbkulXFYQhTrk25-QoF/s640/IMG_20181107_170936.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The square near our hotel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRQh7Ug9roBo5aTVmrWpTfNqPlWkGqoNhZw9ErTmdvKuQ22Vck9_pUW_ezlnncDNGiZXfRa91iy2slfkM_ixh1fboIRRQh3j5CcpNIAlmUYovmfsRoeIPbeIE4ibvjhxRSj058dqDI7dW/s1600/IMG_20181107_171127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizRQh7Ug9roBo5aTVmrWpTfNqPlWkGqoNhZw9ErTmdvKuQ22Vck9_pUW_ezlnncDNGiZXfRa91iy2slfkM_ixh1fboIRRQh3j5CcpNIAlmUYovmfsRoeIPbeIE4ibvjhxRSj058dqDI7dW/s640/IMG_20181107_171127.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our walk to get dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC6L08-Dxgbm2g_1lzBGi5vExU8-3mqbdrXh_BW8ubf333wgPmQk1K4U7V4AJM9ERkjeteeP8kdlT-81GbXRZ7z63iQs_ivnXMg5tydiLGAMFv7tUMUSiIu4bVDlmKdEae1jdPZaR7Omv/s1600/IMG_20181107_183518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjC6L08-Dxgbm2g_1lzBGi5vExU8-3mqbdrXh_BW8ubf333wgPmQk1K4U7V4AJM9ERkjeteeP8kdlT-81GbXRZ7z63iQs_ivnXMg5tydiLGAMFv7tUMUSiIu4bVDlmKdEae1jdPZaR7Omv/s640/IMG_20181107_183518.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our walk back and the square had an almost Christmassy look to it.<br />Feliz Navedad!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjft6mfeBHgWBa079rmWEaYS8fZFTw4gOGZzhNk0X87f1HUL1gs2AB9UBMEfuo3ifVVHOdcdmggPTZoDjRy4Cn7Kownjw1RrZNGOVL7kJJsMIAXpPR6r_aVpTxDwt6ZYtZBJjfPLkYBXH_q/s1600/P1150078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjft6mfeBHgWBa079rmWEaYS8fZFTw4gOGZzhNk0X87f1HUL1gs2AB9UBMEfuo3ifVVHOdcdmggPTZoDjRy4Cn7Kownjw1RrZNGOVL7kJJsMIAXpPR6r_aVpTxDwt6ZYtZBJjfPLkYBXH_q/s640/P1150078.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safely back in the hotel and catching up on blogging. Couldn't get internet in our room so<br />made use of the beautiful communal lounge area with the hordes of other guests.......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Hotel Santa Barbara is a lovely place to stay.
Beautifully decorated, it is situated up the side streets of this outlying
suburb of Seville. Shedding our damp or wet gear, Julia showered, whilst I
blogged, then it was my turn. Wandered out through the streets until we found a
shopping complex. Burger King had a deal on, two meals for the price of one…
who could turn that down..certainly not us. Once we’d eaten we made our way
back to the hotel where we uploaded the photos and posted the blog for
yesterday before washing our groundsheet in the bath/shower and hanging it up
to dry. Tomorrow, the fly sheet will get the same treatment before it too, gets
packed for the final time for the trip home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br /></div>
Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-70198321693766040312018-11-07T11:25:00.000-08:002018-11-07T11:25:01.770-08:006th November (sunny and warm) 74 km<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Woke at 8am this morning and went down for our free
breakfast, which included fresh, peeled and cut fruit so I was happy and bacon
and eggs, so Pete was also well pleased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After satisfying our appetites, we went back up to our room, grabbed our
panniers and checked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the way out
of Huelva, we made a quick circuit of all the notable churches before heading
down to the waterfront to cruise along the walkway there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Huelva does not have a lot going for it – it
is just a big port town on the face of it, but they have really made an effort
with the waterfront.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the town end is
the newly restored Rio Tinto pier which was responsible for shipping the tons
of copper and iron mined out of the ground about 50km to the North at the Rio
Tinto Mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This mine was once the
biggest producer of copper in the world but they didn’t care too much about the
environment back in those days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unearthing the minerals turned the river red and apparently it is still
red to this day, hence the name, Rio (meaning river) and Tinto (meaning red).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We knew nothing about this mine but it sounded like it might
be a cool place to visit – only problem being it was 50km north of where we
wanted to go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were also no
campgrounds along this route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we thought
about going slightly south and following the coast a bit longer where there
were still campgrounds and in the end, that is what we decided to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must have been the right decision because
from that moment, everything flowed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
had such a lovely ride along the waterfront in the sunshine and the cool wind
from yesterday had completely disappeared.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjll9epFfgipAond7ytRJgIuq85KPCbW6Kjhd9yL4Uisp9Q5kzv-YWeC3VoLAurXGkP5zkT-KDuro6Q5RY7bYVQ9wce0PtN0Cy5nHcX07dTvL2_-Zys8a2d0gCXJ_PlVWhxhrnSk2kCRpAs/s1600/IMG_20181106_093846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjll9epFfgipAond7ytRJgIuq85KPCbW6Kjhd9yL4Uisp9Q5kzv-YWeC3VoLAurXGkP5zkT-KDuro6Q5RY7bYVQ9wce0PtN0Cy5nHcX07dTvL2_-Zys8a2d0gCXJ_PlVWhxhrnSk2kCRpAs/s640/IMG_20181106_093846.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huelva Cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3D3-ZbyTg73RPLz8MVndseUuPah7lEyCUdaeJqYHxCxpTmsF7OHPCJwQnikXqHdux_CH5k_ZHL3n45sOwR0_RMPXG3uZV5IEUsk4Ts1fnDhgYoSMTjmbfTZ4KwD0en7mWLekLjLyt9jY/s1600/P1150033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3D3-ZbyTg73RPLz8MVndseUuPah7lEyCUdaeJqYHxCxpTmsF7OHPCJwQnikXqHdux_CH5k_ZHL3n45sOwR0_RMPXG3uZV5IEUsk4Ts1fnDhgYoSMTjmbfTZ4KwD0en7mWLekLjLyt9jY/s640/P1150033.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Pedro church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-s9tjhgZJeRu6nfGmQVY0QEAk2AkElNpa_pm5hsimJZjtObbGZjruKjb66BAyHgWvC4Dl6IYGdJbciTQOIZvU7iJya5aYvCNpkcUyXDibbyx_4FuhbuGVFTyuOubTg8JsXRRZIQ6D9Tq/s1600/P1150038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1360" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-s9tjhgZJeRu6nfGmQVY0QEAk2AkElNpa_pm5hsimJZjtObbGZjruKjb66BAyHgWvC4Dl6IYGdJbciTQOIZvU7iJya5aYvCNpkcUyXDibbyx_4FuhbuGVFTyuOubTg8JsXRRZIQ6D9Tq/s640/P1150038.JPG" width="544" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The wide promenade gave way to a cycleway set apart from the
road with our own wooden bridges across the marshlands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This went on for over 5 km and then we
crossed on the main road bridge with the rest of the traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once off the bridge, we had a wide hard
shoulder with a good seal and even though there were noisy trucks going past
regularly to the neighbouring port area, we never felt endangered or overwhelmed
by their presence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURWA_VhIbUzdkgUGQvxTp2-wrnBUrR9rfOXDeED82hudr1_CDuF-S8F75lr_e13wjw6UxNih3CzVItuT-rcGJSKr4QDtqAZxNAzy6txbp08aL9Zp8KadQ1A90uBpHRWYcpAQDrb3xWW_v/s1600/P1150039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1600" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURWA_VhIbUzdkgUGQvxTp2-wrnBUrR9rfOXDeED82hudr1_CDuF-S8F75lr_e13wjw6UxNih3CzVItuT-rcGJSKr4QDtqAZxNAzy6txbp08aL9Zp8KadQ1A90uBpHRWYcpAQDrb3xWW_v/s640/P1150039.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Maritime building in Huelva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRIuIk2a142So5xl2DGOyWreBvL8is05WZhUyqST4M1zLpx3KmMIBkHE8dowNXz5X7GnsJQQmM3BCWCsCFO6qaufbXiOnSHc0hrcGF5Kym2LL-QXMFvTUayaQqkFpjyQ6-3qHVqVgiBUX/s1600/IMG_20181106_100502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRIuIk2a142So5xl2DGOyWreBvL8is05WZhUyqST4M1zLpx3KmMIBkHE8dowNXz5X7GnsJQQmM3BCWCsCFO6qaufbXiOnSHc0hrcGF5Kym2LL-QXMFvTUayaQqkFpjyQ6-3qHVqVgiBUX/s640/IMG_20181106_100502.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete on the promenade at Huelva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJaCU8fQEhAipD7cKnRBS2fPEIPu0JO0GN5keTNWYPITtp24CXIUWEYtr5P-PPs32K23JhJl2UzZ5MYGBM3H7ZqDY2qkZFestAYc2as4bYaDw6fj3fb-qLfKJ1ZidiboQ-eqx6iLoFFcl/s1600/P1150040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwJaCU8fQEhAipD7cKnRBS2fPEIPu0JO0GN5keTNWYPITtp24CXIUWEYtr5P-PPs32K23JhJl2UzZ5MYGBM3H7ZqDY2qkZFestAYc2as4bYaDw6fj3fb-qLfKJ1ZidiboQ-eqx6iLoFFcl/s640/P1150040.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rio Tinto Pier</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5rbQcmIclZGO2jNdcPUAx8phMkdIvN0g5vWtgi8lI1hsWLdx3t2XMttHp8Z2EFNi5aXMQOMqt-o9Y3Pv5xklX_oU2vrQZRYD7X0o2TXvBXEwnyk_hyI76pGq73Y6i0Pnza9nzyRBOe5I/s1600/P1150046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1194" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5rbQcmIclZGO2jNdcPUAx8phMkdIvN0g5vWtgi8lI1hsWLdx3t2XMttHp8Z2EFNi5aXMQOMqt-o9Y3Pv5xklX_oU2vrQZRYD7X0o2TXvBXEwnyk_hyI76pGq73Y6i0Pnza9nzyRBOe5I/s640/P1150046.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huelva's Monument to a Friar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We made good progress and by 11.15am were in Mazagon where
we stopped at the supermarket for our lunch supplies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beach was quite a way away through the
dunes, so we cycled along the deserted beachfront street, marvelling at the
emptiness now that summer was over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
rejoined the main road where we had our own cycle path, the Camino Verde.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This whole area was stunted pine trees and
some sort of military zone, judging by the signs on the fences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked as though they had a wildfire
through this area over the summer as many of the pine trees were black with no
greenery on them whatsoever.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijx90BsfJHr0LUp_UK9QHYqBW9RnZhm6cKZxhrEfNqwukd2GJpnxsAqk763gQTTVoyYpvlboGY7BvR2SwtZw7xTceC4gH5TUPohTvXjH6IB5CCJX0dE0e-bP-U2LoXaq3FQBHT4srnTWds/s1600/IMG_20181106_125609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijx90BsfJHr0LUp_UK9QHYqBW9RnZhm6cKZxhrEfNqwukd2GJpnxsAqk763gQTTVoyYpvlboGY7BvR2SwtZw7xTceC4gH5TUPohTvXjH6IB5CCJX0dE0e-bP-U2LoXaq3FQBHT4srnTWds/s640/IMG_20181106_125609.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete in front of the blackened trees as the long empty road stretches out beyond him.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pine cone gathering seemed to be a very popular activity in
these parts as we would regularly pass by men with ridiculously long sticks
which they poked up into the pine trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We couldn’t understand why they just didn’t gather them off the ground,
which we did see a few guys doing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All
the pole wavers were not wearing any sort of protective headgear either, so I
dare say they’d had a few donks on the noggin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Perhaps that’s why they could no longer see the sense in just picking
the pine cones up.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAdNbDJd6RZJW2PEWFXTGE8VAARU4pHvsIeDTchg5WSh-SNj4lcfyyY2MdRF1gmiKVp89E50A_uJoAFiEL6thgaO7At9GXFfaz7vlei6cZ-_pFngZpt_TfGImrls969lo8xxlbkybfx_X/s1600/P1150048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1600" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoAdNbDJd6RZJW2PEWFXTGE8VAARU4pHvsIeDTchg5WSh-SNj4lcfyyY2MdRF1gmiKVp89E50A_uJoAFiEL6thgaO7At9GXFfaz7vlei6cZ-_pFngZpt_TfGImrls969lo8xxlbkybfx_X/s640/P1150048.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch stop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhc9ZC80Q49CCmqiJvUG_UCVaaVGLn9KTBj9YBZO6JoSUk9YeKqbUA11dsRmm0hJ_LffvSJTbW52aEJw9aJZoA-ewZhddQFDvDCJ586l42jvDC5T4mXKlGR6n5j0NvtboZ9tyMqRveb8M/s1600/P1150050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhc9ZC80Q49CCmqiJvUG_UCVaaVGLn9KTBj9YBZO6JoSUk9YeKqbUA11dsRmm0hJ_LffvSJTbW52aEJw9aJZoA-ewZhddQFDvDCJ586l42jvDC5T4mXKlGR6n5j0NvtboZ9tyMqRveb8M/s640/P1150050.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Then back to the long, straight road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKNQKYuKlyvVwmyedxjzHHW3EtoJQN_aCG-2CydFTuLFHkju1HkGYsKLv1v8fbzTAdMkoBPFrkObqCQZOWD5Lwuv5knFByFI9k4_-PtGfQADz8CRrV9dQD7EZx8oHWmzyEeQ28E_zck50/s1600/P1150049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwKNQKYuKlyvVwmyedxjzHHW3EtoJQN_aCG-2CydFTuLFHkju1HkGYsKLv1v8fbzTAdMkoBPFrkObqCQZOWD5Lwuv5knFByFI9k4_-PtGfQADz8CRrV9dQD7EZx8oHWmzyEeQ28E_zck50/s640/P1150049.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty much all to ourselves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw6EyPVWe-INz9BKcIme6sIZGOZo_hS3RxmHBBaG_ZpRaCizT8bjyEretUiXNGwxa4O7D-5M3MJgwqXlCNbGu0Ipe3qwRUiIAtg5GrMrSj9NmN7hb4xiVEj8GdJMToPhWOBlbY8_ruMC8/s1600/P1150051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="1600" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuw6EyPVWe-INz9BKcIme6sIZGOZo_hS3RxmHBBaG_ZpRaCizT8bjyEretUiXNGwxa4O7D-5M3MJgwqXlCNbGu0Ipe3qwRUiIAtg5GrMrSj9NmN7hb4xiVEj8GdJMToPhWOBlbY8_ruMC8/s640/P1150051.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue on way into Matascalana</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We stopped at a handy park bench (where again, we could have
had our pick of about twenty), to eat our lunch and then continued on to Matalascanas.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We cycled down to the beach for one last
look at the Atlantic before we turned north towards Seville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Decided we needed to go in for a dip as it
would be our last sea swim until we got home, so we jumped in the ocean before
drip drying on the rocks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then cycled up
a very long straight road, again with a wide hard shoulder and not too much
traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenery was getting a bit
boring now as it had been the same all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>About 4.30pm we turned off to El Rocio, where we had earmarked a
campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lovely road disappeared
and we were cycling in dirt/sand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What
the hell was that about we wondered until we were distracted by a beautiful
building dominating the scenery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-V6NliwCgyjlQccrh7iKAiV1YdFKk3XZF0h2F7BlzLlPdftGq78-QgHbkdwJJqAOJnsvJTThxxgQ09kkQ6GBQ3iAwew-n7nxDWOxPJWDi9FJL7S2G7xlZ6OawihyFatffVmcYz72dcy6/s1600/IMG_20181106_162435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="822" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ-V6NliwCgyjlQccrh7iKAiV1YdFKk3XZF0h2F7BlzLlPdftGq78-QgHbkdwJJqAOJnsvJTThxxgQ09kkQ6GBQ3iAwew-n7nxDWOxPJWDi9FJL7S2G7xlZ6OawihyFatffVmcYz72dcy6/s640/IMG_20181106_162435.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First look at El Rocio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWO2a8AWRg1zA6hpK3B0xfWKGgDru8Q65flV2p8A8MW1smlwRdg9ijE2iW2FrAxEMiZ80wsJ-Ryxwcf4bxbOElbHjqOyztC0o7NdHnGG69R3PEmQGN_l4voz1zbQ5EOP3YnRq-Ia_yOSD/s1600/P1150061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWO2a8AWRg1zA6hpK3B0xfWKGgDru8Q65flV2p8A8MW1smlwRdg9ijE2iW2FrAxEMiZ80wsJ-Ryxwcf4bxbOElbHjqOyztC0o7NdHnGG69R3PEmQGN_l4voz1zbQ5EOP3YnRq-Ia_yOSD/s640/P1150061.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A closer look - note the dirt streets</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Took
some photos and ventured into town and realised the whole town was unsealed,
dusty, sandy, dirt roads!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
unbelievable in this day and age and we rode round fascinated, even though Pete
usually hates getting his bike dirty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If
you ever wanted to film a western, this would be the place to come to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The streets were wide, all the houses had
hitching rails outside them and right on cue, a guy came riding past on his
horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then a couple went by in a buggy
being pulled by a horse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What had we
come to?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was like going back in
time…..very weird.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD5B5Cg7FpgvgcZiNG9YjJM3mPVzg4iS8pWW8qlnk0TWqHEQMA5aUjWBIEH77jAAdjoRZJREX3MEHGFIf38QFD573EDRZ-JolVokL-M5vQtp0yPxnHru7mYmp8Jr8yDBkMx4lb0hN7167/s1600/IMG_20181106_164631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUD5B5Cg7FpgvgcZiNG9YjJM3mPVzg4iS8pWW8qlnk0TWqHEQMA5aUjWBIEH77jAAdjoRZJREX3MEHGFIf38QFD573EDRZ-JolVokL-M5vQtp0yPxnHru7mYmp8Jr8yDBkMx4lb0hN7167/s640/IMG_20181106_164631.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">El Rocio town (which is quite large), with hitching posts outside every home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp2Sy2BQXszEQIqdHkX0T5-8X2u9qIf9NAdiw3b_1yCLZtO5drAzdQEkwnSXLRZQ5VSTMiOcMDmmohDvd6Oms109YPG3y7rlv6Co6oWDYrylW-BlxfiKCFZ4Flwn2uXXBmx99lyy8K49J/s1600/IMG_20181106_171919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimp2Sy2BQXszEQIqdHkX0T5-8X2u9qIf9NAdiw3b_1yCLZtO5drAzdQEkwnSXLRZQ5VSTMiOcMDmmohDvd6Oms109YPG3y7rlv6Co6oWDYrylW-BlxfiKCFZ4Flwn2uXXBmx99lyy8K49J/s640/IMG_20181106_171919.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some amazing buildings, but what happened to the roads?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHojdlBtHF7lbR28ov-lm2myQJbxt4p2imDAbHl3UYly0jjKtWmcRpZeMd3uRAESXWY-RZLFi_iSV-uzBNFkox5MHgIJmENLWgN6LvpZdAEa3tqcPob-laYhqHApTr9c-17ngLarbwC6p/s1600/P1150064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHojdlBtHF7lbR28ov-lm2myQJbxt4p2imDAbHl3UYly0jjKtWmcRpZeMd3uRAESXWY-RZLFi_iSV-uzBNFkox5MHgIJmENLWgN6LvpZdAEa3tqcPob-laYhqHApTr9c-17ngLarbwC6p/s640/P1150064.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A caballero rides past in this one-horse town. Actually, we saw two more after this.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ0aQM8c5xHSYAsdrcP8rSGXfsTQB-u5_JqiL4gfV3WsHvFT2qyOFuKXBx3ke41DVDp_gBpFXUczkqqygU_4Ny8lf-zJKWHoIa5OvJbCwWvnm7JO9rwxxGpAWkRdAoyLwh7LaMEqE9HVC/s1600/P1150068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOQ0aQM8c5xHSYAsdrcP8rSGXfsTQB-u5_JqiL4gfV3WsHvFT2qyOFuKXBx3ke41DVDp_gBpFXUczkqqygU_4Ny8lf-zJKWHoIa5OvJbCwWvnm7JO9rwxxGpAWkRdAoyLwh7LaMEqE9HVC/s640/P1150068.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most of the houses had their shutters closed and appeared to be shut up for the season.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OAb3TRHCpVtbWJknwJQwT62nJp2NDGUAnwZK0hPn4he5gPkHXg5GIGHE51WRe2-ACWGXt7txEXo69NfhY45pgS3XF-c9akvGGcVo186hbPY0SEZeRpHyzGZI2fX3D15hsbLXHh4GqQXz/s1600/P1150069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4OAb3TRHCpVtbWJknwJQwT62nJp2NDGUAnwZK0hPn4he5gPkHXg5GIGHE51WRe2-ACWGXt7txEXo69NfhY45pgS3XF-c9akvGGcVo186hbPY0SEZeRpHyzGZI2fX3D15hsbLXHh4GqQXz/s640/P1150069.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiJcbSZ2noTMZd1vzgQipBLWsO1wTda50nk9zPohm8j6YvFG5i6Mlu16-DXdXb3TRYgMCtG8w0Rgd2-DGLV1ZRIOM5e4NKeHWoqMig2D_XfigH_lXiv58kmg-5fHPBM3HHpIrc1tumhAq/s1600/P1150074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiJcbSZ2noTMZd1vzgQipBLWsO1wTda50nk9zPohm8j6YvFG5i6Mlu16-DXdXb3TRYgMCtG8w0Rgd2-DGLV1ZRIOM5e4NKeHWoqMig2D_XfigH_lXiv58kmg-5fHPBM3HHpIrc1tumhAq/s640/P1150074.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pulled up to the small supermarket and hitched our steeds to
the posts outside and mosied on in to get us some grits……actually it was
lentils and chorizo with a can of corn for our veges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we cycled along the dirt street to the
campground and set up the tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Showered
(and the bathrooms had those swinging saloon doors) and then heated our dinner,
hoping we had enough gas for the job…..and we did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dinner done and dusted, we then ventured over
to the near-empty restaurant to get all our blogging done in comfort with a
beer and a wine.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-29091279350618536812018-11-05T12:46:00.000-08:002018-11-05T12:46:34.118-08:005th November (sun, cloud, light shower, cold) 48 km<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
During the night, it chucked it down and the wind blew. I
got up at some point when it had eased off for a while, to pay a visit to the
loos and there were puddles of water everywhere. Back inside the tent however,
we were not only dry, but warm as well. Our tent has been fantastic. Although
weighing 4kgs, a bit more than we would like, the Vango has been a great find
and for anyone touring for a few months or more, we feel they would be well
pleased with it. It has so much room in the vestibule and the inner and when
you’re touring for months on end, you want some form of comfort from your tent.
We have been lashed by rain on a few occasions, without any problems and the
groundsheet or footprint (as it’s now called) is very sturdy, despite it’s
lightweight appearance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of the puddles on the pine needles pitches had
disappeared by the time we woke, soaking into the sand, but the pathways
remained wet. Only had a handful of cereal to munch on, so once that was gone,
we packed up the now dry tent. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
realised this could well be the last time we use the tent as campgrounds on our
way to Seville appear to be non-existent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We really enjoy camping so it doesn’t bother us in the least, however,
the nights are very long now and you begin to realise how much you take the
electric light for granted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Whilst I showered, Julia had taken the blog to the cafeteria
to upload and grabbed a coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
followed suit once finished my shower. Once again we struck up a conversation
with the reception guy, who told us that he studied in Newcastle, Passau and
Granada, but has been running the camp now for ten years. Very nice guy. Also
chatted with the young guy from the bar last night about the music performances
he’s in. He practises five nights per week so it’s really time consuming.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNX3M6Fbyunm2mIo6daEnOsYdQhgVMVd-wc4ku4cEuXTxHKQ3Y17dpk8PvgcRjc4CifWAJYGindHgw5u8Q9hC37aZu4ItvmpPNfYbwczB2PNNvTOX56iynBQWy533ReMChGRDN7LkgxKET/s1600/IMG_20181105_111715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNX3M6Fbyunm2mIo6daEnOsYdQhgVMVd-wc4ku4cEuXTxHKQ3Y17dpk8PvgcRjc4CifWAJYGindHgw5u8Q9hC37aZu4ItvmpPNfYbwczB2PNNvTOX56iynBQWy533ReMChGRDN7LkgxKET/s400/IMG_20181105_111715.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely ride along the waterfront this morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Off along the great cycleway we rode. Not too far away we
stopped for supplies, little knowing that we wouldn’t stop for something to eat
for a while, due to lack of anywhere to sit in comfort. At first we had ridden
down on the promenade by the beach, which was lovely and relaxing. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once again there was a chill in the air though,
so the sea did not look appealing. The resorts along here are massive. Ju and I
commented as we rode, that in summertime, the roads would be packed down here,
which would make life on a bike a hell on earth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After about 5km along the coast, we turned inland and into a
headwind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As the wind increased, the
scenery decreased and the road got busier so it was just a matter of nose to
the grindstone. We were looking for a park or some benches where we could eat
our lunch but today we not only wanted shade, we needed shelter from the wind
and preferred to be away from the noise of the main road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we kept putting off our calorie intake
until we could get something that maybe met two of our requirements, but km
after km there was nothing at all. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wDaCIPk2p22YB195bBTFhu4Mp2JCi0b_axDfIIDJySOl1PnMFj2tg6ZqOcQdXNgE9nnhtc6rXmONpy3M7qV-13mBcflUz4xmin6dbZplCDet7UxRLcSPnngChu_qJObsaWnGc4nb59-a/s1600/P1150023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1241" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wDaCIPk2p22YB195bBTFhu4Mp2JCi0b_axDfIIDJySOl1PnMFj2tg6ZqOcQdXNgE9nnhtc6rXmONpy3M7qV-13mBcflUz4xmin6dbZplCDet7UxRLcSPnngChu_qJObsaWnGc4nb59-a/s640/P1150023.JPG" width="496" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The resort towns along this part of the coast looked well established</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqd4mLFtMe4vva04NiIylUVbq389h9BI9WqxfRiRD_o46qbnMx5HWQY6qWAygr1UGa-8itldgJpayYxGgU1Z8qz9ZjWaACz8mb4lV99vWwfR7I9LnfxddSkFsi2LRV4NG0ezQgJplbhtl/s1600/P1150024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKqd4mLFtMe4vva04NiIylUVbq389h9BI9WqxfRiRD_o46qbnMx5HWQY6qWAygr1UGa-8itldgJpayYxGgU1Z8qz9ZjWaACz8mb4lV99vWwfR7I9LnfxddSkFsi2LRV4NG0ezQgJplbhtl/s640/P1150024.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The canal ride was a welcome relief after the busy road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We passed through the town of Lepe which seemed to be the only town in these parts with a lot of African migrants. Apparently many migrants have been moved from the busier towns in an effort to assimilate them into the population so somebody was telling us - can't remember who now. About 10 km past Cartaya, Julia
had picked out a canal ride to get us off the main road and we were just hoping
it wasn’t a dirt track. Lucky for us it
was a beautifully sealed road and we only saw one car on it for the hour we
were on it – and that was a police car. These canals would be eight feet wide.
Don’t know if they service the local agricultural sector with irrigation, but
it went for a long way. It was nice to have the small lane running alongside
it, all to ourselves, as the main road had started to become annoying and very
busy.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spent a good while following this canal, still hoping for a
spot to eat, but couldn’t find a log, a block, nothing suitable at all. We were
really beginning to notice it as all we’d had was the handful of cereal and a
cup of coffee and that was five hours ago!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Suddenly as we came to the end of this particular section, where it once
again met the main road, on our left was a picnic area with mass amounts of
benches, seats, rubbish bins and barbeques, I mean literally dozens of them.
It’s a bit like the old bus adage that you wait forever for one to turn up then
they all come at once. Began to rain lightly as we arrived, but it amounted to
nothing, so we were able to enjoy a nice lunch although it didn’t take long for
the flies and wasps to find us once the food came out. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we were leaving, we noticed a guy with a basket looking
through the pine plantation for what we thought must be mushrooms. He didn’t
speak any English, but with sign language, a lot of laughing and google on his
phone, we managed to decipher that he was looking for Niscalo. It’s a type of
fungi found in southern Spain after rainfall. They are bright orange mushrooms,
not magic, but our friend did say that too many of them can kill you, however,
we found no mention of that when we googled it. Perhaps he just didn’t want us
picking his crop.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWyFjfnImaqPJMRo2vEw-gkzUGXLkz94Etu6gm6BdQzYa5F0l1VStgtHzJcze3KkM1k8PgIaArsXc8s9L1ct9VCKaBAOCqHeBdSG15nmrnjckbjbI18HKPZKVpMvcBht6TJJH3cYAuQdh/s1600/IMG_20181105_151312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWyFjfnImaqPJMRo2vEw-gkzUGXLkz94Etu6gm6BdQzYa5F0l1VStgtHzJcze3KkM1k8PgIaArsXc8s9L1ct9VCKaBAOCqHeBdSG15nmrnjckbjbI18HKPZKVpMvcBht6TJJH3cYAuQdh/s400/IMG_20181105_151312.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Riding into Huelva</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
More main road cycling again heading for our destination for
the night in Huelva, a place with nothing, in the middle of nowhere. It was now
mid-afternoon, the sun was shining, but still not warm. As we approached the
bridge leading into the city, a cyclist going the other way beckoned us to turn
around and follow him into the city. Turns out, it was a special cycle route,
which we would have struggled to find. Mario took us all the way into town and
even got one of his cycling friends to get a photo of us, as he has a friend
who is currently touring in Australia. He was an extremely nice guy and very
helpful to us. This just reinforced to us what we enjoy about our tours as we
left him to find the Tourist Info building. Practically right outside, I asked
a young lady if she spoke English. Yes she did. She was an American girl from
Seattle, teaching English here for the past month.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd_PqZQANmc7BU5m_meNs_SNYVQulsbBaJK4fDyf95tuOJsF4PDwTzzqb2saT4ZbREKJTr0oAB-aTpTntDFA6nerHdOrRww16kJRb_nwPIYz-xYaGe3Tj01ZwTrYoFu40JH7UzzQq1jgt/s1600/IMG_20181105_151758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwd_PqZQANmc7BU5m_meNs_SNYVQulsbBaJK4fDyf95tuOJsF4PDwTzzqb2saT4ZbREKJTr0oAB-aTpTntDFA6nerHdOrRww16kJRb_nwPIYz-xYaGe3Tj01ZwTrYoFu40JH7UzzQq1jgt/s640/IMG_20181105_151758.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for showing us the way Mario!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tourist Info didn’t reopen until after siesta, at five
o’clock. As we were trying to find wifi to look for a hotel, as there are no
campgrounds in this area at all, an older guy approaches and asks if we need
any help. Told him the story and he proceeds to tell me his name, where he was
from, what his ailments were. Then he asks for money for him helping us to find
wifi. Sorry pal, you picked the wrong guy. Firstly, I’m a tight git, secondly
we already had wifi at that stage and thirdly, I never pay for favours on a
first date. Told him that wasn’t very nice of him to try to help us and then
ask for money when we were two poor cyclists touring on bikes and living off
cans of sardines. Half an hour later, we were installed in the Exe Tartessos
Hotel, in the middle of town, having a workout in the gym. I was looking for
the guy from the fourth floor balcony, I was going to drop a weight on his
head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjIwmSQYef6zaW_Sc5npe9eZxqawBgzPPtjZczIitu97nRsYfdJ_7469sCfLOdlndsHoAa1NDC0hptsyI_GorB5b1ZwKyKJPV7p2F_8cnQicO_ocPtf_WkRrlCUKbrDZxJmHQ0vpnIBPA/s1600/IMG_20181105_163630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibjIwmSQYef6zaW_Sc5npe9eZxqawBgzPPtjZczIitu97nRsYfdJ_7469sCfLOdlndsHoAa1NDC0hptsyI_GorB5b1ZwKyKJPV7p2F_8cnQicO_ocPtf_WkRrlCUKbrDZxJmHQ0vpnIBPA/s640/IMG_20181105_163630.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete settles the bikes into their resting place for the night at the Hotel Exe Tartessos</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfoCmCh5WhW_Rp32Yz-c6OmbZqDIMa1gD-WNrK-DN5QUGaq0vqpbe08oflHdp8xPoWeEVjmmAoxMoF0QtnJYHu32_zvIIPhvlI1cdvQ15yAwtyuwuj34J6YCFN9KM0TooMbJ9p1Y872Jm/s1600/P1150030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfoCmCh5WhW_Rp32Yz-c6OmbZqDIMa1gD-WNrK-DN5QUGaq0vqpbe08oflHdp8xPoWeEVjmmAoxMoF0QtnJYHu32_zvIIPhvlI1cdvQ15yAwtyuwuj34J6YCFN9KM0TooMbJ9p1Y872Jm/s640/P1150030.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stairwell at the hotel looked pretty cool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0rXzcjAcb248jfc3dPNor7_2pKqFRKY3l3FmB0FZ3aVhRlV7rZq4T-1eaQupOqrIoqYwYuQ3Y1eYt1wh2U95K4RA8-93vYMlM-vLd1xj-Hh_2w27B30Fgf2TTCah3UJzvgpoP9ePEk6y/s1600/P1150031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0rXzcjAcb248jfc3dPNor7_2pKqFRKY3l3FmB0FZ3aVhRlV7rZq4T-1eaQupOqrIoqYwYuQ3Y1eYt1wh2U95K4RA8-93vYMlM-vLd1xj-Hh_2w27B30Fgf2TTCah3UJzvgpoP9ePEk6y/s640/P1150031.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So did the fountain in town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After our workout (we had to really – the gym was right
across from our room!), we had showers and then ventured into the town square
for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had gone decidedly cold
so we just grabbed supplies from the supermarket and headed back to our lovely
hotel room with electric light, free wifi, a tv and a nice comfy place to sit
in a warm room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who could ask for more?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-41662156472699705122018-11-05T01:42:00.002-08:002018-11-05T01:42:21.948-08:004th November (overcast with sunny patches, cold) 20 km<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aFdnwrl2IsvgTs9xFD4gEO8sFTIcKtTbnf6a1Uurxl7U3G0i0kk9VZwEaiaBrbKutyjwhRLVvuGQ_9jjoZ5JcrhuvBDq0uWAdaEGubnbdIPAb0VCiTIIP6aYaD3oDz6P4qF7p-ncROwn/s1600/IMG_20181104_085437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="283" height="497" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3aFdnwrl2IsvgTs9xFD4gEO8sFTIcKtTbnf6a1Uurxl7U3G0i0kk9VZwEaiaBrbKutyjwhRLVvuGQ_9jjoZ5JcrhuvBDq0uWAdaEGubnbdIPAb0VCiTIIP6aYaD3oDz6P4qF7p-ncROwn/s640/IMG_20181104_085437.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And breaking news this morning.......actually this happened yesterday. First I broke my spork while cleaning it, then about two hours later, Pete broke his. Do they make them to break after so many hours use? In which case, Pete's should have broken at least two weeks before mine!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was that old whining sound close to your ear that woke me
up last night. I told Julia to just go back to sleep, I’d had enough of it.
Then the tent was alive with whining, this time the dreaded mosquitos. We both
had the head torches on, scanning the interior. A couple of failed swats and
then success, but probably too late. Someone had been bitten, big time. Why is
it that whenever you swat a mosquito, they’re usually carrying enough blood to
carry out a blood transfusion. This occurred twice, but we’ve done pretty well
on this trip, so far.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When morning dawned for us, it was 8am and outside it was
overcast, not the nice day we were forecast to have. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like most campgrounds in Spain and Portugal,
this one was swarming with cats, but after noticing the holes left in the inner
by our last befriended cat, these ones were shooed away before they got too
comfortable around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDgRz_2fz_JEfYVICz_ZVGWd3mdi8cMvjl248_iB0F8KuwMiuiAmXbK5AZPzH3MUp6NX25WAQ7nI1CwHY7e-FNiv4lJZiHovJvpitafvhjNktPktY_-rS_jedBgAiBWQiKZc_vIYvENfk/s1600/P1140978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1535" data-original-width="1600" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsDgRz_2fz_JEfYVICz_ZVGWd3mdi8cMvjl248_iB0F8KuwMiuiAmXbK5AZPzH3MUp6NX25WAQ7nI1CwHY7e-FNiv4lJZiHovJvpitafvhjNktPktY_-rS_jedBgAiBWQiKZc_vIYvENfk/s640/P1140978.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ju checking directions outside the Vila Real San Antonio Lighthouse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG3XVfb_6Uq7h36Ucqpm023wTq_C0VziIibWR3dxhb_1YjhHjGT5HPK6wLvmRf8MAyJjYqCHgV3YvJ-AZ_WYJAqLaJEN4RnkfqOh9jMS_lXRCsRrLUeNtEUjILw-1recKtWZLQjKhmcJF/s1600/P1140981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyG3XVfb_6Uq7h36Ucqpm023wTq_C0VziIibWR3dxhb_1YjhHjGT5HPK6wLvmRf8MAyJjYqCHgV3YvJ-AZ_WYJAqLaJEN4RnkfqOh9jMS_lXRCsRrLUeNtEUjILw-1recKtWZLQjKhmcJF/s640/P1140981.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vila Real San Antonio - our last Portuguese town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBrs4Y2N097a7xIcdkpxf5hRzu0wr4LTPf71GoFwdMOaN3YTVO3nD15Qvshyphenhyphen_JzQUsXa2CV-h_Ztv7v8G0CFq0BkVC6eKjyffiib5Vd0rhaZUsYPO_LoXJn3_cd0_E127gF3HWisvub6k/s1600/P1140984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1191" data-original-width="1600" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcBrs4Y2N097a7xIcdkpxf5hRzu0wr4LTPf71GoFwdMOaN3YTVO3nD15Qvshyphenhyphen_JzQUsXa2CV-h_Ztv7v8G0CFq0BkVC6eKjyffiib5Vd0rhaZUsYPO_LoXJn3_cd0_E127gF3HWisvub6k/s640/P1140984.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the short ferry ride to Ayamonte, Spain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-KekuY2qw2-dz2vuNtSMvTLEegrn3oLPdkainQD0lP_LF2YbgzIJQCRCCgJdfBXcEojsPBMrIExL3MILx5JH5TQ6A91Wg5GElzh3L0_YtBJ4TSmLDfmjv-z82pfH5xEN4XJTqPfKr7cr/s1600/P1140987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="1600" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-KekuY2qw2-dz2vuNtSMvTLEegrn3oLPdkainQD0lP_LF2YbgzIJQCRCCgJdfBXcEojsPBMrIExL3MILx5JH5TQ6A91Wg5GElzh3L0_YtBJ4TSmLDfmjv-z82pfH5xEN4XJTqPfKr7cr/s640/P1140987.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view across to Castro Marim as we leave Portugal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the usual cuppa and breakfast, we did a bit of washing
before cycling out of a Portuguese camp, for the last time. Cycled the short
distance into Vila Real de Santo Antonio, where we firstly shopped, as the
supermarkets in Spain are closed on Sunday, then made our way to the ferry and
after half an hour, caught the 11.30am crossing to Ayamonte, a nice Spanish
town across the river. Had a look around there and then enjoyed lunch in a
small park next to a smaller river.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBhA1c3HJfqFcv4T_BVOiEANTjKs5Gy2Hbg9P9AweiBiXK4K5t6sMAzcqTkQlR4bYHR7-7nzNx3VrYdXAfEpZjG3R1_tjc48y1YR0flz7l6e1wuPA9btYYkdE59InDI4iUfZoglYE1M4q/s1600/P1140993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBhA1c3HJfqFcv4T_BVOiEANTjKs5Gy2Hbg9P9AweiBiXK4K5t6sMAzcqTkQlR4bYHR7-7nzNx3VrYdXAfEpZjG3R1_tjc48y1YR0flz7l6e1wuPA9btYYkdE59InDI4iUfZoglYE1M4q/s640/P1140993.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful town square in Ayamonte welcomed us back into Spain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy69vTrzaRstdzYxR6CP7OZRBbwxPWI0VKn5TSal-F4uRnVdLGxua6Dybn_ST_C79ZC_eSmheuWvrc4PZXgwI1aC5dBOoq_t9BOXSEeXh6cJLOzhF8Ro8Cb-GqBwyiSUHDA5b1CHofxFXN/s1600/P1140992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy69vTrzaRstdzYxR6CP7OZRBbwxPWI0VKn5TSal-F4uRnVdLGxua6Dybn_ST_C79ZC_eSmheuWvrc4PZXgwI1aC5dBOoq_t9BOXSEeXh6cJLOzhF8Ro8Cb-GqBwyiSUHDA5b1CHofxFXN/s640/P1140992.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DbzEXzjM0V_26smr2beumKDNnDYddi3OuW82EpnD0rnvkpgbiIuF6vMGuSNJCETYwmXs7TukyOJje804h2slK1bHjvuG1ns4XXUjT4uKFlVy3DusVXrXYlzRgsNCvzERSWWK9G6hs91X/s1600/IMG_20181104_130122+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="906" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6DbzEXzjM0V_26smr2beumKDNnDYddi3OuW82EpnD0rnvkpgbiIuF6vMGuSNJCETYwmXs7TukyOJje804h2slK1bHjvuG1ns4XXUjT4uKFlVy3DusVXrXYlzRgsNCvzERSWWK9G6hs91X/s640/IMG_20181104_130122+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our lunchtime view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zdE8UKO_7ejJBfIfJ96_YabbahUJdLWcv9WKT_qji7NUjnMGTJ5fbmxg5Vpyd3Z4zGIYntBHwYwaTg1qyz6kinvv1w2C1BONXNon9dN67RrFumTaMNZVlvEbtBS1BKkWdRskuc0khrfn/s1600/IMG_20181104_125223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="472" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8zdE8UKO_7ejJBfIfJ96_YabbahUJdLWcv9WKT_qji7NUjnMGTJ5fbmxg5Vpyd3Z4zGIYntBHwYwaTg1qyz6kinvv1w2C1BONXNon9dN67RrFumTaMNZVlvEbtBS1BKkWdRskuc0khrfn/s640/IMG_20181104_125223.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The intricate cobbled streets were fascinating</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Our ride today was only going to be a few kms, so we were in
no rush. On our way out, we picked up the Via Verde cycle route, which took us
through the Park Naturel. I, of course was about to get my gear off for some
nude cycling, when Julia pointed out that it was not that kind of Natural and I
should perhaps remain clothed. Spoil sport…! Cycling through marshlands we
spied, storks, herons and then a flock of twelve flamingos. It was great
watching them feeding as they do this little dance around on the mud as they
have their heads down sucking up all the fishlife that their dance frightens
into their mouths. We were close enough and it was quiet enough to hear their
feet squelching in the mud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The track
wasn’t too good, which has not been unusual in Spain and Portugal when going
off-road, but it was better than most we have encountered, although they must
have had some rain here lately as it was full of puddles that we were
constantly skirting around.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b57babNkk3MVfbsCfxXyhgR3qRAOaSPr4ayhzj-k1M8hewa1uV2F9Qf2w4Rx34JMO2oILY7aHaGNs1gvW-KUOQbKH0H7xVfV8FZSPusU55wO8Cu3IJRc7DZHoUuAwxoeeCuSH0ruMfWh/s1600/P1140998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="1600" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8b57babNkk3MVfbsCfxXyhgR3qRAOaSPr4ayhzj-k1M8hewa1uV2F9Qf2w4Rx34JMO2oILY7aHaGNs1gvW-KUOQbKH0H7xVfV8FZSPusU55wO8Cu3IJRc7DZHoUuAwxoeeCuSH0ruMfWh/s640/P1140998.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0OITHRlRJ857nSxTwncKf-8IG4l306mbKQCdZy1IIxp6j1gP3evlPwvs6G8LXuv_o5HXHe_1DzFvNgORtQ5hJpPwDxsIvoeDRh7npeNE9uhpLAPB8Dko9eMyDPkTJqM1pRzQYdEZajVB/s1600/P1150013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm0OITHRlRJ857nSxTwncKf-8IG4l306mbKQCdZy1IIxp6j1gP3evlPwvs6G8LXuv_o5HXHe_1DzFvNgORtQ5hJpPwDxsIvoeDRh7npeNE9uhpLAPB8Dko9eMyDPkTJqM1pRzQYdEZajVB/s640/P1150013.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Via Verde, literal translation, The Green Way, not that green, but a nice change from the roads</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiF4R2pFoBck-c2AJM9KZC7WZpnittjpj8-MKhwaSENo_Y5eufXdnDWJPyEIHhMuj7eQW7or36nw4Hyu2SkXbN8-x5GhSqalifjN8kDCAAO9eBmQNIIMTwSJcRIHi3X-lAHRyrvlTPfAD7/s1600/P1140999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiF4R2pFoBck-c2AJM9KZC7WZpnittjpj8-MKhwaSENo_Y5eufXdnDWJPyEIHhMuj7eQW7or36nw4Hyu2SkXbN8-x5GhSqalifjN8kDCAAO9eBmQNIIMTwSJcRIHi3X-lAHRyrvlTPfAD7/s640/P1140999.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding flamingoes - don't see that everyday</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapypXKlW7-TS4yv1mlYZEFFJRP4kfKLBXVdPcVDDJdE4fJgJyIFJzjZ0wKKGJ8dwOulmGbxWwnPPqp_ofR2G5yxLPdNilRr4QQY8fWkHhyQhKLlMl0_lxaKaH5NISb7umKDdJr0e8vzLv/s1600/P1150011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapypXKlW7-TS4yv1mlYZEFFJRP4kfKLBXVdPcVDDJdE4fJgJyIFJzjZ0wKKGJ8dwOulmGbxWwnPPqp_ofR2G5yxLPdNilRr4QQY8fWkHhyQhKLlMl0_lxaKaH5NISb7umKDdJr0e8vzLv/s640/P1150011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHMsTUQVrUE4rQAuwgJ4NAUnfzLo_Q3lJ83u5MlriBBUKkBhR2XmkE1Nt_sodmOgnVppkoiu1aM897bfpzH9L4OqKru2vHtHMPZUZAOOrXC-fRGOcZFucTrE1QRdIa-j54kak_WRaLbCt/s1600/P1150012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsHMsTUQVrUE4rQAuwgJ4NAUnfzLo_Q3lJ83u5MlriBBUKkBhR2XmkE1Nt_sodmOgnVppkoiu1aM897bfpzH9L4OqKru2vHtHMPZUZAOOrXC-fRGOcZFucTrE1QRdIa-j54kak_WRaLbCt/s640/P1150012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
About 3pm, we came off the track and took a quiet main road
to Isla Christina, a resort town right on the beach. Neither Julia nor I were
feeling like swimming and the sun hadn’t appeared today, so there was no chance
of getting any rays. We estimate the temperature would have been sixteen
degrees at a push. After a quick ride through part of the town, we took a very
good cycle lane along the coast to our campground for the night, named after
the town. A very amiable chap signed us in and we had a talk about NZ, before
setting up amongst the trees. First thing Julia noticed was mosquitos, whilst I
noticed the noisy kids just along the way.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The sun by this time had made a brief appearance, so we
strolled across the road for a look at the beach, in case we get a chance to
use it tomorrow. Once again the forecast is for cooler weather. This camp, like
the last few, is full of campervans on long term stay. Chatting to the
reception guy today, he, like others we have spoken to, said that a lot of
these people will be here until April or May. Hope the weather fines up for
them…!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After our stroll, we bought an ice-cream and sat outside the
café charging and blogging until it got too cold to do so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Returned to the warm refuge of our tent about
5.30pm where I had a beer and Ju a red wine while we loaded the photos on the
computer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then we cooked our dinner
before returning to the café/bar for a coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The bartender talked us into having a special coffee, called a barracito
(have no idea if that’s how you spell it) and it was delicious!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We sat at a table with an English guy called
Wayne who was into his walking and had an amiable chat with him until 8.30pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were leaving, the bartender showed us a
video of him singing in the carnival competitions which was really cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We asked the guy on reception if he could
charge our battery pack overnight and he said of course and didn’t charge us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to the tent for a milky coffee and chocolate croissant
before another early night.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-53852675834377921672018-11-03T13:51:00.003-07:002018-11-03T13:52:00.005-07:003rd November (sunny and warm) 45 km<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHp3Hu5iyG8ATVgkGrW5wYO_gC7KG6S3caI9zwozDiSEUxS4xoCCI93WphQRRNNaYg_Q2hgY7Q16cHIjGvleYNq3yPCWX0FcPE9oKGXJcwXujOANzTI6wvO6JRpKq2oZ_dK_SnyUhfMFP/s1600/P1140961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1600" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHp3Hu5iyG8ATVgkGrW5wYO_gC7KG6S3caI9zwozDiSEUxS4xoCCI93WphQRRNNaYg_Q2hgY7Q16cHIjGvleYNq3yPCWX0FcPE9oKGXJcwXujOANzTI6wvO6JRpKq2oZ_dK_SnyUhfMFP/s320/P1140961.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camp for the night</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Other than street noise and dogs, it was an uneventful night
and the sun was shining when we woke. Julia began doing yesterday’s finishing
touches to the blog, whilst I got our cuppa on and got breakfast sorted. I did
some washing and hung it on the bikes to dry and then washed the breakfast
dishes, where I met a Belgian guy, around my age, who is holidaying down here
for two months. We are meeting so many long term vacationers, who just rent out
the house in England, France or Germany and head south for the winter. The
campground we are in give discounts depending on how long you stay. Anything
over three months and it’s a pittance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToWO1xzMDhx5Mc9kwIo26-XcZyotJOn94LLvVkfT2P1OSfG8VmzbmBnKg5moNmnOgmWANOkw3SHSPG5d3rGqGUwtuSRsl-BtA-ThXlhbQrAFHjAIy1OLClwTTuKZPNcNqfHCT2R-Fh7vG/s1600/IMG_20181103_104154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiToWO1xzMDhx5Mc9kwIo26-XcZyotJOn94LLvVkfT2P1OSfG8VmzbmBnKg5moNmnOgmWANOkw3SHSPG5d3rGqGUwtuSRsl-BtA-ThXlhbQrAFHjAIy1OLClwTTuKZPNcNqfHCT2R-Fh7vG/s640/IMG_20181103_104154.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tide's in this morning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGftXm695R3Ci_NODn-tX5ovR4ueScT8kvI8Mq_3vK1spL991gA3Zo7ozb7SC2pYyaqyc66sRSgV89RAr-QCCBsFxmY1-V7CjlF78Naht0at_jVXA-crs1YN63jsumpy9pUaeaLseFzl_/s1600/P1140966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGftXm695R3Ci_NODn-tX5ovR4ueScT8kvI8Mq_3vK1spL991gA3Zo7ozb7SC2pYyaqyc66sRSgV89RAr-QCCBsFxmY1-V7CjlF78Naht0at_jVXA-crs1YN63jsumpy9pUaeaLseFzl_/s320/P1140966.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful coffee in a lovely setting</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ju had been in touch with Pippa and arranged a coffee meet,
so after packing up the tent and taking a few photo ops, we found ourselves
down by the sea at a café. It’s been nice finally getting together with the
guys on this coast and hopefully one day they can make it out to NZ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Closing in on midday, we rode inland, just to
have a quieter ride to Tavira. The riding in this area was lovely. Lots of
citrus farming, so trees aplenty. Portugal for obvious reasons is not lush, but
this was a nice change from the scenery that we’ve encountered. We were
enjoying the riding and the weather which was perfect. Began our descent from
inland to the coast and cycled through a beautiful resort to the seaside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdwjRIxwV6Y74A-5KEr9n_Kuvdq6sQnjjCMeKP9pO9x6m0ffogURuK-Sqs3W5AK6ETUDfLV71mExs1Fsv0n6Ts0cPVgpkcG9J5Uj6NvTUKh8rpD_cSuM9EHPQ2IgIN-dmggcCY-yhKKRd/s1600/P1140968.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1600" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvdwjRIxwV6Y74A-5KEr9n_Kuvdq6sQnjjCMeKP9pO9x6m0ffogURuK-Sqs3W5AK6ETUDfLV71mExs1Fsv0n6Ts0cPVgpkcG9J5Uj6NvTUKh8rpD_cSuM9EHPQ2IgIN-dmggcCY-yhKKRd/s640/P1140968.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The marina at Fuseta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AUlpi_CgjiK6HKB1MWtJ_wngBaoJm7BEnc_PHBFWvTyAd0cGtJRVVDdROJp8RvR2qT_u7NmUFjd-j6bPpm2-2Y5pgbciVGtsTKhyvLKxsVX37BX6R_xVhfYVN7z0SZAch5Qnc8GKunb5/s1600/IMG_20181103_121602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="459" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AUlpi_CgjiK6HKB1MWtJ_wngBaoJm7BEnc_PHBFWvTyAd0cGtJRVVDdROJp8RvR2qT_u7NmUFjd-j6bPpm2-2Y5pgbciVGtsTKhyvLKxsVX37BX6R_xVhfYVN7z0SZAch5Qnc8GKunb5/s640/IMG_20181103_121602.jpg" width="516" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely riding on our way to Tavira</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfzlT_3Rpqy4GdKXFEdBsnwcMQfty65MuWUOsmKf-n9QsPrQegRNSaJT6oJbbpW8vOhTV0ftWXfEclq7xa82-LikO2A5wM54CfSxGOd6_INQSFovLcOc6e-Ei6nBXFbehxDNhN-QnnlAi/s1600/IMG_20181103_125437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfzlT_3Rpqy4GdKXFEdBsnwcMQfty65MuWUOsmKf-n9QsPrQegRNSaJT6oJbbpW8vOhTV0ftWXfEclq7xa82-LikO2A5wM54CfSxGOd6_INQSFovLcOc6e-Ei6nBXFbehxDNhN-QnnlAi/s640/IMG_20181103_125437.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkG6EY_39YaCKm8SyiXsBrNG8au09FZ6GAM825a_DS4aHhizuqxi8AAAuzvHQT3PCiP6HVVirON6V8Xfyq378cH8rfhzllddIDcdx8gsNLTfQpW0c9onyDjZHES53R1HFzDdhbaDKmtvY/s1600/P1140973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1323" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFkG6EY_39YaCKm8SyiXsBrNG8au09FZ6GAM825a_DS4aHhizuqxi8AAAuzvHQT3PCiP6HVVirON6V8Xfyq378cH8rfhzllddIDcdx8gsNLTfQpW0c9onyDjZHES53R1HFzDdhbaDKmtvY/s640/P1140973.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Luzia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3EFkwy7rckOxscmimcR3n_HPRq40FspTepuSpGePbNm8gbNiOJcOgJKMTUODMBa770c6bM123VI9JU1xzo3me9G_ZM5CdmVJwf5eyos_wv7dFPt5JQBgNGs9PB2ENMHso_UtBBx_8_YU/s1600/P1140972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3EFkwy7rckOxscmimcR3n_HPRq40FspTepuSpGePbNm8gbNiOJcOgJKMTUODMBa770c6bM123VI9JU1xzo3me9G_ZM5CdmVJwf5eyos_wv7dFPt5JQBgNGs9PB2ENMHso_UtBBx_8_YU/s640/P1140972.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic cycle path</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWfCPWZ93FrSb_prFGQi-yTYbWA3U-wXfeiG3YRkXSrpYCsO-BKSlR36WtVoeg4BHZ-9DZVUIzlUUcFaZszMGA69oceSmgrxrdH1Vci9F9qSpq8Xr0uMnHcUNsfHDcUHz1hv-7tc65Caw/s1600/IMG_20181103_130336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWfCPWZ93FrSb_prFGQi-yTYbWA3U-wXfeiG3YRkXSrpYCsO-BKSlR36WtVoeg4BHZ-9DZVUIzlUUcFaZszMGA69oceSmgrxrdH1Vci9F9qSpq8Xr0uMnHcUNsfHDcUHz1hv-7tc65Caw/s640/IMG_20181103_130336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwSswcf5cGCt2VhkTJ6D1aDsCZuWxZloK5-oD1GiUQqGW5wQSw_W_3bjHrctUvqH_uUDneHGrp_v4uKtOuCnZ0eabgwvu6kPkVGEiqSig37wmy788oqn0zTxyFFgExBJFbh5m-QHvek9J/s1600/IMG_20181103_130355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="470" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwSswcf5cGCt2VhkTJ6D1aDsCZuWxZloK5-oD1GiUQqGW5wQSw_W_3bjHrctUvqH_uUDneHGrp_v4uKtOuCnZ0eabgwvu6kPkVGEiqSig37wmy788oqn0zTxyFFgExBJFbh5m-QHvek9J/s640/IMG_20181103_130355.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pippa had told us about a cycle route along
the coast and this is where we first stumbled upon it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well marked, good seal and a pleasure to
cycle on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This path led us to the
beautiful seaside and fishing village of Santa Luzia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was shining, the temperature perfect
with no wind to speak of – it was cycling heaven.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We found our way into Tavira where we got caught up in a
traffic jam at a roundabout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A man had
been knocked down or maybe knocked off his motorbike in the middle of the main
road and they were waiting for the ambulance to arrive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped shortly after this to go to the
supermarket and then made ourselves some ham buns as we sat in a nearby
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Upon looking at Maps Me, the
coastal route continued, so we followed it from the supermarket, but it soon
turned into track with a few muddy patches here and there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, we thought it was worth it to be
away from the traffic so continued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then
we came to a bridge which had a decided warp to it and because of this had been
fenced off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It looked like a boat of
some description had underestimated its own height and maybe collected the
bridge as it tried to sail through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can’t see what else would have made the bridge warp like that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bHFi9ZCbdBggisEq510pflbkG4AL7rAqx3ryT4qTejAKec1dm9TAKRk65Kd_fEkwhdnPvdxEkO-Gr-gb3Ci62Xp_7JUL3mDZ7apTmyC2s8reunpbR4sX2S6M-06sOmBb87naWLEs9hrY/s1600/IMG_20181103_144430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_bHFi9ZCbdBggisEq510pflbkG4AL7rAqx3ryT4qTejAKec1dm9TAKRk65Kd_fEkwhdnPvdxEkO-Gr-gb3Ci62Xp_7JUL3mDZ7apTmyC2s8reunpbR4sX2S6M-06sOmBb87naWLEs9hrY/s640/IMG_20181103_144430.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Track not quite so good or quite so scenic</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSkbfY8NzsRnIrIJSBsBXQfZ5pdv7S7zExMQhICi4R8_BQijssO12uAlZlAvfPXBYhkRNFGYPQBGKKxHEwk8NcGGP8xPsHat2BJYHQfD8PNF7o6Tcbm0ebRnzVKlA1ORFGU6MXQzmai2A/s1600/IMG_20181103_144647.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfSkbfY8NzsRnIrIJSBsBXQfZ5pdv7S7zExMQhICi4R8_BQijssO12uAlZlAvfPXBYhkRNFGYPQBGKKxHEwk8NcGGP8xPsHat2BJYHQfD8PNF7o6Tcbm0ebRnzVKlA1ORFGU6MXQzmai2A/s640/IMG_20181103_144647.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And then we got the wonky bridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RVljh7GIzUhce-MQ3S70hh5-tD2ZMfkAFw7LD5Ox_LtoNCttyUJL5YV3ZdZ3Dj7I9eU2U66ak6BOVvOWEyRd477ObzeAmRt2sumsR6k7P8Znxt01IaDKfuNqHeG1oTW_cMxrkGdTTFXh/s1600/P1140976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5RVljh7GIzUhce-MQ3S70hh5-tD2ZMfkAFw7LD5Ox_LtoNCttyUJL5YV3ZdZ3Dj7I9eU2U66ak6BOVvOWEyRd477ObzeAmRt2sumsR6k7P8Znxt01IaDKfuNqHeG1oTW_cMxrkGdTTFXh/s640/P1140976.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artistic license at roadside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBXxmSEZfKq9eUWHB_Oh4QtMP6pUOdnuJ74mgb0lShT4UBy_UzJG5Y_nRT5bjBK-bIn6fE9Quw5VkE26rQ1qrOcsBFmbCD453PVvRitDM6JrSHWQebmZv9GACuKov1UZ5Wm6HtZwOOhRp/s1600/IMG_20181103_115634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjBXxmSEZfKq9eUWHB_Oh4QtMP6pUOdnuJ74mgb0lShT4UBy_UzJG5Y_nRT5bjBK-bIn6fE9Quw5VkE26rQ1qrOcsBFmbCD453PVvRitDM6JrSHWQebmZv9GACuKov1UZ5Wm6HtZwOOhRp/s400/IMG_20181103_115634.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cacti abound in these parts.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we found ourselves back on the main road, the N125, but
at least it had a really good hard shoulder most of the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped briefly at an Intermarche to grab
some dinner supplies and then turned off to the small town of Monte Gordo for
the campground we had picked out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got
showered and wrote the blog then made some dinner – lentil curry with green
beans and corn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really difficult to
find canned vegetables in Portugal – it’s all beans (as in haricot and kidney, shelves
and shelves of the stuff, nothing green) and lentils.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We followed that with milky coffee, jam rolls
and a chocolate croissant.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All done,
dishes washed and it was pitch black and 7.15pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The long night loomed before us, so we
dressed for the cold and wandered down to the front of the camp where we’d seen
some people making use of the free internet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Loaded the blog and did the wages before retiring to the tent for a cup
of tea and jam bun before bedtime.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ju<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>here - Our last
night in Portugal tonight and the impression it has left me with is that it is
quite a poor country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nobody really
cares about gardening, but with water in such short supply, I suppose that’s
not surprising.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it leaves the
impression that nobody cares much about the outside of their house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paint is often peeling off walls and yet if
you happen to go inside such a home, it is often very modern inside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pippa and Phillip’s rental was a bit like
that last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looked nothing from the
outside but inside you had a shower with about ten different shower heads and a
control panel!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nicely decorated
with modern furniture.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1svcJ_QnMtLwKnAEp2htgfTUZuD6RfPf5dpVBU1geg04TnqCMrEtVdTFd3I8QBhxBTZw3c8_IUZxB_ABCPwmxiHktohaCE0RTcQoFnj28Zk7EcRQPT7kAlx3sdG-SXyKdJE4rlpIBrRQo/s1600/P1140977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1svcJ_QnMtLwKnAEp2htgfTUZuD6RfPf5dpVBU1geg04TnqCMrEtVdTFd3I8QBhxBTZw3c8_IUZxB_ABCPwmxiHktohaCE0RTcQoFnj28Zk7EcRQPT7kAlx3sdG-SXyKdJE4rlpIBrRQo/s640/P1140977.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A nice house we passed today with an actual lawn!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One thing that surprised me about Portugal was the toilet
paper issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have never been to a
country before where you don’t put the toilet paper down the toilet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We first saw a sign asking you to put the
toilet paper in the bin when we were in our Porto rental.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fair enough, it was in a very old part of
town which I guess is still operating on plumbing from a century ago, maybe
longer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the various campgrounds we
have been in, some have signs asking you to put the paper in the bin, others
don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know if this is because
some places have better sewage systems or they just don’t want to scare off the
tourists by having something too unfamiliar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a lot of big dogs in Portugal, often chained up
and/or fenced in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They sound very
aggressive as we cycle past and we hope like hell there isn’t a hole in the
fence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems they are employed as
guard dogs and there is a lot of unattractive barbed wire on top of fences
which makes you feel a little bit on guard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There are a lot of apartments still being built but we feel
it is probably foreign investors who are building and buying them as they are
selling for around 300,000 euro on average for a two bedroom place and we doubt
many Portuguese would manage to get that sort of money together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Out of curiosity we googled the average
Portuguese income and apparently it is 20,000 euro whereas the European average
is 30,000.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We found most Portuguese spoke English, which we were very
grateful for and most were quite amiable, once you had started a
conversation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But initially they can be
quite stand-offish and you feel like you have to break through first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In France, Spain and Portugal, the little tabac shops are
everywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are coffee shops for
men it appears, and they sell tobacco and alcohol as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Older men congregate outside these places
from about 7am and it can be quite uncomfortable passing these places with the
looks they give you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In these countries,
smoking is as prevalent as it ever was, even with the youngsters and some
places still allow smoking inside their establishments.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The campgrounds in general have had very good facilities for
a very good price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The one big thing
that is lacking in them is grass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>However, their biggest clients now are the campervans, so I don’t think
they are going to worry too much about providing great pitches for tents.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have been able to get free wifi at some stage nearly every
day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most campgrounds have it for free
and often we will find it available in town squares.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We really haven’t had to search for it in
Tourist Info or the local bibliotec like we had to even just two years ago.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So back to Spain tomorrow and our last few days in the
tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-36832791210552326212018-11-03T02:38:00.001-07:002018-11-03T13:30:16.625-07:002nd November (sun and cloud, warm) 50 km<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not too bad a sleep, although Ju and I did have a laugh just
before going to sleep, as a jet flew overhead and we discovered that we were on
the Faro airport flight path. Other than some dogs barking in the night and
then spending what seemed a long time, thinking about football in my earlier
days and what’s happened to certain players I knew, it was all good. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we did have a late night visitor in
the form of a black cat in the vestibule, but after fighting off the wildlife I
was able to resume sleeping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday we had been cycling through some very nice resort
areas. Golf courses everywhere, with lots of lush grass. I said to Julia that I
hoped they would still have that lush ground cover at the campground. They
didn’t. It was back to sand, only to be expected around here. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Morning dawned and we had managed to escape a sodden tent,
which is always pleasing. If we don’t, we have to dry it off during the day and
that’s just more time that we need to think about, plus we have to have an
appropriate area to do it. Not like the old days in Germany in the 80’s, when
we found a beautiful park, hung out all our washing, dried out the tent, by
hanging it over hedges and then enjoyed lunch….only to discover we were in a
crematorium. Ah yes…those were the days. When we could go four or five days
without showering. Ju must have thought she’d got together with the wild man of
Borneo.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Out of camp and off, heading to Faro. The riding this
morning was very uneventful. We varied from main roads with idiots flying along
and cutting in too close, to back roads, with no signage whatsoever and idiots
flying along and cutting in too close. Had three verbal shouts this morning at
car drivers. Once again I’ve taken to riding in the middle of our side of the
road, just to try and slow traffic down. If we have a truck coming toward us
taking up nearly the whole road, we still have idiots on our side who think
that they can still squeeze between us and a forty ton truck. Well, I’m not
bothered about you sunshine, but I am about my wife.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The roads chosen by Maps Me are a lottery. Most of the time,
brilliant and a real asset, however, sometimes you end up riding on four wheel
drive stuff and with panniers, it doesn’t mix. After a few hiccups with certain
roads, we finally made it into Faro, just as a jet was landing at the airport,
virtually right in the middle of town. Slight exaggeration, but I for one,
wouldn’t fancy living there.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqCww-FKvoBitVb0GoqAXzwC0Xad5jhr4gE8_fUnvGk5ONkgg5ifLYnVfNxLPkbiaYIVjVQms6WBEjgS7xPaA6HvG5NnyEqhDE6ea4gv17vAc126OqT2MSukmzi0CD3FnLFPxFLciMkhm/s1600/IMG_20181102_130404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="758" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvqCww-FKvoBitVb0GoqAXzwC0Xad5jhr4gE8_fUnvGk5ONkgg5ifLYnVfNxLPkbiaYIVjVQms6WBEjgS7xPaA6HvG5NnyEqhDE6ea4gv17vAc126OqT2MSukmzi0CD3FnLFPxFLciMkhm/s640/IMG_20181102_130404.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faro - a nice marina and small old town area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfL3oBGAAS0BCSKAdmJypHOD_ecFc09j10fJcDY8OI1DrSqmZuQaxMx9ElPTOUtBJ6W8fr6Dq6B4t44Ix5ti0lwAP6D3QK2hwR62MzJMSshskHWm1mRLE4rJWjlmiwm4CshWTBnVTs-5OY/s1600/P1140933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfL3oBGAAS0BCSKAdmJypHOD_ecFc09j10fJcDY8OI1DrSqmZuQaxMx9ElPTOUtBJ6W8fr6Dq6B4t44Ix5ti0lwAP6D3QK2hwR62MzJMSshskHWm1mRLE4rJWjlmiwm4CshWTBnVTs-5OY/s640/P1140933.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NkHFIFxKwi_Qmn5ttjU2cqAIcs9rNu6Jzasm_ZbYMS32-7hI0hz28uhBB9JicKPkKhSkCS753m-OJp_25JsdOe-kxpXelppSkGaADczXCw-jcAmUj5zVsPMdM3OkCTpzX3jJeUEeM7PH/s1600/P1140951.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1275" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7NkHFIFxKwi_Qmn5ttjU2cqAIcs9rNu6Jzasm_ZbYMS32-7hI0hz28uhBB9JicKPkKhSkCS753m-OJp_25JsdOe-kxpXelppSkGaADczXCw-jcAmUj5zVsPMdM3OkCTpzX3jJeUEeM7PH/s640/P1140951.JPG" width="508" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sky started to look a bit dodgy but the forecast said no rain - we hoped they were right!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdb2N6722ZcJd0IZrtF_xTJ29Yg_hqdimK36D23aUcL0VRZfS6H-jUDY93RSekziJ6E_g6qro8ywP6cdHRkc7ZjSCXG7_IshcMKi3fOqP-TH04mpXH3x7bh2DA_6hS-vu2w52kD3_BoZT/s1600/IMG_20181102_132302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="433" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdb2N6722ZcJd0IZrtF_xTJ29Yg_hqdimK36D23aUcL0VRZfS6H-jUDY93RSekziJ6E_g6qro8ywP6cdHRkc7ZjSCXG7_IshcMKi3fOqP-TH04mpXH3x7bh2DA_6hS-vu2w52kD3_BoZT/s640/IMG_20181102_132302.jpg" width="486" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful details in the cobbles</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenFCTLS0XnGDy1SmWjKKx4We01ImMUBMsvXOvXnKO2b_TAkQkv3nxy5dnBbciRgaEPHXGwoaD3ZreYTREky-MJt6k9wiiMjjbGL49anT4vrCM83nz_BKmCL1LJNFcFYBBTkEIF_GaKFJI/s1600/IMG_20181102_132020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyphenhyphenFCTLS0XnGDy1SmWjKKx4We01ImMUBMsvXOvXnKO2b_TAkQkv3nxy5dnBbciRgaEPHXGwoaD3ZreYTREky-MJt6k9wiiMjjbGL49anT4vrCM83nz_BKmCL1LJNFcFYBBTkEIF_GaKFJI/s640/IMG_20181102_132020.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9oyGxjxpKvyPubnJwr6SHVcYztOl0TghR4mk1Qmw0RLsfFKBXjEnxoeIBc_pTc9j61HPgiQeNjyPJMMdYrE8bzp6zN1Q4KP7DML6JWOQhoVW0qgw2310nO5gOKSx0ZOmBr2gvNZCY6ic/s1600/P1140952.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9oyGxjxpKvyPubnJwr6SHVcYztOl0TghR4mk1Qmw0RLsfFKBXjEnxoeIBc_pTc9j61HPgiQeNjyPJMMdYrE8bzp6zN1Q4KP7DML6JWOQhoVW0qgw2310nO5gOKSx0ZOmBr2gvNZCY6ic/s640/P1140952.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At a Jumbo supermarket, we called in and grabbed
some lunch at their café with the usual coffee. The tour of the town didn’t
turn up too much of interest, except maybe the storks, purchased on top of one
of the buildings we were photographing. Other than that, it was a flying visit
and then time to get out of Dodge. Julia had been in touch with her cousin
Pippa, who had taken an apartment in Fuseta, further along the coast, so off we
headed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseL4G9-ZlvQJz9BaP_d3Luo4h90G2P-MSTjzw4YoAtCygVpriSCgEgqx5cUvpNJQdapBCzsfrKr0WEqNhoqRG1YGr21m4uhZWGJNRAk-qJfssscqoscHYfojDqQxTY4APW8gDWRXaCjAN/s1600/IMG_20181102_131314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiseL4G9-ZlvQJz9BaP_d3Luo4h90G2P-MSTjzw4YoAtCygVpriSCgEgqx5cUvpNJQdapBCzsfrKr0WEqNhoqRG1YGr21m4uhZWGJNRAk-qJfssscqoscHYfojDqQxTY4APW8gDWRXaCjAN/s640/IMG_20181102_131314.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The building in Faro with the stork nests on</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnXE8fCdQqJxwiC7Gy9CV_nVQaRzu74BfCHQqmsyoiCqNrMIHGd_nsHmloGp34zqGri54TFlJGFu84lkUVec84WG0_85G9oln0TWs9tiZsJCyUrAyiIB8Fa8VX1EF_h-Jib2Zd_9nb8Zi/s1600/P1140945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnXE8fCdQqJxwiC7Gy9CV_nVQaRzu74BfCHQqmsyoiCqNrMIHGd_nsHmloGp34zqGri54TFlJGFu84lkUVec84WG0_85G9oln0TWs9tiZsJCyUrAyiIB8Fa8VX1EF_h-Jib2Zd_9nb8Zi/s640/P1140945.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZJg4Zix0L38hLcJYDuWV9azrEI-iQY1-l5_bJrd-QKn3KTBojXxbG9SG3LCTZ1_VdHTyDMdlqkvxYsV_Y7RNKwwlhkCOLcm7Q6HPVIedJ1nsk7Klm8tYz0k-bdU2AQjCHtCdplCoo5x9/s1600/IMG_20181102_133041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="833" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ZJg4Zix0L38hLcJYDuWV9azrEI-iQY1-l5_bJrd-QKn3KTBojXxbG9SG3LCTZ1_VdHTyDMdlqkvxYsV_Y7RNKwwlhkCOLcm7Q6HPVIedJ1nsk7Klm8tYz0k-bdU2AQjCHtCdplCoo5x9/s640/IMG_20181102_133041.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb8ONThG1PKlc-cvn8rsJKPAJfjGxJybymv6GjXeEujRdBBUgI2BVH_8TqDk1OfP1tx79NXodKXs_9aLeONUQBaO_aSJfA4i48OygX1eXHiyT0G78q7-Wetvv_dpYHnd-lZokWID9hT_U/s1600/P1140959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZb8ONThG1PKlc-cvn8rsJKPAJfjGxJybymv6GjXeEujRdBBUgI2BVH_8TqDk1OfP1tx79NXodKXs_9aLeONUQBaO_aSJfA4i48OygX1eXHiyT0G78q7-Wetvv_dpYHnd-lZokWID9hT_U/s640/P1140959.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The castle in Faro with the ubiquitous gym equipment in front, waiting for somebody to use it. We have seen these all over<br />
Portugal and suspect they will just be a rusty mess in ten years time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvK0AC-LI19wMwjPZqP3_REaQoh57m1kC6qGU1e05F99-WiImhyTAeNEtEFUV74XO5lii6zBmV4mOzfGZtMmV1AH4BQMz68R1oZJUKl1XKKlzt72w7xEDhp2wvZf9FyowKcW0vFzFMtl9/s1600/P1140960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNvK0AC-LI19wMwjPZqP3_REaQoh57m1kC6qGU1e05F99-WiImhyTAeNEtEFUV74XO5lii6zBmV4mOzfGZtMmV1AH4BQMz68R1oZJUKl1XKKlzt72w7xEDhp2wvZf9FyowKcW0vFzFMtl9/s640/P1140960.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church in Olthao</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N-Dc_PxilQ1fPLYor_OZOJUqbjGDJAlBbEiAvMHCDp1qXh1I4V-0vXD5ba4QuAtSvL4jVPX42iCb3FhviW33CT4M-m5OuuXShUaZXLzP4B6lVBO_D2aO9M1fum1eezWWnPw030BesVjh/s1600/IMG_20181102_143800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="831" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_N-Dc_PxilQ1fPLYor_OZOJUqbjGDJAlBbEiAvMHCDp1qXh1I4V-0vXD5ba4QuAtSvL4jVPX42iCb3FhviW33CT4M-m5OuuXShUaZXLzP4B6lVBO_D2aO9M1fum1eezWWnPw030BesVjh/s640/IMG_20181102_143800.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the town of Olhao which didn't inspire us much.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9lDwrIh-o4M2lBXepww9JMecMqfHXmbqIX5Uswh_p6GR4eCBltS2j5rJRAoShWw-ySww7vENnoA7y381ZxvBO5C6XzDJs0cB4RpIv6ScUc25gzSp4VdFr0nReDZaVw05ysZDupqUlWrm/s1600/IMG_20181102_153351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9lDwrIh-o4M2lBXepww9JMecMqfHXmbqIX5Uswh_p6GR4eCBltS2j5rJRAoShWw-ySww7vENnoA7y381ZxvBO5C6XzDJs0cB4RpIv6ScUc25gzSp4VdFr0nReDZaVw05ysZDupqUlWrm/s400/IMG_20181102_153351.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete on the track while it was still good.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To try and avoid more main roads, we followed the MapsMe
recommended route which ended up on a sandy gravel track, which rapidly
deteriorated to a muddy mess due to Wednesday’s day of rain, and then ceased. I
hate it when that happens. We happened to be next to a railway line, so, rather
than turn around, onto the line we went with our bikes and pushed them about
100 metres, over two small bridges, until we could cross to the other side,
where another track, looked as though it was headed in the right direction. As
we exited the line, a guy was behind us doing the same thing….we’re such trend
setters. Had a word and asked if this new track could lead us out and we ended
up following him to the end. Julia kept stopping every couple of minutes to take
shots of these silty looking ditches. My God, she’ll take shots of anything.
Turns out they were salt beds, but I bet they’ll look better than they actually
were.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H5FVE1KVLPm4xDv6igdWpAY59Qic9eJR53k59jqzoF_KVBGLPP6E4JZbO2HI4FPoF2qUrOYVKyVPoJWNuCqAV1Dvy_nHXayAcmosGTy2DN6dINipRn1GpQiAX5frCli0vFS4-EvR061j/s1600/IMG_20181102_154154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H5FVE1KVLPm4xDv6igdWpAY59Qic9eJR53k59jqzoF_KVBGLPP6E4JZbO2HI4FPoF2qUrOYVKyVPoJWNuCqAV1Dvy_nHXayAcmosGTy2DN6dINipRn1GpQiAX5frCli0vFS4-EvR061j/s640/IMG_20181102_154154.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did we dare go on the train tracks? It looked a bit ominous as every movie where someone was on a train track<br />
that suddenly had a train on it ran through my brain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfAynm42ALHLvkiJ8ZSdKDZZIRK-v5dCP_lZZOYgDGEuRc3hNA8kG-EW1wN1KmsQcuRMac7EMtHGXVXOtN6S0P6WudJFIdIBfMAGebhJA_rEuXz-p-PyLmCVdlsuvBOlw49EKMJpAOcFu/s1600/IMG_20181102_154556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfAynm42ALHLvkiJ8ZSdKDZZIRK-v5dCP_lZZOYgDGEuRc3hNA8kG-EW1wN1KmsQcuRMac7EMtHGXVXOtN6S0P6WudJFIdIBfMAGebhJA_rEuXz-p-PyLmCVdlsuvBOlw49EKMJpAOcFu/s640/IMG_20181102_154556.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it safely and Pete let me snap a picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ju here – pfft!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
will be amazing photos because the light was incredible and if I’d had my way
I’d have spent longer there trying to get even better photos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me, it was the highlight of the day’s
ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had just been riding along
saying this day was a bit ho-hum so when I saw MapsMe had directed us onto a
track for a short while, I wasn’t too bothered.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It would liven up the day a bit to have a change of surface and venture
into the unknown for a bit and we had plenty of time to backtrack if we needed
to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have loved to get a photo of
Pete cycling along the train track but he didn’t want to wait for me to get my
camera out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In reality we both love
taking the road less travelled, although I will concede that sometimes there is
a very good reason these roads are less travelled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just before we abandoned the mud track, I saw
a turtle slip quietly into the creek that our path had now become, so that was
an unexpected treat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And all’s well that
ends well – we made it through and got to Fuseta about 4.30pm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjWWWfBB3_yk8C9VgO1yeT_gfdm9SbCPOO0aJ2k4x2qZuNXdd_3orlbSVgHjPUi_gShs4qHkwBlz6J28EiT5GWSo39_2RQP7GUpDREOrnuEMYco0-GTcSCTnI3XBA5o1DSIMTqONkTMCc/s1600/IMG_20181102_155109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjWWWfBB3_yk8C9VgO1yeT_gfdm9SbCPOO0aJ2k4x2qZuNXdd_3orlbSVgHjPUi_gShs4qHkwBlz6J28EiT5GWSo39_2RQP7GUpDREOrnuEMYco0-GTcSCTnI3XBA5o1DSIMTqONkTMCc/s640/IMG_20181102_155109.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The salt marshes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEW0r54geCHkw4jmwoXyK8dgQ2sA227Au4if-PyhXCBbF76zM6tOUfTVOyZh-P_NdAorHAz9Ov15YMn0oXNcyrJchJnLQLkpIdoIE-cVmJNoXH-ARdqx8sO-jIyV4AgK0vMFshSdm6gc0/s1600/IMG_20181102_155307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEW0r54geCHkw4jmwoXyK8dgQ2sA227Au4if-PyhXCBbF76zM6tOUfTVOyZh-P_NdAorHAz9Ov15YMn0oXNcyrJchJnLQLkpIdoIE-cVmJNoXH-ARdqx8sO-jIyV4AgK0vMFshSdm6gc0/s640/IMG_20181102_155307.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0ASmxVWPF9a9c3rGlaDN0aiKnpxURBP8hYf_EtbuiBfyJh2gfzC2CGzFCoOX6Xy8qjOSYd7461NB7u4VTYi5m8D1TiQVdZzdQviIbr9s9rIBbT4HNhEI9F6SprJxXOAvU553oYRT0B7X/s1600/IMG_20181102_155313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0ASmxVWPF9a9c3rGlaDN0aiKnpxURBP8hYf_EtbuiBfyJh2gfzC2CGzFCoOX6Xy8qjOSYd7461NB7u4VTYi5m8D1TiQVdZzdQviIbr9s9rIBbT4HNhEI9F6SprJxXOAvU553oYRT0B7X/s640/IMG_20181102_155313.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can see the big pile of salt next to the building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Checked into the municipal campground which was very busy –
a lot of longtermers by the looks of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Dutch, French and English retirees in their camperhomes, soaking up the
sun over the northern winter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we were
setting up the tent, Pippa and Phillip cycled in on the two bikes that come
with the flat they have rented.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
decided we’ll all go out for dinner, somewhere not too flash as none of us have
dressy clothes of any description.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
they cycled back to their apartment while Pete and I got showers and blogged.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yqqvMFB-16VlKNnoUeynd8gQ6nW3IRE6bM26pAguiezvpA-FJM7VU0lm7-44UomDHZtH4PnBaav-iE4R2wCH46f8uFW3Lf1tEUawu2BEPXFJiEsz2X9SXXzGLMWHKQgl9yDrlXKCcDR6/s1600/IMG_20181102_172814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9yqqvMFB-16VlKNnoUeynd8gQ6nW3IRE6bM26pAguiezvpA-FJM7VU0lm7-44UomDHZtH4PnBaav-iE4R2wCH46f8uFW3Lf1tEUawu2BEPXFJiEsz2X9SXXzGLMWHKQgl9yDrlXKCcDR6/s640/IMG_20181102_172814.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from just outside the campground</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFK9DcKP6Aca41B2AXsI48T4oYnzWkbH8KtZx-E3jr6V8iaIcq0BENeIvbARduU30-pKgdAfoqgRaRYm9FO8YEXFDwhoyefF5FjIAXTQeebZFlki5FkoXzjQhq6_s5B4d5WUo09_E_auw/s1600/IMG_20181102_173001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIFK9DcKP6Aca41B2AXsI48T4oYnzWkbH8KtZx-E3jr6V8iaIcq0BENeIvbARduU30-pKgdAfoqgRaRYm9FO8YEXFDwhoyefF5FjIAXTQeebZFlki5FkoXzjQhq6_s5B4d5WUo09_E_auw/s640/IMG_20181102_173001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are lots of small islands and sandbanks between us and the ocean around here.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Walked to the town square where we saw Pippa wave out from
their balcony and went up to their lovely spacious apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So many of these towns have these very dodgy
looking outsides to their buildings and then you go inside and Wow!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had a wine and a beer while we chatted and
then walked down to the square for dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We all had fish of some description except Pete who had spare ribs and
we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Back to Pippa and Phillip’s for a cup of tea and then back to the tent
about 10pm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-61303145312513913362018-11-02T02:22:00.003-07:002018-11-02T02:22:33.426-07:001st November (sunny and warm) 46 km<div class="MsoNormal">
At 7.30am I was wide awake and making a cuppa. Outside there
was no sign of the miserable weather that we’ve been having, instead the sun
was shining with just the odd light cloud breaking up the blue sky. After a
delicious breakfast of Mushroom, courgette, onion and cheese omelette with
salad, we packed our gear and by 10am we were headed out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXz2QFFCs1AYn29IWVteZTDO1QeV0yeSpPXqnynjodTMCzgqt_1pNJkZKxIrMIbSz9qd1NqQvBJlPfwD7gOLLIB4x9N_JbyvTt2t6sPx5QoEdq_DSgrhp48X03V2VoPUHPwpI9zlfviyMd/s1600/P1140916.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXz2QFFCs1AYn29IWVteZTDO1QeV0yeSpPXqnynjodTMCzgqt_1pNJkZKxIrMIbSz9qd1NqQvBJlPfwD7gOLLIB4x9N_JbyvTt2t6sPx5QoEdq_DSgrhp48X03V2VoPUHPwpI9zlfviyMd/s640/P1140916.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armacao de Pero beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXdz1mKDxA77JuJvaxofC3Y9xMATlKqL_G_HfZ2i7q3Ic6GTgHXeola77rga74qOzR-d6WXZ5eJZdBkrhGND9H2PCl50wjax1u1jcPAILzlNddBpGdPfMj2liR6ucsIrN97douo8sRxwA/s1600/P1140917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXdz1mKDxA77JuJvaxofC3Y9xMATlKqL_G_HfZ2i7q3Ic6GTgHXeola77rga74qOzR-d6WXZ5eJZdBkrhGND9H2PCl50wjax1u1jcPAILzlNddBpGdPfMj2liR6ucsIrN97douo8sRxwA/s640/P1140917.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Armacao de Pero town</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtudnQ-GSXbuxMyDlprLTaLR7-3ReWrDbQC2XLxc60pz22bCYlT06TSPmLlM2cERfcP0L_3O2IWO4yySyiLiSkZ8y_UvYFCD0iog4X-S8IfBYwJIJ9wlzE5SruXG0SmQ0J-P-S_43WyxnU/s1600/IMG_20181101_103656.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="423" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtudnQ-GSXbuxMyDlprLTaLR7-3ReWrDbQC2XLxc60pz22bCYlT06TSPmLlM2cERfcP0L_3O2IWO4yySyiLiSkZ8y_UvYFCD0iog4X-S8IfBYwJIJ9wlzE5SruXG0SmQ0J-P-S_43WyxnU/s400/IMG_20181101_103656.jpg" width="296" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cruisey cycling to the flamingoes - before we hit the wet,<br />boggy sand.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia had targeted a lagoon, where Pink Flamingos gather.
The cycling was cruisy and we reached our destination quickly. Came off the tar
seal and onto wet sandy track. Tried to get around the lagoon as MapsMe had
shown, but with the rain we had yesterday, it was pretty messy. The sandy
tracks really mess with our chains and we have to keep cleaning and lubing
them. Not today, I wasn’t interested in more bloody birds, we’d already seen
the white flamingos, I didn’t need a different shade.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Into Salgados, a coastal town and with a few tourists
already out and about, before reaching Gale, where we once again went exploring
the seaside rocks. Not much to write home about, so we pushed on to Albufeira,
funnily enough, a place where my uncle Terry goes on his holidays. Now, you can
always tell when the tourist demographic has changed from German to English
when every café and bar you pass is advertising Full English Breakfasts and
selling Guinness. And you know for sure when you see the Bingo signs on the
noticeboards. Cycling through the tourist laden streets, I was having fun
listening to the different English accents and trying to place them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq5fD_amIGkWBH-oxzlbXs3sGueSLeetNhB-9wRAdmQs7rFtM4h94t0bwOgqTfLx0UxswgiQS0fHPyj0C72ntKZm3Cni5R4CCyvkaxzr-fORbGypKnfCdYK6POZnTbfzp9mjUgUakQKci/s1600/P1140922.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVq5fD_amIGkWBH-oxzlbXs3sGueSLeetNhB-9wRAdmQs7rFtM4h94t0bwOgqTfLx0UxswgiQS0fHPyj0C72ntKZm3Cni5R4CCyvkaxzr-fORbGypKnfCdYK6POZnTbfzp9mjUgUakQKci/s640/P1140922.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gale coastline with surfers and Armacao de Pero in background</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM_IqU-JWfeaaMhUtjnQNTnAk2IO2AhHkdTMo-P18Atlc4wtUH4dDRnbv-AF8eTqg4zz64yRMY9GZuoYqRFDO59aEu7fQ4YlNRRTFys4fw2h4ijZQs2Y4oHhVg3cFEOC-bPyYXuhRT7E7/s1600/IMG_20181101_111903-EFFECTS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWM_IqU-JWfeaaMhUtjnQNTnAk2IO2AhHkdTMo-P18Atlc4wtUH4dDRnbv-AF8eTqg4zz64yRMY9GZuoYqRFDO59aEu7fQ4YlNRRTFys4fw2h4ijZQs2Y4oHhVg3cFEOC-bPyYXuhRT7E7/s640/IMG_20181101_111903-EFFECTS.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gale was a popular surfing spot with some sheltered little places.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pboNa22EBNMA3qawbQuV_oZCk6Tef7X-AYz2-pml4JTeeNdDNX32k-gcXiadgnfhc8RmDosoosVijyR7VifiKQLV9Pu2C8s0Rbi-YnHU3uROX08yG4D8CFkywsvyd2xm9nfk7C8iqrbs/s1600/IMG_20181101_125301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1pboNa22EBNMA3qawbQuV_oZCk6Tef7X-AYz2-pml4JTeeNdDNX32k-gcXiadgnfhc8RmDosoosVijyR7VifiKQLV9Pu2C8s0Rbi-YnHU3uROX08yG4D8CFkywsvyd2xm9nfk7C8iqrbs/s640/IMG_20181101_125301.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albufeira</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7rfebl-dIHV-QPd_svmUE8WS6lqSiRadroU7Ivjaejzq-Q-KkDmUJDerdKGX2k1JjG-v9xX6ADSPosneZ_TIdr5RCMxS2y1JLzQxz8KRZ4xsZcPAUdjKzCq8DQmHK8qwIEfFmV9V-22G/s1600/IMG_20181101_145138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7rfebl-dIHV-QPd_svmUE8WS6lqSiRadroU7Ivjaejzq-Q-KkDmUJDerdKGX2k1JjG-v9xX6ADSPosneZ_TIdr5RCMxS2y1JLzQxz8KRZ4xsZcPAUdjKzCq8DQmHK8qwIEfFmV9V-22G/s640/IMG_20181101_145138.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn1jdHgNZUM4jRdF8PlIRTEeBrDa8xW0sNoF0ITHHvMUq9TY4Muq8mFMDTQW8vA7JR_beWWOiIP4AWfzmqXJqrjs5kBt1GxzeCYd9P82-alqI1XCYDcPXMhBmla9LK4YbcFT9a3Mf8Hi8/s1600/P1140923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmn1jdHgNZUM4jRdF8PlIRTEeBrDa8xW0sNoF0ITHHvMUq9TY4Muq8mFMDTQW8vA7JR_beWWOiIP4AWfzmqXJqrjs5kBt1GxzeCYd9P82-alqI1XCYDcPXMhBmla9LK4YbcFT9a3Mf8Hi8/s640/P1140923.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apartments everywhere of varying styles. A lot seem to have come to a grinding halt in their construction and it makes<br />you wonder what has happened.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rode down to the beach and as we pulled up, another couple
of bikepackers waved from the far side of the promenade. We got changed into
out swim gear at the toilet block. It was being cleaned by a little Portuguese
lady. Julia changed first and as I only
had a few coppers left, I asked her if she thought I would be able to use them.
She figured it would be ok, so I put them in as I walked in and nothing was
said. I had nearly reached my bike after changing, when I heard the lady call
after me “My friend, my friend.” Deciding
that she had caught me just putting in the merest amount, I put on my smiliest
face. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“You have come far”? she says. When I told her she was
amazed and then said “You must be careful out on the road my friend, it is very
dangerous out there.” She then proceeds to give me a big hug. I thanked her for
her concern and hit the beach with Julia, firstly to sun ourselves and warm up
as it wasn’t that warm, with a slight cool breeze blowing. After a while it was
time to go in for a dip and a bodysurf. This would be the first time that we’ve
been able to, as the Atlantic has very fierce shore breaks. Caught a few waves,
but you still had to choose wisely or pay the price. After exiting the water,
we walked along the beach, back toward where we had come in and sheltered in
front of the prom wall, which gave us protection from the breeze.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6aJufZn9ZHwY0KbUThTCj_qcj7fqMoNP4WVaqZ8mBo_vWixPyO9KVGyrCe0b6fQZj7oDgeKvpDTBFQL9xFnjp3TvX6AmkoaKerkeBwUR0w8ztpKNJcCDFGXSerbWpuyqseMLxSAMkIdT/s1600/P1140929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq6aJufZn9ZHwY0KbUThTCj_qcj7fqMoNP4WVaqZ8mBo_vWixPyO9KVGyrCe0b6fQZj7oDgeKvpDTBFQL9xFnjp3TvX6AmkoaKerkeBwUR0w8ztpKNJcCDFGXSerbWpuyqseMLxSAMkIdT/s640/P1140929.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Albufeira - they really lay it on for the tourists here with not only a lift down to the beach, but also an escalator!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back on the bikes and heading out toward our campsite for
the night at Quarteira about 20kms away. At a supermarket not far away, we met
the two bikepackers. Santiago and Ebana are from Argentina and are cycling for
two weeks. It is Ebanas first time and from her reactions, may be her last.
Santiago spent four years in NZ working in the vineyards in Blenheim. After he
and Ebana spend a month in India, he is coming back to Europe to cycle to
Russia, although it did get a bit confused in translation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-NZ; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They took off and we met them later at another
supermarket. They had decided to freecamp, but by now we were in the last
stages of light and they still had some kms to cover. We, on the other hand had
a campground picked out, which we reached at 5.45pm. Settled in with a quick
pitch of the tent, ate our dinner and then blogged in the common room before
taking off for some sleep</span>Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-59574757017665572972018-11-01T12:50:00.000-07:002018-11-01T12:50:01.374-07:0031st October (rain, cloudy, cold) 0 km<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had the best sleep on the tour last night and was very
surprised to hear Julia say that it was 8.30am. Even when I do sleep well,
which isn’t that often, I never sleep that late. I think it’s because we don’t
have curtains in our bedroom, only blinds, which of course let light in through
the sides. My sleep from an early age was never very good as I never wanted to
miss out on anything and it always seemed such a waste of time. Of course as I
have aged, probably prematurely because of a lack of it, I do realise the
importance of it. The curtains in this apartment are long and prevent any light
from seeping in. I have often made fun of Julia and the fact that she can sleep
so well anywhere, when in reality, I envy that ability.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxe-KHeciTn54hkX9SGTcRPdQUZ-dbJE1Moi0CS7HZjzM70a52ZKu9r0j06ODAasUs-LKuYLMdtJ8oWG4udoenHylVIshdXduhcGaO9IE6YFOtWDLwuNynSu34s9Y81Y_AwWaKDeLD-Oou/s1600/IMG_20181031_120735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="839" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxe-KHeciTn54hkX9SGTcRPdQUZ-dbJE1Moi0CS7HZjzM70a52ZKu9r0j06ODAasUs-LKuYLMdtJ8oWG4udoenHylVIshdXduhcGaO9IE6YFOtWDLwuNynSu34s9Y81Y_AwWaKDeLD-Oou/s640/IMG_20181031_120735.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our balcony</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Outside it was miserable. We have already decided to stay
another day here, just for fact that we knew this front was going to dump some
rain today. It’s supposed to clear up tomorrow so fingers crossed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We enjoy camping but with the hotels being so
cheap down here, it doesn’t make any sense to camp – and it’s a lot of effort
to find a campground that’s open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ju here – We have faced many trials on this trip, but today
was indeed a torturous one for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Faced
with torrential rain beating on our windows, we were at least safely tucked up
against the elements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily we woke
late as we knew we didn’t have much food to see us through the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had breakfast sorted, although only cereal
as we had eaten all the bread last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>A milky coffee and a custard square followed to keep the wolves at
bay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as the morning wore on, the
worry set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between us we had only one
custard square.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I could see Pete’s eyes
flicking towards it with increasing frequency, so broke the tension by
suggesting we have another coffee and split the custard square between us.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pete accepted this offer eagerly – I think he was worried I
would expect him to do the gallant thing and let me have the whole lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That demolished, we were now faced with the
stark realisation there was nothing left in the larder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would break first?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We turned on the news to distract us from our hunger pangs
and couldn’t help draw parallels between our situation and that faced by Asia
Bibi, the Pakistani woman who has been on Death Row for ten years for insulting
the Prophet Mohammed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She too was
confined to one small room for most of those ten years and starved to within an
inch of her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ok I know we have more
than one small room, but just remember, there are two of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took comfort that she somehow managed to
survive, struggled on, and has now been pardoned.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But still the rain tormented us with it’s
relentless rhythm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We saw our plight had been recognised with the headline
“Migrants stranded in Southern Europe” and felt hope that we weren’t in this thing
alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, with so many others in
the same predicament, would that mean we would have to wait longer for aid to
be flown in to us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We realised if we
wanted food, we would have to be the ones to get it, so started to kit up for
the trek to the supermarket.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But just as
we did that, the sun actually broke through and we safely made it to the
supermarket and back without a drop falling on us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But no sooner had we finished devouring our
lunch, than the rain started again – good job we got a lot of supplies!<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N_F20V7QC3lQCtS2yk8pbafapxq1CFXCwe8jqd3Wk8EA9ZaW-gC9zqhjpaESEq54vEkJTVRvlAywIjWt258ARyoJi7akagG1KsOZKJaFCM53i3gWR2BcQXGxoCCnyEqcB7VMVkBx4yLx/s1600/P1140906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7N_F20V7QC3lQCtS2yk8pbafapxq1CFXCwe8jqd3Wk8EA9ZaW-gC9zqhjpaESEq54vEkJTVRvlAywIjWt258ARyoJi7akagG1KsOZKJaFCM53i3gWR2BcQXGxoCCnyEqcB7VMVkBx4yLx/s640/P1140906.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what happens when we can't get outside - sad isn't it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Coelrrvcy6yWjl_ldHW2SmsRwXIjycSWCSStw6in12dCSW6zGNaq1RiB3DYGigEeHmJdkdRC9qGGeabylEo9WaCzWaX4mvdQ3I3McS2TbdPTTRGAuXPZ5OKm1NRomdVjJ92wNFIXc7Rp/s1600/P1140907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Coelrrvcy6yWjl_ldHW2SmsRwXIjycSWCSStw6in12dCSW6zGNaq1RiB3DYGigEeHmJdkdRC9qGGeabylEo9WaCzWaX4mvdQ3I3McS2TbdPTTRGAuXPZ5OKm1NRomdVjJ92wNFIXc7Rp/s640/P1140907.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_UMBWnmGj64uc1ZP9wMbfmAGyC1ni0FbvLXOuoO8uWl84gOJro05NYPZCbtbpD8IDOWPKajUWJfEdYn5seS96loPDM26ns4LmxxysdR2zZ-xWFUgc64gmwGKQE_8EUTzE807TY89VuQq/s1600/P1140908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_UMBWnmGj64uc1ZP9wMbfmAGyC1ni0FbvLXOuoO8uWl84gOJro05NYPZCbtbpD8IDOWPKajUWJfEdYn5seS96loPDM26ns4LmxxysdR2zZ-xWFUgc64gmwGKQE_8EUTzE807TY89VuQq/s640/P1140908.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7frQ_naNhuZ6SBnjkg5U9y3XV-nkq5rCchBLXoNacQtWyHw_ny2CiRwwLBZ4j5tgAq6p8ZZQA-qgOakKaiXum_RNVmjnAChDiK9GwwOdm_OZIC3cJ51dCsTSjpMud32BwjeOYiEzrYm1H/s1600/P1140910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7frQ_naNhuZ6SBnjkg5U9y3XV-nkq5rCchBLXoNacQtWyHw_ny2CiRwwLBZ4j5tgAq6p8ZZQA-qgOakKaiXum_RNVmjnAChDiK9GwwOdm_OZIC3cJ51dCsTSjpMud32BwjeOYiEzrYm1H/s640/P1140910.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW11I94xAEqXXUuHqqEWujy0P-UA6wqsKX9bv9VYacNj-KN1BUEWCU961aPYbyUeBUTGippmaZBNXXvryCsc5qj0ZrjaS7lMtpuEvQhwUVdO6AldV65xODwA57toaShJlNjd1M_rUWy7WB/s1600/P1140912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW11I94xAEqXXUuHqqEWujy0P-UA6wqsKX9bv9VYacNj-KN1BUEWCU961aPYbyUeBUTGippmaZBNXXvryCsc5qj0ZrjaS7lMtpuEvQhwUVdO6AldV65xODwA57toaShJlNjd1M_rUWy7WB/s640/P1140912.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iF1HAUP4BJuuzJwgUiIeanFWSYadVdrX1YkflzIgpp-r58HaWYMstkhnjLUg819HMDT8E0M4VDUHhCXBNmXiBAHPoHXb5wk4orAsETix4NusoTnBK75NEvMYSkVRYOhgnwXwCjgYyQXA/s1600/P1140913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9iF1HAUP4BJuuzJwgUiIeanFWSYadVdrX1YkflzIgpp-r58HaWYMstkhnjLUg819HMDT8E0M4VDUHhCXBNmXiBAHPoHXb5wk4orAsETix4NusoTnBK75NEvMYSkVRYOhgnwXwCjgYyQXA/s400/P1140913.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pete here -<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
well after lunchtime when we finally stuck our heads out of the apartment to
venture to the local supermarket, about a km away. Confined within four walls
was slightly more comfortable than being confined within the tent, for which we
were grateful. And we are grateful, for everything in our lives. I, for one was
grateful that the walk was only a km long and that it was an Intermarche, which
is a well stocked supermarket, able to provide us with our usual requirements.
I was very grateful today that they had Guinness, as I just fancied one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we walked in the main doors, we were greeted with a smile
and a ‘Hello” by a thirty something well-dressed male. That’s unusual I
thought. And unusual, it turned out to be. Upon completion of our little
outing, we were met by “Mr Smiley” on the way out. He stood directly in our
path and began to ask us to give to his charity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I realise that there are millions of kids
starving around the world and people living in poverty everywhere, but I don’t
agree with those trying to coerce money out of people who have just been
shopping, in an effort to make them feel guilty and that is what they are
doing. In these days of charities calling up to request money for this, that
and the other, if we give to them all, would that allow us to stand in
supermarkets, with a smile, after giving all our money away and look for
charity? There will always be others who are less fortunate, however, that is
how it has been since the beginning of time. Look at Jesus, he fed the 5000 and
look what he got for that. I’m sure if he’d been confronted at a local
supermarket nowadays, there would be no way he’d be giving that bottle of Prosecco
and that sliced loaf to anyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just so there is no confusion on how guilty this bloke
actually made me feel. The mushroom, onion, courgette and cheese omelette went
down nicely, as did the coffee with a nice bit o’cake. The day slipped away and
before we knew it, darkness had set in, that is now about 6pm. Spent the final
hours with a drink, followed by coffee and watching a Clint Eastwood movie on
tele, from 2008, not bad either, although because we joined it part way
through, we have no idea what it was called. Hit the hay about 10.30pm
desperately hoping that we would not be confined to barracks again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-78223466408513295062018-10-30T13:50:00.002-07:002018-10-30T13:50:29.121-07:0030th October (sun, cloud, rain, cold, windy) 20 km<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1blXn73gPPM_-uPCefZpBiVsqXPUfgGtK8WGJ54O6JwofE3PyHp8hTaMWY1L6MQdKE5etfC2NGBjmc9-nz6LOJdihxQbKBy6JI7MSvhTJ2zKWZB-52qw68LhsVMNpQmeSpbtoDQS_mYJ/s1600/P1140894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1blXn73gPPM_-uPCefZpBiVsqXPUfgGtK8WGJ54O6JwofE3PyHp8hTaMWY1L6MQdKE5etfC2NGBjmc9-nz6LOJdihxQbKBy6JI7MSvhTJ2zKWZB-52qw68LhsVMNpQmeSpbtoDQS_mYJ/s640/P1140894.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Checking out of Hotel Carvoeiro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I woke during the night to the wind howling outside. Little
did I realise until I went outside in the morning, that it had thrown it down
as well. Couldn’t guess at the temperature, but at 8am, it was very cold even
though the wind had calmed down a bit. We’d stored the bikes on the balcony, so
they had been lashed, but that was it. We’ve enjoyed our two day break here and
explored a lot of this part of the coast, so today we’re moving on just about
twenty kms closer to Faro. The weather outside suggested that we may get a
little wet, despite the short distance. Julia spent some time on the computer
booking another apartment, this time for 27 euros for the night. The last camp
site tried to charge us Euro 23, so why wouldn’t we, especially when it’s cold
and wet. She also set about organising the transfer of our bikes from Seville
to Barcelona, with the Post Office, let’s hope that comes off smoothly.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYQsUs9xEQWqrLdAdUST6OaNR4O5V6343NxggZAe1kH8tJF65YQME6D0RaOhAJb_fpFe8kUagUsjL2r_91qfyqFt6TnPf2Lh4hQwZGUBktSznTdylvkZ3Lw__85mfmPIzUFGqjxpIo-LW/s1600/IMG_20181029_145731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYQsUs9xEQWqrLdAdUST6OaNR4O5V6343NxggZAe1kH8tJF65YQME6D0RaOhAJb_fpFe8kUagUsjL2r_91qfyqFt6TnPf2Lh4hQwZGUBktSznTdylvkZ3Lw__85mfmPIzUFGqjxpIo-LW/s640/IMG_20181029_145731.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These vans are extremely popular in Spain and Portugal. Citreon, Renault, and Peugeot all have a version of the<br />Iberian white van.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCPN8Jp7Nd3xkzn5HZX7Q_1BKeqywsj8XlLiwSyvJnkA3nucDwaKvTlIwq7omXPMIGPCawRH0PufVa3mQYvlfMHNiqYhx83fSOUQQ6GGAo2_VLgb50Mhf-qGV-MGh__cr6f41Es-MGz8a/s1600/IMG_20181030_121617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYCPN8Jp7Nd3xkzn5HZX7Q_1BKeqywsj8XlLiwSyvJnkA3nucDwaKvTlIwq7omXPMIGPCawRH0PufVa3mQYvlfMHNiqYhx83fSOUQQ6GGAo2_VLgb50Mhf-qGV-MGh__cr6f41Es-MGz8a/s640/IMG_20181030_121617.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maria didn't have the heart to tell Miguel when she'd asked for a greenhouse, this is not what she meant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Skyped Brody and Kate mid-morning, making the most of the
free wifi. They seem very happy after a chat, we left the comfort of the
apartment and ventured out into a cold breeze, the only bonus being no rain.
Cycled the short distance to Lagoa, with the clouds threatening to rain on our
parade. At an Intermarche there we had a cup of coffee and a bite to eat as it
began to drizzle, but came to nothing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Heading to our destination of Armacao de Pera on some
smaller roads and with the sky getting darker and following our every move.
About a km from the hotel, it began to rain, just as we were half way up a
bloody hill. Managed to take shelter under some thick trees, which was lucky as
most of them are fenced off. Only lasted a few minutes before we cycled on to
the Be Smart Terrace Algarve Apartments. Imagine saying that after you’ve had a
few drinks. Arrived at 1pm, check in was 3pm, but they are very casual with
that here. The apartment was massive. A huge kitchen, with dining area, plus a
lounge. Also a drying room in there. Big bedroom and nice ensuite. Both lounge
and bedroom have balconies, plus there is a pool, but it will have to warm up
before we are tempted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After settling in, we had some lunch and prepared to explore
our local surroundings.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlIvurm4_bizo0VtCvL2sOP2n095FePNZgSVsOqoRqhxgHubFN7TbBQDw4hVFpFekYzuFaNcp6R5uOAOdLO2Go496aCX8PWB5xJzSxgqecfLzvqXJV7i8M93P6FcAZ3EPNAQ6UKm-7gXi/s1600/IMG_20181030_134908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlIvurm4_bizo0VtCvL2sOP2n095FePNZgSVsOqoRqhxgHubFN7TbBQDw4hVFpFekYzuFaNcp6R5uOAOdLO2Go496aCX8PWB5xJzSxgqecfLzvqXJV7i8M93P6FcAZ3EPNAQ6UKm-7gXi/s640/IMG_20181030_134908.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G-4EJ5PMgOdACKodbULfvUUV5U72XNVlMNEkSnomHPDy0NetlMYJu4J_lEm6Sue8yiuMcq_qCn4oWneMc1chNhh9afOAEt8vkPlY36xeNEfjpfb8Jft8_z6cFQuWgAGFFw4QkFZ9O8Pd/s1600/IMG_20181030_135005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-G-4EJ5PMgOdACKodbULfvUUV5U72XNVlMNEkSnomHPDy0NetlMYJu4J_lEm6Sue8yiuMcq_qCn4oWneMc1chNhh9afOAEt8vkPlY36xeNEfjpfb8Jft8_z6cFQuWgAGFFw4QkFZ9O8Pd/s640/IMG_20181030_135005.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So 27 euros can get you this for the night.....or a rocky piece of ground and a day's wifi - your choice!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6UoNZ9YJLasEBiH-uSZI1aQxeeidaKqqtj2AOm6TQt0aBjHABZmUW6O65JZXnyRvWKlFX6xykXTM8Zhr2nUHXhZjUwsLJRceffeEvqVAheDO9d2NQI3PQjRsYJxQ3_d18ORHRCcqm9eh/s1600/IMG_20181030_154555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6UoNZ9YJLasEBiH-uSZI1aQxeeidaKqqtj2AOm6TQt0aBjHABZmUW6O65JZXnyRvWKlFX6xykXTM8Zhr2nUHXhZjUwsLJRceffeEvqVAheDO9d2NQI3PQjRsYJxQ3_d18ORHRCcqm9eh/s400/IMG_20181030_154555.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Off for some sightseeing in dodgy weather<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Ju here – yes, I was reminded again about that saying, be
careful what you wish for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we had
been comfortably sipping our coffees in the cosiness of the Intermarche café,
we had both said how good it was to be on the bikes again and what a shame the
day’s ride was so short.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while the
weather had looked good, we had started a detour down to the beach to go and
explore some more cliffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, just
as the road deteriorated, we noticed the big black cloud moving in from the
west and thought uh-oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was no
road east, so we had to head north into the headwind, watching the black cloud
approaching and hoping we weren’t going to get a dousing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After getting away with sheltering in the trees for ten
minutes, we were just happy to get to the hotel apartment and out of the cold,
never mind any extra cycling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t
believe we were swimming yesterday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
hotels here are so cheap – not all of them, but there’s plenty on offer on
Booking.com and they are really nice places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We guess they are just trying to cover their maintenance costs during
the off-season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s very quiet here and
we feel like we might be the only occupants in this whole building!<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzxmoMN8WHoYvL7fabNw5zI1PqZUZIVSPpAVALaY68D5J1MP2Swg7rpmkRbsZJDsAmzCVCB1rIoZZFcgnoG3YLhEVIEtC_oTivA6fD-jwkD4rZhb8CR9JvhOt2IAUzdJOcAly9dTu8sb3/s1600/P1140900.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzxmoMN8WHoYvL7fabNw5zI1PqZUZIVSPpAVALaY68D5J1MP2Swg7rpmkRbsZJDsAmzCVCB1rIoZZFcgnoG3YLhEVIEtC_oTivA6fD-jwkD4rZhb8CR9JvhOt2IAUzdJOcAly9dTu8sb3/s640/P1140900.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7avZK1q2mJWELszngaPU0o5OcK0peHFpsEh67viUpyXOzideFB8bMNhCJgfmPi0mPePdizKHQtWNMyGFWFhiCGv48HYFHnf8RYPR1RCcPzsoigZoYeJ5DCwyU4JF5gV-AcJOmun-jE4p/s1600/P1140901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7avZK1q2mJWELszngaPU0o5OcK0peHFpsEh67viUpyXOzideFB8bMNhCJgfmPi0mPePdizKHQtWNMyGFWFhiCGv48HYFHnf8RYPR1RCcPzsoigZoYeJ5DCwyU4JF5gV-AcJOmun-jE4p/s640/P1140901.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That water looked so inviting - such a shame it's so cold!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhPgPQ2vIDMxxdrcAi6zBxGg_6Za1_Iez8_XDN6Ux7fqQuqqwImw-K-qlhCmPl0WxoKyKZP8g1eYh9Prx3uQCIZ5wnk-u3_Wm01Lg3TiLy2LjJprDg_lodIorFOAyRRcqSLkW9kIkRuwO/s1600/IMG_20181030_153506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="664" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhPgPQ2vIDMxxdrcAi6zBxGg_6Za1_Iez8_XDN6Ux7fqQuqqwImw-K-qlhCmPl0WxoKyKZP8g1eYh9Prx3uQCIZ5wnk-u3_Wm01Lg3TiLy2LjJprDg_lodIorFOAyRRcqSLkW9kIkRuwO/s640/IMG_20181030_153506.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBa93iodQoGORBIHLY_mDzwSCLkqKCG01D7Ef_CGIQsptyPUkxdWfyWbYQAzzsN-LTizdFwyD0yiXag-6ioxrjymCUMVgIIK6VLUamLDamQVeRAD10y2vY2fkg-5mitk0d4ut_sgy_5RG/s1600/P1140902.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBa93iodQoGORBIHLY_mDzwSCLkqKCG01D7Ef_CGIQsptyPUkxdWfyWbYQAzzsN-LTizdFwyD0yiXag-6ioxrjymCUMVgIIK6VLUamLDamQVeRAD10y2vY2fkg-5mitk0d4ut_sgy_5RG/s640/P1140902.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvpQfSX8fzx2hcHjGzbgqaf4bZWuMTATFjLWc6z4eEEmqj694G72IH_hnlzV0fPOMh2JILMMyf1Sy1Ws3oGf8lv_I6yrB9pb0YkY6lSCfQI961UN2mK2EiRLnS4nvTqU5GGK1jPmo38rm/s1600/IMG_20181030_160429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="472" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDvpQfSX8fzx2hcHjGzbgqaf4bZWuMTATFjLWc6z4eEEmqj694G72IH_hnlzV0fPOMh2JILMMyf1Sy1Ws3oGf8lv_I6yrB9pb0YkY6lSCfQI961UN2mK2EiRLnS4nvTqU5GGK1jPmo38rm/s400/IMG_20181030_160429.jpg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We have had a Peter Kay lookalike following us around<br />the beaches of the Algarve......and here he is again in the <br />little church at the end of the point!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pete here; It’s now 7.37pm here on the sunny Algarve and we
reckon that at no point today did it exceed thirteen degrees. As we sit in the
apartment, it is not warm by any stretch of the imagination. We saw a couple of
lovely beaches this afternoon, but it was not possible to enjoy them. Could be
worse I suppose. Eleven people have died due to bad weather in Italy and of
course Venice is underwater…again. The forecast for tomorrow is rubbish, but
then it’s looking good for the following week. Spoke to Dad last night in
England and he sounds good. Terry is doing well and he’s had a great time with
Peg and Andy. He’s got his ticket booked for Barcelona, only eighty five quid
and I think he’s also looking forward to catching up with us and heading home,
although leaving his brother and sister will be hard. It’s going dark early
here now, at 6pm to be precise. Makes for a long night, especially sitting in a
tent. At least under a roof, we’ve got a tele and lighting, rather than a
couple of head torches. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ate our dinner then sat and watched a bit of everything on
tele, but mainly had music on. Still not decided on our movements tomorrow,
very dependent on the weather.<o:p></o:p><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19LOwnrEGT1Kn1PnNeA5EMOdOykstj3rdks6eJpEglZ6E_9r-XpSz9kueL8fJgUHQBcdzL86q2ge_6ojroOnudhRFIlYsmqgwBmG4FG1-98tEKMoLqfBrwypPFsmnPKgKbkUxPMV2ZzyL/s1600/P1140905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19LOwnrEGT1Kn1PnNeA5EMOdOykstj3rdks6eJpEglZ6E_9r-XpSz9kueL8fJgUHQBcdzL86q2ge_6ojroOnudhRFIlYsmqgwBmG4FG1-98tEKMoLqfBrwypPFsmnPKgKbkUxPMV2ZzyL/s640/P1140905.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tonight's lodgings, the Be Smart Terrace Algarve - weird name but nice place</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-19604543482189426422018-10-29T15:16:00.000-07:002018-10-29T15:16:15.198-07:0029th October (sunny and cold, windy) 10 km and 10km of walking<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Woke in our apartment this morning after thinking about the
ride the previous night. It was not pleasant at all. No lights on the roads
here and the areas that were possible for a freecamp, were just rock (we must
be getting soft). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sun was out in all
its glory, although it had forgotten to turn it’s temperature gauge to hot, or
even warm. The cold wind that has been with us for the past few days was back
again and the thought of sitting on a beach or swimming, did not ring any of
our bells. As it was we pottered around the room doing internet stuff and
getting washing done. The tele was on for news in English, so we caught up on a
bit of news.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhZj2hwCmR55CRBDVNVm86wq7cFUzNMGYNpedgsnQU-u3zSRVrdymZmbZ5xQiWcprauVmwQjqo73EIH1UiO0TQOVltSI7ZqyyWgbZFzVAyVBeEsL3vAPXxJVY3LBuW7wsLqMkXK4XeyFY/s1600/P1140838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhZj2hwCmR55CRBDVNVm86wq7cFUzNMGYNpedgsnQU-u3zSRVrdymZmbZ5xQiWcprauVmwQjqo73EIH1UiO0TQOVltSI7ZqyyWgbZFzVAyVBeEsL3vAPXxJVY3LBuW7wsLqMkXK4XeyFY/s640/P1140838.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carvoeiro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L6KrK4un7cp_1I2YaHZGYWy_fA1fbktgj-w6V7GOIZDXygaDdeDXtN4W3o_VeCx-SgIamG4Lxq3Ze08unoy3uWFUwN7zKypOuYE0MEN1z9KwRrMI-e8VRr84VXDc4tGUjMd7Ra5akv6o/s1600/P1140839.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-L6KrK4un7cp_1I2YaHZGYWy_fA1fbktgj-w6V7GOIZDXygaDdeDXtN4W3o_VeCx-SgIamG4Lxq3Ze08unoy3uWFUwN7zKypOuYE0MEN1z9KwRrMI-e8VRr84VXDc4tGUjMd7Ra5akv6o/s320/P1140839.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carvoeiro Beach</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzoCJXIFTJRH6CHTDXixglMMv6OPTTehDcIveiuBjCVaNOShv4R72gt7XcaAlMnPkXbx49ZPUD6OZuKthRlC3i7wjNAYlXdXwhMQJxIFHLwoQ5Z9_46ZL2l_sOvbZx2JLDFmH9886lWt-/s1600/P1140840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEzoCJXIFTJRH6CHTDXixglMMv6OPTTehDcIveiuBjCVaNOShv4R72gt7XcaAlMnPkXbx49ZPUD6OZuKthRlC3i7wjNAYlXdXwhMQJxIFHLwoQ5Z9_46ZL2l_sOvbZx2JLDFmH9886lWt-/s640/P1140840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pNehoBY8W3v1EIvUw7KJaGXDWp_y1p9Fb3lCp4N17W1WHnEm3EGcxYD5wSyi4puOSF-Rg3eyQQ9f-bYQC5iEHNWjsXRG13gIJIjJ-zmOhKiJOt4m5P_ZOFelOthPMEg89aMNxmTK0uPo/s1600/P1140865.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6pNehoBY8W3v1EIvUw7KJaGXDWp_y1p9Fb3lCp4N17W1WHnEm3EGcxYD5wSyi4puOSF-Rg3eyQQ9f-bYQC5iEHNWjsXRG13gIJIjJ-zmOhKiJOt4m5P_ZOFelOthPMEg89aMNxmTK0uPo/s640/P1140865.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Decided about 10.30am to venture out. We had been correct,
it was cold. Rode down a huge hill (which didn’t fare well for the ride home)
and into the very picturesque coastal town of Carvoeiro. Straight to the beach,
where there were people sitting out and the odd few in the water. We wanted to
see more of this coast. The rock formations are absolutely incredible. Took a
steep climb on foot after locking up the bikes at the beach and wandered along
a boardwalk on the clifftops taking in the beautiful scenery. Thought I was
going to lose my cap up there, but managed to keep it on. Up to now, the
majority of tourists we have encountered have been German, however, this is the
English hangout. Good to see however that it is nearly all families, so the
vibe is nice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUdRF5yC9hF6hyc9WD4UL9vG-GXlxqLwBU0Fwl_HqvEBiSaU-JtkrAnxnhlZWWKwy38rHE6IY8DB2dtD3s0Sftr12ZEORbr8SmP2e69yW4z1Yfgf-Ohv68ZIIn93nNeK-1K_HxlkdXrES/s1600/IMG_20181029_105405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUdRF5yC9hF6hyc9WD4UL9vG-GXlxqLwBU0Fwl_HqvEBiSaU-JtkrAnxnhlZWWKwy38rHE6IY8DB2dtD3s0Sftr12ZEORbr8SmP2e69yW4z1Yfgf-Ohv68ZIIn93nNeK-1K_HxlkdXrES/s640/IMG_20181029_105405.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELGtFpQp-nBia87eV1plhzWnxJ8AKeo8f3m3wLsK163EZPPMTx4LUE3Kt_tEQKGwRmFSAoTJeXOcPlMpw8ZhK2OPG3gTvrgjtjogU83jwQl1ED3DwyfrZMgg2go64IlZGXylBAZ2KyWA-/s1600/IMG_20181029_105644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgELGtFpQp-nBia87eV1plhzWnxJ8AKeo8f3m3wLsK163EZPPMTx4LUE3Kt_tEQKGwRmFSAoTJeXOcPlMpw8ZhK2OPG3gTvrgjtjogU83jwQl1ED3DwyfrZMgg2go64IlZGXylBAZ2KyWA-/s640/IMG_20181029_105644.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLRtZ3JL_KJ5njy06PVA349hKOGUQL1n_3_dQDoRPfRixWZEZP8jye_bdBAfKsVCb41PS2hxxLHUyuyU0xhUampdk8mpPObzBVHu0TQi-wEiZYxHJTCWgsGiY5_nNFqwclAsvUfuWpe_F/s1600/IMG_20181029_105911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVLRtZ3JL_KJ5njy06PVA349hKOGUQL1n_3_dQDoRPfRixWZEZP8jye_bdBAfKsVCb41PS2hxxLHUyuyU0xhUampdk8mpPObzBVHu0TQi-wEiZYxHJTCWgsGiY5_nNFqwclAsvUfuWpe_F/s640/IMG_20181029_105911.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lYr3XNjOUEGB0V8BfHr8Gg67oAMEYyLJ_ZOmX6XCIsEDpNprElPtUFKY7uM98_E2gnm2NqFeigcM-a9wOvfDIDReyLYMxlb4eeYgeb-AnubNSpsL9MfT2kpJqPYRpbhWDQ1HPUrHROMp/s1600/P1140844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9lYr3XNjOUEGB0V8BfHr8Gg67oAMEYyLJ_ZOmX6XCIsEDpNprElPtUFKY7uM98_E2gnm2NqFeigcM-a9wOvfDIDReyLYMxlb4eeYgeb-AnubNSpsL9MfT2kpJqPYRpbhWDQ1HPUrHROMp/s400/P1140844.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hung out on the cliffs for ages before making our way back
into town where we lunched at one of the cafes before hitting the beach. Found
a spot and just lay out soaking in the sun, in between gusts of wind. Over time
it did diminish and we took the opportunity to go in for a swim. It wasn’t as
warm as the last swim, but certainly not uncomfortable and the water is a
gorgeous colour and very clear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rode, once again up a huge hill heading along the coast to
check out more of this area. Parked our bikes by a lighthouse and began a two
hour trek around the coast in and out of caves and tunnels. It would be hard
not to like this area, if you like walking the cliffs and swimming the bays or
even cycling, it’s great. The cafes range in price and the town has a relaxed
feel. We intend to just cruise the next couple of weeks, enjoying the final
part to the trip.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalLWvLPoExsdYjnJL8Mvz-_JUbcWSZbzlYEIdm-DeyH1q5QyfnMoV19DPCUTJxGMVMHtOu3lJm0tLOV1ZZh_O2nWW1sD3VswEGFG0xo0szIkutxl00KTFAZ2TMYIdI6ROXNiDbXzQlVMn/s1600/IMG_20181029_150944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalLWvLPoExsdYjnJL8Mvz-_JUbcWSZbzlYEIdm-DeyH1q5QyfnMoV19DPCUTJxGMVMHtOu3lJm0tLOV1ZZh_O2nWW1sD3VswEGFG0xo0szIkutxl00KTFAZ2TMYIdI6ROXNiDbXzQlVMn/s640/IMG_20181029_150944.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgX9giYDP0TwzKNDFJsXYQ-HFKRWoyMi2E8Fw6Mysnzgf7n6V1ocmybGDAphyphenhyphenGWmSbFFga6ldrwKO0ogMZuiuY_WT8OHghm7UdX5fbJbALeFDVh2Z-XEIqeTGDxB1y2JV41ESzvu9J8W0/s1600/P1140854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOgX9giYDP0TwzKNDFJsXYQ-HFKRWoyMi2E8Fw6Mysnzgf7n6V1ocmybGDAphyphenhyphenGWmSbFFga6ldrwKO0ogMZuiuY_WT8OHghm7UdX5fbJbALeFDVh2Z-XEIqeTGDxB1y2JV41ESzvu9J8W0/s640/P1140854.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOiuadktDrZNW0CcpQny2EgsdK3gqWuJPCtRVUI1l-ZxQVotaFLDp1i80EtXk2xhJxq48DxvYTJpvSvzULUhZFLvPtLCNogh57rp7MS_0n6_zapxrj_7iPlFmN9NQD8ab-t2tUwhRYt3K/s1600/P1140855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOiuadktDrZNW0CcpQny2EgsdK3gqWuJPCtRVUI1l-ZxQVotaFLDp1i80EtXk2xhJxq48DxvYTJpvSvzULUhZFLvPtLCNogh57rp7MS_0n6_zapxrj_7iPlFmN9NQD8ab-t2tUwhRYt3K/s640/P1140855.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B9-NkRUyKFhjiOOUxQjrJVWfaoMS5NHSx2oIR98mwGFRtjvFIF1DvRhDen3s4V-VroGnBHsmKvCoO_axGpZrlDx7e92lfTfRld34TJKc1jWThP_lPqDRRHVm7qSvNjuz0rUiDopeLT2W/s1600/P1140858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9B9-NkRUyKFhjiOOUxQjrJVWfaoMS5NHSx2oIR98mwGFRtjvFIF1DvRhDen3s4V-VroGnBHsmKvCoO_axGpZrlDx7e92lfTfRld34TJKc1jWThP_lPqDRRHVm7qSvNjuz0rUiDopeLT2W/s640/P1140858.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rrTO4I1eVnFBu1hCJHKBE1iFoKNg8FU9mPKm5LSVI1DhPZo4PvfEoboym3laZz49DpcZLfTylta0jOrmFoY5iSEB1ANbpjxVEQDPGx6m0DLL8T3yrcaPMYrH7ERbeSC9Z8bE5CULK672/s1600/P1140867.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rrTO4I1eVnFBu1hCJHKBE1iFoKNg8FU9mPKm5LSVI1DhPZo4PvfEoboym3laZz49DpcZLfTylta0jOrmFoY5iSEB1ANbpjxVEQDPGx6m0DLL8T3yrcaPMYrH7ERbeSC9Z8bE5CULK672/s640/P1140867.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnfbbiC0h7UlvlS1ZPjfUE3OYS9ghxz7ZuTsiROWcaF0jtRnBzfOc9lmi2UxGoK98RJPS2m75UgJtdMwOuVai71wJ4r5nXrccAtQYwuYNKeTU4dCL_H3P0LAtF8C-z43wIxOsZEL38p3A/s1600/P1140877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcnfbbiC0h7UlvlS1ZPjfUE3OYS9ghxz7ZuTsiROWcaF0jtRnBzfOc9lmi2UxGoK98RJPS2m75UgJtdMwOuVai71wJ4r5nXrccAtQYwuYNKeTU4dCL_H3P0LAtF8C-z43wIxOsZEL38p3A/s640/P1140877.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-KlLmplK-EQiKHD6QnwwOgUNkrrLMyF-rVlO3UbDQmw9uzMFdUgmMBByhWOc_JKKAqRQuVu9pAHo0vC4pvjkqvmv6joREgGiwLy0VfLauOWaF_65Vifwk-yWEhUhA7MC0ucE8kjwY281/s1600/IMG_20181029_105331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-KlLmplK-EQiKHD6QnwwOgUNkrrLMyF-rVlO3UbDQmw9uzMFdUgmMBByhWOc_JKKAqRQuVu9pAHo0vC4pvjkqvmv6joREgGiwLy0VfLauOWaF_65Vifwk-yWEhUhA7MC0ucE8kjwY281/s640/IMG_20181029_105331.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87cagpXYTsZ5t_YfzrdP1m5Kbzx-K_xyov4uD9nmpEH3GTyPLDxLaW0XkCGSE6bNdrB7gqNHkmu497_Pacj9ynWYtPeeWKmq_upLnKNqVGD4Qmvae9anqMNPuyQkp-rdTAtZ9n3KY7opT/s1600/IMG_20181029_152846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="758" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj87cagpXYTsZ5t_YfzrdP1m5Kbzx-K_xyov4uD9nmpEH3GTyPLDxLaW0XkCGSE6bNdrB7gqNHkmu497_Pacj9ynWYtPeeWKmq_upLnKNqVGD4Qmvae9anqMNPuyQkp-rdTAtZ9n3KY7opT/s640/IMG_20181029_152846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1PfVFQNQpeO7EN9tDv_W3oFGXmTRWufTvbIPGTGn8IVnJiiQj3VrQoiuqgqaJENtkBtN-aStfS8Y2mpe9sgF4uy4UHFzimwXrgMO22-aBDmgJOLW5fPi8V2Z0eg0Jj1OJi938k8cm_sF/s1600/P1140879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1PfVFQNQpeO7EN9tDv_W3oFGXmTRWufTvbIPGTGn8IVnJiiQj3VrQoiuqgqaJENtkBtN-aStfS8Y2mpe9sgF4uy4UHFzimwXrgMO22-aBDmgJOLW5fPi8V2Z0eg0Jj1OJi938k8cm_sF/s640/P1140879.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPWGR-zuyjgMvoASqoDkn7QXLDoANZ8pZ6ft8RcaD40SvBy2uAHS0Gxf5kOTwQAGzKGpHTRjA24BD33bneEWpo7b0hEmkD5EcHB8ceKH-Oc9I7Xz-qm4nf6EaxcfSwdRTg5UUI2_yh_nC/s1600/IMG_20181029_153607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPWGR-zuyjgMvoASqoDkn7QXLDoANZ8pZ6ft8RcaD40SvBy2uAHS0Gxf5kOTwQAGzKGpHTRjA24BD33bneEWpo7b0hEmkD5EcHB8ceKH-Oc9I7Xz-qm4nf6EaxcfSwdRTg5UUI2_yh_nC/s640/IMG_20181029_153607.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0tvEQJVvkmXwMWRq1FqHBNswD4BIjQujFRhJrIpYzL845QOmY9IvUUoLmMOHLTm7x9auJX0MQ_Tgu5ZEV2iyx5R12ki42uVQ2_yJ0WxeUliMU11xZn12LSaV2dTbCYObC5PyRLmJjYD0/s1600/IMG_20181029_154738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0tvEQJVvkmXwMWRq1FqHBNswD4BIjQujFRhJrIpYzL845QOmY9IvUUoLmMOHLTm7x9auJX0MQ_Tgu5ZEV2iyx5R12ki42uVQ2_yJ0WxeUliMU11xZn12LSaV2dTbCYObC5PyRLmJjYD0/s640/IMG_20181029_154738.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4X3-6CgGKCQDKfI-qsms0VVgH2x-z3APDtcSbB1cQKpw-2PmFzBr9tOpZWeBJYIcYd7xJBrtL_y-9sYZrRfnGanaLLFu2fEQklLv2Gj4miqjHB0tRsbSJez4Dx-_2HbJRg2Na6m6bp0p/s1600/P1140884.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH4X3-6CgGKCQDKfI-qsms0VVgH2x-z3APDtcSbB1cQKpw-2PmFzBr9tOpZWeBJYIcYd7xJBrtL_y-9sYZrRfnGanaLLFu2fEQklLv2Gj4miqjHB0tRsbSJez4Dx-_2HbJRg2Na6m6bp0p/s640/P1140884.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-byX7u96bJxt-lY0Jn38phE-gZ4c5Q2tdNj28cJ-ElRxLkL3ge7c6VAhw3FrHdH6z6GoDyPnKU4X8W4n36dn0dYoradVlhem6t6r2CwtgG0DW98aOhu_zF8750hHbuXtyF1iGRrNeere/s1600/P1140885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK-byX7u96bJxt-lY0Jn38phE-gZ4c5Q2tdNj28cJ-ElRxLkL3ge7c6VAhw3FrHdH6z6GoDyPnKU4X8W4n36dn0dYoradVlhem6t6r2CwtgG0DW98aOhu_zF8750hHbuXtyF1iGRrNeere/s640/P1140885.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the way back, we picked up some food to enjoy back at the
apartment. The climb back was steep, but without the weight on the bikes we
found it no problem at all. Julia showered whilst I blogged before we settled
in with a drink.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-10065937372663156512018-10-28T15:17:00.000-07:002018-10-28T15:17:22.996-07:0028th October (sunny, cold and windy) 47 km<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
One of the things I love about cycle touring is you just
never know what is going to happen each day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We woke today in our hotel room in Lagos at 7am – due to
daylight saving finishing overnight, it was a lot lighter than 7am the previous
morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Got the wages done and then
downstairs for another delicious breakfast courtesy of the MonteMar Hotel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today we had arranged to cycle to the air bnb
my cousin Pippa was staying at with her husband Phil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were in a small town called Mexilhoeira
Grande (if that was the grande, I’d hate to see just plain old Mexilhoeira. I'd probably struggle to see it to be honest!) about 20 km
north east of Lagos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had to cycle
past there anyway due to bays, rivers, inlets etc and the bridges to get across
them and thought that will be a nice easy ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We could have lunch with them and then camp in the campground 10km
further on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we felt like cycling further,
there was another campground about 10km past that one.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we had the day all set out, with contingency plan if
needed, and set off to see Pippa and Phil about 11.15am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a nice enough ride, into a raging
headwind, but still enjoyable in the fresh air with the haze about the hills having
been blown away and their ridges standing out against the blue sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, a lot of the ride was on a
main road but luckily there was usually a good sized hard shoulder to ride on.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfaSWmznlWJwpraKYvZqt3oJMGw4BRCuBCyFaRTYrUK4c5q3k1HNIqaczA7HkwuST8LRgmxkoyH8cG1CJBJjO8VsMpImI0IAQmkbXzJILv5u99F_GwJ3kd78F0i3FY3IDCujXG47nQGXj/s1600/P1140834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLfaSWmznlWJwpraKYvZqt3oJMGw4BRCuBCyFaRTYrUK4c5q3k1HNIqaczA7HkwuST8LRgmxkoyH8cG1CJBJjO8VsMpImI0IAQmkbXzJILv5u99F_GwJ3kd78F0i3FY3IDCujXG47nQGXj/s640/P1140834.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we cycled along we saw some cork trees that had their
tops cut off and stork nests on top of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I feel Doctor Suess could have a blast with this whole scenario with
these oversized birds and their massive nests and unusual trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People walk to gawk at those storks on corks
and talk and talk and talk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Are you sure
it was a stork, and not a hawk or a morepork?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Speaking of hawks, we also saw about twenty eagle-type birds between
Mexilhoeira Grande and Figueira – having googled it, I think they may have been
Bonelli’s eagles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVcrazZrnC7k0JgyDlWATnWEvKf_5au4gzoTy5zYfkEmCnij1PjTRT5m_oVx7AYHJJzoVpfhmPgkkJogkP7K6fHrueJPGoN7zoPaw__35taYKwdEv-gq_Wi1n1NItPaQPQMugtDGPjbIE/s1600/P1140835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1389" data-original-width="1600" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnVcrazZrnC7k0JgyDlWATnWEvKf_5au4gzoTy5zYfkEmCnij1PjTRT5m_oVx7AYHJJzoVpfhmPgkkJogkP7K6fHrueJPGoN7zoPaw__35taYKwdEv-gq_Wi1n1NItPaQPQMugtDGPjbIE/s320/P1140835.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, we got to Pippa’s around lunchtime and it was really
good to see her again and finally meet her husband Phil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She hadn’t met Pete either so we realised we
hadn’t seen each other for at least 30 years!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We had a wonderful lunch and a great catch-up with both of them and
about 3.30pm decided we should leave for the campground, just in case we had to
go to the further one for any reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was an easy ride and we stocked up at an Intermarche before doubling back to
the campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pete said with the new
time that 4.30 was a good time to be finishing for the day so we had plenty of
time to set up for the night before it got dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I agreed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We pulled into the campground at Alvor and asked how much
for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now bear in mind, in
Portugal, we haven’t paid more than 12 euro a night for a campground, but for
some reason these guys wanted to charge us 23 euros!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was thinking well they must have actual
grass to be charging that – Pete was just thinking, no freakin’ way!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we pedalled off for the next campground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The wind was still cold and strong but at
least it was mostly behind us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we
cycled through Portamao, we saw and heard about twenty people practising
playing their drums in unison – nothing earth shattering, but another cool
little thing we saw along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
came upon the charming village of Ferragudo and were tempted to stop by a hotel
as it was getting very cold, but we persevered, knowing the campground was only
about 2km out of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkrHANRMK55oFiXgFocf-jKlhWiqe4QRaUN-ec71-VyjcM0dmIQ4q6wA9VOpljycHdZ_gZ2hN9q4tVzgpBz09xemj45sf2fqFF1lq1rF5b0oGoPQ_TrnlGuvtHqJ1xdbTk6xQ32PzIgeo/s1600/IMG_20181028_172958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvkrHANRMK55oFiXgFocf-jKlhWiqe4QRaUN-ec71-VyjcM0dmIQ4q6wA9VOpljycHdZ_gZ2hN9q4tVzgpBz09xemj45sf2fqFF1lq1rF5b0oGoPQ_TrnlGuvtHqJ1xdbTk6xQ32PzIgeo/s640/IMG_20181028_172958.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferragudo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Finally got to
the campground and went to check in, only to be told it was a private
campground for members only.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nearly
dark by this stage so we pleaded with the security guy but he said No, he was
just security and didn’t have the authority to let us in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So there we were, nowhere to stay and night closing in at
the earlier time of 6pm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We kept
pedalling in an easterly direction hoping to find a hotel of some sort or maybe
even a freecamp.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there was just
nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least we seemed to be in a
very nice area – lots of nice houses but no hotels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We eventually came upon a 5 star hotel, but
they were completely booked out but said we should find something in
Carvoeiro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By now we had been cycling in
the dark for an hour with no lights and came upon the 4 star Hotel
Carvoeiro.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four stars we were thinking –
what is this gonna set us back?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Went in
and asked the nice young man on reception if they had any rooms and how much
they were.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He said Yes, they had rooms
and he could give us one for 54 euro, but if he gave us the booking.com
discount, it would be 45.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wow! We nearly
hugged him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what a beautiful big room
he gave us – even let us wheel our bikes across the tiled lobby and down the
carpeted corridor to our room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyAG4CYjrFzAaYV0ktfIEn7tjMd-0iI-ClFnqSjpxA_sxGKBmyCDAC-IYalP6YbeiG31vxiB0Lje2kcPBBURaxbitpzHMz7lhZgKt82UGrP_zWdbri-_w3UQ55jvl93d1DjJhiWKQvASl/s1600/00000IMG_00000_BURST20181028190709_COVER.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="436" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyAG4CYjrFzAaYV0ktfIEn7tjMd-0iI-ClFnqSjpxA_sxGKBmyCDAC-IYalP6YbeiG31vxiB0Lje2kcPBBURaxbitpzHMz7lhZgKt82UGrP_zWdbri-_w3UQ55jvl93d1DjJhiWKQvASl/s640/00000IMG_00000_BURST20181028190709_COVER.jpg" width="490" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was only 7pm when we checked in but felt a lot
later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Luckily we had picked up those
supplies at the Intermarche and didn’t have to splash out 16 euro each for
dinner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we just holed up in the room
for the night, enjoying being out of the wind and the cold.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZVW11ls00SxucZTnfwM6krm0sswdkQbw4WxnWj4m1gN2hkcYvoaPUCa4moQtEIDUKeGsxMkgjBhfZ3OVpl5jl8fapMx_K3QNqBbeMyo4jjsHkFaS2pO2ztxIHmVv74ZQgWOKOUzVMieC/s1600/IMG_20181028_191310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="840" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWZVW11ls00SxucZTnfwM6krm0sswdkQbw4WxnWj4m1gN2hkcYvoaPUCa4moQtEIDUKeGsxMkgjBhfZ3OVpl5jl8fapMx_K3QNqBbeMyo4jjsHkFaS2pO2ztxIHmVv74ZQgWOKOUzVMieC/s640/IMG_20181028_191310.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pete here: Ask some women what makes them happy and you may
receive replies such as, getting their hair done, nails done, shopping for
clothes, shopping, full stop. Exotic holidays, five star resorts, cruising in
the Med. Not many, if any, would still have a smile on their face, cycling in
the dark without front lights, on pot holed streets, in a supposedly hot
country which is experiencing an arctic blast at present. Freezing cold,
nowhere to stay, checking out any spare ground at the side of the road for
possible freecamps, even though it is covered in rocks and nothing else. The
riding is dangerous, but like everything else in life, she faces it with a
positive attitude, always expecting the right outcome. That is Julia and that
is why I love her so much.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-56294294242956392018-10-28T03:25:00.000-07:002018-10-28T03:25:54.414-07:0027th October (sunny, cool, windy afternoon) 0 km<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyjLq-qBGF0yqae_c0kGjYfKb6s0JkvlSEFuuPd_eRSFiU6P0ljf2oS8NiIz25ZGaRTOrsR1j01Z4CmNKmMCBrjeVKjAt2Fg49zmMGyKGCzX9KW103Eg15YHxIjVljNbt3DZ4WGAV7ncU/s1600/IMG_20181027_074628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="850" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyjLq-qBGF0yqae_c0kGjYfKb6s0JkvlSEFuuPd_eRSFiU6P0ljf2oS8NiIz25ZGaRTOrsR1j01Z4CmNKmMCBrjeVKjAt2Fg49zmMGyKGCzX9KW103Eg15YHxIjVljNbt3DZ4WGAV7ncU/s640/IMG_20181027_074628.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When all the tents look like this, you know you're in the wrong place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Actually I didn’t sleep that well last night, I think
because I didn’t feel safe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We checked
the phone at 1am and I didn’t feel like I’d slept at all until then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After that, it did get a little quieter but I
think I can safely say I didn’t get a full hour of sleep all night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were eating last night, I had tried
to book us into a hotel just around the corner for 38 euros including breakfast
but it wouldn’t work for some reason.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So
this morning when we woke just after 7am, we quietly packed up the gear and
washed off the very gritty groundsheet before pedalling away from Camp
Sucksville in the early morning light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were on the lookout for anywhere that was open so we could get
breakfast and went past the hotel I was looking at last night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I said to Pete I’d just run in and see if I
could book us a room.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TBthJB7iV84fuSrd__Qhm8WFmUXg3dj7WOO0DD29Lftx6hOjGBHmwWXMoqKi1phL0C5c6sanFUwRwEtkfaIQu-oyIruxobFJLn2A2SpaoptjxmV68jZJtlg0_Mm-VX4WDEyJVJhOVoDD/s1600/IMG_20181027_122819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TBthJB7iV84fuSrd__Qhm8WFmUXg3dj7WOO0DD29Lftx6hOjGBHmwWXMoqKi1phL0C5c6sanFUwRwEtkfaIQu-oyIruxobFJLn2A2SpaoptjxmV68jZJtlg0_Mm-VX4WDEyJVJhOVoDD/s400/IMG_20181027_122819.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From one extreme to the other - what a relief to get here!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There was a lovely lady on reception who said yes, we could
have a room for 40 euro for the night including breakfast and we could check in
right now!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not only that, but we could
join the free breakfast crew this morning as well!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about a change in fortunes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pete was over the moon when I told him he
would be the recipient of two free breakfasts in a row!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So we checked into Room 207 which even had a
little balcony, hung our clean but wet groundsheet in the shower and went down
for breakfast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was a lovely buffet
breakfast and we happily tucked into coffee and croissants, bacon, toast and
orange juice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Went back upstairs intending to grab our togs and head back
to the cliffs and scenic beaches, but there was a big black cloud rolling in,
so we decided to wait until that passed over and blogged instead and did a bit
of washing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Both of us have received a number of mosquito bites in the
past few days and at several spots we have stopped at, there have been these
pesky flies hanging around which have been very annoying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night we had to be careful not to pitch
on an ant’s nest as there were several at the campground and we have had this
at a few campgrounds in Portugal. So
don’t go thinking it’s all dry flysheets and non-coin operated showers on this
trip!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pete here: Ah yes…the free breakfast….is there such a thing?
I know there are certainly no free lunches in life. Having said that, it was a
very nice serving and it was just nice to have my beloved in more enviable
surroundings. Still…at least we stuck it out and got our money’s worth from our
10 Euro payment for Camp Sucksville. Only joking…..There is only so far you can
take a joke and that was far enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbST4rnDDFTUC0iIlshE-CZRRPWC8Eo8DkbopIhQkd6Cm_dn3S_FLhc26QbUUFnlgv4tCHcNbWWGe17CzAGnWzNbDnejlJfbAR4V-uSF9czZyOIIkWHV8osWSbpyf2v7x_e_pzhLMBFdr/s1600/IMG_20181027_125945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbST4rnDDFTUC0iIlshE-CZRRPWC8Eo8DkbopIhQkd6Cm_dn3S_FLhc26QbUUFnlgv4tCHcNbWWGe17CzAGnWzNbDnejlJfbAR4V-uSF9czZyOIIkWHV8osWSbpyf2v7x_e_pzhLMBFdr/s640/IMG_20181027_125945.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some people were wrapped up in jackets and actually had scarves on! Not us, togs on, sunbathing and swimming.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So now that we are on the south coast of Portugal, the
Algarve, with a chance to at last relax and the weather is rubbish. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, at least we have a hotel room to hole
up in and get some tasks done.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Unfortunately a couple of items that we washed on our last rest day have
been wet too long and developed a damp smell so we had to wash them again and
chance leaving them out on the deck to dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The clouds made it look like an unwise decision, but they didn’t unleash
any rain by lunchtime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At about 12.15pm, the clouds had abated and the sun had his
hat on, so we went to swim at one of the beautiful bays we found yesterday.
Took the bikes and parked them at the top of the cliff and commenced our hike
down. There were already others down there, but not too many to spoil it for
us. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnNzU58noFJaZT3VwVxTbYd-FFaYMrSLf9cRhef81pJ8RPilrIfrAfcmGRB0ItSDReDIzlspDVpEk0tDWqHv64eLRZOjBXzF1xU6nEiHTVUzJuVMMx6M75n1a6o_dk3QTYBT6li8cGzFN/s1600/P1140825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1153" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnNzU58noFJaZT3VwVxTbYd-FFaYMrSLf9cRhef81pJ8RPilrIfrAfcmGRB0ItSDReDIzlspDVpEk0tDWqHv64eLRZOjBXzF1xU6nEiHTVUzJuVMMx6M75n1a6o_dk3QTYBT6li8cGzFN/s640/P1140825.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little exploring......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9nc7654K5UtBH2BnaYaV2O4LfxvNzxfW3H1rCmzRw-m_3nycML2nmYSkFGlChxMY0buVoyi7Jc11p1yOydiDEvC1YQr5rWdAiXSDr3JgZ7nI1aBLndHVZfLiqzpI5_rX7b9dVvZh4xkR/s1600/IMG_20181027_130544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY9nc7654K5UtBH2BnaYaV2O4LfxvNzxfW3H1rCmzRw-m_3nycML2nmYSkFGlChxMY0buVoyi7Jc11p1yOydiDEvC1YQr5rWdAiXSDr3JgZ7nI1aBLndHVZfLiqzpI5_rX7b9dVvZh4xkR/s640/IMG_20181027_130544.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and we found our own changing room......</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE0zg5_fggsKwtI_swQv3GdP1tLgDagDvNynAykHrtPFkT_ZZeAahYsUwKLPu6vn_EcoglC4Nlzb_GCUqVFrZ0aE3zhmrFewcILw1jbI7YkusMLkDH-sj_Tw4o955pH3EoBwe4TwmRmna/s1600/IMG_20181027_131035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSE0zg5_fggsKwtI_swQv3GdP1tLgDagDvNynAykHrtPFkT_ZZeAahYsUwKLPu6vn_EcoglC4Nlzb_GCUqVFrZ0aE3zhmrFewcILw1jbI7YkusMLkDH-sj_Tw4o955pH3EoBwe4TwmRmna/s640/IMG_20181027_131035.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">with natural light and air conditioning</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lay on the beach for an hour trying to warm up, but the forecasted wind had
also arrived and it wasn’t that warm. Decided to bite the bullet and into the
water we went. It was beautiful and the warmest on tour so far. It also made you
feel more buoyant than elsewhere we have swum, so if anyone knows why that may
be the case, please feel free to comment. Ate some lunch, then sunned the other
side, but now the wind was really blowing. As changing rooms are not that
common in this part of Europe, it’s a case of drop em, or stay wet. Let’s just
say, some folk should be staying wet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOnhSlRSV1KxfZpJIRfU_wbqk3UyufahZIh7J10yBZauwykAz5YSXQG_wB7JErlv-DmJJh_a5mt4N5h522QZgmstvAkDNTA4u44ruzIKhteyumUE37UI3f2iRDVFBwkpUatFV-Mi2pDqC/s1600/IMG_20181027_143129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXOnhSlRSV1KxfZpJIRfU_wbqk3UyufahZIh7J10yBZauwykAz5YSXQG_wB7JErlv-DmJJh_a5mt4N5h522QZgmstvAkDNTA4u44ruzIKhteyumUE37UI3f2iRDVFBwkpUatFV-Mi2pDqC/s640/IMG_20181027_143129.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note the sign at the bottom warning of the danger of rockfall - I left that in the shot especially for you Anne.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back at the top of the cliff, it was now howling and we were
worried our washing might not still be on the balcony, so back to the hotel,
via the shop, for a coffee. The washing was still there but we anchored it down
to make sure it stayed there as the wind increased. We ventured into Lagos for
a look around on the bikes, but it wasn’t pleasant. Here we are on the
southernmost part of Portugal and the weather packs it in. I know… it’s autumn,
but maybe it could have given us two weeks.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOADHPc3g4LvHoQQGpJcGksIF1IrUohvnQ-lqYDUmn0PxGLUrmFFMO7J8Py01F2HnLCy1tyPdqmYy1C-u2VP_vE2GSND7-zZ1RM69BbtG48wABuTVA0I6yeVRDqr6P5oqtEFO2fipdP_Z6/s1600/P1140830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOADHPc3g4LvHoQQGpJcGksIF1IrUohvnQ-lqYDUmn0PxGLUrmFFMO7J8Py01F2HnLCy1tyPdqmYy1C-u2VP_vE2GSND7-zZ1RM69BbtG48wABuTVA0I6yeVRDqr6P5oqtEFO2fipdP_Z6/s640/P1140830.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2hol8_22_1K6itMD3SZnjSi3_gDByoiRWksgU8u-Qp9gpEeiqJHmAM7A6SiNGellT_2WSyz11emzMvNYhf_YYz2q-466ZWV2tg7uqaUCUTStani-snU8-fagoeA7A9YfnBExypuMq_cO/s1600/P1140831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1250" data-original-width="1600" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2hol8_22_1K6itMD3SZnjSi3_gDByoiRWksgU8u-Qp9gpEeiqJHmAM7A6SiNGellT_2WSyz11emzMvNYhf_YYz2q-466ZWV2tg7uqaUCUTStani-snU8-fagoeA7A9YfnBExypuMq_cO/s640/P1140831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A few photos from around Lagos, but the beaches are the real stars.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDC6Rj9p_pvF3SWH_Qf46E-hOqpC6tV5BSBxtDz2fq3_0htQlS3lgdu_9oSfzEPwWUMbkSoL3F8VqgnrCPzELSUwYIo1uPRZpSHVFZkRoxZh3eFq1SQLafXpVUWkOqdsTJT5mygwefojs/s1600/IMG_20181027_163933.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="471" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDC6Rj9p_pvF3SWH_Qf46E-hOqpC6tV5BSBxtDz2fq3_0htQlS3lgdu_9oSfzEPwWUMbkSoL3F8VqgnrCPzELSUwYIo1uPRZpSHVFZkRoxZh3eFq1SQLafXpVUWkOqdsTJT5mygwefojs/s400/IMG_20181027_163933.jpg" width="298" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Bought dinner and drinks to take back to our room and curl
up with. It was nice. We found a lovely movie on tele, in English of course,
about families and relationships. I must admit to thinking about mum a lot on
this tour. Mum and I had a great relationship, but I still had things I wanted
to say to her, nothing earth shaking, in fact it was probably just to hear her
voice again with her reply. I am extremely fortunate. I have a family whom I
love very much and I hope they feel the same. I have friends, some I see often,
others occasionally, still others, usually because of where they live, hardly
at all or even never. Relationships are complex. But time is short and we
should make the most of whatever relationships we have.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the movie, Ju posted yesterday’s blog whilst I tidied
up and charged the camera, before we snuggled down for the night, without
having to be on alert.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-91786291244135453442018-10-27T13:01:00.000-07:002018-10-27T13:01:14.657-07:0026th October (cloudy and mild - thunderstorm in late afternoon) 58 km<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Woke this morning and said to Julia “I think it’s the
perfect day for cycling hon.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I think you’re right” she replied.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just then, the sound of bugles and trumpets rang forth.
Flags were suddenly raised all over the Kingdom of Portugal and passers-by
within the campground approached me and shook my hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has only taken thirty two years, but finally I cracked
it. Now that I have, I’m wondering if I’ll still be here in thirty two years,
for the next time I get something right.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last night, cute cat, who has actually become….pain in the
arse cat, due to his persistent hanging around and getting his nose into all
our food, decided in the middle of the night, to climb onto our inner tent and
sit there. He had to jump and put his claws into the fabric to do so however,
so he received a swipe from me which sent him flying off the back. Not much
later, in the early hours, he repeated the exercise and received another
wallop. Now I do like this cat, he is the sort of cat that I would have in NZ,
were I having one, but a joke’s a joke. Not to be put off though, he was back
this morning, ready for any cuddles and/or food that was available.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a cuppa, some bread and jam and a treat we had leftover,
we gave cute/annoying cat the rest of our milk while we packed up. The Czech
couple we met yesterday who are on their last day of walking today, finishing
in Aljezur, were also eating, so we wished them well and also did the same to
Xander at reception. Julia had said that after the first hill, we’d have pretty
good riding. Guess what…? She was wrong, although I have to say that despite
the hills this morning, we both really enjoyed the ride into Lagos (pronounced
Lagosh).<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQUyjCi6oU0d2tkDPXfyaSdMYBPj_gwaLJbjWfLlithO69lrSkvue-jlfAFV565sBWH2Tj_E7d74P9lVKbl-I2QwQqXWjB38ymrVKIKAji1qnybGFMFbhJVKk-SXMwqAJmNpRqWjzZvaS/s1600/IMG_20181026_120902.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQUyjCi6oU0d2tkDPXfyaSdMYBPj_gwaLJbjWfLlithO69lrSkvue-jlfAFV565sBWH2Tj_E7d74P9lVKbl-I2QwQqXWjB38ymrVKIKAji1qnybGFMFbhJVKk-SXMwqAJmNpRqWjzZvaS/s320/IMG_20181026_120902.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cork trees are prolific in southern Portugal.<br />
The bottom half is stripped and the trunk<br />
numbered - why, we don't know.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After riding into Aljezur, we found an Intermarche and
enjoyed a coffee and morning tea in the relaxed confines of their café. Guy on
the counter was really nice and threw something extra to eat in for free. Off
again and the hills kept coming, but after our day off, our reserves had been
bolstered, so we were ready for anything. The road was busy, but the surface
was good. The only problem was the driving. Oncoming drivers and their desire
to overtake with us right in their path, is unbelievable insanity. Can they not
wait two seconds, that is all it would take, rather than risk the chance of
killing someone. Anyway, we made it safely to our destination in Lagos and soon
found the campground we had targeted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78Af8KlnrcnTeEYedVViQdY3aX8dhQQaMTlmZzCDSfCF6bmk_xru2W-2V3u-W1QJFbU4vm9Ede35imp2lsVmwatvC8RAWlrpQtRWkVTBCVAg-0XLn7UkKAAncIVZPRrPsjjWoC3fX0fFJ/s1600/P1140785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78Af8KlnrcnTeEYedVViQdY3aX8dhQQaMTlmZzCDSfCF6bmk_xru2W-2V3u-W1QJFbU4vm9Ede35imp2lsVmwatvC8RAWlrpQtRWkVTBCVAg-0XLn7UkKAAncIVZPRrPsjjWoC3fX0fFJ/s320/P1140785.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piles of cork ready to be made into whatever they can think of.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next time Julia mentions that I never take her anywhere
nice, I will be reminding her of the itinerant/vagrant/gypsy/dreg camp, on the
Algarve. If you could have captured the moment on camera when we rode to the
tent sites and saw what we had in store, it would have been a classic. Apart
from our less than desirable neighbours, who are probably looting through our
gear as we speak, there are dogs roaming the camp and we are pitched on rock.
We had to move slightly from our first choice as it had a metal bar sticking
out of the ground. Took all our valuables and rode off to see around the town.
If it doesn’t have more than we have already seen, it will not be making it
into our top twenty thousand top spots to see around the world. Photos to
follow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
First stop a Burger King, it was either here, or the
supermarket above. While Julia looked at other campgrounds and sent messages
back and forth about sending our bikes to Barcelona from Seville, I blogged.
The weather was looking decidedly dodgy, but supposedly not forecasted to rain
for twenty four hours. After eating we took a ride to see some cliffs that
Julia had researched and were supposed to be amazing. Not too far away we came
upon the cliffs and the reading was correct. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawRnzHkoKFhOw1Neryw5O6ZklMbdo3XUNQvqmSBvpmTTzfwu5daIWB-ztc8uBPpsZj3IgGE5iHZvNhlTNywuOvYpaHLZ9-V0MyJQE3y_KAwXJUqvuaY8Cdtj7TsY_YOoJWEHoagcopVV4/s1600/IMG_20181026_160521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawRnzHkoKFhOw1Neryw5O6ZklMbdo3XUNQvqmSBvpmTTzfwu5daIWB-ztc8uBPpsZj3IgGE5iHZvNhlTNywuOvYpaHLZ9-V0MyJQE3y_KAwXJUqvuaY8Cdtj7TsY_YOoJWEHoagcopVV4/s640/IMG_20181026_160521.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpzjxQnETWgCquUpZT4KezvrQqxHVOcS-eleKAjiAwMP9qzeXYq0u9QsEtuWpS8I0xhWLsC7eEDc-HroUDCNS8GU2xXO-HFj9NtRTpAHehu_wlxpsAxDl7rtrYidi09k3DW6Sms95LQv1/s1600/P1140795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1600" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWpzjxQnETWgCquUpZT4KezvrQqxHVOcS-eleKAjiAwMP9qzeXYq0u9QsEtuWpS8I0xhWLsC7eEDc-HroUDCNS8GU2xXO-HFj9NtRTpAHehu_wlxpsAxDl7rtrYidi09k3DW6Sms95LQv1/s640/P1140795.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOGGPK-H465xI4knG3bOCMI7qk1yORVE7-5fO0C49srXcDMv1SCKjcKy-2sQoLpsTMfvo07xgS_9ueinxfIkF17O0qbdyeFxlDFNby5gPbjVPxZesb82xh1WiAPBnEWZT3zEGJme3bGwE/s1600/P1140800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfOGGPK-H465xI4knG3bOCMI7qk1yORVE7-5fO0C49srXcDMv1SCKjcKy-2sQoLpsTMfvo07xgS_9ueinxfIkF17O0qbdyeFxlDFNby5gPbjVPxZesb82xh1WiAPBnEWZT3zEGJme3bGwE/s640/P1140800.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVyLvJxY3mIwssb-uO4ruP9KQ3zEjEz5BfT26MpUl3w2321aFB4xgrv6GD7R7oThIKsCevwTSB2RQaWPgAcUheC-JTyLKQDHWqJfnTp0AmvL6Yq5T2GxEOkp9Ockpm4BM9ds2hb65SIux/s1600/P1140802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQVyLvJxY3mIwssb-uO4ruP9KQ3zEjEz5BfT26MpUl3w2321aFB4xgrv6GD7R7oThIKsCevwTSB2RQaWPgAcUheC-JTyLKQDHWqJfnTp0AmvL6Yq5T2GxEOkp9Ockpm4BM9ds2hb65SIux/s640/P1140802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHtKs-octF3Zx66IRuJXmFBGQLXP4leuwi_9Cf7t0Uxq2T3r36Y5_iW0vL-U1bW9bb6BEeTCpph6BhIIM8oUWA_FeNFzY_KRHSeIX1tr0CtuDz7wN11KjXHy_vnizvwdtfPeV7vPCcInM/s1600/IMG_20181026_160542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggHtKs-octF3Zx66IRuJXmFBGQLXP4leuwi_9Cf7t0Uxq2T3r36Y5_iW0vL-U1bW9bb6BEeTCpph6BhIIM8oUWA_FeNFzY_KRHSeIX1tr0CtuDz7wN11KjXHy_vnizvwdtfPeV7vPCcInM/s640/IMG_20181026_160542.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pete's clicking away but there's a thunderstorm approaching</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07KSXZNK_xJKv3j05Avzk4gyASx9f1IlhaQ7BvveCoev04SVAm6hJ3JX9fJZwMsTQROsSVO3JLaQ-jsQXiNK7uxA6RP4rfd2YPs04RX_7tiCOTEv1XvMFH6a8hAQwYC3Aa2_CDOO8psDn/s1600/IMG_20181026_162221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi07KSXZNK_xJKv3j05Avzk4gyASx9f1IlhaQ7BvveCoev04SVAm6hJ3JX9fJZwMsTQROsSVO3JLaQ-jsQXiNK7uxA6RP4rfd2YPs04RX_7tiCOTEv1XvMFH6a8hAQwYC3Aa2_CDOO8psDn/s640/IMG_20181026_162221.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeksnoduu8e39qKzXEjlL-BmTFJoQmzYn0Ggcy-i7B8M_2F4IqW8Od1ybh277FOZs0xXcDknDvdAEuTQJmD1sjJLyBg8gL_QLsrcCdi5aKXBJcQtdAbIHJ7DxLUi75e2vIaI_oeskFJZW4/s1600/IMG_20181026_162548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeksnoduu8e39qKzXEjlL-BmTFJoQmzYn0Ggcy-i7B8M_2F4IqW8Od1ybh277FOZs0xXcDknDvdAEuTQJmD1sjJLyBg8gL_QLsrcCdi5aKXBJcQtdAbIHJ7DxLUi75e2vIaI_oeskFJZW4/s640/IMG_20181026_162548.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lEk1ABGqlTc9nAJV5A-t2qFe6acs-9rzgVW6VdFD0ytl_21ieOwBoN2Kv6GBZt4CxIU523y1McgvcM0pes2E0jLP58vyD5bDZx0jGlaPpIyNZNj2bSFLud00h1cm1_2Rk5Zizj7F2f-o/s1600/IMG_20181026_162436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lEk1ABGqlTc9nAJV5A-t2qFe6acs-9rzgVW6VdFD0ytl_21ieOwBoN2Kv6GBZt4CxIU523y1McgvcM0pes2E0jLP58vyD5bDZx0jGlaPpIyNZNj2bSFLud00h1cm1_2Rk5Zizj7F2f-o/s640/IMG_20181026_162436.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BPWKT0vsU58NUeyEAqKASGImx7k_RtO89I1F0oQ1F2CG20ACwfNKLqiHk6kT57UB3brzLuQ5_SXFQ_lUxztF1wqxep4MAUBe1r06sNrize1Vn9fQmoUACzhtgsZ0ox7C_RhoSQHYtUC7/s1600/IMG_20181026_162310.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BPWKT0vsU58NUeyEAqKASGImx7k_RtO89I1F0oQ1F2CG20ACwfNKLqiHk6kT57UB3brzLuQ5_SXFQ_lUxztF1wqxep4MAUBe1r06sNrize1Vn9fQmoUACzhtgsZ0ox7C_RhoSQHYtUC7/s640/IMG_20181026_162310.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The steps leading down to Ponta da Piedade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvODeqk-yKO_yQeB-eEh1FLHzueiVx1oVSie6EXAcKquPlUJFdgnPhfZwQo9fReUEXP5YcQf7YL5cKaobsZqKbLCcAU8NvYdbjDfqzJmWMrGpojGd7pKBBy-s-O1ODLxL92GpLkIjPuJeQ/s1600/IMG_20181026_163032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvODeqk-yKO_yQeB-eEh1FLHzueiVx1oVSie6EXAcKquPlUJFdgnPhfZwQo9fReUEXP5YcQf7YL5cKaobsZqKbLCcAU8NvYdbjDfqzJmWMrGpojGd7pKBBy-s-O1ODLxL92GpLkIjPuJeQ/s640/IMG_20181026_163032.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqKsc87DPeUKejAAeO9ii1mwDsdE8qVsBnO_Vtt-yfI6ZQ6wx_HoGvI3iB4aIt7p200IPG4aS9Q7pJfxBeZQLa-V67UrsYMDJu6oYhOdEOrO-4-Ms65QvxM7e5FjslmY0r0X7KQhbzjIN/s1600/IMG_20181026_163657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyqKsc87DPeUKejAAeO9ii1mwDsdE8qVsBnO_Vtt-yfI6ZQ6wx_HoGvI3iB4aIt7p200IPG4aS9Q7pJfxBeZQLa-V67UrsYMDJu6oYhOdEOrO-4-Ms65QvxM7e5FjslmY0r0X7KQhbzjIN/s640/IMG_20181026_163657.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdxbO3sptnVxk9Ak_sVm22XPBpBqrAvOsmviXC-7iPs4Zm9iQ9HiBF3TkpYZGoR0lakdvLT_to56W2EMewJEt7N7jfL_SfMlyPhWi1E1DNyAIyACCuXgr0hTH_L1WrNhgemYnBbLbM1Ex/s1600/P1140814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwdxbO3sptnVxk9Ak_sVm22XPBpBqrAvOsmviXC-7iPs4Zm9iQ9HiBF3TkpYZGoR0lakdvLT_to56W2EMewJEt7N7jfL_SfMlyPhWi1E1DNyAIyACCuXgr0hTH_L1WrNhgemYnBbLbM1Ex/s640/P1140814.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWga-y1yz9qOolUUXtvcm5nWxuGPUkN_v3tD_kmXSdXOH8HS6bZT54y603PYRbbR_R8bXhevvhFijnDxlsggn0uTvAc0HYw-nWrgxjSnJxc6MCTeXZV1PBBa2v0V-JFw9gWSnrwVyMzhp/s1600/IMG_20181026_163823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaWga-y1yz9qOolUUXtvcm5nWxuGPUkN_v3tD_kmXSdXOH8HS6bZT54y603PYRbbR_R8bXhevvhFijnDxlsggn0uTvAc0HYw-nWrgxjSnJxc6MCTeXZV1PBBa2v0V-JFw9gWSnrwVyMzhp/s640/IMG_20181026_163823.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrC5YTObmOxg3wmwMcMZ1ma6GcJkeJ8un5JjFChxccNXaxU_tvQj1Ey7ZMLBIh-BwlCaEo5t9rHIXwY1wGkwtQeiIW7Gh8m_leA_qJGnMhiY9ol9gSjoQtS7UFQOIDTPEGmtH1SUwIznQ/s1600/P1140808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdrC5YTObmOxg3wmwMcMZ1ma6GcJkeJ8un5JjFChxccNXaxU_tvQj1Ey7ZMLBIh-BwlCaEo5t9rHIXwY1wGkwtQeiIW7Gh8m_leA_qJGnMhiY9ol9gSjoQtS7UFQOIDTPEGmtH1SUwIznQ/s640/P1140808.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NOSZInzdyFtJxnaL_9su_5gC0xlKluysUydNxBjNXZsFqQvWLmLxbAR5As7i-tHziFBAe8m8TMRgSxN5IdRAbauwdA8WJzaSbYIh1wXhOvElDnBwmC-VpxCoc15hr3HSFMEwLELR54CO/s1600/P1140810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0NOSZInzdyFtJxnaL_9su_5gC0xlKluysUydNxBjNXZsFqQvWLmLxbAR5As7i-tHziFBAe8m8TMRgSxN5IdRAbauwdA8WJzaSbYIh1wXhOvElDnBwmC-VpxCoc15hr3HSFMEwLELR54CO/s640/P1140810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJFbWCpVppcf3Hms_gC8Ef2ZsYplliALzq8Mf_hpoT5E1V4KUgeU59Q-UPnP-JPgjf-xHnvBRh-icOh2h6kCcaP6hxtMfN09OLCyX7IOMNiHZumaX3JvT1bCSkVAwkGd9-j-1V3ET1Gn8/s1600/P1140809.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMJFbWCpVppcf3Hms_gC8Ef2ZsYplliALzq8Mf_hpoT5E1V4KUgeU59Q-UPnP-JPgjf-xHnvBRh-icOh2h6kCcaP6hxtMfN09OLCyX7IOMNiHZumaX3JvT1bCSkVAwkGd9-j-1V3ET1Gn8/s640/P1140809.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSu5Y73IH0J04131d1Lq0Ix4f9dUSeNDccHXfMZ_xEQ1Ad2Lc1NQAcOYGVBXdZWNHUSOA0SgZXwWhLpUGNhpIjmd3zHOe5OoUxekNm8FhVbgEupXyeBQoXN_49TrQGBtP9ykvCs9dPzi93/s1600/P1140821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSu5Y73IH0J04131d1Lq0Ix4f9dUSeNDccHXfMZ_xEQ1Ad2Lc1NQAcOYGVBXdZWNHUSOA0SgZXwWhLpUGNhpIjmd3zHOe5OoUxekNm8FhVbgEupXyeBQoXN_49TrQGBtP9ykvCs9dPzi93/s640/P1140821.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We wandered all over the cliffs
taking shots here, there and everywhere. The sea was a beautiful colour,
however, the sky was an entirely different colour and making some very loud
rumbling sounds. Spent a good deal of time taking photos before we felt the
first splatterings of rain. As we were too far away to make a run for it, we
decided to take shelter in a café/restaurant, where we purchased two coffees.
Whilst drinking them Julia suggests that we come here for breakfast. The two
coffees cost more than twice as much as we would normally pay in Portugal,
however, it was still half what we’d normally pay in NZ. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also a very nice coffee, it was on a clifftop
with an amazing view, and a whole lot better than sitting out in the rain. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rain appeared to have eased off so we
unlocked our bikes and at that moment, it decided to pelt down so we cycled as
fast as we could to the campground, where our tent had not been secured due to
the rock hard ground. Now, we had no choice. It was pissing it down. We were
both wet, so we set about making the best of a very bad situation. With the aid
of a rock and a few twisted tent pegs as victims, we pegged out the flysheet as
best we could. Now we are at the mercy of the weather and the effectiveness of
our little home.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia decided to shower, I figured I may as well wait, as we
could well be out in the weather if things turn sour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I blogged and when Ju came back from her
shower, we uploaded the photos onto the computer and edited them.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
JU here – Pete’s just gone for his shower and it has stopped
raining, hopefully for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a
bad feeling that this night could be very noisy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the moment the camp has some music playing
lightly and you could almost imagine you were at Womad, if you didn’t poke your
head out the door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, like Womad,
I suspect that as darkness falls people will start drinking, probably doing drugs
as well by the look of them and the music will be turned up – I really hope I’m
wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the beautiful cliffs we saw this afternoon though, we
don’t want to rush away from Lagos so will look for alternative accommodation
for tomorrow night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We realise now we
can afford to relax a little with our schedule as we will make it to Seville
with plenty of time to spare.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pete here; Night closed in and will be closing in a little
sooner by the end of the weekend as we lose daylight saving, still, it will be
lighter in the mornings, so, for us that’s a good thing. We wandered over to
the little café that is within the confines of the camp. The guy there was very
nice, but unfortunately for us, smoking was allowed inside. It must be the
first time since pubbing it in the eighties that we’ve consumed so much smoke.
Watched another footy game on tele, (local stuff) while we ate our pizzas and
Julia uploaded the photos we took today, ready to put on the blog. Then it was
back to the tent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The music volume never reached the heights that we
predicted. Talking went on until the early hours, as did the cars and trucks
going past the back fence. Somewhere in there was a glass truck as well,
picking up recycling, and of course the dogs. Why limit it to one, when three
is a better number. However, I’ve had worse nights, as anything to do with
sleep, really doesn’t affect Julia in the slightest. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-68188707798931918052018-10-26T00:13:00.002-07:002018-10-26T00:13:18.141-07:0025th October (hazy and warm) 10 km<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPjVfTvodGZCIumfwXdhyphenhyphenHvi2V_VZypRIUHAMvr5VKCZ2bUectjrBIgULDCjh8rEhuZfcf11kAD7YLwlicMADVlu1eoqAhYHK5dHnbxIDWfJu1B899QNYFpLDuJ3YpK7mAXLZ2CVbCCjn/s1600/IMG_20181025_073940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPjVfTvodGZCIumfwXdhyphenhyphenHvi2V_VZypRIUHAMvr5VKCZ2bUectjrBIgULDCjh8rEhuZfcf11kAD7YLwlicMADVlu1eoqAhYHK5dHnbxIDWfJu1B899QNYFpLDuJ3YpK7mAXLZ2CVbCCjn/s640/IMG_20181025_073940.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise at camp</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have to say that this campsite would have to be up there for
campsite of least disturbances. I think the only thing that woke me in the
night was the little black and white cat, which has adopted us, trying to get
into the milk container. Apart from that I slept soundly as did Julia. Had our
usual pre take off cuppa, then breakfast, seeing as we had supplies. Julia
suggested that this might be a good place to have a rest day and go and check
out the beach that Xander had told us about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVjxXcfac4s-ZC8WJXMZdYDvf3JG0-HWkUBviD3qhbvJqpxvVm6iF4wszkoKKMxUuVpXEI2UhgrZAeVeD_84y4m8m9gIzRDUsI3iU42_hkvhVg2xTyU2jVqZhCN2WA3n6JBUGqs1dKf7-/s1600/IMG_20181025_074002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVjxXcfac4s-ZC8WJXMZdYDvf3JG0-HWkUBviD3qhbvJqpxvVm6iF4wszkoKKMxUuVpXEI2UhgrZAeVeD_84y4m8m9gIzRDUsI3iU42_hkvhVg2xTyU2jVqZhCN2WA3n6JBUGqs1dKf7-/s640/IMG_20181025_074002.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This morning - you can just make out the moon between the trees</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Firstly, we both got stuck into airing out our sleeping bags
and washing inner liners as well as jerseys that have needed a wash for a
while. The sun was shining and we could relax, safe in the knowledge that when
we got back from our beach date, all the washing would be dry. It’s always a
good feeling on the road to get things done that you can’t get to every day. All
washed and hung out to dry, we grabbed the bikes, minus panniers and off to the
beach.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwHM4prgPoqj3cxltH3npwXdCGjqUVrk6Cb43jqt8jOTPf-kQIlgL_en7iwlQNTw8Pox_lzMW2KlXfpf-7LfmPuknWU2oecOnBPqSjnbErWbL4nAVqyAcpMRFKvw0jw7wMsBrZjjH8K4h/s1600/IMG_20181025_114623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxwHM4prgPoqj3cxltH3npwXdCGjqUVrk6Cb43jqt8jOTPf-kQIlgL_en7iwlQNTw8Pox_lzMW2KlXfpf-7LfmPuknWU2oecOnBPqSjnbErWbL4nAVqyAcpMRFKvw0jw7wMsBrZjjH8K4h/s640/IMG_20181025_114623.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noticed five storks on our way to the beach. Pete stalked them for a photograph while they fed in this field and then they flew up the valley with us as we cycled to the beach.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qsVg3PVuAz7pb5WQvvunHbhdDOPBRIuFBjPE2arH3sV-R_42o5g705oHEH65Tiq3BAS59VFuRYK_754bOT6MzoUWl4uYESlgnT0HblFGYitoxgPaLjCv5TEHHpyHljt6EmTfJVPYjy8x/s1600/IMG_20181025_114713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="463" data-original-width="1367" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6qsVg3PVuAz7pb5WQvvunHbhdDOPBRIuFBjPE2arH3sV-R_42o5g705oHEH65Tiq3BAS59VFuRYK_754bOT6MzoUWl4uYESlgnT0HblFGYitoxgPaLjCv5TEHHpyHljt6EmTfJVPYjy8x/s640/IMG_20181025_114713.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqL4hDx375IIet0uAjBy8LzYcIhWLwpTyZJbtTsemU7CQL-w1Zz-nIsMBN2nDxGadeXDedHA9U6J8__9tPFSYzI_a8CjYysonx4J41vk38B86H-blM8ByCxviW9HSS-bHOz4JoWPfUcqL/s1600/P1140775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqL4hDx375IIet0uAjBy8LzYcIhWLwpTyZJbtTsemU7CQL-w1Zz-nIsMBN2nDxGadeXDedHA9U6J8__9tPFSYzI_a8CjYysonx4J41vk38B86H-blM8ByCxviW9HSS-bHOz4JoWPfUcqL/s640/P1140775.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYENZWfZqI3SW8-KplbqWkteCaxj_peFcQEUCBpCiepfeBoZ7RoiJsoiAeVMN_96Vqhw4OlDcNZym5os4-eOWXV9He1YCHfrdnzv1pHg6O20ACqPEJQVVRu-M5YbGgELyCx0SAajWLH8QU/s1600/P1140772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYENZWfZqI3SW8-KplbqWkteCaxj_peFcQEUCBpCiepfeBoZ7RoiJsoiAeVMN_96Vqhw4OlDcNZym5os4-eOWXV9He1YCHfrdnzv1pHg6O20ACqPEJQVVRu-M5YbGgELyCx0SAajWLH8QU/s640/P1140772.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The village of Odeceixe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnIaFlrWRygxyM9n8opPEiMJnmEwX5HVr6WdxRISQkvSUzQFPqXO0bM_LmjeNKQ5pcnKGq4x8QijNlr9oJ3BvHaH_vsubEyf8cdasIjCsXRqWj_v5qcRdSR_cpd1sw9RwzRBZh-pTcwuj/s1600/P1140777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnIaFlrWRygxyM9n8opPEiMJnmEwX5HVr6WdxRISQkvSUzQFPqXO0bM_LmjeNKQ5pcnKGq4x8QijNlr9oJ3BvHaH_vsubEyf8cdasIjCsXRqWj_v5qcRdSR_cpd1sw9RwzRBZh-pTcwuj/s640/P1140777.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We’ve noticed in France, Spain and Portugal that to get to
some of the beaches, firstly you have to climb a hill and it was the same today
and it was a good size. Once in Odeceixe, we found a place on the beach, with
nearly all of Germany and immediately commented that it wasn’t that warm
anymore (not due to the Germans I might add!). The sun, which had made an early
morning appearance was now nestled amongst some light cloud. That was okay….we
would wait it out. So, we lay on the beach, under cloud and Julia comments that
today would have been perfect cycling weather. I nodded in agreement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEird4dECT0xK8Ivmb9NQaG5xyd174ISuhFhQ_BVZP2hWasdb73JgIZyWksNpULMFQJ5JuomcePU3rx1qrpwBrUfqB-1mKHwuCHhbRpna8hq7mdeUDyyWPEdBX8Em8wnmFM1q9uRse1S-Yr2/s1600/IMG_20181025_145015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEird4dECT0xK8Ivmb9NQaG5xyd174ISuhFhQ_BVZP2hWasdb73JgIZyWksNpULMFQJ5JuomcePU3rx1qrpwBrUfqB-1mKHwuCHhbRpna8hq7mdeUDyyWPEdBX8Em8wnmFM1q9uRse1S-Yr2/s400/IMG_20181025_145015.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killing time while waiting for lunch. Pete was literally<br />
wasting away! (Don't worry he's not really that skinny,<br />
it's just the angle)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
By 2pm we still hadn’t been in the water and the cloud was
still there. Decided to break the monotony by having something from one of the
cafes. Julia had a chicken toastie whilst I had a bacon burger. Both of us had
a very tasteless coffee, but the food was good on both counts – mind you, after
waiting for an hour, anything would have tasted good! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Down to the beach where we sat for another
half hour, without venturing into the water, before picking up some food from a
woman in a small shop, who definitely ripped us off….may a thousand pigeons
shit on her shop then we returned to camp.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here, we were greeted to clothes that still weren’t dry, so
Ju made a milky coffee and we had a snack and pondered on the fact that it
would have been perfect weather for cycling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ju here – yes, definitely stuffed up with our choice of rest
day, it would have been perfect for cycling today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, at least we got the clothes washed and
the lighter stuff dried.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also had a
bit of an arm workout this morning seeing as our upper bodies are getting
virtually no exercise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As part of this,
and a bit of fun, I decided to do a handstand against a tree trunk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m pretty confident with my handstands
against a wall so launched myself upside down, expecting my feet to come to
rest on the tree trunk…….only they didn’t and instead went sailing past, the
trunk lightly grazing my right thigh on my way to the ground, where I landed
flat on my back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My first thought was “Bugger,
I’ve just done the washing” but luckily I didn’t pick up too much dirt, or any
injuries!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did the rest of my
handstands against the safety of the back of the toilet block wall.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3E0GpHyFHkJCuh23QqHTNXudIXglYkKp0WVpuF80_MAU8QeVwqApo5hGZtSk3astXisXH2aA-leULG9nMznQlSY5tX2ez6RPSRDmLTMOVwxBs8L-vkb-s_HDeuZiQ2yqquU-TRUOLe8pb/s1600/IMG_20181025_155805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3E0GpHyFHkJCuh23QqHTNXudIXglYkKp0WVpuF80_MAU8QeVwqApo5hGZtSk3astXisXH2aA-leULG9nMznQlSY5tX2ez6RPSRDmLTMOVwxBs8L-vkb-s_HDeuZiQ2yqquU-TRUOLe8pb/s640/IMG_20181025_155805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcf75EEP7Vo6bnBEC6KxUNPW2ZrbA5kqc-Wr_vobEBC1rv43AnCNctQV-S73s4PL_RH_H-F0nIVc0HpmpCo9UdJaLoJC41yUdLQeMhN65ZMFCNOdosXF648zYp5Cc5jjMucV1IxlT_DKX/s1600/P1140778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcf75EEP7Vo6bnBEC6KxUNPW2ZrbA5kqc-Wr_vobEBC1rv43AnCNctQV-S73s4PL_RH_H-F0nIVc0HpmpCo9UdJaLoJC41yUdLQeMhN65ZMFCNOdosXF648zYp5Cc5jjMucV1IxlT_DKX/s400/P1140778.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When we first got to Odeceixe Beach, there was a little wave
there but with not much push…..and thirty surfers out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept my eye on it, thinking if it picks up,
I’ll shell out the 8 euro to hire a boogieboard for an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it just got flatter as the tide came in
and on high tide, the shore break was back so decided not to bother.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Along with all the Germans, there are a lot of Indians
living here as well. Got to admit, it’s not a bad place to live, especially if
you like the beach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we got back to
camp, we met a couple of Czech walkers who were doing a five day walk of the
camino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The little black and white cat
was there to greet us but we weren’t feeling quite so friendly when we
discovered evidence of a cat having sprayed on the tent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is another one lurking around, so we
decided to blame him and patted our one while we blogged and checked on laundry
etc.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3BpxqtHNPOdOgATExQXm0VthSHMR80IVCqmZBhteNqrSZ-tfACBBrcOQZv-LDDRm5eg5B2skQ_TkmufK6TXe21N5OVdpDr_7MfQ9NKrxiPzvqSrlXpBA0cbt37cqb5-qSUo2gbu08fJj/s1600/P1140779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3BpxqtHNPOdOgATExQXm0VthSHMR80IVCqmZBhteNqrSZ-tfACBBrcOQZv-LDDRm5eg5B2skQ_TkmufK6TXe21N5OVdpDr_7MfQ9NKrxiPzvqSrlXpBA0cbt37cqb5-qSUo2gbu08fJj/s640/P1140779.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrOfFvJ-otpiyMaazit5O16ro6o8KrA7_xb489TTbP_eRNsWucOaizrv2EJjQIEe0Pb50_q6-_mk6uxEaVsof_q5ujzCw3TT11nJsptvQpzrXzQxzDERFJD35dIfjX-S_FW7wApnit7WF/s1600/P1140783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrOfFvJ-otpiyMaazit5O16ro6o8KrA7_xb489TTbP_eRNsWucOaizrv2EJjQIEe0Pb50_q6-_mk6uxEaVsof_q5ujzCw3TT11nJsptvQpzrXzQxzDERFJD35dIfjX-S_FW7wApnit7WF/s640/P1140783.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Tr900G3i1ZE-e4ZvRAwC7QrELWPTPEjstJjRnplgCCSwxE4T-Yknh_XksNDd-Id7fjc3ElK1paOEVM9YZKEC6NfhZ3ryoxQVdxMUioOKrgtHK_BTfWA3jEz5NzxMv0uXsAVDWy8-k2dw/s1600/P1140781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Tr900G3i1ZE-e4ZvRAwC7QrELWPTPEjstJjRnplgCCSwxE4T-Yknh_XksNDd-Id7fjc3ElK1paOEVM9YZKEC6NfhZ3ryoxQVdxMUioOKrgtHK_BTfWA3jEz5NzxMv0uXsAVDWy8-k2dw/s640/P1140781.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pete here - Julia has just read me the account from an eye
witness, of the 1755 earthquake, which destroyed Lisbon and killed at least
60,000 people. Terrifying. I do have to relay a similarly horrific account
which occurred today, although it was made light of in an earlier entry.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It had all begun so innocently this morning, with a frivolous
comment from my good lady wife, that we rest our weary bones and make a lay
day, whereby recovering from our toils of hilly terrain and distance, long in
the making. Our clothing, simple, but fine in the design, was greatly in need
of refreshing and partaking in the perfumery, with which a wash, by our fair
hands, may bring. And so it occurred that at an early hour, our clothing,
freshly washed, hung lifeless on a fence, waiting for the stirrings of a wind,
that shall blow through, hence drying, said clothing and providing the wearers,
joy and glee. A day spent , in the course of self refreshment, was, in the late
afternoon, met with a distressing and somewhat alarming sight. Not a breath of
wind had touched the fabrics previously spoken of, hence leaving them damp,
prey, even wet and certainly not agreeable in the wearing. Great sadness fell
upon the two owners of the garments and they were befelled by grief. Not on the
morrow will these garments be worn, instead, well used and lacking in perfumed
articles of clothing will once again be displayed, as our journey continues.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4827488322233913637.post-10247518574948486952018-10-25T01:02:00.000-07:002018-10-25T01:02:46.940-07:0024th October (sunny and hot) 58 km<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Again, I think we were the only tent in the campsite and we
had our pick of places and picked a good spot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We did the usual when selecting it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Firstly, flat ground – with grass is a bonus but we had to settle for
sand because that is all there was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secondly,
we chose a space with no pine tree branches above us as you can hear the pine
cones falling periodically and they make quite a thud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they landed on the tent, they could cause
some serious damage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thirdly, we try to
stay away from anyone else because Mr Light Sleeper might hear them snoring,
chatting or tapping on their keyboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We are also now wise to the ‘light’ effect so look out for those
unassuming orbs on top of their poles, sitting there so innocently in the
daylight hours, only to become brighter than a full moon once the night time
comes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We woke again at 7.40am and Pete went across for a shower
while I blogged.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t bother as it’s
going to get to 28C today supposedly so I know there will be a few swims down
the road.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pete here: After last night’s downpour, we woke all snug and
dry in our Vango. Must say, it chucked it down and we were all cosy with no
leaks. However, because we were on sand and they haven’t had much rain, the
downpour would bounce off the hard sand and into the vestibule area,
consequently that particular part of the tent suffered the most. We also got
wet sand thrown up under the fly sheet, so upon waking this morning, we were
met with a sodden fly and vestibule and of course the bottom of the ground
sheet as well. So, after I’d had a shave and shower, we took all the wet stuff
and hung it over the washing lines to dry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The groundsheet merited special attention so we actually washed it under
a foot tap - these are very popular everywhere round here for washing the sand
off one’s feet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hung that up on the line
to dry as well while we had a milky coffee and some sweet treat we’d picked up
from the supermarket yesterday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlW7-n6dDWF55o8aXffNgX-TWyBYPXKqyH2FrdpZwAtAs5rGFFJ7-vd9GSs02Xk-1jSPQBSAnKdQix_oFBKMDhc6eXO4yuxFRM_qINBYjfqymuBeiOQU1er0hLw3V1WJO3Appq2mXHTlP/s1600/IMG_20181024_115818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlW7-n6dDWF55o8aXffNgX-TWyBYPXKqyH2FrdpZwAtAs5rGFFJ7-vd9GSs02Xk-1jSPQBSAnKdQix_oFBKMDhc6eXO4yuxFRM_qINBYjfqymuBeiOQU1er0hLw3V1WJO3Appq2mXHTlP/s640/IMG_20181024_115818.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First swim - Almograve. A bit too crowded for us though so we didn't stay long.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKVGHxS-uUGw2h2kpaYhz1r4KYY0xqcObsiC9w7OLUZITdmEzt9rlnDwpWJQzkUO3bdmUqJevOVigfH2M7Sj3VHUCZmRl0rhqsvysaXVyodsJydvuGGOaQWIvm2IQKuIwEkw1YVaAssrb/s1600/P1140747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwKVGHxS-uUGw2h2kpaYhz1r4KYY0xqcObsiC9w7OLUZITdmEzt9rlnDwpWJQzkUO3bdmUqJevOVigfH2M7Sj3VHUCZmRl0rhqsvysaXVyodsJydvuGGOaQWIvm2IQKuIwEkw1YVaAssrb/s640/P1140747.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once they were all dry, we managed to fold the tent inner,
the tent fly and the groundsheet without them touching the ground – that is
quite a feat and when we get home we’re going to film a You Tube video so that
you too can learn the skills we have learnt on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all this mucking about, we didn’t get on
the road until 11am and by now it was already pretty hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So first stop was only about 10km down the
road at Almograve where we had a swim at the beach there, followed by a bit of
a sunbathe and another swim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The swims
were pretty short due to the ever constant shorebreak and no possibility of
catching a wave – well you could catch one if you didn’t mind breaking your
neck on the ride in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were waves
for the surfers further out but no luck for bodysurfers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrfo5aImwZHElYG8gPIpM4_6RKgabfetg4zO92j6RODlNxgEKwGMqw2vYadbt8pJ7ges5XhIvuQwqPs9OtFZa9NcVIfnaxrvMu_oHMxiHEo3SM2RaAldlkGOEbuXSPRuS5njZ0dZIu1AA/s1600/P1140749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCrfo5aImwZHElYG8gPIpM4_6RKgabfetg4zO92j6RODlNxgEKwGMqw2vYadbt8pJ7ges5XhIvuQwqPs9OtFZa9NcVIfnaxrvMu_oHMxiHEo3SM2RaAldlkGOEbuXSPRuS5njZ0dZIu1AA/s640/P1140749.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabo Sardao Lighthouse - famous for being built the wrong way round with the lighthouse facing inland, (took this photo<br />from the seaward side)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next stop was a place called Cabo Sardao which Julia had
read was the only place in the world where storks nest on cliffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t far out of our way and we thought
it would be cool to see these magnificent birds in a more natural setting than
stuck on top of a power pole – and we were right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The setting was spectacular and so were the
birds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Storks always used to winter in
the sub-Sahara, but are now living in Portugal year round.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroYcj0HVUb66f3LXHcTiN8kNTYUdaldTZNW15AnqlUDXeyRDS6EURPE62LW9gpxbuYZ42OcnmA_dhS53teDPUb418QnmPx0kJZWXh0rbntT-Xj7505eZuSxKUrEcAbra1gH_vG9kz_yT4/s1600/IMG_20181024_133807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroYcj0HVUb66f3LXHcTiN8kNTYUdaldTZNW15AnqlUDXeyRDS6EURPE62LW9gpxbuYZ42OcnmA_dhS53teDPUb418QnmPx0kJZWXh0rbntT-Xj7505eZuSxKUrEcAbra1gH_vG9kz_yT4/s640/IMG_20181024_133807.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbg7pYJ0RerufZG_HIFxkOpCeU9iLAHvPfrFy-eh2aC8Nzwc55XTRauawjgyoMTyEXVOYRfoMLP5ULBtEGEnS_y7oPohDylL9n_bGZdkF0z_QtxpjDI7CX7O0HvPsSQS-g974iOh_PmBA/s1600/IMG_20181024_133346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="427" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikbg7pYJ0RerufZG_HIFxkOpCeU9iLAHvPfrFy-eh2aC8Nzwc55XTRauawjgyoMTyEXVOYRfoMLP5ULBtEGEnS_y7oPohDylL9n_bGZdkF0z_QtxpjDI7CX7O0HvPsSQS-g974iOh_PmBA/s640/IMG_20181024_133346.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stunning cliffs - if I was a stork, I'd want to live here</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUT7H2x8IaovY_KivyNeNAbJUX-9X4EQrENB1-vPdtPt_CsDl4nO0WcdIB0XiGiWPCNKnV6tK2F8fdEblSocpH-KnPDLLTFqlU1x4YEkz4cyCmNi8H9zd0zEnPbDmSbNNs8Ei9c7-1yhAu/s1600/P1140752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUT7H2x8IaovY_KivyNeNAbJUX-9X4EQrENB1-vPdtPt_CsDl4nO0WcdIB0XiGiWPCNKnV6tK2F8fdEblSocpH-KnPDLLTFqlU1x4YEkz4cyCmNi8H9zd0zEnPbDmSbNNs8Ei9c7-1yhAu/s640/P1140752.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look carefully na dyou can see three storks in their nests</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeRsEQrnmjir1xFKcUGWOSiXnEsn1MoEg3IZXw0aje9sUnAb-2XvlhdnezCH9F8IeVCSO-3gRPcfQbJjNkjGuos-hx-jtYcG3wzJjUZvNFNgWASMKf4DlqMOg2EVD8h7j7Zh_m81nMLNI/s1600/P1140756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUeRsEQrnmjir1xFKcUGWOSiXnEsn1MoEg3IZXw0aje9sUnAb-2XvlhdnezCH9F8IeVCSO-3gRPcfQbJjNkjGuos-hx-jtYcG3wzJjUZvNFNgWASMKf4DlqMOg2EVD8h7j7Zh_m81nMLNI/s640/P1140756.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One flew up to have a chat with his mate</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoY0PuH-cNYGJJPmTk7GTPDecZYDnAppQKfZ3_zIs0TrEKbt_Ske_JWx6W1MPNR5xqjf-dH4ISsU90LpMRTs2CosGLtvQUAJQ-_CnY-zPCxfZTuB3GHLi4MjA62vsw9NSdwRiX6CF43nA7/s1600/P1140757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoY0PuH-cNYGJJPmTk7GTPDecZYDnAppQKfZ3_zIs0TrEKbt_Ske_JWx6W1MPNR5xqjf-dH4ISsU90LpMRTs2CosGLtvQUAJQ-_CnY-zPCxfZTuB3GHLi4MjA62vsw9NSdwRiX6CF43nA7/s640/P1140757.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one flew higher to give us a better view</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrQwXgx4yyy5kROhO4cOS2Eh-Nj1v7lqF3VYe1Wu-qhH-L2hpAXOKao9LuADMTvP2ZKLEoEuVL9Gg9VgZK9YaztIfXuVw6Be02nKSmS7_uyx0H0ioP370K7HpwCyfunh5vejQ_gY-F_Qf/s1600/P1140760.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrQwXgx4yyy5kROhO4cOS2Eh-Nj1v7lqF3VYe1Wu-qhH-L2hpAXOKao9LuADMTvP2ZKLEoEuVL9Gg9VgZK9YaztIfXuVw6Be02nKSmS7_uyx0H0ioP370K7HpwCyfunh5vejQ_gY-F_Qf/s640/P1140760.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Aa1PyX71X1t6chdNpujSul9Xc751KpjdZRKSJ9UEhIWQslQhTutJA36k3iQfVCCLoWLIm8KY2vTBDBOuksG5HF6xhkNRoc-KC8YIBunymobRBvWPiGPM3z93PHmkEzqUiHcXXHXcTwuN/s1600/P1140763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Aa1PyX71X1t6chdNpujSul9Xc751KpjdZRKSJ9UEhIWQslQhTutJA36k3iQfVCCLoWLIm8KY2vTBDBOuksG5HF6xhkNRoc-KC8YIBunymobRBvWPiGPM3z93PHmkEzqUiHcXXHXcTwuN/s640/P1140763.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSim5dnbyQOQdcuX-LJ8Yx_uRbglMI6lCWYKy23230vJi8wgK0M4fF8HO4alh7vf23ZpgWD2qJy3jf6MGCiw7RHD_aaQDg5-mumGot256OGmxqBjqePjrnKYCVxJIM6kGsSTe7PcAVQfVN/s1600/P1140764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSim5dnbyQOQdcuX-LJ8Yx_uRbglMI6lCWYKy23230vJi8wgK0M4fF8HO4alh7vf23ZpgWD2qJy3jf6MGCiw7RHD_aaQDg5-mumGot256OGmxqBjqePjrnKYCVxJIM6kGsSTe7PcAVQfVN/s640/P1140764.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeFATmSP2bgj3V1m-qNfxI4fROEIoA0ODhmYw2qF-MDefyFYoOEuCanM4qvPnA0j13yuAVP2UIb_nAGC4R0KsGmLOypN6WM8VioVds62WqXXsxDhlI8bfHnC-lojjet7sSfyz05tDiIjA/s1600/IMG_20181024_140018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="569" data-original-width="759" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxeFATmSP2bgj3V1m-qNfxI4fROEIoA0ODhmYw2qF-MDefyFYoOEuCanM4qvPnA0j13yuAVP2UIb_nAGC4R0KsGmLOypN6WM8VioVds62WqXXsxDhlI8bfHnC-lojjet7sSfyz05tDiIjA/s320/IMG_20181024_140018.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch stop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Really enjoyed our little walk along the
clifftops with a welcome breeze blowing in our faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A short bike ride back to the nearby town of
Cavaleiro provided us with the perfect place for lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It had obviously been built for the camino
walkers who we have seen plenty of over the past few days, and two of them were
sitting opposite this beautiful tiled shelter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Why they had ignored this beautiful shelter and chosen to sit in the
blazing sun is anyone’s guess, but we happily made use of the space for our
sardine and tomato buns.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Julia here – aah yes, the camino walkers…..now there’s a
strange bunch of people for you. People
think we’re strange cycling the length of time we do, but at least we cover
quite a bit of ground in a day – and we get to sit down while we’re doing
it. No heavy backpack strapped to our
hot sweaty backs and great big boots on our feet. Whenever I see one of them, I feel positively
free! I almost feel a bit guilty as we
sail past them, unencumbered and enjoying life, while they trudge along with
their heads down.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UDRa6s_OcxIhhw6l31DVYAk5D_PQBTQSyjboaj17biAT9JZSDWlYtPj2l83WnYIcaaD7bOK5YAxnHFXy7iqU_Lz12sCRGHUVsE1yyJOY1nRN8tUu1Gb5cLuDewa8hf0oN8HIZmQpP-qb/s1600/P1140767.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4UDRa6s_OcxIhhw6l31DVYAk5D_PQBTQSyjboaj17biAT9JZSDWlYtPj2l83WnYIcaaD7bOK5YAxnHFXy7iqU_Lz12sCRGHUVsE1yyJOY1nRN8tUu1Gb5cLuDewa8hf0oN8HIZmQpP-qb/s640/P1140767.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The downhill route out of Zambujeira do Mar was very scenic - the uphill, not so much.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi7-K1amT4eo09NVzgz9Ws8qY0jGsMqmy8AFxElkBluDxq0EHu0OzYulx3gS5GnmjQ8yxG5I_mer6PUYI9IeHhGwkAmLGijvoQwrGhU17WEo53InM0gU9tVJVj0Jom9k3sTNlawJsRvu1/s1600/P1140769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdi7-K1amT4eo09NVzgz9Ws8qY0jGsMqmy8AFxElkBluDxq0EHu0OzYulx3gS5GnmjQ8yxG5I_mer6PUYI9IeHhGwkAmLGijvoQwrGhU17WEo53InM0gU9tVJVj0Jom9k3sTNlawJsRvu1/s320/P1140769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next stop was Zambujeira do Mar where we planned to have
another swim. Nice little town, once again obviously geared up for the tourists
and these places along the coastline must be humming in mid summer. Checked out
a couple of smaller shops for supplies, but being early afternoon, they were
still on siesta time. Rode down to the lookout overlooking the beach and bay area
and noticed a huge hill on the other side, our soon to be ride out. Normally we
would jump at the chance of a swim, but that hill would have negated any good
that the swim had provided, so we planned for one further toward our
destination. Back in town we bought a coke and once that went down the hatch,
we checked out the supermarket, which wasn’t up to much, where we bought some
buns, canned bolagnese and milk, unfortunately the UHT variety that they are so
fond of in Europe. While I was in the
shop, Pete had made friends with a Ukrainian man outside and introduced me to
him when I emerged from the shop. The
first thing I noticed were his pants were wet, front and back and he didn’t
look like the type to have just been for a swim and chucked his shorts on over
the top. His mate emerged from the shop
with two litres of boxed wine and I suspected they were both already pretty
pissed, literally.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Found our way out of town, down a huge hill, then up the
other side, which was cobbled, just what we needed on such a steep incline. At
the top of the hill, the road turned to track and Pete was not impressed.
Followed this pot holed excuse for a road for some time until we reached a T
junction – to the right was our chosen campground along the dusty, bumpy track
about 5 km away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To the left the road
appeared to be tar seal and upon seeing this grey mirage, Pete charged off in
that direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it turned out, it too
was still just a bumpy, dusty track which we endured for about 5 km until we
met tarseal taking us in a north-easterly direction - the opposite way we
wanted to be going. Pete was now furious and went riding off into the distance
venting his anger with this display of speed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The main road was at least a reasonable seal but quite hilly
and no hard shoulder. When we got back together we were entering the town of
Sao Teotonio, where Pete dived in and grabbed a beer and a coke, both
cold.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The main road was pretty busy and
there are always those drivers who choose to take risks. At one point I was
staring down the barrel of a car that had overtaken another when they shouldn’t
have and I was looming up a lot quicker than he expected. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He managed to swerve back onto his side of the
road, but I had nowhere to go, except into a drainage ditch. Pete was screaming
at the guy, who was oblivious of his stupidity. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A little further on we saw a bikepacker coming up the hill
that we were whizzing down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We don’t see
many, so yelled out a merry Ola! And got a Gidday in return.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think he might have been an Aussie and if we
hadn’t been whizzing down the hill, we’d have stopped to talk to him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was loaded up to the gunnels, including
having his surfboard strapped to the side of his bike!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The remainder of the ride was uneventful and we eventually
found one of the camps we’d targeted as we were coming down a large hill, which
means tomorrow, we will be climbing up the other side. At the camp we met Xander,
a lovely guy and a surfer, who spoke great English, loved New Zealand and
didn’t charge us for use of the pool. By this time however, the temperature had
cooled and we still needed to set up camp, so we just had hot showers instead.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chose a place away from the pine trees and the possibility
of missiles before discovering the camp light, not twenty feet away. A little
rearranging of our bikes, a couple of bags on our saddles to protect from the
weather and obscure the light, plus a discreetly placed towel and the once
bright light, was now a faded memory. Wandered up to the restaurant for dinner.
Pete had burger, egg and chips, which he said were very average, whilst I had
shrimp rissoles with rice, which was quite nice. We also had wine and a beer to
accompany it. At the same time we were charging the computer and power pack,
blogging, checking directions for tomorrow and future days and Pete was
glancing at Porto v Moscow on tele. Football of some sort is on most nights in
Portugal, so Pete’s lapping it up. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to the tent where we uploaded photos for yesterday and
today with a cup of coffee before bed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Pete and Julia Dolanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16699381211680240732noreply@blogger.com4