5th October (sunny and hot) 16 km

Elizabeth and Phil eventually got here last night close to 9pm. They had covered 60km, when it should have taken them no more than 35kms. That, unfortunately, is sometimes how it goes. Wrong turns, no signage, bad signage, steep long winding hills, there is always the possibility of something going wrong. They were very pleased to have arrived and after the tent was erected and their bellies full, the world was a nicer place. Julia and I slipped away to enjoy a drink with Anna and Mike in their van, we were there until after 11pm, when Julia’s eyes gave up the ghost.

Woke to our tent absolutely dripping with water. No…it hadn’t been raining. It wouldn’t have been as wet if it had. This place is surrounded by trees which makes for a lovely view while you’re relaxing by the pool, but seems to trap a lot of moisture in the air.  Breakfasted with the guys and then it was washing time. All hung and swinging cleanly from our line, the washing that is, it was time for a swim in the fabulous pool. It’s so nice just to enjoy relaxing in this way with the sun warming our bodies. At least we’re able to cool off when we get too warm, that won’t be the case once we’re back on the bikes.

Stayed poolside until 1.30pm when we rode into San Sebastian for a bit more of a look, a swim and to do some shopping. Temperature today was 27degrees and the beaches were busy. Eventually found our way to the far beach and rather than sit and sunbathe, which we’d done by the pool, this time it was a dip in the cooler water of the Atlantic, before changing (behind some bushes as they were charging 1.10 euros for using the changing rooms!! ), shopping and cycling back to camp. 

Cool rocks

Pete inspects the latest rattle - with the cobbles, it's not surprising

Ice cream break

Successfully changed and time for a swim

Beautiful clear water - still pretty cool though, about 15-16C we reckon

Upon reaching our abode we noticed car loads of young men turning up. Uh Oh….it’s the weekend, of course. Then a van load of females turned up….that’s right….it’s party time. More on that story later no doubt.

Julia set about doing the wages, and figuring out how many more kms we have to do…..and it’s a lot.  Thinking we may have to catch a flight from Lisbon to Barcelona or alter our course.  Still haven’t decided but we’ll see which direction we head tomorrow. We chilled in the common room and enjoyed a drink before dinner, discussing our options.

Phil and Elizabeth are going to stay here until Monday as there is a front coming through. Yet another reason to be indecisive. There’s not much worse than having to cycle all day in the pouring rain and then put up, what is probably an already soaking wet tent, from that morning. Only problem for us is that time factor now and the distance we have to cover. Of course, that can all be altered in a second if we want it to. We can be sitting on a golden beach, in sunny weather in Portugal if we really want to be, it just means using another form of transport. We’d decided before we left NZ, that on this trip, we would be catching the train on occasion, it may just be, that it happens a little more often.

All ate dinner together, although spread out over two tables and discussed different options for both couples, without ever deciding on any one thing. Because of this front, Ju and I may look at a warm showers stay (same as couch surfing for cyclists) it all depends on who is in that particular area. I’d already locked the bikes up in one of the sheds that they have here, even thought of sleeping in there, as our tent is already soaked from condensation and it’s only 10.22pm. Time for bed.