Thursday 5th October (Day 43)
Well how many hot sunny days can be consecutively enjoyed? My first job was cycle into town for some bread for the four of us. This was to allow Chris, Griff, Jackie and I to have fried egg and bacon rolls. After that it was sit and chat for a while, slowly, Griff and Jackie packed up as they are off today but only an hour up the coast. They left around 12.30pm and we had some fruit before a cycle ride to Sant Jordi. Nothing much there other than a good free stopover (one for the future) and a lovely beach. On the return we stopped at a pizzeria for a drink. Back at the site and it was beach, swim, snorkel time. On this occasion while still loads of small fish there was also a large number of much larger fish parrot fish with all their lovely colours around. By 5.30pm we were back on site chilling before dinner and more, well chilling. An early-ish night tonight with us moving on tomorrow, following the others. I would say that the Spanish have clearly secured the major part of the ‘EU roundabout fund’. Spain must have a Ministry of Roundabouts and send people out who have no clue. They find where two roads meet in the middle of the least busiest area ……… and then put a roundabout there. All over Spain where we have been this has occurred.
Friday 6th October (Day 44)
We left around 10.00am for a short drive north of Tarragona. On the way we saw a motorhome dealer and tried to sort the fridge issue. They could do so around 3.00pm so we are considering returning. A fill of diesel and gas followed and by about 1.00pm we arrived at La Palmeras just north of Tarragona. It is a confusing site with several pitches with the same number - at least four of each! Eventually we set up near to Griff and Jackie, and the people they were meeting - Sally and Phil. We spent the rest of the day sunbathing on the beach, swimming and chatting. Later a BBQ and then as the sun gave us a splendid vista we chatted and played ‘silly’ word games. It was almost midnight before we turned in.
Saturday 7th October (Day 45)
An overcast start to the day so in response a slow start. Eventually the six of us, Griff, Jackie, Sally, Phil Chris and myself cycled to Altafulla for a supermarket shop. Upon approaching the town it looked intriguing so Chris and I went on into the town to investigate. The centre was almost unchanged for years and was a delight to walk around. In one square was a wooden monument of the ‘Human Towers’ that occur in the region. Each village / town has a team who, once a year, I believe, have a competition for who can build the tallest pile of humans. The base is dozens of men and at the centre they start going up with, usually, children at the very top. We stopped at a Bodegas for a drink. Here they had fifteen or so barrels of different wines, vermouth, sangria etc. People walk in with plastic containers and for €2 a litre (or less) they get their favourite tipple. Well we had to try and €2 got us a dry red wine which was really good. A quick shop before returning to the site. The weather was still upper 20’s but overcast. Lunch followed by some beach time before we retreated back. A late dinner and games before we turned in at almost midnight.
Sunday 8th October (Day 46)
Back to wall to wall sunshine. After breakfast Chris and I cycled into Tarragona which was about 4 miles away. Here we locked up the bike and proceeded on foot. Starting in the historic old town and the cathedral. This was a lovely building but we had to creep around as there was a service going on. Leaving there we went down the hill on a wander. It was soon after this I realised we had not removed our bike batteries which we intend to do in all towns so returned the short distance to get them. This turned out to be a fortunate thing as we found ourselves watching a ‘parade’ of religious figures (and some not so religious, accompanied by music and drummers. The figures were about 4 metres tall and some had long soft arms. They would spin around and the arms flew out striking the onlookers much to the amusement of all. We then went to the ‘Ramblas Nova. Here we saw the famous human tower monument. Some of the people at the bottom were famous, like Picasso. However we could not recognise any of them. Next the fountains followed by a stroll around soaking up the sights. We stopped for a drink and tapas and had a huge plate of mussels in a Tangy sauce for €6 plus spicy potatoes and a plate of mushrooms. Next was the ‘mirador’ or viewpoint at the end of the Ramblas overlooking the sea. Lastly we paid €3.20 - old fogey rate - to go into the roman circus and royal residence. They actually allowed people to build places over and around Roman buildings and only in the recent past have tried to restore the area. So we had a stunning trip around two thousand year old buildings while looking into peoples flats - madness. A cycle back to the site for our last swim in the sea which was still gorgeously warm.(it is our last swim as `I showed Chris some photos on FB that were of the grand-daughters who were in England’ and “That’s it we are off home” - a boat from Bilbao on Wednesday. After dinner we had a last night together with the six of us. A few drinks and a game of the ‘new’ version of Uno followed by ‘Wildebeest’. It was around 11.00pm when we all retired to bed.
Monday 9th October (Day 47)
So a prompt start and by just before 9.30am we had said our ‘goodbyes’ and were off. First stop was a short trip to Altafulla to a caravan place to try and sort the fridge (gas not working - remember). Well a tin pan place and even though they spoke no English and me no Spanish it was clear they were useless. Never mind it did mean earlier on the road towards Bilbao for Wednesday’s ferry. We decided to get a lot of kilometres under our belt and the roads at the start were obliging being mainly dual carriageway and motorway. The scenery was quite bland and boring. Around 1.00pm we stopped for lunch and then got the maps out and along with a camp site guide (as we need electricity for the fridge and the satnav we opted for a camp site called Ezcaba just outside Pamplona (famous for the ‘running of the bulls’ in July every year). (Camping Ezcaba sounds like something from Harry Potter.) The roads now changed as did the scenery. The roads went through gorges and over mountains (still quite fast) but the scenery was breathtaking and we saw places to return to another time. On the route, while travelling around Pamplona, ‘eagle eye’ Chris saw a motorhome dealer which, although looked shut was in fact open. “Wait fifteen minutes for the Mechanico" was the instruction so we did. While doing this they connected us up to the electricity, offered water for our tank and were just nice people. A cup of tea was had while waiting and soon the mechanic arrived and using the internet language translator we explained everything. We conversed through this medium as things progressed and with 30 minutes it was fixed. We then continued the 20 minutes to the site which was quite empty and ‘rustic’ looking. Everything spic and span but some TLC here and there would not go amiss. We sat around planning and generally talking to each other and those walking by until about 6.00pm when it was getting decidedly chilly! We had Churry’ and rice for tea. Due to some error on my part it was a beef chilli and chicken curry that I put into the pot to heat up. It tasted alright though. A few games and then the long days events caught up with us and by 10.45pm we turned in.
Tuesday 10th October (Day 48)
Well we didn’t think we had moved much north from Tarragona but clearly we have or higher. Today started, well quite cold, about 12 degrees with a mist and everything wet. The sun soon sorted things out though and the day hovered around 20 - 25 degrees. After a simple breakfast we got on the bikes and cycled to Pamplona. Six plus miles along the river and all, almost, concrete paths. There was a 400m bit of narrow root ridden track with a long drop straight into the river just to ensure you were concentrating. We arrived at the castle walls and through one of the old portcullis gates and securing our bikes we were off. Churches, museums, town hall, citadels, main square, did I mention churches (?), bull ring and much more. Highlights? One of the churches was probably unique in that it was ‘L’ shaped, the cathedral and museum €4 for olduns was great, €4 euros for the bull ring again a great experience / spectacle whether or not you like the idea. I will say the presentation highlighted the care given to the bulls in their welfare and upbringing and the ‘Pamplona Run’ and while it mentions their end fate it was very superficial. For a lot of Spanish it is a way of life, for me I am unsure (but many years ago saw a bull fight where at least it wasn't killed, I think). Pamplona is a good place to visit but for me it does not have the ‘wow’ factor of other Spanish cities we have visited. That is not to say do not visit it but the roads are wider and that for me loses it ‘quaintness’. It is known as the ‘green city’ as there are squares, parks and fountains everywhere. We then cycled back and soaked up the last of the rays before dinner. Personally I think I will die in the UK as a cyclist or pedestrian after seven weeks here. In Spain you have right of way and, instead of the UK driver mentality of ‘if I speed up I can get passed the zebra crossing before that person gets to it”, the Spanish stop and wait in anticipation of your arrival. Before the ‘UK motorist trolls’ start yes I know a few cyclists in the UK are morons but that does not excuse the motorist aggression that is constantly displayed. This courteous behaviour is followed through to when cycling on a road; they will happily follow you for any distance required to ensure they have 1.5m or more to pass you by. (Yes there are a few wallies but only a few.) Well our last night in Spain has been good, so to bed.
Wednesday 11th October (Day 49)
Our last day on Spanish soil, for this trip. After a light breakfast we sorted ourselves out and by just after 9.30am were off on the three hour journey for the 1715 ferry - so loads of time. First the supermarket / alcohol shop. this was conducted fairly early in the trip. Then as we approached Bilbao it was food time so a search for a restaurant. Should be easy I hear you say. Well no it wasn’t. We opted to sit at a restaurant / bar at the port overlooking the sea. Nice (?). Well it would have been if that was possibility. The reality of Bilbao port is it is a cross between and oil refinery / industrial estate / wasteland with a river going through it and a ferry at the mouth of the river. Eventually we found a bar with lots of lorries around which is a good sign for good food. We parked up in a steep car park and entered the establishment which was really busy. A table was quickly found for us and then the first issue. They had no menu but rattled of in Spanish (of course) the four dishes of the day. Met with our blank stares they took us by the hand to the kitchen to show us. Albondigas (meatballs) and chips was the decision. Then the look of amusement when we asked for beer. “What no wine?” was the look. All the others were drinking wine and mixing it with water. No, beer please. A pleasant meal was had with fresh fruit to finish and we were off in search of another supermarket as there were a couple of items we needed. Driving out of the car park I was forced by a lorry coming in to take a different route and we grounded at the front causing a small split in the front skirt. Annoyed but, well it had happened and we couldn’t undo it, we continued our (not so) cheery way. We had seen a large supermarket approaching Bilbao on the hilltop. We plumbed in several on the satnav to be taken to a football field, a tiny supermarket (twice) before we gave up, intending to return to the port. I then saw a ‘Centro Commercial’ sign and decided to follow it and success a large ‘Lakeside’ type shopping centre. A quick shop of the much needed items including, apparently, a babies top! We then made for the ferry and filled up on route with the cheapest diesel to date 99.2 cents/litre. Loading for the ferry was fairly easy and quick but as it was not ‘roll-on roll-off’ ferry parking was quite haphazard to the untrained eye. We were hoping for the motorhome to be inside but no, not only on the open deck but inches from the ship’s side so a good wash to get the salt of will be needed. We secured the last cabin when we booked and it is quite spacious on the outside, with larger bunks than most, apparently, and of course we can see out. A tour of the very limited public area and a beer before going to the cabin for our take-on board picnic and a laze around. A few cards games before a night cap and bed.
Thursday 12th October (Day 50)
A rocky night but not too bad but a grey start to the day. We opted for the full breakfast which was really fairly priced and a good system for paying. No ‘get your hot food; queue to pay; sit down and eat your no not so hot food’ but get your hot food; sit down and eat it and we will come to you and give you a receipt for you to pay at your leisure. This, coupled with the most smiley cheery staff I have (ever?) encountered made for a pleasant experience. By now we were 17 hours into a 28 hour trip (half of which we were asleep). What to do? Hmmmmmm ….. nothing. A picnic lunch a laze on deck in the sun, another good meal (dinner) and eventually half an hour late we docked in Portsmouth. I can honestly say that it was over a day of our lives we cannot get back. We fancied trying it even though it was dearer than driving up through France but while ‘never say never’ is a saying I will never do this again. It then took an age to get off the boat and, surprise surprise we were in a Passport / customs queues with an issue with one car owner so the slowest exit from a port in the history of leaving ports. Hey ho a good drive then followed and we arrived home just before midnight to be greeted by a very cheery Matt. Despite the last thirty hours we have had a great time and many would love to have our experiences and would happily put up with the last part to do so. Planning starts now for the next major and minor trips.
