MONDAY…
Well, what a good day. I rode around 275 miles today, heading inland using A and B roads instead of motorways. And it was great, because you get to see all the countryside instead of four lanes of tarmac. And there was some terrific twisty bits. The day started at 16 degrees and by the time I got to my camp, it was 23 degrees. Looooovely… This evening there’s a storm brewing to the north, but I think it will miss us. The thunder and lightening was very impressive, with proper thunderbolts, which I’ve not seen for quite a few years. At the moment I’m about 50 miles inland from Alicante on a very barren plateau. I had to use a rock to hammer my tent pegs home as there’s not much here but scrub and rock. Tomorrow I’m heading for Murcia and then Granada. I may even pay for a camp site, as I think I need a shower…
TUESDAY…
Well, today was around 300 miles. I was going to take the country roads but I opted to take the stradas to make up some miles, heading down to Murcia and then taking the Mediterranean highway. The weather was blue skies all the way and this afternoon it was 26 degrees – and I finally got to open the vents on my riding clothes. I’m now on an official site at Motril, which is about 40 miles east of Malaga. I’m the only person on the site, which means I have the ablutions all to myself…! It’s 10eu a night, with electricity, shower and toilet, and there’s orange and pomegranate trees around the site. You can help yourself, which I intend to do. I’m spending two nights here to sort myself out and have a bit of a rest then I’m catching the ferry to Al Hoceima in Morocco on Thursday – all being good.
My biggest drama is that in the dark last night, finding somewhere to use as a toilet, my left food went down a hole and I sprained my ankle. I thought I’d broke it at first, but this morning it was manageable. I’ve strapped it up with a bandage and duct tape and it seems to work okay. Gear changes are a little awkward but I’m managing. The biggest failure so far is my blow up mattress. It’s leaking air as I woke up this morning on stony ground. I need to get a new mattress before I go any further. It’s a Unigear mattress and a massive disappointment. It’s actually the comfiest mattress I’ve ever used and it folds up really small. Shame.
Anyway, that’s me doing okay so far. Two days here then it’s a short hop across to Morocco. I can’t wait…
