Day 67 - 14th September 2023
The sailing from Morocco took about an hour and a half. When we arrived in Spain it was raining very lightly. I haven’t seen rain for a long time, that’s the way I like it!
The roads were like riding on ice, I barely touched the brakes and the ABS was kicking in front and back.
I headed to the camp I stayed at the night before I went to Morocco, there’s very limited choice in the south of Spain, unless you want to pay a fortune!
Because of the rain the humidity is high, the good news is they sell beer everywhere in Spain!
The sailing from Morocco took about an hour and a half. When we arrived in Spain it was raining very lightly. I haven’t seen rain for a long time, that’s the way I like it!
The roads were like riding on ice, I barely touched the brakes and the ABS was kicking in front and back.
I headed to the camp I stayed at the night before I went to Morocco, there’s very limited choice in the south of Spain, unless you want to pay a fortune!
Because of the rain the humidity is high, the good news is they sell beer everywhere in Spain!
The view on the way into Spain
James the only motorcycle on the ferry
Camp set up
Photo bombed □by James
Finally, a nice ice-cold beer!!!!!
My route today
Day 68 - 15th September 2023
During the night there was heavy rain. The morning forecast was for thunderstorms. These never eventuated so I made my way to Malaga to the Amazon drop box to pick up my indicators.
The traffic is pretty heavy around this area, lots of tourists still. This part of Spain is very picturesque with the mountains shadowing the coast.
I ended up in Orgiva again and took the same winding road, it was just as good the second time. I will stay here for the next two nights.
During the night there was heavy rain. The morning forecast was for thunderstorms. These never eventuated so I made my way to Malaga to the Amazon drop box to pick up my indicators.
The traffic is pretty heavy around this area, lots of tourists still. This part of Spain is very picturesque with the mountains shadowing the coast.
I ended up in Orgiva again and took the same winding road, it was just as good the second time. I will stay here for the next two nights.
This cooking lark is hot work
Feww, I need some help cooking
My €2 friend to help me cook in the heat□
Today's camp
Today's route
Day 69- 16th September 2023
It was a day of chores, doing my washing, replacing my broken indicator with a new one, oiling and cleaning the chain, cooking dinner.
Being a lone traveller often means you have lots of alone time, not today, I had a couple of Irish friends for dinner
It was a day of chores, doing my washing, replacing my broken indicator with a new one, oiling and cleaning the chain, cooking dinner.
Being a lone traveller often means you have lots of alone time, not today, I had a couple of Irish friends for dinner
Indicator replaced
Washing done
Couple of Irish friends for dinner□
Day 70- 17th September 2023
I headed north along some lovely twisty roads and then the motorway to Madrid.
As it’s a Sunday there were plenty of bikes out and a couple of cops too!
It was nice showing the locals how to ride their roads
A 100 km from Madrid the skies turned grey and it wasn’t long before the drizzle came. It was a quick stop at the petrol station, and I mean quick. In Spain the petrol stations have attendants that pump the petrol for you. The guy rushed out the petrol station and filled it, not to the top. He was off as fast as a greyhound chasing a rabbit to get back into the warm. It was 15°C sideways rain and blowing a gale.
I put my wet weather gear on and headed onto the the motorway and the road spray.
20km from Madrid the rain stopped and the temperature rose a bit.
I’m in a campground in Madrid, €16 a night, which I think is pretty reasonable for a big city.
Tomorrow I’ll head into town.
I headed north along some lovely twisty roads and then the motorway to Madrid.
As it’s a Sunday there were plenty of bikes out and a couple of cops too!
It was nice showing the locals how to ride their roads
A 100 km from Madrid the skies turned grey and it wasn’t long before the drizzle came. It was a quick stop at the petrol station, and I mean quick. In Spain the petrol stations have attendants that pump the petrol for you. The guy rushed out the petrol station and filled it, not to the top. He was off as fast as a greyhound chasing a rabbit to get back into the warm. It was 15°C sideways rain and blowing a gale.
I put my wet weather gear on and headed onto the the motorway and the road spray.
20km from Madrid the rain stopped and the temperature rose a bit.
I’m in a campground in Madrid, €16 a night, which I think is pretty reasonable for a big city.
Tomorrow I’ll head into town.
The Highly visible tourist is back again
Camp. Looks like there’s been a lot of rain recently
Route today. Blue circle to red
Day 71- 18th September 2023
This morning I took the metro into Madrid’s city centre.
Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the second-largest city in the European Union. It’s been the capital since 1561.
If you love art this is the place for you. The Madrid Golden Triangle. It is one of the world’s most important museum complexes made of three different museums – the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Prado Museum, and the Reina-Sofia Museum. They house works from Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, and more.
There are many beautiful old buildings, lots of shops, restaurants and lots of people.
As I was in town a treated myself to an early dinner at one of the local restaurants. Nice to support the local economy.
This morning I took the metro into Madrid’s city centre.
Madrid is the capital and most populous city of Spain. The city has almost 3.4 million inhabitants and a metropolitan area population of approximately 6.7 million. It is the second-largest city in the European Union. It’s been the capital since 1561.
If you love art this is the place for you. The Madrid Golden Triangle. It is one of the world’s most important museum complexes made of three different museums – the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum, the Prado Museum, and the Reina-Sofia Museum. They house works from Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro, and more.
There are many beautiful old buildings, lots of shops, restaurants and lots of people.
As I was in town a treated myself to an early dinner at one of the local restaurants. Nice to support the local economy.
The iconic Cibeles palace.
The Temple of Debod. Brought over from Egypt.
Debod walking like an Egyptian
Me taking a selfie of others taking selfies!! It’s the thing to do!
Royal Palace of Madrid
Royal Palace of Madrid
The Simpson’s have arrived at the Royal Palace of Madrid
Also, a pink Koala bear
Catedral de la Almudena
Starbucks for dogs?
How many pigs? Check out the photo
Puerta del Sol
You can get locked up for that!!
Plaza Mayor
Puerta del Sol
King Kong?
This is on the Madrid coat of arms
Autumn is here!
Supporting local business
I like to immerse myself in…….
The local cuisine □
Day 72 - 19th September 2023
I headed out of Madrid in a north westerly direction making my way to Avila. Avila is a 16th century walled city. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the highest altitude provincial city in Spain. I’ve got to say it’s one impressive wall.
From there I headed North East to Segovia to see the Roman Aquaduct. It was built in the first century AD to channel water from the springs in the mountains 17 km away. It was still being used until 1973. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I love to marvel at the construction of these things.
The ride today was relaxing with light traffic. The surroundings are now much greener, lots of grass and grazing cows. It’s also colder bbbrr.
15 to 21°C. I’m still not acclimatised yet!!
I headed out of Madrid in a north westerly direction making my way to Avila. Avila is a 16th century walled city. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the highest altitude provincial city in Spain. I’ve got to say it’s one impressive wall.
From there I headed North East to Segovia to see the Roman Aquaduct. It was built in the first century AD to channel water from the springs in the mountains 17 km away. It was still being used until 1973. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
I love to marvel at the construction of these things.
The ride today was relaxing with light traffic. The surroundings are now much greener, lots of grass and grazing cows. It’s also colder bbbrr.
15 to 21°C. I’m still not acclimatised yet!!
Avila walled city
Avila walled city
What’s happened to the blue sky?
The cathedral
Free parking for motorcycles, how cool is that?
Segovia Roman Aquaduct
167 arches in total
It goes around corners
Indentations are used to secure the stone then lift them into place
My camp tonight in Riaza
My route today
Day 73 - 20th September 2023
It was a cold and damp night last night. Lots of dew on the grass and a wet tent this morning. It was time to find warmer weather so I headed east.
I made my way through the hills; it reminded me of parts of the USA on a smaller scale with their coloured landscapes.
Then into farm land where they had obviously used cow manure to fertilise the fields, you could have used it for smelling salts, just about blew my head off
The landscape got more baron and the temperature got up to 27°C.
I ended up in a free campsite in a place called Valfarta. With the fertiliser aroma still lightly drifting in the air it may be more apt to rename the town Cowfarta
It was a cold and damp night last night. Lots of dew on the grass and a wet tent this morning. It was time to find warmer weather so I headed east.
I made my way through the hills; it reminded me of parts of the USA on a smaller scale with their coloured landscapes.
Then into farm land where they had obviously used cow manure to fertilise the fields, you could have used it for smelling salts, just about blew my head off
The landscape got more baron and the temperature got up to 27°C.
I ended up in a free campsite in a place called Valfarta. With the fertiliser aroma still lightly drifting in the air it may be more apt to rename the town Cowfarta
Scenery similar to the USA but on a smaller scale. This town is called San Esteban de Gormaz
I pulled up at a rest area at the side of the road to make a coffee and lunch and this truck parks right next to me.
The air is a bit wiffy
Take small breaths!!
Tonight’s camp
Today's route
Day 74 - 21st September 2023
I left my aromatic campground in Valfarta and headed south where the air was fresh and warm. Traveling mainly motorways it only took a couple of hours to reach the camp in Torredembarra. The camp is a couple of minutes' walk from the beach. After dipping my toes in the sea, I can say it’s way warmer than the Atlantic.
It’s now low season so the rates at this campground are now reasonable.
I left my aromatic campground in Valfarta and headed south where the air was fresh and warm. Traveling mainly motorways it only took a couple of hours to reach the camp in Torredembarra. The camp is a couple of minutes' walk from the beach. After dipping my toes in the sea, I can say it’s way warmer than the Atlantic.
It’s now low season so the rates at this campground are now reasonable.
Vallarta
The sea is a pleasant temperature. Might be tempted to have a swim if I’m still here tomorrow
Camp
Today's route
Day 75 - 22nd September 2023
I went for a walk into Torredembarra and had a look around the centre, pleasant but nothing out of the ordinary.
While I was there, I finally got a haircut, it was only NZD$14. Then I went for lunch, that was NZD$12 including a beer. The place was off the main drag, so would be cheaper. I always go where the locals go “this place was full of them.
I then headed back to camp along the beach. Nice breeze and 26°C.
I went for a walk into Torredembarra and had a look around the centre, pleasant but nothing out of the ordinary.
While I was there, I finally got a haircut, it was only NZD$14. Then I went for lunch, that was NZD$12 including a beer. The place was off the main drag, so would be cheaper. I always go where the locals go “this place was full of them.
I then headed back to camp along the beach. Nice breeze and 26°C.
Haircut day. It’s been a while□
Torre de la Vila, the oldest tower in town
Sant Pere de Torredembarra church
Monumento a los Castellers
It’s a long walk to the sea
On the boardwalk
That’s one big chair, with no one on it
Serious sun worshippers in for the day
Bit cooler with less hair!!
Day 77 - 24th September 2023
Spent the day enjoying the sun while I gave James a good clean.
Slacked off on the cooking and went to the camp restaurant for dinner.
Spent the day enjoying the sun while I gave James a good clean.
Slacked off on the cooking and went to the camp restaurant for dinner.
James all clean
Dinner at the camp restaurant
Day 79- 26th September 2023
I finally made a move from Spain and headed towards Andorra. I headed towards the Pyrenees mountains. To get there I had to ascend through the fog and the 15°C. Heated grips immediately switched on. Once the fog had cleared there were lovely twisting roads as I headed to the Andorra border.
I finally made a move from Spain and headed towards Andorra. I headed towards the Pyrenees mountains. To get there I had to ascend through the fog and the 15°C. Heated grips immediately switched on. Once the fog had cleared there were lovely twisting roads as I headed to the Andorra border.
First sight of the Pyrenees as I near the Andorra border
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