20/06/11 Day 13
We're in Fregenal. Love having parks only for ourselves, because everyone's having siesta and town's dead empty.
Fregenal is a pleasant small town with lot of weird and wonderful shops. Such as Salamander, selling Spanish batiks - oh, I wish I'd really, I mean really,
really need them gorgeous shoes!!!
Yesterday we managed to cycle to la Real and took a room for 30 Euros. It's fanatastic to travel as a couple because it makes it 15 Euros each for a
private room ..the amount one would pay for a bunk bed in a dorm..but instead..allll the privacy you need!!!! oh yeah!
Yesterday was probably our hardest day so far, it was the hottest for sure and we reached to Encinasola without any water and it was the first place we had to
buy water.
It was a creepy little town with staring unfriendly eyes and creeps offering us marihuana to buy (which is not very surprising anymore in company of my
Australian Nukitsamees). We didn't like this place and were determined to get to
next town for a night in a hostal.
And we did it!
There was no shade on the road and it seemed to keep going up hill and our legs were very funny, don't even know what the medical or sport's term would
be for the condition our legs were in.
At some point we found a slight shade in the gutter and had a rest which turned us into state of being high as fuck, we couldn't stop laughing even with the
pulse banging in our heads and tears falling down our cheeks. That's what I would call a true natural high in grune!
And from Higuera la Real, where we really made the most of the 30 Euros we spent on the room, it was only 4 km to our current location Fegeral.
A tip for first time female long distance cyclists pedalling in a relatively hot country - do not shave your downstairs department when you're going
to cycle 30-50 km the next day. Not recommend ;)
Ps. some places charge a whole euro for a carrier bag.
Still getting used to weighing fruit and veg bfore paying.
22/06/11 Day 15
For the last few days we've had breathtaking views and hills to push our bikes on top. Our legs don't want to be part of us anymore and not because of cycling but
pushing Bella and Pedro up hill
It's another hot morning by the river Viar, where we got on the last minute with the sun setting, having pushed our bikes up hill for at least an hour and
then, just by magic, we had 6 km of free run rolling down hill through magnificent Spanish countryside, mountains covered in soft blush of sunset.
One had to master her feelings not to get too emotional. It's funny how nature affects you
Still trying to figure how to read the map - they say that the green bits are something called "depression" (when you're facing 3 km of uphill..well..
it is depressing indeed), Melissa's been trying to explain the term but ...nothing.so we came to conclusion - green bits on the map - very bad!
And now we're going to try out the wite bits.in the near future.
Yesterday's siesta we had in a town called Monestario, where we got some bad news and some interesting encounters.
Not sure of how long can Melissa stay in EU (hence our preparation and field study before taking off ;) ) or in each country individually without getting her
passport stamped on the border, we went to a police station, where a French policeman tried to understand English and somehow through somesort of bodylanguage
we understood that she can stay only up to 90 days..that's very , very bad news...with our tempo - we woun't even make it to bloody Italy.
But we'll find a way..we always will!!!
During our lunch on the marble steps of Monasterio's church, we met Yomba - a 40 years old guy who spoke perfect English, had a wicked sece of humor and he
took us to a pilgrim's information centre - turns out that Monasterio is one of the starting points of the pilgrims route - Via de la Plata.
well..and that explains why so many places offered us to stamp our passports, turned puzzled and dropped the subject discreetly when we took our real
passports out..They've got some special passports for pilgrims where they can collect the stamps from the places they've been.
NB! these information centres have showers, but do't forget - basically EVERYTHING shots down from about 2pm til 4 pm and on Sundays.
23/06/11 Day 17
Having siesta under an eucalypt tree in a straw field just outside of Granja.
Pushed it very hard yesterday, because we are on the white bit on the map and it's flat as a pancake, covered quite a bit of distance and got sore arses
again (no more walking and pushing, some real cycling again). We didn't stop til the sun was down and we were just about to reach the town, which ofcourse
made finding a campsite a bit of challenge and we ended up amping behind a fig tree just off the road. Terrible sleep, bit scared all night but had a very,
very,veeeery lazy and late start. We just couldn't get out of our tent..ther's actually quite a lot you can do in a one man tent ;)
Because tomorrow is our six months anniversary, we're trying to get to Penarroya Pueblonuevo, to check in for few days..to realx..enjouy ourselves, perhaps
go for few drinks and so on...or a meal...it is a special day you know!
NB! Every petrol station has got water, toilets and some of them even showers, parks have water - so, free washing opportunities are endless!!
36 Celsius yesterday.
27/06/11 Day 21
In Santa Eufemia.
We stayed in Penarroya Pueblonuevo (renaimed to New Pubics) for two days, checked in at midday and checked out two days later at midday as well (to get the
best value for money!)
What happened in Penarroya Pueblonuevo, will stay at Penarroya Pueblonuevo! For ever.. ;)
Had a fantastic time but a good recommendation if you've been cycling nearly a month and been on a water diet - don't try to drink as you used to, oh..
poor Mel..muahhahhhaaahhaaa!!!!!!!!!!!
Today we started off just before Belalcazar, where we camped, having the mountains on the horizon and hoping theroad woun't tkae us there.
It did.
Santa Euemia is a gorgeous town with three well hidden shops and a fantastic green park for our afternoon nap, right on top of the hill..or a mountain..we
saw n the horizon earlier in the morning.
We've never been happier making it to a town before..the road from Belalcazar to Santa Eufemia was like crossing a desert - as far as your eyes could focus
- not a single life form! we started getting a bit worried, when we couldn't see a single soul or a hint of civilazation. The heat was already
messing with our heads and trying to stay on your bike when you're overheated and in pain of laughter is not a mission to complete easily.
It's been so hot that we cooked, yes - cooked, instant noodles on a slippy slide. Great success.
It's our third week and I can't imagine returning to normal.or rather more common way of life..I'm loving it!
There's been a day when I shed a tear cos I just couldn't take the heat anymore..but then comes the evening and we're back on our bikes and life goes on!
For future cyclists trying to follow our route in the summer - don't! Unless you're a bit mad like us, go to Scandinavia or something.
30/06/11 Day 24
We're just 2 km out of Luciana, towards Ciudad Real, last few days have been quite adventurous..as the whole touring itself actually.
We're dwn by the river with a very popular fountain , a fresh water spring (FUENTE), where a car pulls over one after another to get
a litre of that glorious mountain water.
This place is not on the map and we had no idea about it what so ever. We're actually here by pure coencidence and ..ehm..by car ;)
Melissa's down by the water, trimming her rainforrest ;)
So..
last day we camped near Saceruela (a very friendly and family centred town and we cycled and cycled to get to Melissa's promised "fabulous"
river coming up. It was as fabulous as all the last three rivers have been - dry as hell!!
After a lot of walking..up hill of course, we came to the most amazing drop down hill so far, the views were something one can only dream of.
Got to a not so dried out river, saw a sign indicating A place 1 km further away. OK. quick sandwiches, smoke and to the Place, to get some water and food
Midday. Hot. Pedalling. Pedalling. "It's gotta be just behind this hill." we kept saying..
Still nothing.
We walked and met a road workie who seemed to be doing god knows what - measuring the road with footsteps...in the 21 century??!! ;)
Anyway..he stopped us and spoke English! What more do you want?!!
This young spanjard fella was visibly entertained by our efforts to get to this promised land which was supposed to be only 1 km away.
He assured that the nearest town is 20 km away. He inquiered about our water situation and suggested few places ..9 km back. No thank you.
So we departed and decided that the best thing to do would be cycling back under the viaduct by the river and spend the afternoon there.
Sitting under a road viaduct across the river, on the rocks covered with bird shit and dreaming about the fantastic water reserve we found a day ago,
before Saceruela (it was our paradise, skinny dipping, clear water, fishing, hills all around , the only thing the guard sushed us out of our paradise.),
I noticed a movement above our heads - it was the road engineer by day and a DJ by night with an unpronouncble name who came looking for us and offered to
take us to another magical place! We didn't take a second to decide!
Bikes in his car, he drove us past Luciana...allll up hilll..yeehhhha!!!!
It was so good being able to have a converation with someone, so grateful to him for giving us a lift and staying for a chat.
All the dates and days are a bit mixed up by now..but again..few days ago..we also camped under a viaduct, a railway viaduct.
this day was something to
remember, I got stung by 4 wasps (ankles so swolen i could hardly recognise it) then as we pushed our bikes over the ditch and railway; our tyres were
covered with huge prickles leaving both our bikes with flat tyres. We left our bikes on the railway bridge climbed down to the river and set our tent into
the soft warm sand. We went through hell this day but the night swept away the memory as we lay down there in the sand by the fire watching the stars and
sipping our coffee nothing could bring us down...unlike our tyres! the world was ours.
We're in Fregenal. Love having parks only for ourselves, because everyone's having siesta and town's dead empty.
Fregenal is a pleasant small town with lot of weird and wonderful shops. Such as Salamander, selling Spanish batiks - oh, I wish I'd really, I mean really,
really need them gorgeous shoes!!!
Yesterday we managed to cycle to la Real and took a room for 30 Euros. It's fanatastic to travel as a couple because it makes it 15 Euros each for a
private room ..the amount one would pay for a bunk bed in a dorm..but instead..allll the privacy you need!!!! oh yeah!
Yesterday was probably our hardest day so far, it was the hottest for sure and we reached to Encinasola without any water and it was the first place we had to
buy water.
It was a creepy little town with staring unfriendly eyes and creeps offering us marihuana to buy (which is not very surprising anymore in company of my
Australian Nukitsamees). We didn't like this place and were determined to get to
next town for a night in a hostal.
And we did it!
There was no shade on the road and it seemed to keep going up hill and our legs were very funny, don't even know what the medical or sport's term would
be for the condition our legs were in.
At some point we found a slight shade in the gutter and had a rest which turned us into state of being high as fuck, we couldn't stop laughing even with the
pulse banging in our heads and tears falling down our cheeks. That's what I would call a true natural high in grune!
And from Higuera la Real, where we really made the most of the 30 Euros we spent on the room, it was only 4 km to our current location Fegeral.
A tip for first time female long distance cyclists pedalling in a relatively hot country - do not shave your downstairs department when you're going
to cycle 30-50 km the next day. Not recommend ;)
Ps. some places charge a whole euro for a carrier bag.
Still getting used to weighing fruit and veg bfore paying.
22/06/11 Day 15
For the last few days we've had breathtaking views and hills to push our bikes on top. Our legs don't want to be part of us anymore and not because of cycling but
pushing Bella and Pedro up hill
It's another hot morning by the river Viar, where we got on the last minute with the sun setting, having pushed our bikes up hill for at least an hour and
then, just by magic, we had 6 km of free run rolling down hill through magnificent Spanish countryside, mountains covered in soft blush of sunset.
One had to master her feelings not to get too emotional. It's funny how nature affects you
Still trying to figure how to read the map - they say that the green bits are something called "depression" (when you're facing 3 km of uphill..well..
it is depressing indeed), Melissa's been trying to explain the term but ...nothing.so we came to conclusion - green bits on the map - very bad!
And now we're going to try out the wite bits.in the near future.
Yesterday's siesta we had in a town called Monestario, where we got some bad news and some interesting encounters.
Not sure of how long can Melissa stay in EU (hence our preparation and field study before taking off ;) ) or in each country individually without getting her
passport stamped on the border, we went to a police station, where a French policeman tried to understand English and somehow through somesort of bodylanguage
we understood that she can stay only up to 90 days..that's very , very bad news...with our tempo - we woun't even make it to bloody Italy.
But we'll find a way..we always will!!!
During our lunch on the marble steps of Monasterio's church, we met Yomba - a 40 years old guy who spoke perfect English, had a wicked sece of humor and he
took us to a pilgrim's information centre - turns out that Monasterio is one of the starting points of the pilgrims route - Via de la Plata.
well..and that explains why so many places offered us to stamp our passports, turned puzzled and dropped the subject discreetly when we took our real
passports out..They've got some special passports for pilgrims where they can collect the stamps from the places they've been.
NB! these information centres have showers, but do't forget - basically EVERYTHING shots down from about 2pm til 4 pm and on Sundays.
23/06/11 Day 17
Having siesta under an eucalypt tree in a straw field just outside of Granja.
Pushed it very hard yesterday, because we are on the white bit on the map and it's flat as a pancake, covered quite a bit of distance and got sore arses
again (no more walking and pushing, some real cycling again). We didn't stop til the sun was down and we were just about to reach the town, which ofcourse
made finding a campsite a bit of challenge and we ended up amping behind a fig tree just off the road. Terrible sleep, bit scared all night but had a very,
very,veeeery lazy and late start. We just couldn't get out of our tent..ther's actually quite a lot you can do in a one man tent ;)
Because tomorrow is our six months anniversary, we're trying to get to Penarroya Pueblonuevo, to check in for few days..to realx..enjouy ourselves, perhaps
go for few drinks and so on...or a meal...it is a special day you know!
NB! Every petrol station has got water, toilets and some of them even showers, parks have water - so, free washing opportunities are endless!!
36 Celsius yesterday.
27/06/11 Day 21
In Santa Eufemia.
We stayed in Penarroya Pueblonuevo (renaimed to New Pubics) for two days, checked in at midday and checked out two days later at midday as well (to get the
best value for money!)
What happened in Penarroya Pueblonuevo, will stay at Penarroya Pueblonuevo! For ever.. ;)
Had a fantastic time but a good recommendation if you've been cycling nearly a month and been on a water diet - don't try to drink as you used to, oh..
poor Mel..muahhahhhaaahhaaa!!!!!!!!!!!
Today we started off just before Belalcazar, where we camped, having the mountains on the horizon and hoping theroad woun't tkae us there.
It did.
Santa Euemia is a gorgeous town with three well hidden shops and a fantastic green park for our afternoon nap, right on top of the hill..or a mountain..we
saw n the horizon earlier in the morning.
We've never been happier making it to a town before..the road from Belalcazar to Santa Eufemia was like crossing a desert - as far as your eyes could focus
- not a single life form! we started getting a bit worried, when we couldn't see a single soul or a hint of civilazation. The heat was already
messing with our heads and trying to stay on your bike when you're overheated and in pain of laughter is not a mission to complete easily.
It's been so hot that we cooked, yes - cooked, instant noodles on a slippy slide. Great success.
It's our third week and I can't imagine returning to normal.or rather more common way of life..I'm loving it!
There's been a day when I shed a tear cos I just couldn't take the heat anymore..but then comes the evening and we're back on our bikes and life goes on!
For future cyclists trying to follow our route in the summer - don't! Unless you're a bit mad like us, go to Scandinavia or something.
30/06/11 Day 24
We're just 2 km out of Luciana, towards Ciudad Real, last few days have been quite adventurous..as the whole touring itself actually.
We're dwn by the river with a very popular fountain , a fresh water spring (FUENTE), where a car pulls over one after another to get
a litre of that glorious mountain water.
This place is not on the map and we had no idea about it what so ever. We're actually here by pure coencidence and ..ehm..by car ;)
Melissa's down by the water, trimming her rainforrest ;)
So..
last day we camped near Saceruela (a very friendly and family centred town and we cycled and cycled to get to Melissa's promised "fabulous"
river coming up. It was as fabulous as all the last three rivers have been - dry as hell!!
After a lot of walking..up hill of course, we came to the most amazing drop down hill so far, the views were something one can only dream of.
Got to a not so dried out river, saw a sign indicating A place 1 km further away. OK. quick sandwiches, smoke and to the Place, to get some water and food
Midday. Hot. Pedalling. Pedalling. "It's gotta be just behind this hill." we kept saying..
Still nothing.
We walked and met a road workie who seemed to be doing god knows what - measuring the road with footsteps...in the 21 century??!! ;)
Anyway..he stopped us and spoke English! What more do you want?!!
This young spanjard fella was visibly entertained by our efforts to get to this promised land which was supposed to be only 1 km away.
He assured that the nearest town is 20 km away. He inquiered about our water situation and suggested few places ..9 km back. No thank you.
So we departed and decided that the best thing to do would be cycling back under the viaduct by the river and spend the afternoon there.
Sitting under a road viaduct across the river, on the rocks covered with bird shit and dreaming about the fantastic water reserve we found a day ago,
before Saceruela (it was our paradise, skinny dipping, clear water, fishing, hills all around , the only thing the guard sushed us out of our paradise.),
I noticed a movement above our heads - it was the road engineer by day and a DJ by night with an unpronouncble name who came looking for us and offered to
take us to another magical place! We didn't take a second to decide!
Bikes in his car, he drove us past Luciana...allll up hilll..yeehhhha!!!!
It was so good being able to have a converation with someone, so grateful to him for giving us a lift and staying for a chat.
All the dates and days are a bit mixed up by now..but again..few days ago..we also camped under a viaduct, a railway viaduct.
this day was something to
remember, I got stung by 4 wasps (ankles so swolen i could hardly recognise it) then as we pushed our bikes over the ditch and railway; our tyres were
covered with huge prickles leaving both our bikes with flat tyres. We left our bikes on the railway bridge climbed down to the river and set our tent into
the soft warm sand. We went through hell this day but the night swept away the memory as we lay down there in the sand by the fire watching the stars and
sipping our coffee nothing could bring us down...unlike our tyres! the world was ours.
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