"A Year in Spain" My "last gasp" attempt at posting (informative info).

[Peavy]

I think we'll move into the van. We use much less water there. When you have to fill and empty, you are more aware

Very true. But are you considering it seriously?

 

[MichaelT]

I think I might forecast a wet and windy (definitely wet) Easter here, like we had a few years ago.

The rain HAS to come sometime

After we are home would be good

Seen some really empty reservoirs and not one river with water in.

 

[jumartoo]

Very true. But are you considering it seriously?

We seem to be spending more time in the van than the apartment at present. So, a prolonged stay in it won't be too hard to do.

 

[jumartoo]

Today dawned with a lovely sunrise, but it soon clouded over. The wind had dropped though. Martin and I were going to ride together, but when Kay was joining us, Martin decided to have today off in preference to ride on a warmer day tomorrow. He was happy I'd have support just in case my wheel threw a wobbly.

So Kay and I joined a dog search group. A white Chihuahua, trailing a black lead, went missing a day or so ago from Camposol. We rode from here to Camposol, through the area it had last been spotted. Needless to say we didn't see it, and neither have any of the other searchers. Such a tiny dog is never going to be easy to spot.

I'm now beginning to plan our summer trip. We have the "Pirinexus by bike" multi day route in mind for, maybe the end of June, after a few weeks in Cataluña, maybe near our old haunts of Prades. I've now got to find a suitable place to leave the van for 7 days, and maybe I've found somewhere at Olot. Recommendations gratefully received.

This thread should have finished before our summer trip, but I'll keep it going if it's of any interest. A Year and a bit in Spain, maybe

 

[scousebird]

Yes please, keep it going

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[Just smiffy]

There’s a lot more to do after June that we’ll all like to see and hear off….

 

[Peavy]

near our old haunts of Prades

Excuse my English, does this mean you were based around here in the past? (Prades is very close to our base).

 

[jumartoo]

Excuse my English, does this mean you were based around here in the past? (Prades is very close to our base).

No, we weren't based there but we used to visit regularly to go rock climbing at Prades, Siurana, etc. Lovely places that we need to revisit, even though we don't climb now, except for via ferratas, there's still lots to see and rides to do.

 

[Peavy]

No, we weren't based there but we used to visit regularly to go rock climbing at Prades, Siurana, etc. Lovely places that we need to revisit, even though we don't climb now, except for via ferratas, there's still lots to see and rides to do.

Ah, that's what I thought. I agree
And great wine also

 

[jumar]

Excuse my English, does this mean you were based around here in the past? (Prades is very close to our base).

Your are excused...your English is excellent...it's a great area where you are based...
Is your home language Catalan?

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[CAB96]

Definitely keep it going please.

Apologies for the gap and then sudden onset of 'likes' but it's Northern raider's fault, he's put his old trips in his signature and I fell down that rabbit hole!

 

[CAB96]

Definitely keep it going please.

Apologies for the gap and then sudden onset of 'likes' but it's Northern raider's fault, he's put his old trips in his signature and I fell down that rabbit hole!

And I can't believe I missed Teagate!

We have an emergency stash in our gas cupboard, there are stern looks if it ever needs to be used!

 

[Peavy]

Is your home language Catalan?

As many here, I belong to the 'bilingual' kind of person, so it's mixed up!
With some friends and at work I use Catalan, with family Spanish, and with wife both

 

[3DOM]

You cant stop posting now, we still need to know what you're up to

 

[jumartoo]

I'm happy to keep posting, but I'll still infill with places we've visited previously if I think they might be of interest.

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[jumar]

As many here, I belong to the 'bilingual' kind of person, so it's mixed up!
With some friends and at work I use Catalan, with family Spanish, and with wife both

Similar here.

At home...Broken English.

Official buildings..Town hall etc.Broken Murciano. (Spanish dialect)

Solicitor..Broken Murciano/English...he is a friend and Spanish, speaks with an American accent. But I have an Australian accent...having spent 5 months there in 2002

Physio many different ones.. Swedish, English or Spanish...I can get by with a grunt and a gasp in 11 different languages...I once did in a Sydney shopping centre when I gave myself up for a Chinese Head massage..I left in more pain than I started with..

Of course there is the much acclaimed shout louder type language...if they don't understand in a normal tone...increase volume until a nod or shake gets a response...

 

[Peavy]

Similar here.

At home...Broken English.

Official buildings..Town hall etc.Broken Murciano. (Spanish dialect)

Solicitor..Broken Murciano/English...he is a friend and Spanish, speaks with an American accent. But I have an Australian accent...having spent 5 months there in 2002

Physio many different ones.. Swedish, English or Spanish...I can get by with a grunt and a gasp in 11 different languages...I once did in a Sydney shopping centre when I gave myself up for a Chinese Head massage..I left in more pain than I started with..

Of course there is the much acclaimed shout louder type language...if they don't understand in a normal tone...increase volume until a nod or shake gets a response...

Isn't that great? You just can't get bored with all that knowledge and hability.

 

[jumartoo]

Today, was "knee trial". We have some Dutch renting next door. They want some easy, road(ish) riding, so Martin had planned a route on Komoot. Sooo, this morning we went to trial it. It was very nice for anyone not seeing some of the scenery in the second part, but I felt the first bit was too much on busy roads. It's back to the drawing board now for that part.

On the way back I had a message that my Galaxy tab screen replacement has arrived, so it's going into hospital tomorrow. Martin's kindly offered to take it, to let me ride down to the coast, where he'll meet me with the car.

I'm now quickly hunting out a route that's not too technical. Some of the tracks I used to ride solo are definitely out of bounds now.

I know my limitations (at last).

Looking to the archaeological area above the Embalse de Algeciras (or Blue Lagoon to visitors). It appears more work has been carried out. I'm itching to go to look, but all access points are still well and truly locked.

The water is lower than ever!

 

[jumartoo]

I rode down to Bolnuevo on a very easy route. I, sadly, didn't see the lost chihuahua. I stopped to listen for little doggy yelping, but nothing. The worry is that it's lead will become entangled in the undergrowth and the little scrap of a dog will starve .

I rode on the via Verde from El Saladillo, behind (soon passing) a guy with a dog in a trailer. He didn't hang about, I could see him behind me for a long way. The poor dog is either conditioned or it's owner will have a trailer to clean.

I think I've now found the way to an archaeological site near Bolnuevo. It's now higher in my list of places to visit.

Tomorrow we're both going riding.

Looking for a white chihuahua in here!!!

More almonds ... sorry, but they're sooo nice.

The German owned camperstop. Not over full. But it does have some very mixed reviews!

And a "stealth van"! One of four parked near Camposol.

Spot the wild camping mistakes

 

[Peavy]

Spot the wild camping mistakes

They even have a pallet to step in
Sorry but that's an ugly van

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[royandsharont]

When we left Spain in late February 2012 the drive from Los Alcazares up to Irun was through some beautiful views of field after field of blossom. It was as far as the eye could see and so beautiful. We have never seen it quite like that since, because we haven’t been there at the right time, but I can visualise it vividly So pleased I’ve seen it in such mass once, never to be forgotten

 

[jumartoo]

Today we set off on another Komoot planned route. We started off well, ignoring the route in favour of local knowledge .

We bypassed Angéla's house and paused at the Ermita de la Candelaria, before the first of our climbs. We rode past the hand glider jump spot and down through the forest where we've spent many hours running, planning courses and helping in the organisation of orienteering events, from international competitions down to local school training.

We then began a road ride, up and over to Casa Leiva (a renovated forest house) past the old, not renovated (yet) Tuberculosis Hospital, before passing La Perdiz (bar/restaurant), stopping to chat with some mountain bikers from El Berro campsite, then passing the bar/restaurant Fuente del Hilo that has been renovated and is totally unrecognisable to the old place that we used to visit regularly and where the wild boar came to find food, before they had to be culled .

I'm still working on a phone (not easy for me) but my tablet is ready for collection tomorrow . I've also managed to get a hair appointment, sooo after the AGM on Friday we're free to travel .

Ermita

Martin is in there

Looking down to the castle at Alhama de Murcia

The tuberculosis hospital

Fuente del Hilo!

Statue

 

[jumartoo]

We went shopping, me for food and Martin to pick up an Amazon delivery, we then went to get my tablet back and then I went to the hair shearers. I hate going to the hairdresser and so I opt for a dry cut. Cut done, and when asked if I wanted to leave with sprayed wet hair or be "blow dried" I thought I'd go for the latter. €7 for a load of hot air . Not be falling for that again (the owners of said establishment aren't Spanish btw).

Anyway, I'm happy with how my hair looks. My tablet is working (the guy from the shop overcharged me by €10 and has just owned up, so I've asked him to give it to a charity). Funny how I'm not so miffed about that . Peavy "miffed" means annoyed

I have a new (cheap) camera. The Amazon delivery was a card reader. I now have to get brain into gear to get all things talking.

I'm going walking tomorrow, so I'm hoping to see whether the cheapo camera is worth keeping.

Watch this space ................

 

[jumartoo]

I'm getting well into planning our summer trip. So far our thoughts are leaving here in June, doing a few weeks in Cataluña, then leaving the van, somewhere still to be agreed, near Girona, and setting off on a 6 day bike ride. This is going to hit our bank balances big time, but life is for living and, occasionally, we're happy to pay for food and accommodation. I'm already looking forward to the route, even though it takes us into France as well as depleting our reserves !

 

[Helen Ariel]

I'm getting well into planning our summer trip. So far our thoughts are leaving here in June, doing a few weeks in Cataluña, then leaving the van, somewhere still to be agreed, near Girona, and setting off on a 6 day bike ride. This is going to hit our bank balances big time, but life is for living and, occasionally, we're happy to pay for food and accommodation. I'm already looking forward to the route, even though it takes us into France as well as depleting our reserves !

What is the 6 day route?

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[jumartoo]

What is the 6 day route?

We're going to ride the Pirinexus (hopefully). We're going to take 6 days, it can be done in 4, or 2, or even in 1

This is the 6 day itinerary.

Ruta Pirinexus (6 días) - Vies Verdes i Pirinexus

www.viesverdes.cat

 

[suavecarve]

We're going to ride the Pirinexus (hopefully). We're going to take 6 days, it can be done in 4, or 2, or even in 1

This is the 6 day itinerary.

Ruta Pirinexus (6 días) - Vies Verdes i Pirinexus

www.viesverdes.cat

Ooooh oooh ooh
I foresee a journal to be added to the voie vertes for this one as well as a thread !

 

[jumartoo]

My walk yesterday was lovely, but the wind began part way through. I tried my "el cheapo" camera. I'm thinking that using my phone might be just as good. I'll give it a better go on our next trip ( starting tomorrow) and then decide whether to return it or not.

The van got a knock back from the body shop place. They can't take vehicles of motorhome size. We'll ask our good friend Salva next weekend for any recommendations.

The AGM last night was ......... interesting. We'll not know the outcome of the votes until after Sunday night. We have 7 separate meetings for our complex.

Anyway, struggling to post photos on the new system. I can't see which photo is where, so can't comment on individual piccies.

In lieu of Martin Dog Whisperer, Brian stepped in! And the piccie of the bird was a mural on a wall in the small village of La Murta.

It's a new learning curve to post photos from this camera. I'll persevere for a few days.

We're off tomorrow. Heading to Mula motorhome parking. Just to park the van to go for a ride. We may then head up near the reservoir for a quieter night, before deciding which way to travel.

 

[Peavy]

We're going to ride the Pirinexus (hopefully). We're going to take 6 days, it can be done in 4, or 2, or even in 1

This is the 6 day itinerary.

Ruta Pirinexus (6 días) - Vies Verdes i Pirinexus

www.viesverdes.cat

That looks like a proper adventure!

 

[jumartoo]

That looks like a proper adventure!

Hmm. We'll be staying in relarive luxury. Real beds anyway. No camping in tiny tents for us now. Been there in the past

It does look a nice route though. I've been watching some YouTube videos.

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