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| Plaza de Cibeles, Madrid |
May 2018.
Returning to a very cold UK in March after the 'Beast from the East" snow storms was a bit of a shock to say the least after a winter of Goan sunshine. We've had a busy few weeks visiting friends and family and getting some decorating done and now we're eagerly anticipating our next trip in the motorhome.
2nd May. We left England on 27th April and spent 5 days travelling through a wet and windy France to get to Aranjuez just outside of Madrid. Aranjuez was a nice easy train ride away from the city so we planned on spending a day doing the tourist bit before continuing our journey to Calpe. We arrived at our campsite just after lunch so we spent the afternoon exploring the town on our bikes and checking out the location of the train station ready for the next day.
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| Cybele Palace |
3rd May. We made an early start as it was a 30 minute walk to the train station from our campsite. The weather had improved dramatically since we'd crossed in to Spain and the sun was shining, making it a pleasantly warm day. When we arrived in Madrid we came up from the underground to find ourselves in the centre of the main square. It really was a quite spectacular first view of the city. Having done our research we headed straight for the hop on/hop off buses and purchased our tickets. When we had visited Paris we were able to see so much from the top of a bus that we had stayed on the top deck for the entire circuit before finally getting off at the Eiffel Tower however it wasn't quite so dramatic in Madrid and although there were some really lovely buildings to see we felt it was a city better viewed on foot as it seemed less open than Paris and the abundance of trees prevented a full view of the surroundings. This is in no way a complaint as it is wonderful to see so many trees in a city.
After hopping on and off the bus a few times, which of course included a trip around the Bernabau Stadium for Glynn, we headed back to the square to get our bearings before heading off in search of a very special tapas bar that we had read about when doing our research. With the aid of my phone and google maps we eventually found El Tigre Sidra Bar on Calle de Las Infantas and what a delight it turned out to be. For just €5 you got a large beer and more tapas than you can eat.
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| El Tigra Sidra Bar |
We were handed platefuls of paella with our beer and just as we finished that we were handed another plate filled with tortilla, and baguette with various toppings. We were so full that we couldn't eat another thing and had to stop them from dishing up any more. The bar was quite quirky with interesting things on the walls and a long counter running all the way round at chest height as there were no chairs. Apparently the bar gets very packed early evening with locals so we were pleased to go just after lunch with the benefit of being able to see the interior properly. We had a lovely day in Madrid and although for us it lacked the impact of Paris or Florence it was still a city worth visiting.
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| Banco Bilbao |
6th May. After arriving in Calpe 2 days ago we had done little more than walk the seafront and get some shopping although Glynn had also managed to beat me at Crib and Sequence so I was on the back foot already with both games. Plenty of time yet to make a comeback!! Today we did our first training ride to start regaining our fitness which is always difficult after a winter relaxing in Goa!! We did a very hilly 23kms round the back hills of Calpe to warm ourselves up and then Glynn spent the afternoon washing the Motorhome while I supervised from the comfort of my sun lounger.
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| View of Calpe rock on the climb to Benissa |
8th May. Today we decided to ride to Benissa via the coastal road, which has spectacular views over Calpe and the Penyal d'Ifach, and then head back down via the N332. The ride back was scarily windy and actually felt quite unsafe when we hit any open areas with the wind gusting enough to move us over slightly. It was a great ride of just over 28kms but we were both extremely relieved to get back in one piece.
11th May. The weather has been slightly mixed the last few days with more cloud but it has still been pleasantly warm. We have done a fair bit of walking along the seafront and around the town so today we decided it was time to head out on the bikes again. We headed along the coast road initially before turning in towards Benicarló to head up to Benissa. It was a much hillier route than the coastal road we normally take and at one point we hit a hill so steep that we had trouble even pushing the bikes up it, let alone trying to cycle up it. We stopped for a well earned coffee break in Benissa before we returned to Calpe to meet our friends Jan and Del in Tres Palmeras for a few drinks. We did a very nice 33kms in total and then spent a quiet evening with a home made curry before playing crib again. I finally managed to beat Glynn 2-1 so the chase is on to catch him up!!
13th May. We only did a short ride of 15kms today heading out to the N332 and back in to town before discovering there was a closed circuit bike race in Calpe . We stopped to enjoy the racing before meeting Jan and Del for lunch at one of the seafront restaurants where we spent a lovely chilled afternoon.
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| The Statue of Christ |
15th May. Yesterday we left Calpe to drive to Totana in the Sierra Espuna mountain range. We parked on a Camperstop that is regularly used by members of Motorhome Fun, many of whom spend the winter there. High up on one of the peaks we could see a statue of Christ so I suggested we cycle there. I have these crazy ideas sometimes!! It was a fabulous if slightly tough ride with lots of climbing but we made it to the statue. From the picnic area El Angél near the sanctuary of Santa Eulalia the road climbs for another kilometre, passing sculptures of the stations of the cross and ultimately leading to the giant statue of Christ. the views on the climb are sperctacular and it is worth the effort to get there. After a drink break we decided to carry on further to Aledo and while we were there a tourist guide told us of a 500ft ravine at El Estrecho de la Arboleja. We decided to carry on and eventually found the ravine which involved us carrying our bikes down a twisting wooden walkway and steps as we had not brought our bike locks with us so were reluctant to leave the bikes unattended while we explored the ravine. The climb down with the bikes was a workout in itself. The ravine was really lovely but a little bit scary in places as it narrowed down to almost a tunnel.
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| El Estrecho de la Arboleja ravine |
As I feel slightly claustrophobic in situations like that and because we'd left the bikes at the start of the ravine we decided to head back. If I thought it was hard work carrying the bikes down the steps it was nothing to how hard it was getting the bikes back up again. We had managed a strenuous and hilly 30kms by the time we got back so we did little in the evening except relax with a glass of wine and (being the good wife that I am!!) I kindly let Glynn beat me 2-1 at Crib again.
16th May. Market day in Totana so we cycled in to town to explore. Unfortunately for Glynn he had a momentary lapse of concentration and braked too hard sending himself flying over the handlebars on a roundabout. While a few cars tried to drive round where he lay on the floor a dear old lady using a walking stick came up and offered to help bless her. Another driver came over and offered a bottle of water and once Glynn got over the initial shock he was fine although he was minus some skin in a few places and would most definitely have some bruises to show for his attempts at acrobatics. In the market I managed to buy a huge punnet of strawberries for €2!! What a bargain. While Glynn spent the afternoon nursing his bruises I made strawberry muffins, strawberry chia seed jam, strawberry jellies and still had loads of strawberries left over!! I had a feeling we might be sick of strawberries before the week is out!! As compensation for his accident I yet again let Glynn beat me 3-0 at crib after dinner!!
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| Quiet roads near Alhama de Murcia |
18th May. After a day of rest yesterday, in which it was too windy to cycle anyway, we went for a bike ride with Judith who lives in a cottage next to the Camperstop. While her husband Martin was out fishing she took us on a lovely ride along the canal path to Alhama de Murcia and back through the orange groves. It was a stunning ride of 27kms and as we were enjoying the area so much we decided to delay our plans to move on to Cartagena and stay an extra couple of days.
19th May. After the lovely ride we had enjoyed yesterday with Judith we decided to head the same way today and cycled in to Alhama to get a few bits from Aldi. On the route back we stopped at the same café that Judith had introduced us to the day before and after a fortifying cup of coffee we headed back. With so many turn offs all looking similar it was no surprise that we found ourselves in unfamiliar territory. The track gradually disintegrated in to a rough mountain bike trail and we eventually found ourselves pushing the bikes over some very hilly and rocky terrain.
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| Hiking with Judith and Martin |
Glynn had just got to the point where he was suggesting we should turn back when we spotted the canal path in the distance. We got back to the camper stop and I felt like we had done a full workout with the cycling and then clambering over rocks carrying the bikes. Another 32kms although I'm guessing about 3kms of that was me carrying the bike rather than the bike carrying me!! A quiet evening was definitely in order and as I had lulled Glynn in to a false sense of security with my crib skills I beat him 2-1.
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| Unwelcome visitor!! |
20th May. For our last day in Totana Martin and Judith took us on a hike on the Pica de la Ganita. It was a lovely walk with stunning views and although we only walked 7 kms it felt like a lot more given the terrain. I am keen to do more walking in between the rides we do however Glynn needs a bit of persuasion as although he really enjoyed the walk he feels you cover such a short distance compared with cycling. The muscles are used differently when walking so in spite of our cycling fitness I fully expected to feel the effects of the hike in a day or two. We had thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to Totana and it definitely wouldn't be the last. To cap off a lovely day I beat Glynn 2-1 at crib again!! While we were playing cards we had an unwelcome visitor so i was very grateful we had the fly screen across when i saw the size of him!!
22nd May. After driving to a nice little camper stop at Cuesta Blanca yesterday and doing a lovely 16kms ride exploring the area our plan for today was to cycle in to Cartagena. Watching us trying to get out of bed was like something out of a comedy sketch. Our calf muscles were rebelling against the hike we had done in Totana and neither of us could walk initially as our calf muscles were so tight and extremely painful. More argument as to why we should intersperse some hikes in between our rides!! After some good long stretches we were able to progress from hobbling to walking and we were soon ready to set off.
The ride in to Cartagena was slightly hilly but nothing too taxing and we really enjoyed the views along the route. Cartagena was a delight and we explored the beautiful harbour area first. There is a dramatic bronze statue entitled El Zulu which is along from the harbour in Plaza Del Puerto. It stands at over 19 feet tall, weighs two tons and is dedicated to victims of terrorism. It depicts a naked man with his head between his knees and you can stand inside the sculpture looking out between his knees.
After a lovely time exploring the historical centre of Cartagena, including the Roman Theatre we rode back to Cuesta Blanca to have lunch. We then decided to go out again for another ride and cycled in to the centre of the village where we found a quintessentially Spanish bar that also doubled as the local grocery store. We sat and enjoyed a drink while listening to the locals chatting. 2 beers and 2 red wines cost only €4!! Bargain. We rode back to enjoy a nice relaxing evening after adding a very pleasant 38kms to our ride total.
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| El Portus Beach |
23rd May. Today we rode to El Portus on the coast. It was a really scenic ride as the whole area is very pretty albeit hilly. There is a steep ride down in to El Portus and there was a lovely little beach area where we sat and chilled for a while. The ride back was almost all uphill starting with the very steep climb up from the beach. There is no better incentive to achieve a steep climb without stopping than having a bunch of men who were resurfacing the road stop to watch you go past. I so wanted to get off and push my bike up but pride made me pedal faster and to Glynn's surprise I was immediately behind him when we reached the top. Only a 21km ride but certainly a lot tougher on the return than it was on the way there.
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| Walking the base of Calpe Rock |
26th May. We left Cuesta Blanca two days ago and returned to Calpe. As Glynn's ribs were still sore after his somersault over the handlebars in Totana we had been taking it easy and leaving the bikes alone. Today we strolled down to explore the market before doing a lovely walk around the base of Calpe rock which has been beautifully landscaped and has a lovely path leading right round the back of the rock. Between the walkway and the sea are huge boulders to protect the area causing the incoming waves to crash high in to the air while the seagulls dodge the showers of water. It was a really lovely walk and we got back about two hours later. We spent a relaxing afternoon watching the Giro d'Italia bike race on TV.
27th May. After 3 days of no cycling we decided to do the ride up to Benissa again today. It was a great ride up via the coast rode but returning down the N332 wasn't much fun as it was incredibly windy and as there are several exposed parts on the ride down it was dangerously gusty making me very relieved when we got back. After skyping home to see how Darryl and Lisa were getting on we enjoyed a relaxing afternoon watching the final of the Giro d'Italia and spent a quiet evening reading.
29th May. Well I think we must have woken up with too much energy today!! After an easy day yesterday to rest Glynn's (still) sore ribs we decided to ride up to Benissa and I was delighted to beat my previous fastest time of 58.40 by reaching the cafe in 55.28!! Feeling very motivated and after a fortifying croissant and coffee we decided to carry on to Senija before riding to Lliber, Xalo and then back to Calpe. It was a fabulous 40km ride and after lunch we chilled for a while before going for a walk along the seafront. We finished the evening playing crib and Glynn beat me 2-1 for the third night on the trot!! I'm obviously going to have to concentrate a bit harder if I want to beat him overall by the end of this trip!!
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| Aledo |
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