Tuesday, 30th of April 2013 - day 70 (10 weeks into the walk)
Well its another cold wet-ish day, menacing skies, a cruel wind and either 4km, 19km or 33km today..
We stop for a coffee and warm up at Santos de Maimora, an hour into the walk. then its up, out and trudge on ..... we are walking on gravel roads meandering through farm country and we pass the occasional farmer going about his business.
Another 3 hours and we reach Villafranca de los Barros ... we are frozen through and call it a day ( the wind was freezing and chilled us to the core).
Lunch by a roaring open fire was a treat with brandies to start us off.
We are in a Hotel tonight, so more privacy than usual.
We eat at the hotel as its wild and woolly outside .... hope it has all blown over by the morning.The food had a definite Indian flavour to it, found out later the chef was from Madras.
Off to bed now, the wind takes it out of you even more than the heat.

Monday 29th of April 2013 - day 69
Walked to Zafra some 24-25km today, some what adverse conditions, cool cloudy and the odd shower ...... sort of puts a dampener on things. Well wet gear on and off all the way, made Zafra early afternoon and settled in. We get cleaned up then a late lunch and a relaxed afternoon.

Liz is over the foot/ankle thing and walking well, so a tour of the town and its sights then diner and back to the digs for the night.

Sunday 28th of April 2013 - Day 68
Start out in bright sunshine but coolish, we are heading to Fuente de Cantos about 21km up the dusty track. The terrain is flat to low hills, we meander through open plains and light scrub. We are dawdling along , not wanting to put too much stress on Liz's foot. By 1pm we are sitting in a bar in Fuente de Cantos, we note the cloud build up so maybe we are in for a change in the weather, but its still warm, mid 20's. We check into the Albergue/Hostel and clean up ..... its dorm conditions but the place is only half full, so we can spread out a bit.

Saturday 27th of April 2013 - day 67
We are on our way, Liz with a lightened pack which we are sharing and tentatively head out... we have 20km to the next town. We walk paths that are as direct as possible and as far away as possible to main roads. We walk through pasture with cattle grazing and more Olive groves, the land is flattish and easy walking. The day is heating up, heading toward high 20's .... but we hope to be at Monesterio prior to it getting there.
We make it about 12.30pm and are relieved she had no problems.
Lunch then clean up as we are dusty and sweaty, not a great mix.
Ah its Saturday again so diner at the bar is a lively event, there is some soccer game on the TV and the locals are really getting into it. They are all happy and singing so I guess there team won.
Well home to the Hostel and bed.

Friday 26th of April 2013 - day 66
Decided on a rest day as Liz's foot was still sore a bit swollen still.
So did a bit of looking around town and generally relaxing. For some reason no broadband or phone coverage today.
Its Saturday morning and coverage has returned though it does drop out now and again, Liz can get her boot on so will see how we go .... its 20km to the next town, being Monesterio. We have taken most of Liz's load from her pack and will see how we go. More later.

Thursday, 25th of April 2013 - day 65
Did.t get moving till about 8am this morning, lingered over our coffee's. Its going to be a bright sunny day today back up in the high 20's, so time to push on. Soon as we leave town its bush tracks all the way to El Real de la Jara (approx 15km), shouldn't take us more than about 3 hours then its another 20km to Monesterio .... we are in 2 minds, do we or don't we? Well that is covered when Liz takes a tumble on some uneven ground, rolls her ankle and hurts her shoulder in the fall. We are about half way to El Real de la Jara, about an hour and a half in to the walk. We sit and rest for a while, strap here foot up and check out the shoulder .... a graze, and most likely some bruising. We take turns in carrying her pack and shuffle on after about half an hour she is walking ok and we make the next town about midday. we call it a day and settle in, feet up and rest, once the boots are of her foot swells, we do the ice thing to get the swelling down, it is a nice shade of blue from bruising .... but the ice works and the swelling doesn't seem so bad. Will wait and see tomorrow, may have to have a rest day?

Wednesday, 24th of April 2013 - day 64
Today we walk some 29-30km, its a bit cooler first thing, about 7-8 degrees. We walk near the road for the first 10-12km or so then its across country through groves of Olive trees and low hills.
There are no towns and we see another group about 1km behind us but again we seem to have the track to ourselves. We make Almaden de la Plata around 2pm .... lunch is first on the agenda then book into the Albergue, wash and clean clothes and ourselves. Have a wonder around town then diner with some other pilgrims and an early night .... the dorms are relatively quiet about half full so lots of room to spread out.

Tuesday, 23rd of April 2013 - day 63
9 weeks of walking and we have just started the Via de la Plata .... today was a short one 18 - 19km of flat but dusty trails, no towns but a bit of a walk adjacent to a road for the last few km.
Castilblanco de los Arroyos is a pleasant and hospitable town. we are in the Albergue here. The weather is warmish, mid to high twenties during the day. We walked today and saw few other pilgrims till we arrived .... we seem to walk slower than the hares and faster than the tortoises, so seemed to have the track to our selves, mmmmmm, nice.
Lunch and diner at a nearby bar. Tomorrow a minimum walk of about 30km to next accom.

Monday, 22nd of April 2013 - day 62
We are up early-ish and start walking, we got our first stamp of the Via de la Plata the other day, so are on our way following the scallop shell. We are on the way, about an 2hours we reach Santiponce, we stop for breakfast and coffee and reflect on our time to get to this point and our time in Seville.
Then its up and off as we leave the the suburbs we leave the roads and follow the camino path, no cars allowed. It is great to be able to just walk and not worry about getting run over. Just north of Santiponce are the ruins of a Roman Amphitheatre .... we reflect for a while then on again, relaxing walking ..... we meet other pilgrims .... them spick and span and enthusiastic about there great journey .... they are stunned when we say we are 100km plus into our pilgrimage already.There is one middle aged guy who seems to pop up regularly during our walk to talk to us, we find it annoying after a while, but we are polite ... we wonder if we have become insular to others, protecting our space?
we reach Guillena early afternoon its pleasant enough being around mid 20's. Lunch with several other pilgrims and our interloper. then off to stand in line for when the Albergue opens.
We get a room that accommodates 6, well not too bad luckily no one else fills the spare bunk and we relax, have diner .... give the pilgrims meal a go and a pitcher of vino, then  emails and sleep.

Sunday 21st of April 2013 - day 61
I was up relatively early, alas the others are slow movers this morning, the Spanish night life has taken its toll. I brew up fresh coffee and feed it to them .... after showering and coffee they are ready to continue exploring ..... though I figure it will be at a snails pace.
We all figure a hearty breakfast will do the trick .... so breakfast/brunch .... well its now about 3 hours later and we are meandering the lane ways and streets of the old Seville, cobble stoned streets, white washed walls flowers in pots all over, very pretty. As the afternoon wears on it quite warmish but not excessive. We head back down toward the river and grace the seats of a restaurant/bar on the banks of the river .... a relaxing and scenic spot. We are not overly hungry but nibble as we like the spot and don't want to be moved on ... as long as we keep buying food or drink we can stay. We tipped the weighter early so he is in expectation of a later tip as well and is quite attentive and helpful with suggestions. He suggests a goats cheese fried (reminiscent of the Greek Saganaki), we accompany it with mixed salad and char grilled octopus tentacles.
Well after a a relaxing and we spaced out late lunch its back to the digs for a siesta.
A quiet relaxed late diner and some discussions as to are we on the move tomorrow?
It comes down to lets wait and see how we feel ..... though I feel we will make a start at least.

Saturday, 20th of April 2013 - day 60
Big day today, visited a theme park, "Isla Magica" fun, wet and wild, roller coasters and giant water rides .... a bit like the Gold Coast theme parks, but with a Spanish influence. Crap food inside, all fast food junk. Later visited "Torre del Oro", great then on to eating and drinking which we seem to surpass at.
Nibblies in a bar over looking the river with great tapas and later at an open air restaurant in the Piatsa with a decatation diner including all drinks .... then walk home and attend to emails etc.
Its still lively outside and a bit after 2am ... Saturday night it seems to go on till 3-4am .... but its been a long day, so to bed for me.

ps: spell check always picks me up on restaurante as it is here and makes me change it to reastauant?

Friday, 19th of April 2013 - day 59
We are in Seville by 9.30am only 9-10km to the old part of the city, we have breakfast in an old cobblestone street/lane, umbrellas already up as its 22-23C already and the sun is starting to get a sting to it. We have coffee and these yummy cinnamon flavoured donut like things .... yum (very moorish).
But thinking of the waistline only a couple, promise . We need to walk breaky off so on to Catedral de Santa Maria de la Sede and the Giralda ..... wow and what a climb.
Its now about 1pm, lunch time, adjacent to and with tables and chairs in the park we locate where to eat. we savour the local delicacies of the tapa platters with a delicate white wine .... not too much as we wish to go to the Alcazar this afternoon. We tear ourselves away check in to our Hostel and clean up and then of to the 14th C Royal Residence ... reminiscent of the Al Hambra in Grenada but totally different, magnificent. As we walk past bars and restaurants we can't help but stop and have another snack and this time some Sangria, just for a change.
Diner is a n after dark experience (from pm on), of all things we scramble down into the cellar of a building, all very medieval, tapestries, swords and shields on the walls, bis sconces holding huge candles attached toe the walls. Great food, sort of like Spanish Yum Cha as the food is brought around on trolleys.
One trolley a roaming spit with suckling pig slowly turning on a spit  or a full lamb or a small goat all carved at the table. Well we eat too much, drink too much and have the best time .... and there were flamenco dancers to boot ..... and I think we were the only non locals here.
Well I hope this reads well as its almost 2am ... but don't think I could sleep, we  all 4 are sipping on mocha - coffees and attending to our writings etc. Can we survive Seville .... too right, can't wait for tomorrow.

Thursday 18th of April 2013 - day 58
Its going to be warmish again today, high 20's ... the overnight low was 18C and that when we hit the road again .... its about 7.30am. we are soon again on country roads heading to our accom just this side of  Montequinto, just under 22km or 4-5hours of walking. Its flat and green, but as we get closer to Seville, Even these country roads and farm lanes, have heavier and more frequent traffic.
Our accom is adjacent to a large park with numerous cafes, bars and restaurants scattered around it.
By 2pm its reached the high 20's so we savour the shade of the restaurant's umbrellas and awnings.
We have Paella with saffron rice and sangria ..... rather enjoyable.
Find our hostel and settle in, clean up, though the roads were all paved today, so no dust.
Start checking out where to stay in Seville as we a but a stones throw away.
Later diner at a near by bar nearly all outside as even at 10pm its a very balmy 26C.
Back to the hostel and some emails, blog and sleep.

Wednesday, 17th of April 2013 - day 57
We started out before the sun came up, it was light but just. The road is flat and crunchy (gravel), the country side is green and lush, its 18-19 deg. C at the moment and only going to get warmer .... expected to get into the low 30's today.Its uneventful, not a tree in site, as the sun comes up it starts to heat quickly .... we are on a mission to keep it moving early before it does heat up to much.
By 10am we are enjoying a cool drink at Los Molares. Its about 24-25C and we have about 6-7km to go to Utrera, our destination (some 21km all up for the day). We continue on, still on back country roads ... we reach our destination a bit before midday .... get another cool drink from the service station as we enter and sit in the shade of a tree in a small park. We find a restaurant with a shaded area outside and relax over lunch with some freshly squeezed orange juice ... its an AFD  for all today.
Find our hotel and settle in, do our washing hang it on the verandah and its dry in no time.
A siesta in the cool of the air-con them a late diner, its near to mid night and its still 22C, but we will sleep well, may even need a blanket.

Tuesday 16th of April 2013 - day 56.
Its going to be another hot one today, 28C or above ..... so out at first light. Not a long walk but nothing between us and our destination, but flat open farmlands .... no cover, we walk on the road, paved and luckily little traffic. We make El Corinil ... 19km away in a relaxed 4 1/2 hours.
A bit of a dawdle but new it wasn't far, but its still up around mid 20's by midday. We can just about feel Seville in our grasp 2 maybe 3 days walk depending on the towns ..... don't feel like another long walk in the heat and we are in for at least a week of this weather if not more.
We have a bight to eat in the hotel as its to early to get into our rooms, as guests we can use the back garden ... its cool and relaxing. Later we snooze  ... then enjoy diner in the garden .... its a warm balmy night still 20C plus at mid night.

Monday 15th of April 2013 - day 55
We are up early the weather is heating up, we have 28km to travel, mainly on gravel roads, tracks ..... sometimes you wonder where they are taking you. No towns on route so made sure we have lots of fluids and some snacks. we are looking at between 6 to 8 hours walk today depending on the conditions. Its 7.30am when we leave its light but the sun wont come up till about 8am and the temp. is mid teens already. The road is dusty windy and gentle hills .... the GPS when it works says we are walking well .... our pace a bit over 5km an hour ...the country is low scrubby cover over a rather dessert country side. After a couple of hours we hit the main road, turn south and walk this clean asphalt road for a hundred metres or so then turn onto an even rougher narrower track that leads into the dessert ... the GPS says this is the road .... we know its true but its just a one lane nothing road.
We follow it though rough country its getting quite hot now, its still only 10am,but over 20C and no cover .... after about an hour on this track it gets wider and the countryside flatter, we are in farm land again then we hid bitumen again and a good road, only 11km to our destination.
We make Moron de la Frontera at 1pm ... 5 1/2 hours, very good time. We stop for lunch and a well deserved beer, we are hot, dusty and need a shower I have a bocadillo with omlete and salad, light and tasty and a second beer.
We hunt out our accom. and veg out for the rest of the day .... we eat in and enjoy the balmy evening weather.

Sunday, the 14th of April 2013 - day 54
We have to head 19km north to the next town for accommodation or 40km wast which is the way we need to go. alas non of us feel like a 49km hike through the hills which is what we would have had.
We head out in the cool of the morning but know it will get hotter, the skies a bright and sunny. We follow the asphalt north for about 6-7km then turn onto a gravel track it has no sign posts and winds off into the rolling hills. We trust our GPS and start the gravelly dusty march. the track twists and turn through the hills. we arrive at Puerto de la Encina about midday, its a picturesque little hills village, and it has what we require a small but hospitable guesthouse. We make ourselves comfortable and settle in for the rest of the day/night.

Saturday, 13th of April 2013 - day 53
As we leave Campillos we have a choice of following a highway slightly north which would take us through Los Corrales on our way to El Saucejo (25.5km) or slightly south on a country lane with no other town between us and El Saucejo (24.9km). We provision up and head out on the country lane, the land here reminds me of the meseta in northern Spain, flatish but always rolling hills. The only trees to be seen are the olive groves or newly ploughed paddocks some with crops already sprouting.
The day starts out cool but its bright sun shine so know it wont stay that way, expected top around 24-25C and dry. we know its most likely a 5-6 hour walk as long as there are no major hills to climb.
We reach our destination around 1pm, we find our accom. first but its too early to check in. We leave our packs there and wander of to a near by bar that has been recommended .... there is an outside garden, well more like a terrace with pot plants and an over hanging tree, we sit in and enjoy the food and beverages, lunch is a platter of mixed tapas washed down by some beers. We reflect upon that its Saturday again and where did the week go ..... we will spend next week end in Seville as we are only about 100km from there. After lunch back to the pension and clean up. Liz and I go for a tour of the town the other 2  have a kip. The town is a bit of an enigma some beautiful architecture and palm lined streets and also quite a bit of petty ordinary type of buildings, the town is not overly large and is gathered around the roads that come and go. We enjoy a coffee and then a wine watching the world go by ... back to our rooms and diner ... it may be a small town but I think every one was out for Saturday night .... a lot of fun diner was great ..... a pork dish tonight done in a roulard style with a yummy tangy sauce served with a yum cabbage dish and roasti potato's .... quite tasty.

Friday, 12th of April 2013 = day 52
As we head out of town its cool overcast and we scan the skies for rain, we are looking at 2 possibilities today Bobadilla at 12.5 km or Bobadilla-Estacion at 14km. The road is flat and we seem to be in a hurry today. We make it to Bobadilla by 10am have a coffee and decide to keep going, we also pass through Bobadilla-Estacion and look toward Campillos another 16km .... nothing in between but flat plains with distant hills. the weather is good for walking as its still coolish about 14C ..... we must have been on a mission today as there was little talk today just pushing on.
We make our destination by 12.30 and are happy there was no rain. We have lunch, find our lodgings for the night and settle in. A bit of a wander through the town, diner then home.

Thursday, 11th of April 2013 - day 51
The towns are well spaced apart here so a slight diversion and we take country road, state highways etc to Antequera, some 20km away otherwise it was 31km along the A-92M to Mollina or near 40km on country roads to Alameda. So Antequera it was ... and a very scenic route as well flat farmlands with hills, more like huge rocks thrust up out of the country side here and there. the day cool patchy cloud low 20's at its best. Not a long day's walking, no towns to distract us, so have to carry all our provisions ... no shade, no where to stop and rest except to sit on the side of the road. The last few km's through modern light industrial development. We make our destination just after midday into the heart of the old town .... find a pleasant place to enjoy our lunch then off to our Hostel for the night. There's a Parador here, would have been nice but well maybe a tad expensive. We are comfortable and its clean, we can wash and dry our cloths. All clean and relaxed we head out for diner to a bar about 3 doors down the road. Its simple but tasty food .... BBQ lamb with some Moroccan flavours, potatoes with anchovies and lemon and a tangy fennel salad ..... yum.

Wednesday, 10th of April 2013 -day 50
We were in a delemer today follow the side road of the A-92n or the country roads and and 10km to the walk.Sanity prevailed and we took the shorter path of 21km basically ... well about half distance was along side the freeway. We did manage some quieter roads as well.
Its a bright and sunny day, but coolish in the early morning, we pass through only one town of any significance La Palma (we passed through a La Palma yesterday?) Ah well Coffee and snacks there then on to Archidona. We are all glad we took the shorter route as it is getting quite warm when we arrive about 12.30-1pm ish. We find a very pleasant bar with a great court yard and relax in the shade of a huge tree. We spend several hours here then its off to locate our accom, an old convent on the other side of the town, sounds a long way but its only a few hundred metres away. The day is very warm now and we think back to if we had taken the quiet country route we would just be arriving about now, hot and bothered and tired as we would have had to carry quite a bit of extra water and energy drinks as there were no towns on that route.
So we spend the rest of the day with our feet up with the odd beer or two in the shade, followed by diner, then back to our rooms and here I am doing the blog again.

Tuesday, 9th of April 2013 - day 49
Its 7 weeks into our escape from what family and friends would say is normal life (though I think. all are secretly wishing it was them).
We awake to a bright though coolish morning, not a long day but still about 23km, for the most part flat but some undulating country late in the walk. We pass through beautiful country fresh and alive with spring. The towns of Huetor Tajar, La Esperanza and La Palma are walked through prior to finding our Hotel in Riofrio, its comfortable and has all the amenities for such a small town. we clean up and relax in the shade for lunch, its warmish, low to mid 20's, but the sun is beginning to get a bight to it.We are all on the Caesar Salad for lunch today with Cold Cured Salmon in it, yum. We also got stuck into some Campari soda's (its been a while since I had that, last).
Had the eventual afternoon snooze but today on sun lounges in the shade. Diner outside as its still warmish ..... duck breast for mains (cooked rare-ish) with mixed veg. and a very palatable red. The gas heaters are switched on as the evening progress's. The sky is full of stars ... I had forgotten how magnificent it can be. Then its time to hit the hay (well get the blog, emails done).

Monday, 8th of April 2013 - day 48
We depart Romilla early morning in overcast condition, with the possibility of showers. Heading north to avoid having to walk the side road to the A-92N, initially its more of the tree plantations.
About an hour into our walk we reach Valderrubio, a largish town ... we pass a bar and consider getting a coffee, but continue on, its flat walking on pavement with very few vehicles. Obeilor is another 3/4 of an hour, here we do take a short break and grab a coffee. Its about 10km to the next town, we walk through farmland , orchards and olive groves ... we don't see a car or other person on this section, until we are entering Tacon a sleepy town we only see a few people wandering around and keep going. Luckily for us the rain has held of or missed us and an hour later we arrive at our destination for the day Millanueva Mesia. We walked about 26km today through freshly ploughed paddocks and fruit trees with new growth, the weather was cloudy but mild, the terrain - dead flat.
We partake of some refreshments and relax over lunch. Check into our hotel and clean up. A light diner and hit the hay.

Sunday, 7th of April 2013 - day 47
We have decided to move on, we are on the road by 8am and out of Granada by 8.30 .... its dramatic city one minute country side the next. The weather is again clear blue skies and sunny, cool in the morning but warming up to a pleasant low 20's early afternoon. we ramble on back country roads, so no more than dirt tracks, its not a long day today so we just saunter along, enjoying the views, well its dead flat but very relaxing.we seem to be walking through lots of groves of some sort of tree .... reminds me of the trees back home that they grow to make matches from. They seem to harvest them quite young ..... anyway we keep walking and reach Chauchina bout 12.30-1pm find a cafe/bar and stop for lunch ... our accom is a guesthouse about 2km up the road in a very small town so it may not have a bar/cafe/restaurant in it. The food is pleasant but nothing to shout about. We don't linger and get to our accom in Romilla about 2.30ish .... its fantastic, a grand old house with great rooms and gardens. After a clean up and wash cloths etc, we adjourn to the garden, enjoying its beauty a tranquillity and take of a few beers. There is a swimming pool but alas not heated and the water is still freezing. We have diner in, its is a decastation meal .... (eat what they give you) and its yum, simple, rustic and hearty, with home made flat bread and there own home made red wine very pleasant. I am enjoying this part of the world.
Well with reluctance its off to bed, today has been great.

Saturday, 6th of April 2013 - day 46
Woke up this morning to a bright, clear and sunny day, coolish to start with ..... but not so cold as to be able to have breakfast out on the street. Bought myself a new shirt so I felt a bit better dressed for the evening meal, its very light so hopefully wont effect the weight of my pack much. We explored Granada and its varied and diverse culture. Lunch in the sun, yummy tapas with a fantastic white wine, then late in the afternoon back for a snooze. About 9pm off to find that bar/restaurant with the flamenco dancers - yes we found it but decided it was a tourist trap, all the prices were high, cover charges and the wine was over the top.  Up the road and down a lane, then down the stairs to the basement we found a great restaurant, no dancers, but great food, friendly service, a guitarist  quietly playing in a corner, magic.We all chose the fish platter for 2 to start with 4 of us had trouble finishing it. We stuck to a very light white wine, well several bottles of it. As the evening progressed the music livened up and some of the waiters did there male flamenco boot stomping thing. We finished of with brandies and cigars (first in maybe 20 years) had a great time .... some of the best food so far and definitely a night to remember. None of us smoke but we all had a cigar tonight and from past experience I know I will regret it for the next few days, till it and the smell is totally out of my system.
Finally stagger home, stopping for coffee in a bar on the way. Emails, blog and double, triple read to make sure its not all goboldy gook.

Friday, 5th of April 2013 - day 45 (about 850km into our journey, or there abouts)
Its another average day, overcast with the odd shower. After a leisurely breakfast its off to the Alhambra, not far away, as we walk up through the gardens we realise that the way we came in would have had the most fantastic views of it as we came down the other side of the valley  .... alas the weather wasn't all that flash. We meander through the gardens and then do the tour of the palace, its gardens and the museum. Lunch is laid back and relaxing then a little shopping to replenish our basics and a late afternoon snooze as we must have flamenco dancing in the bars tonight, alas we obviously chose the wrong bar, still it was an enjoyable night but not all that late. Will see what tomorrow brings.

Thursday,4th of April 2013 - day 44
We leave Quentar in light drizzle, we were all a bit reticent about starting out in the rain ... so lingered over the coffee for a while. About 2km down the road at Dudar we leave the road for a path that traverses the ridge of hills for about 10-12km, it is exposed and rather cool,we are in cloud so no views, so we shift into high gear to help keep warm. The wind and rain is constant but we make very good time, then down into a valley and we follow the Rio Derro all the way to Granada, the rain is intermittent and we are protected from the wind ..... then we are winding our way through the outer suburbs of Grenada and can't resist grabbing a hot chocolate or coffee here. Its about 2pm when we find a place to have lunch and rest in Grenada. Its been a hard days 26-27km of walking, hills, rain, cold and wind. After a light lunch, its time to locate our hostel and clean up and dry out.
Tomorrow we will do the touristy things, a rest is in order then diner an early night.

Wednesday, 3rd of April 2013 - day 43
A good days walking , all on country roads and all paved, a tad narrow though and through hills. A few km's in the middle was overlooking a large reservoir. The hills here are virtually treeless, lucky its not too hot, its clear skies and sunny for the most part, but clouded over as the day progressed, high teens at the best. We reached our destination Quentar (26-27km) at around 2 ish and settled in for the rest of the day and night, a small pensione with meals provided, worked out well otherwise it would have been a very long day. Its raining lightly outside and looks like we can expect some showers tomorrow, well we will hope for dry weather.

Tuesday, 2nd of April 2013 -day 42
6 weeks on the road and a lot of kms don the road, about 100km to Granada. We leave Rambla de Valdiquin as the sun is coming up it is cool with some clouds in the sky, the road is paved, we are in the foot hills of Sierra Nevada and we will be walking quiet country roads till our final destination at Bonalua. we arrive at Gor about an hour and a half into our journey and a coffee is in order as we leave Gor the road is gravel and a considerable though not taxing climb through some rugged country side. Not long out of Gor we a suddenly back on flat pasture, farm lands and we make good time to our next town of Herman-Valle ..... its almost 11am and we decide a beer is in order here. As we leave we cross over the A-92N and continue on our country road, its not long till the noise of the freeway disappears and all is quiet but for the crunch of gravel under our feet. We arrive at Bonalua a bit after 2pm, we find a restaurant, its sunny about 19-20 C, we sit at an outside table and have a great lunch of grilled octopus and grilled Sardine fillets with salad and crunchy bread with a marvellous white wine.
Our accommodation is only a 1/2km down the road and we are all in need of washing the dust off our selves and we relax out on the deck with our cloths drying in the gentle breeze about 8ish we head down to the restaurant, we dine on endive (witloaf at home) with blue cheese, white anchovy fillets, roast kid and mixed vegetables all washed down with a very drinkable local red wine.
Then home and to the emails etc, then bed.

Monday, 1st of April 2013 - day 41
The day is overcast and cool as we depart Baza, the rain has gone but a cool breeze keeps us rugged up we can see in the distant the snow capped mountains of Sierra Nevada.after an hour or so we find ourselves back beside the A-92N which we shadow for the next couple of hours. We then head north away from the Hwy. and meander this way and that up and over hills through towns that have seen better day still we reach our destination, Rambla de Valdiquin, we have covered 24km - otherwise it was about 50km to some place to put our head down and rest. It is still cool and the fire is burning so we spend most of the day here and an early night. Bad mistake its now about 1 in the morning and I'm awake got myself a hot choc from the vending machine and decided to check out the emails and update the blog.