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Apparently i have to start a new thread as I'm now in Spain.
I'm heading for a town called Estella near to Pamplona where I am meeting with ex colleagues one of whom lives there and we are going to walk some of the compostella. Thats on the 20th. On the 17th i am also going to meet some other pals in a town called Agulla de Compoo. I think the two towns are a bit far apart to ride between and riding to deadlines tends to make me panic so at the moment the plan is to base myself in Estella and either public transport or more likely hire a scooter to get to Aguilla.
After walking the bit of the compostella I think that will be time to head for home
Probably via the Santander ferry.
As ever its all very vague and subject to change on a whim.
I'm told rain is coming but I've been told that before and i have just been baked in the sun for months. I have the most absurd cyclists tan and my eyebrows are sunbleached.
Today was a fairly short one. Barely 40 miles but im now in the mountains and the change of scenery is great. Saw about 30 or 40 big birds of prey circling in a thermal today. Huge buggers they were.
Im in a town called Elizondo in a hotel tonight as no convenient campsites. Tomorrow is the first big climb. 2500ft over to Eugi. Im going to take a few days to meander to Estella. Im well rested after a nice chillout in Hondarribia
Pics to follw in a minute
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Serious big birds in this pic honest
Ffs onlyntwo pics appeared
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And another failure
So is it churros rather than croissants for breakfast now?
Ive been having fun today trying to remember the little bit of Spanish i know and getting totally muddled with the bit of French and tiny bit of Italian i know. Well if in doubt just speak loudly and slowly in english i guess🙄🤣
Ill find out in the morning I guess given its a hotel buffet brekkie
It's definitely starting to look a bit hilly. With your 'legs of oak' you'll get up those hills I'm sure.
Are those birds vultures, certainly look like them.
Gracias.
Lovely 🙂
Likely candidate i am told is Griffons so yes
Cafe solo por favor. Espresso or small black coffee.
they’d be griffons, nearly 3m across. I surprised about 6 of them dining on a Pottoka pony, coming from downwind, so was quite close when all of them took off at once. The force was incredible!
The top of the pass. Im buckled
Bollox its melting hot. Im on the edge of heatstroke. 2 beers did not help at all.
Find a shady spot for a siesta.
Yup
I found beer in that heat didn't help...Spanish do some lovely juice/squash/fizzy orange or lemon though 👍
It's one of the hotest September days on record. We were out on horses and kept the pace right down.
We find diluted fruit juices easy to drink and absorb when it's very hot, nothing too concentrated and no alcohol. You've left France so probably won't be able to get menthe à l'eau.
Literally the drink of cyclists
I found beer in that heat didn’t help…Spanish do some lovely juice/squash/fizzy orange or lemon though 👍
Ask for "una clara". Yeah, it's shandy. I get that in the grim grey wastelands of Scotland you don't drink shandy, I can understand that. I'd want to be perma-drunk if I lived in Scotland, too. But it's sunny here. And no-one's looking. You know it makes sense.
Im fine now. Camped up near pamplona. Lost my charging cable thi so no updates till i get another if borrowed a cable to get some charge
YAY!! Episode 6 - I am going to miss this series when you get your ferry back TJ, in the meantime, enjoying your tour tales. Happy travels
When you get the ferry back are you riding home? Give us a shout if you need a bed ñear Newbury
Dutch hippy also cycle touring lent me a cable. Had a good bleather with him.
Biggest climb I hade done for a long time. I was absolutely buckled by the top and it took 4 hours. Gutted to get a crap descent as well but i am a long way above sea level still. Think I'll spend 2 nights here and spend tomorrow having a nosey round Pamplona
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Summit view
Actually this one should be right
Waves magic wand
Get to Bar Guria, always my first stop when in Pamplona.
Fantastic Pinxos. They do one with poached egg, mushroom sauce and chipsticks 🤯
When you get the ferry back are you riding home? Give us a shout if you need a bed ñear Newbury
Weather dependent and you expect me to plan that far ahead ?
At the moment the favourite is to hire a nice car on a onevway hire to get home quickly. The idea of ridung thru the uk in a wet october?
But we will see. Tonight fir the first time i was pondering continuing south. Portugese coast?but thats all a couple of weeks until i need to decide
No Scotland Yes stickers to put on that sign? 😉
The grass looks a lot more lush, than I’d have imagined. Looks great!
Ps there are probably enough STWers in central Scotland to make a Tjreturns get together in Edinburgh worthwhile.
I had my wander around Pamplona which was unfortunately rather spoilt by an anxiety attack. Never mind. I did manage to get all the practical things done. New charging cable, gas can and food resupply and also a bit of sightseeing but bars and cafes were impossible. Jeepers anxiety is horrible. It a new thing for me and I really hope its temporary. My heart goes out to those who struggle with it.
Funny city. Nice old town mixed with more than its fair share of ugly postwar buildings and more signs of poverty than I have seen since leaving the UK. Traffic horrible and noisy and dirty like most cities. Lots of street art with more than enough heroic statues
Yes that is Mickey mouse standing in front of the representation of the bull run
Street art of bicycles. All differnt sorts made of stainless steel
The water supply.on tje campsite is a thing of beauty and utility
Ps there are probably enough STWers in central Scotland to make a Tjreturns get together in Edinburgh worthwhile.
Was wondering the same thing.
Bollox its melting hot. Im on the edge of heatstroke. 2 beers did not help at all.
You want some Aquarius in your one of your water bottles - Isotonic and like a pre made squash,get in the supermarket and it has a few calories in it, comes in lime or orange.
A radler on a stop,lemon shandy bit of a marmite thing.
TBH the heat and the hills/mountains are hard although I do like to have a few beers I always make sure its downhill or flat afterwards 🙂
Thats what i did. A beer halfway down as a reward.
A german couple have just arrived on the site as the rain starts. They are on posh curly barred bikes and only have 6 panniers and one bag bag between them and the have hung a tarp as well as a tent.
They have the wrong stereotype.
Weather dependent and you expect me to plan that far ahead ?
Not at all just keep it in mind for the future
Spent the evening bleathering and drinking beer with the aforementioned german couple and and irish chap. There was a serious thunderstorm as we sheltered under a tarp huddled round an led. 😀
Pishing doon this morning. Coffee time
Two kittens just stole my cheese. No thats not a euphemism 😀
Two other bike tourers arrived lastnight. I think germans as they have a tarp to cover their bikes🤣
I might just stay here another night. Hmmmmmmm
Two Germans, an Irishman and a Scotsman sitting round a 'campfire'...
Has the makings of a terrible joke 😂
Wow. Another fierce thunderstorm. Im glad i decided not to ride today
Mad thunderstorms here in Madrid, too. My vague plan of going for a run has been shelved 🙂
I made it! Im in estella where my pal lives which is pretty much what i set out to do all those months ago.
Wooopeee. Beer oclock update later
Excellant.
So sorry you had anxiety in the city. Something I can identify with.
ENJOY.
I will.
Two kittens just stole my cheese. No thats not a euphemism
it should be, i just don't know what for
I made it! Im in estella where my pal lives which is pretty much what i set out to do all those months ago.
Congratulations TJ, that is a seriously impressive achievement, though not a regular poster i've been following you daily and will miss these threads when you finally stop.
i’ve been following you daily and will miss these threads when you finally stop.
We just need to keep him going....
Hey TJ, can't be that far to Morocco 😄😄
We spend a week in near Estella a few years ago and are planning to go again next year. If you get chance try cycling up to the Urbasa national park you may have passed signs for it in the way from Pampalona.
I think I've seen how this one ends...
🤣
I've not posted much in the thread but it's been amazing to read.
It's been an amazing adventure even as as mere "viewer". Bloody well done tj, I'll be a little gutted when the adventure ends.
Ta chaps
Its been lovely having you following even if its a bit odd.
AA i keep thinking about the portugese coast. Looks really nice.
A few days walking on the camino to do yet then i have to get home somehow. I ain't cycling home
You would have though i would have sussed the pics by now🙄
And the poor lassie who i am visiting
Amazing ride TJ.
I’m another one that’s loved following the adventure, wishing I had the opportunity and the balls to do something like this, maybe one day! Well done!
Loving this 🙂
3000 ish miles. Gawd knows how much climbing. 10 kilos lost. Legs of mahogany and arse of rhino hide
Amazing stuff TJ
Looks wonderful.
Have you been enjoying the heat? Just got back from a three day work trip to Bilbao where the overnight temperature in the city on Monday was 28-32 degrees C...
Bilbao is a fab city but I kept catching glimpses of the hills and mountains that surround it: not enough time and anyway, my bikes were back in Blighty...sigh...
Thanks for sharing this with us TJ.
Im not sure enjoying the heat is quite the thing. Ive been baked dsily but its sure nicer than rain. 30+ daytime temps for 2 months. Eyebrows are sunbleahed and im so tanned i suspect I'll be sent to Rwanda
2 or 3 times been on the edge of heatstroke. Mad dogs and englishmen go outbin the midday sun
TJ, thanks for sharing, been enjoying the updates, it has been very entertaining reading about your travels, and all the wonderful places you have been and the amazing hospitality you have received.
Unfortunately I've not been able to get out for any touring myself for the last couple of years, so this has been brilliant to read. As it's given me my touring fix from the seat of my sofa, without having to turn a pedal 🙂
Hope you enjoy whatever you have planned next. Enjoy a nice relax if you head back home, you deserve it. But whilst you are there I think it would be rude not to continue on to Portugal. You are not that far away really!
Stay safe and enjoy 👍👍