Day 494 26th November
6 miles (Cadiz) Average speed 7.7 mph Top speed 21 mph
A quiet day of preparation for tomorrow’s trip.
I got up at 9.30 for brekkie of cornflakes, apple and pancakes with tea.
Ian the Aussie was quick to point out that I’d had a drink last night and was snoring, talking and shouting in my sleep and I think he was looking forward to his hotel room for the next 3 nights!
I went to the flea market but couldn’t find a tie so returned and paid 7 Euros for the lovely Erica on reception to do my washing. She also gave me an old cloth to clean my bike and the friendly cleaner gave me some cleaning fluid and the story of her bike riding experience when she was 5! During a thorough clean outside the hostel, Swin (the Dutchman I met in Tarifa) arrived, and was as surprised to see me as I was him. We chatted and as before it was hard to get away from him talking constantly, but I had the bike to clean so at least I could carry on. Then I adjusted the brakes and went for a short ride around the sea wall where I bumped into Ian the Aussie again. Back at the hostel the washing was dry and I packed everything up and made a few calls.
Vernon posted my story so far on Facebook which was a nice touch and it was strange to hear someone else telling my story after I’ve told it so many times myself.
“Vernon : September 2016 Brian Allen arrived at our front door looking like he’d be on a starvation diet . In fact, he’d cycled all the way from Waltham Abbey, Essex. We thought 2000 & 3000 mile landmarks were some achievement. 14 months on, and after cycling through Morocco (twice) and most of Europe, on Monday he sails from Cadiz to Brazil (via Lisbon, Lanzarote & Cape Verde). He replies below with exactly how many miles/kms he’s cycled now. I lost count at 12.000 miles or 19.000 kms. We hope you enjoy Carnaval in Brazil next February, Brian. Take care on your continuing travels. Come back to Frigiliana in 2018.
Brian Allen Currently I’ve done 12824 miles, 21287 km.”
I filled in the forms needed for the cruise tomorrow and chatted to the guy in the bunk above me, who is on the same boat returning to Brazil after 4 years working in a Dublin pizza restaurant. He gave me some good advice about Brazil and warned me how hot it would be. Then I went to Mercado Provincial bar for hotdog and beer while watching Valencia v Barca. It was a good game, end to end and finished 1-1. I got chatting to Manuel about cycling and he’d gone from Seville to Santiago and we showed each other photos of our bikes and trips. I splashed out and bought him a beer for 40cents! He lives in Barbate and works on ships in Cadiz. Then I bought a whisky and coke, Spanish measures, for 3.30 and retired to bed.
Saying Adios to Spain for a while
Back in the 90’s I made a film called Brazil in Boots while working for M2 and tomorrow I set sail to go there, which is quite amazing considering I never planned to visit there before I started this journey.
Casa caracole 16 €