Day 70 to Day 73 27th to 30th September
As you are now aware I arrived in Frigiliana on Monday and have been eating, drinking and resting since. Well, as soon as I’d done all my washing, cleaning and maintenance that is.
The last three days of riding just go to show the generosity of strangers, family and friends alike. I arrived in Alcaucin at sunset after my toughest day yet, 61miles through the mountains. I then discovered my Warmshowers host (a cycling website like couch surfers) for the night was another 6km up a very steep climb. I managed 2 of those km but then the road turned into a dirt track in the pitch black. I rang Raul my host but only for long enough to tell him where I was before his phone died. Within 5 minutes he arrived in his van and took me and my panniers back to his restaurant. Unfortunately he had no electricity so I had a cold shower by torchlight (A bit tricky but refreshing all the same) I met Eva his wife and they offered me a mattress on the floor 4 metres from their bed in the restaurant! They then supplied me with beer and dinner. I’m still not sure how they produced chips and meatballs without power!
We chatted cycling into the night and in the morning I got to see the wonderful location of their restaurant in daylight. Then toast, meats and cheese with fresh coffee, before Raul whisked me off to his nearby bungalows for a hot shower and wifi and battery charging. I will definitely be meeting them again soon.
Then the next day I cycled through mountains again to reach my step mum’s holiday hosts Steve and Dot In Competa. We met in town and they took all my bags to the paradise villa they live in. I cycled up and down and then met Tom and Greg. I was handed a cold San Miguel by Dot and step mum Gaye showed me to the luxury bathroom she and Craig had been sharing. A wonderful shower was followed by an incredible spread, many more beers and a few whiskies. Great conversation in proper English (well, almost, they are Geordies). I chose to sleep in the cabina on my mattress even though they tried to insist on me sleeping in their living room. Another great breakfast followed and then a swim in their pool before Steve drove me back up the dirt track to continue my journey.
I then headed on the short but uphill trip to Frigiliana 17 miles to meet my good friends Vernon and Nola. A great reception was followed by a shower and we all met up for a lovely fish lunch in the plaza. These three days were not only rewarding but very humbling. I have had a massage and am taking some R&R but I would like to thank everyone involved in making me so welcome.
Ermintrude ; there will now be a brief pause while Brian is taking some time to rest and prepare for the next section of his travels and while I catch up with all his posts and photos.