Day 110 6th November
10 miles (Dos Hermanas to Seville ) Average speed 11.4 mph Top speed 19mph
Today was all about football.
Left at 12 after drying everything out and cleaning all the grit out. Greta and Lorenzo from Denmark gave me a boiled egg for breakfast which I combined with last night’s sausages. It was so good of my neighbours and a new friendship made. Headed into Seville and stopped to watch a Real Betis match but the ticket office was closed. I smiled sweetly at the security guard and she let me in to take some photos while she guarded my bike; In safe hands there then!
Real Betis match
Carried on into Seville on bike paths with families on days out and all sorts of bikes.
Seville cycle path
Overtook a guy on a mountain bike who had the biggest thighs I’ve ever seen. There were a few hairy moments with pedestrians walking out in front of me, but as long as you’re not in a rush I would highly recommend Seville’s cycle lanes. Carried on to the tourist office who replaced my map that I had given Greta earlier and gave me directions to La Banda hostel. I stopped to see street dancers who were brilliant and so supple.
Street dancers
Street dancer
Street dancer
Then checked in with Juan in reception who was so welcoming and gave me loads of info and a place for my bike. I found a bed on a lower bunk and the rooms were fantastic with curtains around beds and comfortable mattresses. Then up to the rooftop terrace to see the great views. I didn’t think I liked hostel life but this experience has changed my mind. It was more like a hotel than a hostel.
Juan printed off my passport papers for me and my smile was the only charge. So I cheekily asked for another copy in case I messed up on the form! I padlocked my belongings in a drawer and walked around Seville before buying some bread for sarnies. Sat on the roof terrace and met Guy from Groningen and Robi from Brussels. We chatted while I ate and then Sam from New Mexico joined us. Before long there were ten of us sat around drinking beer and talking all sorts of weird stuff. Met Lol from NZ, Pedro from Brazil, a couple from New Hampshire.
Pedro, Guy and myself walked to the stadium and chatted all the way. It turned out that Pedro works for Scottish FA and was obviously very clued up on his footy . Even though he hadn’t heard of Leyton Orient!
On the way to the match
It was a great atmosphere and a capacity crowd, even the cast of Game of Thrones were there and it was time to hand over to Messi.
Capacity crowd
After a poor first half Barca went down to a well taken goal by Machin Perez, but just before half time I was glad that I was watching just Messi and not the ball, as he scored a great goal from just inside the box. In the second half Barca turned up the heat which was welcome in the upper tiers of a ground with only one roof over the main stand. Messi set up Suarez for the winner but it was the mesmerising skill of Messi that was the story of the night. Even the ref couldn’t take any more and told him to go off to put his boot back on. It’s now a yellow card offence to walk off too slowly!
Final score
Full time
A great night and I could watch Messicam forever more.
Shame about the O’s I really wish I had been in Sheffield instead today!! What is going on???
La Banda hostel €20 including a great brekkie