90 days, mountains, vultures & offroad tracks……

Countries & Principalities visited – France, Andorra & Spain

Miles travelled – 2066

Sunny days – 27

Coldest night – 7’C in the Spanish Pyrenees

Warmest days – 38’C in the Spanish Pyrenees

Highest mountain pass travelled – 7477 ft track from Llessui in the Pyrennes

Cheapest fuel - €0.93/litre in Andorra

Best meal – Roast chicken & potatoes, thank you Mrs B J

Weirdest place we wild camped – ghost ski resort in the Pyrenees

Most useful things – our warm clothes  whilst we were in the mountains,  the road atlas & guide for Spain that Fiona & Colin gave us, thank you.

Least useful things – big rectangular plastic storage box…it actually took up too much space so we gave it away & our auxillary battery that died a death.

LOWLIGHTS…

1) We thought €35 was a lot to be charged for camping but we were yet to be surprised when we got to the Costa Bravo……€55 a night for two people is outrageous! We compounded our shock by trying to sleep in the cab of Dassie which resulted in stiff necks and driving into the mountains at 2am…..we slept very well in a forest car park after this!

2) Nick losing his wedding band….I don’t think it is in the Land Rover but there could be a lucky gypsy in The Camargue that had his day made finding a platinum ring!

HIGHLIGHTS…

1) Spending a great afternoon sailing and swimming with friends.

2) Finding a fabulous campsite in France with a secret beach for snorkelling.

3) Doing some super 4x4 tracks high in the mountains in Andorra & Spain., we spent most of our nights wild camping in the mountains too.

4) Vulture spotting in the Pyrenees.

2) Walking the length of the ancient aqueduct in Segovia and visiting the Mosque/Cathedral in Cordoba.

RANDOM FACTS…

1) A lady always finds a way to do some shopping…….as some of you will know, Nick occasionally enjoys the occasional cigarette. Although I don’t mind this entirely, I did mind the fact that the cigarette money was coming from our daily/weekly budget. So a compromise deal was reached….I get the value of the cigarettes in a little kitty to spend on whatever I like J

2) We treated ourselves to our first gift and we bought ourselves a snorkel and mask each. We have already spent some great hours swimming and spotting different fish.

3) Spanish road signs can sometimes be a bit sparse (missing, stolen or possibly removed purposefully) so if in doubt drive on a bit further and you will inevitably find another sign to point you in the right direction.

4) The library in Toledo’s Alcazar is really fabulous. A great place to unwind for a little while, they sometimes have some photographic/art exhibitions as well as free wifi.

5) We have helped numerous people in a spot of bother, which started during the 60+ days. Two of these incidents happened at one campsite, different people, different days but one thing in common….as the owner of the campsite said, ”Problemo camping platz number 10!!” We have helped to put smiles on people’s faces and allowed some to go to bed with full tummies.

Nick & Vicki
Stonehenge to Cape Town 2010/11
www.langebaan-sunset.com

We used Lonely Planet Guides in Europe

        

Smugglers Tracks, Lost & Not Found (Yet)

Hoal Hola!!  Well, we have hit Day 80 and done nearly 10,000 Kms. The last week has been spent in the wilds of Spain and Andorra, getting away from tarmac and on to more remote rocky, dusty tracks.

The landy has had a good work out on steep, single track roads, most of which are remote and above 6000 feet+. Many of them have been (still are) used as smugglers routes from Spain to France and Andorra. The scenery has been amazing and we have done quite a few wild camps – one of which was at a spooky (no longer used) ski resort.

We have also seen some pretty amazing wildlife, including a family of Wild Boar (that’s what happens when you decide to drive at 2am) and a group of Vultures, not sure what the technical term is for a grouping of vultures is.....Anyone??

The good thing about getting away from the crowds is you meet local people and sample real local food.

The diet has now changed from Expresso and Ice Cream, to Rioja and Chorizo. The landscape has also changed from the rocky coast of the Med to the high, arid Iberian plateau.

Since the “salt incident” Nick has also had to admit that he has lost his wedding ring! We think (well, he thinks) it may well be in the bowels of the Landy some where.

Time will tell, but we hope it will turn up (sorry Vicks!!) Meanwhile Nick has been dispatched to the local plumbing shop to buy a pipe olive until such time "he" can "find" the original.

Nick & Vicki
Stonehenge to Cape Town 2010/11
www.langebaan-sunset.com

We really enjoyed exploring the mountains