Ceret

Analogue

Heaven ! No cycling - well , only to the supermarche . Bought my calamari - and mussels - they make a really good lunch - have them with crusty bread - I try and keep off the frites .
So nice to be using ones own bathroom again - but alas - as I stood in front of the mirror this morning nothing seems to have changed . You would think that after approximately 20 000 miles ( slight exaggeration but most was going in the wrong direction ) my body - physic - would have taken on a more - shall I say - leaner appearance . Na . Still the same old 'Poger' - stomach still perfusing ( is that a word ?) - still got my man boobs! I look thinner - but - alas - only in the face ! Was it all worth it ?
Yes ! Had a really fantastic trip - come back with some great memories of a great country. I felt sometimes on my own - especially the day of our little accident - but never felt lonely . Don't think language is a barrier.
Best accommodation ? Difficult . I suppose you pay for what you get - the little hotel with only 5 rooms in Solsona was the best - love to go back there with Nic . Best value ? I think first night at Lierganes - 20€ for an en-suit room with a balcony - first photo .
My little o'mate Malc ( Evansie ) - would you believe it - is working in my road . He's causing mayhem cos he's shut the whole road - everyone's got to reverse back up - but we can't see much going on . We did see him this morning for an hour but then he went off to get something - and that was that !
Well then - it's goodnight from me - and it's goodnight from him - ( Bike ) CU x
Ps special thanks to Pete - 'the technician' -Morgan and his mate Alex who set me up on the blog (u didn't think I did it by my self, now ) and to Chris ( Allen ) who couldn't make it this year but who still sorted all my maps ( not that I took too much notice of them ) and also pin-pointed the hotels to stay . Thanks guys

Sent from my iPhone

A view of my hotel in Camprodon

Camprodon to Ceret

The hotel last night was something out of the past - almost Victorian - sort of English feel - not that there was a word spoken . When you turn up on a bike the receptionist always tells you the price cos you should really be staying in the hostel round the corner - and in general I have but last night was the last night on the road . Single room - 65€ -I've stayed in hostels just as good for 25 !
However, Camprodon is a smashing place - a couple of fast flowing rivers - suddenly converging into mayhem and giving a wonderful sound and vision ( there's a song in that somewhere ) and people come to gaze - and so they should !
It strange crossing from Spain to France. You would think Spain is the poorer relation - wouldn't you ? No . Catalonia is dominated ( even on the French side ) by - you've guessed it - Barcelona . It's not only in football - life as well. Barcelonians come over to France for the weekend - perhaps do some skiing or for a Sunday lunch - don't mind the prices - happy to pay it - it's all very cultural . The French go over to Spain cos it's cheaper !
Bike was squealing a bit today ( that squeaking in bike terms ) .I think he gets a bit pissed off when I stop off for a drink of water ( that's a beer - in Roger's world ) and he just looks on . I have promised him , when we get to where we want to go , he'll have a really good drink ( oil in bike terms). We had a long climb this morning and I think he's showing his age - not sure if I would want to put him through it again .
But here we are - in Ceret - at last . Bike is already tucked up in bed ( hope he's not waiting for me !) and I'm on my first bottle of cava - sardinas ready to go and a bit of Brucie on the turn table - all I'm missing is ... MY NIC .
Cu x. Ps I've already seen some of you around Ceret . Tomorrow - in my analogue ( is that right?) I shall expose you!
Sent from my iPhone

A welcome sign !

Berga to Camprodon

Come on - what's that song - who sang it - 'almost there,we're almost there?' . Don't all rush - but that's how I'm feeling - sort of done - not that I have - got a steep morning climb tomorrow but down hill when I get to the border - then 'Viva las Francia'. Not that I'm happy to leave Spain - many ways sorry - but can't help dreaming of bbq-ing my own sardines on my own bbq - bottle of Cava with a bit've Brucie in the back ground - fantastico !
Last night , in Berga , I got sort of invited ( intruded ) to a birthday party . I'd done my blog and decided I would like a little bit of pasta - spaghetti to be precise . There was this little Italio restaurant / cafe thing -on the first floor - above some shops. Now, come on - do you know what spanish is for 'sorry closed Mondays'? Well you don't - do you! Nor do I .
So I proceeded up stairs to find about 20 ( you think I'm either making this up or been missing my Nic to much ) absolutely lovely young girls ( 2 guys as well - lucky them !)
sitting down to a birthday supper ! The mother of the girl having the birthday was the owner - I think she was actually Italian - and said something like 'what the hell - what's one more'. So I had some rather good Iberian ham & melon to start - with a rather good spag bol as main - all with the sort of company - well to die for . One of the girls was off to study at the Royal Ballerina in London . I sang them a rendition of 'Happy Birthday to you' and left . Oh - in my younger (glory)days.....
On my way to the cafe this evening I had to pass a ladies hairdressers 'parlor' and who do you think was poncing around inside - you've guessed already haven't you - my golf mate come hairdresser ( yes - he's to blame ) Anton . I think he gave me one of those hairdresser smiles as I went by - or he was smirking at my 'bouffant' hair style ( only just washed it ) . Why are all hair dressers - well , the men's anyway - all bald ? Anyway Anton, well done for backing Darren Clarke for the Open - AT 150-1. CU x

Sent from my iPhone

Too much

Cabinet sauvignon me thinks !

The answer is......

Canned Heat.....no pants please Roger, a pint will do !!

My room with a view - with it's own drinks cabernet !

Sorinia to Berger

' on the road again de de de de de ' - who did that one ? First correct answer will win a pair of my cycling pants - like a memento of the journey . Now - don't all rush ! - but 'Thank the Lord' that my friend and compatriot ( bike ) is well again. But If I had to hold up for a day or two, Sorinia is the place to do it - and the hotel was wonderful - only 5 bedrooms - tucked away in the old part of town . I wouldn't say it was cheap ! - but my Nic is a very understanding woman ....sometimes ! Anyway, the bill won't come in for a month , dear. The room actually had a drinksy / snacky fridgey thing . You've got to remember what I went through yesterday - I was probably suffering from delirium - exhaustion- dehydration - and possibly SHOCK ! Anyway ,
this morning , checking out , the man behind the desk -(think he's the owner) asked me if I had anything from the fridge - 'yes' I said 'everything'!
So , I took bike down to the bike doctor .' He's lucky still to alive' said doc - ' I'll do what I can . Come back at 12 '-it was an anxious wait - and to be perfectly honest - I would have been happy if it were a couple of days - but there he was - at 12 - sparkling and smiling at me . We did have a little 'ding-dong' going out of town - to whose fault this all was - but we're fine now.
Anyway ,who do you think I saw this morning sweeping the pavements? My ol' mate Nobsey ! He was not looking in the best of moods judging by the frown on his face . Oh - Bridget ( sister-in-law Bridget ) was around (the streets) last night. She was looking dazzling . There's probably not many of us left who remembers David Emery - sort of comedian who had his own show - some years back now - but if you do - well - you'll no what I mean!
Onwards to the frontier ! Cu x ps Douglas tells me that
Roger Ses won the 6 something at Haydock Sat - and he never backed it ! Plonker !
Sent from my iPhone

Tonight

Ops - sorry about that - anyway will continue - and my front pannier frame broke - got caught up in the wheel and bucked it . So very slow progress and up hill all the way -but the town does possess a cycle shop so hopefully,tomorrow ,matters can be put right .
So , I was really late into town but I did see someone last night . Now , I can't quite remember but Chris ( Snell ) - the one I'm on about - do you still have your mustache ? Cos you've got dead ringer here in sunny Spain . He's must be making a fortune as a cabaret artist doing anything from Freedie Mercury to the Village People - does a great version of YMCA in short leather pants with a helmet on his head !
It was like carnival in town last night - great fun in a lovely square with a live show . This town looks great too but sun night and I got to find something to eat . CU x ps Mal phoned to say Darren Clarke had won the Open - great stuff
Sent from my iPhone

Balaguer to Solsona - just !

It's been going a bit smoothly really - but that's how I like it - Mr Smooth does it - well - smoothly . Is there anything more annoying than a smug Rog ? OK - almost burnt a hotel down with the kettle and disappeared down the wrong side of a mountain - but apart from that I've got to say it's all gone according to plan ..... until this morning . I'm just going along - enjoying the breeze in my golden locks - not a care in the world ( again - wait till I get home!) - then - crash - bang - wollop . I'm thrown off my bike ! Not seriously - never go too fast - but my mate ( the bike ) got a bit bruised. I think what had happend was that I ( we ) rode over some rough ground and the front

Sent from my iPhone

Monzon to

Saturday morning and the markets are in full flow . It was the same last week in 'wherever' . Next week I'll - God willing - be in Ceret and they'll have theirs . I was up and having my breakers at 7-30 - a 'cafe con letcha' ( missing my tea ) croissant and some freshly squeezed orange juice - perfect - and the cafe was heaving ! Now , you would think
the locals would want a little lie in Sat - perhaps listen to Sound of the Sixties ( miss that as well ), but no . Market mornings are pivotal to their weekends and they don't like to miss a second .I love the old dears - head down - racing each other to get to the bargains first !
Which brings me on to .....people watching . Not a lot else to do - stuck by my little self - sitting in cafe or bar - no one to talk to . But, isn't it strange how people look so similar to people you know back home . This could get boring for those who don't know these persons but here goes anyway-
I've seen at least 15 Phils - one in every bar - ( he's a farmer from Yorkshire ) Dave Ross is very popular - he's normally the slow waiter - bless him - Trevor ( Pearce ) - there are a few , even out here with no necks - my mate Gerry - gets everywhere - God Daughter Genevieve - lots of young tarts out here - Martin ( Pipe ) was looking worse for wear the other night - oh and last but not least my dear old Dad - standing on the corner , waving me on shouting 'can't you go quicker than that ..... stupid boy !' I must make notes on who I see tonight ! CU x ps hope everyone had a good day at Rencombe College - Gerrys good riddance party -
Love you all xxx

Sen from my iPhone

Huesca - Monzon

I just love the Spanish way of living . I even think I prefer it to the French - never thought I would say that ! Huesca was not a large town but by night fall - say 10ish - crowds desend on it's centre - all drinking cannia ( beer ) with frosted glasses - wonderful - and the ladies - whatever their age get smartly dressed and go out in 3s and 4s . Chit -chat the whole night - their husbands usually congregate in the bar or - even better - by the door - so they know exactually whose coming and going .
Last night I stayed in a hostel - actually had an en-suit room - which is quite rare . But when I arrived the 'old man' who was at the reception desk ( why are they always' old men ') was asleep in his chair . Do you think I could awake him ?
The bell didn't work - never does in these places - so I went round his side and gave him a prod . You'll never see someone jump like he jumped . There was still life in the old boy . He said something in his native tongue which if you translated would probably say ' I heard you were heading this way ... Rog '.
I feel I'm beginning to relax more now . My destination is - what - 5 days away . The hard slog - one feels -is behind me and I'm almost in familiar territory . It was a super ride today . Never a slog . Wide open country and more tractors than cars . Monzon doesnt seem to quite have the ambiance of a Soria or a Huesca . But perhaps one should wait till 10 .
Cu x
Sent from my iPhone

Wherever to Hueska

You're riding along - with not a care in the world ( wait 'till I get home! ) and something is not quite right . Not quite - you know - right . I stand out of the saddle and sort of wriggle around hoping things will - shall we say - fall into place . Now girls , I'm sure it's not all plain sailing for you sometimes but I recon us chaps have got more to - shall we say - go astray . What I needed was a mirror - my Nic would carry one - probably dozens - but us chaps just don't. An exploratory look was what was required . It was only then that I found out what was ailing me - I had my cycling underpants on back to front ! Must drink more water .
I rode through a desert today . 50 miles of flat , arid , boring ( should never say that because it's not ) , sweltering desert. Virtually no traffic - the od thundering lorry to keep one company . The thing about the desert is that you see something - could be a lorry coming towards you or a small town -but it takes ages to pass - like slow motion. And then,
on top of that , it looks uphill but it's flat - and visa versa .
What's that song by America - ' been in the desert too long '
- well , I know where their coming from !
Lovely town last night but not a lot going on . Now here it's vibrant . Do you remember Chris , Jaca , which is just up the road . We always wanted to go back there , didn't we .
Hueska has that same appeal .
I've had a couple beer's - couple tapist's and now I'm heading off for a rational - and perhaps an ice cream and brandy to finish. Cu x
Sent from my iPhone

Ekes

Arnedo - Ejea de Los Caballeros

I , yes I , got chatted up last night ! I always look , when riding into town , not for a hotel but a pension - which is almost like a b&b - but not quite . The Madame - not what you're thinking - couldn't speak Rogersworld - so she went on to bloody Google and she typed in questions in Spanish which got translated into English ! She didn't know where Grand Britannia was so then she googled maps - well , after an hour , there it was ...... Swanmore - with my Nic - sitting in front of her fire watching University Challenge - with a tray on her lap ! Cleaver stuff this google !
Then , at a bar , I was having a little trouble ordering my 'rational' and this chap helped . His son was at university in Chester and he was going over this coming w e for a visit - I told him to wait until Chester races were on - no point in wasting an opportunity like that ! He was playing in a band later on that evening and invited me to go - but I had a long - very long day so declined his invitation . I now wished
I hadn't .
So , I started my day in Rioja . The landscape is so very red - the wine ( of which I had plenty of last night ) so very red .
Then , on top of everything there's the bulls blood .
This is not the land of the faint hearted - that's for sure.
I'm now in the province of Zaragoza and if I had the time would love to visit the town of the same name . Cycled through with my Nic a couple of years ago on a Brucie tour . Loved the place .
CU x Will try harder with the photos
Sent from my iPhone

Soria - ?

Well , if Pete or Chris ( or even my Nic ) were with me this would never have happened . They are so bloody precise it makes one want to curl up and die . Rulers and lines are not what I'm about , baby ! But how I managed to take the wrong road - for so long - for so very, very .....is beyond me - even me ! I climbed up to a height of 1450m only to plummet into the abbis ! Well, not that bad - Rioja actually.
I even had a whole cafe studying my map - they couldn't even find themselves - let alone help me - but the problem was that I wasn't actually on my map - I had long drifted off!
It was a long day yesterday - all that sun .
Anyway , nice town this but I can't yet give you a name. Not
though , as vibrant and lovely as Soria . It's a must visit . Not sure what it's famous for - probably bull fighting - but would have loved to have another day there .
This time of the day is my favorite . I've had my shower and now relaxing with a beer and a tapis . Locals don't seem to eat out at restaurants - they just have tapis & rationales - larger portion tapis . Last night I had a couple tapis - while doing my blog - followed by a rational of tuna - on some crust bread - with a salad - bloody lovely! CU x ps I haven't been taking my photos but here's one from last night
Sent from my iPhone

Salas - Soria

When we were here last year , Spain were in the process of winning the world cup - and it was quite something to look on from an outsiders perspective . This year they have reverted back to their roots - The Bull Fight . Huge roars of approval as another sword is trust in the poor beast - another ' victory ' with another round of drinks . This is all happening just up the road at Pampolina and we - the Brits on holiday - look on in disbelief at its macabre ritual .
I arrived into town this evening looking a bit like Clint - over dressed and with a squint . I've been cycling for the last few days in the Sierras at a height of 1400 m and it's been sunny, but fresh , bit like a summers day in Blighty . Now , as I desend , the heat hits . My Very Great Aunt Sally - bless her - would not show an inch to that ' ol' red devil '
and would even be seen on the beach sporting a balaclava !
Has done her no harm though , and is still going strong .
The ride today was quite uneventful , really - hence the photo .So , not a lot to say but made up some miles and Soria looks a really buzzy town - so I'm really looking forwad to exploring ( it bars !) CU x
Sent from my iPhone

Villafranca - Salas - disaster strikes

There's just one - no two things - I need in the morning to - well you know - get the constitution going for the day . A cup o' tea and the Racing Post ! Forget the RP over here so it's all down to the tea . I always carry , wherever I go , my portable kettle, especially on ' la continent ' where you never get any in room facilities . Anyway , the bloody thing blew up ! Sparks flying , water everywhere . I did manage though , to save the hotel but not their lighting system !
Let's get last night meal out of the way . I started with a sort've soup with spaghetti in it - very tasty -( giving beans a wide berth ) followed by ox-tail stew ( delicious ) and apple pie ( but not what we know it as , Jim ). Bottle wine - 10€.
Room - with a view of the A10 - 20€ . A few beers on top -
35€.
Today's ride was the most varied . Started of in wet mist - turned sweltering in afternoon - boring along A10 ( thank god it was Sunday ) but turn off after an hour to the most lovely countryside with quaint villages . Then round a lake - or a reservoir - where I had my picknic and a nap - climbed to a height of 1400 meters and cycled down next to a fast flowing river ! I think the area is a National Park - Sierra de la Demanda or something - but it was good. CU x
Sent from my iPhone

Villarcayo to Villafranca

Last night I stayed in a hostel . It was fine - like new. I'm crossing the Compostella (?) route to Santiago - pilgrims and all that - so everyone thinks I'm going their way ! Sometimes it's quite a relief not being able to speak their lingo - wouldn't get any peace . They do get agitated though, when in the morning I set off in the opposite direction - a lot of hand waving and pointing of fingers !
I think I was still trying - in vain - to digest the previous nights fair - cos I wasn't particulary hungry . So , as there were a number of bars to frequent I decided on a tapist craw - sounds better than pub - a coup du San Miguel and 2 tapists never came to more than 2€ ! I know I'm going on a bit about price but I have had a couple of trips to Paris lately so here it feels like they're giving it away .
Sometimes I think the actual cycling is - well, you know - a bit irrelevant - it all about the experiencing a diferent way of life but for all you anoraks with helmets - and you know who you are - here's my cycling day .
I was late up - due mainly due to the tapist craw - started- had to go back for things I'd left - took wrong turn out of town - about - I recon - 2 hours behind time ! The glorious scenery of the Canterbrian mountains have long been left behind . This area is predominately farming . Lots of long roads with ups & downs but nevertheless wonderful . When did I arrive ? 2 hours late ! CU x
Sent from my iPhone

Valdecilla to Villarcayo

I'll start today's blog by going back to last nights supper. A set menu for 11€ sounded right up my street - especially as I have little dosh left due David Pipe buying Gevrey Chambertin on my behalf - and wine free !
I started off with cherizo & bean stew which delicious as it was did stick to the ribs . I suppose I shouldn't have finished it all but with crusty bread and lashings of free wine it soon was downed. I was only having squid for mains so surely not too excessive . What I didn't know was that the squid were stuffed with something - I would like to think pork - and then cooked in it own INK - apparently to give the dish a robust and rich flavor ! - local delicacy and all that . To finish was something that tasted like Great Aunt Joans lemon curd - but with double the sugar! I suppose for 11€ I had little to complain about - but you wouldn't have wanted to share a room with me last night!
Back to the cycling - the Cantabrica hills are breathtaking - something between the Swiss Alpes and the Corbierres in the south of France . It was just all up hill to about 2 - never thought I would make my destination - but as is always the case - all down hill from there. CU x
Sent from my iPhone

No friends Stanley

I've done an annual pilgrimage to Ceret for the past 5 years and every one has been different. I've always had someone picking up my stuff up as I tried to leave it behind but things might have to change on this one - I'M ON MY OWN !
My old cycling chum(p)s - Pete , Chris , Nicola have all gone into hiding. So this year has a very different feel to it.
Anyway, the crossing from jolly old Portsmouth to Santander was about the roughest I have encountered - some diners not quite getting through to main course - not even finishing there wine . Sacrilege !
Anyway, cycled of the boat @ noon and headed to Feve - small one track train that can take you all over west & north Spain . Santander can be murder to get out off so took the easier option to Valdecilla where I did a couple hours cycle to Lierganes - a really lovely small town with a lovely friendly atmosphere . Hotel on the corner - 25€ a night with balcony - free wine with meal - what more could a fellow ask for.
Anyway, it has not in any way been lonely . A German cyclist on board going home the long way - doesn't believe in maps - only a compass . I think thats one for Pete .
A family from California ( on the Feve ) cycling the region.
I'm going now to try and put this on my blog ! C U
Sent from my iPhone