Day 26 - 1,000 mile cycle across France 🇫🇷 + Spain

It’s the small things that you learn whilst on the road. Like the plastic lunchbox I bought to keep soft fruits and vegetables in. The lid doubles as a chopping board which I learned from another cycle tourer.

I came across my first bicycle Problem. At at almost 1000 miles the brake pads on my rear wheel started making a noise. I stopped and pushed my bike. I then decided to go to the nearest bar because I was annoyed my bike is broke and thought I would have a few shots.

It turns out people were seated at tables and this was not just a regular bar but seems to be a couple serving up delicious local food home-made. I seized the opportunity , sat down at a table and had a three course meal with wine. A cold soup with croutons to begin, fish as a main course and a delicious ice cream pudding served with a coffee to finish and a large brandy. This all cost me €12.

Sometimes it’s when you’re not searching for the perfect meal you find it. This journey has all been about reflection and time by myself to think things through. But it’s also been about food and so far I feel Spain and I have not agreed in terms of the cuisine. I’m not a big lover of ham.

As I’m coming out of the remote interior where men drink whiskey for breakfast I think I’m getting into the more refined areas where food presents itself to me in a better manner.

I phoned up a cycle shop and told them my brake pad had broken. They told me they are busy and I would have to wait until next week. I told them I will see them soon and we will work things out.

When I got there the man fixed my bike and I did not have to wait until next week. Much to my satisfaction. I then went to a supermarket and bought a can of monster, sat down and chilled deciding what I would do next.

So then I continued cycling and found disappointingly I would not reach Valencia. But it is what it is. I found a campsite just outside of Valencia and decided to bed down here for the night. The lady at reception was very friendly and polite and I’m surrounded by campers who are genuinely on vacation.

The campsite I stayed at last night actually has full timers there, meaning all the caravans are fixed and people live full time on these camping sites. The campsite that I checked out before I got to this one was also full of full timers. It seems to be a thing here in Spain.

I’ve got nothing against with people wanting to live on a caravan park. Being outside is part of being human. We need to be outside to align ourselves with nature.

As I’m sitting here the crickets are creating the most wonderful sound. The air is filled with smells of pine that surround me. And the sky is sealed by a blanket of clouds.