Spain

We got up quite early today, really cleaned up the place and headed off early (for us) at just after 10am. We had a long day so we wanted to get off onto the road.

Ed noticed within a few minutes that my rear light and brake light weren't working, so as he needed fuel too we stopped, filled up and had a look at my lights. We started troubleshooting and deduced that:
1 - my rear light, brake light and numberplate light weren't working, but every other one was
2 - it wasn't the bulbs
3 - it wasn't the fuse
4 - it wasn't the master fuse
5 - it wasn't the wire connections
So basically we were stumped. We decided to plough on towards Valencia while it was light and see if we could find a Yamaha dealership there.

On the outskirts we stopped at a business park full of car dealerships and one of them helpfully pointed us in the right direction. We found a Yamaha dealer okay and had a cuppa while they were finishing their lunch and to cut a long story short they fixed Frazza's severed cables within a couple of hours for €40 and we were back on the road.

Unbelievably within 10 minutes I radioed Ed and said we should pull off at the next petrol station as his rear light had failed as well!! We replaced the bulb and were back on our way.

By now it was dark (about 19:30) and so we just nailed it on the motorway up towards Barcelona, stopping briefly at 10ish for dinner before arriving in Barcelona just after midnight. We met up with Lucy and Ross and navigated back to their flat where they were extremely helpful and accommodating helping carrying our things up to about the 6th floor before plying us with Beer, Whiskey and Tea. We shall now go to bed happy and satisfied after a mammoth 385 miles - we´re back on track.

PS - Sorry for the rather text-heavy updates of late, we'll try to upload some more photos soon

Ed got up and drove back to the garage to see how they were getting on with Roger while I found a place nearby for some breakfast. Shortly after midday he discovered that they did have the part but the bike wouldn't be ready until 18:00ish (they take a lunch from 13:30 to 16:30!). Leaving at 18:00 to drive the 400 miles to Valencia by himself (more than we have managed together in a day so far) didn't sound like the cleverest idea, so I hung around Torrevieja to give Ed a shorter drive with a familiar destination and we will attempt the long slog all the way to Barcelona together tomorrow to keep on schedule.

In the flat here I reaffirmed something I discovered studying in Jerez once, returning there after Christmas in the UK - a Spanish apartment in Winter is the coldest thing ever. Popping out for some groceries it was quite nice in the sunshine, but I spent the afternoon trying to keep warm! Eventually I went for a run, had a warm shower when I got back and then put a wooly hat on, but I can still see my breath. Costa Blanca!

Ed has just walked into my local watering hole (The Stray Sod Irish Bar!) so I'd better get him a drink. 'Til the next one, adios.

I woke with the rest of the clan in my room had breakfast and said my thanks as they headed off to work. I then packed up and waited until around midday so that the sun had been on the road for a while before heading down from the mountain, again with stunning views. I got down and on the right road out of Granada before pulling over for a break. It was then I spoke to Ed to see where we could meet up and heard the bad news - as they were putting Roger back together they noticed a broken bearing in the transmission drive, and that part wouldn't be with them until the following day!

Ed managed to get a mini traveller from BMW and was going to go up the mountain to see me and G, bit since I was already on the way we carried on and headed for Sue & Vic's apartment near Torrevieja.

The roads through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada were stunning and shortly after that they were cutting through orange rocks and blossoming tree plantations.

I pulled over for petrol just over the border of Andalusia and into Murcia: miserable attendant, miserable till operator, miserable waitress in the fly-infested cafe. I hoped this was a one-off and we weren't experiencing SE Spain similar to NE Spain!

I arrived in the general area and rode up and down the coast a little bit until I was confident I had picked the correct turn off. I was a little unsure as Sue & Vic had given directions referring to the 'ladies of the night' at various roundabouts and I hadn't seen a single prostitute! Must be off-season though, because I found the apartmentand parked up before sunset! Must be a record. 260 miles today. The area us very quiet at the moment but was perfect to clean up and relax.

I guided Ed in (took some work!) and we caught up before going out for some food and drink. We got mistaken for Spanish people in the restaurant, bit I think that's more to do with the fact that some people here look very British than our mastery of the language. I saw a couple riding bikes by the canal wearing the most amazing 70's all-in-one suits and bum-bags. I wish I had taken a photo. Actually they probably looked more Florida, but not Spanish anyway!

The plan for tomorrow then - Ed drives back to the garage, hopefully picks up Roger and heads off towards Valencia. That's a long way, so in the meantime I'll wait and see how he gets on at the garage and either wait until he comes this way or pootle up the coast a little way to Valencia to find a place to stay so he can just collapse in bed when he arrives. Watch this space!

An early rise today as the four of us (all squeezed into the same room) woke up and got ready to hit the slopes

Nathan, G and Justin (l-r above) all had to work instructing on the slopes, so I got some skis and took the lift into the sunshine.

It was a gorgeous day and the snow on the slopes was quite good. It was -1 but warm, if that makes sense. I did a bit of skiing with G and Nathan during the day and we all met up at the end for a bit of après-ski food and drink before heading home to relax.

Onwards tomorrow is the plan then, hopefully meeting Ed and his steed en route.

Well, Ed has detailed the main part of the day already. For me it was spent sitting around waiting really, punctuated by a fantastic brunch and lots of tea. We took the decision that I would head up the mountains at about 16:30 and I set off to go and meet my cousin Georgina and pick up my ski boots hoping that Ed could follow shortly but knowing that if he didn't we could meet up on day 17 without slipping our schedule any further. Before I has reached the mountains Ed texted the bad news, so fingers crossed for Wednesday.

It was a bit lonely all by myself, but I made it up the mountain road as the sun was setting and it was dropping below zero, but the roads were clear and no problem. Sunset above the clouds was fantastic.

I had some problems locating the apartment block exactly, but eventually did thanks to some helpful friends scouting out. G, Nathan and Justin welcomed me into their flat and after a bite to eat we went down the road a little to play cards with some more friends and I learnt a new game -'sod off' (and I won! Beginners luck eh).

Just off to sleep now and hopefully a day on the slopes tomorrow!

120 miles for me.