Alison and Alison and the art of re-tyrement

Cycling from London to Spain

Day 42 Fonfria to Portomarín

Distance 32.5 miles

Ascent 676 metres Descent 1387 metres

Woke at 7.00am to low cloud, rain, wind and temperature of 8 degrees. We decided to have a leisurely start but without the early morning cup of tea.

Alison has said the water heater is now for emergencies only but am not quite sure what constitutes an emergency.

The rain stopped and we started with a nice downhill ride all the way to Samos.

We had a guided tour of the Monosterio de San Julián de Samos. It was destroyed by fire in 1951 and has been rebuilt. It is a working monastery today.
It is famous for the modern murals on its walls.

We arrive in Sarria to closed roads, flashing lights , police guiding us in and marching bands. What a welcome we were getting.

It is Saint John the Baptist’s day. A national holiday and Spain is closed for the day.
Lots of pilgrims on the route now. Climbing the steps up to the town of Portomarín.

We have been giving a lot of thought to our equipment and what we would change for future trips. A good piece of advice has been that all items should have at least two uses. That got us thinking.

It has rained a lot. The rain cover for our bar bags has a further two uses.
Helmet protection and shower cap. That makes the cut next time.

So much potential in our equipment. Too excited to sleep thinking about it.

Good night.

alisonmiddleditch

4 responses to “Day 42 Fonfria to Portomarín”

  1. chrisincarshalton avatar
    chrisincarshalton

    Could I just add that I think the predominant view from the UK is that the water heater IS the emergency. I understand that this was discussed as a matter of urgency in parliament today at the request of King Felipe VI, as the dangers posed by Al’s water heater were highlighted in detail. The hope was expressed that Al will do the decent thing and hand it over quietly. Our tattered relationship with the EU depends on it.

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  2. chrisincarshalton avatar
    chrisincarshalton

    … as for the hats….you need to consider if this will further damage our relations with the EU.

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  3. Malcolm avatar
    Malcolm

    Well done, countless miles behind you, only about 60 to go. Should be a doddle in two days, unless the ever increasing numbers of bycigrinos, bikegrims, cyclists 🚴‍♂️ cyclistes, Radfahrer and fietsers coalesce and form an enormous bike jam, ruining your meticulously laid plans.
    Had to Google what you were knocking back, seems to be the local equivalent of “hubble bubble toil and trouble “, late start tomorrow?
    Heartily agree that the water heater is itself the emergency.

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  4. Malcolm avatar
    Malcolm

    Breaking news – security checks around Santiago de Compstela.
    Because of serious threats to the security of energy supplies the Spanish authorities are now controlling all those entering the town. After a number of recent incidents two groups are considered as potential suspects, Russians hacking into computers controlling the energy supply network and two mysterious ladies, believed to be British, travelling so light they only use one name. Their potential methods are not quite clear, but is probably based on using faulty equipment that causes serious damage.
    T hese threats to the proper functioning of Spanish society and its economy must be stopped at all costs.

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