Monday 5 June: the middle of nowhere to PISCINAS.

I wake temporarily to the soft sound of goat bells as the farmer herds them back to their mountain pasture. No lie in for him then. A little later we breakfast on the terrace. It is cloudy today, perhaps good to give our exposed skin a rest from the hot sunshine. We retrace our footsteps (literally) back along the 2km dirt track managing a few stretches of cycling. The main road now seems easy and we glide mainly downhill towards the coast and follow the sea shore southwards towards the large dune of Piscinas. All too soon however the Tarmac ends and we are off road again albeit a little smoother than before. The track twists and turns and we wonder once again why we are doing this on bicycles. Just as I thought it couldn't get any worse we come across a deep ford that we have to wade across dragging the bikes. Simon's wheels are now encrusted with wet sand and barely turn...he continues without brakes and now it starts to rain! We eventually arrive at the Hotel le Dune idyllically perched near the waters edge at the foot of the massive sand dune. Rain somewhat dampens spirits but we manage a spot of lunch outside but under cover before reading books in the comfortable lounge. The hotel is converted from an old mining warehouse built in 1874 and consists of golden stone buildings which blend well with the sandy landscape. It brightens a little in the evening and Simon persuades me to have a quick dip in the sea. Surprisingly warm in fact and I feel I have deserved my Aperol Spritz.