..if you look hard enough

Having initiated the Mem Sahib to the joys of the van - thought I should make an effort to regain brownie points. So off to jolly old Spain for a few days R&R making full use of the kindly donated 5 star 'Ranchero Ballo'. Great time - good healthy living, walking, jogging, swimming, eating ... but too much wine and beer (what a surprise).

Anyway the point of this is to say that we found a surfing beach just south of La Manga that up to now has eluded our efforts to locate it. When we arrived the swell was good and long but alas I had no board. The next time we visted the swell was short and a tad feeble (..sound familiar?) so only managed a few token runs- just to prove the point that there is some wave action in the Med.

Attached is a vid of the 'good swell' day and a pic of me (yes it is if you look really closely) on the 'feeble' day. Also a pic of my new funky footwear.

...Maybe the fun bus will stop here on a future European tour.

My experience!

Well what can I say - thank goodness I packed the essentials - wine and cider. Once I got over the embarrassment of the journey and put the sign out saying 'Sold out of ice creams' I actually had a good time. I especially liked the fact I could use my straightners in the comfort of my own van. When are we off again?
Leigh

Turned out OK

Truly does the Bish speak words of wisdom with his top tips.

In my usual manner of JDI ing, the Mem Sahib's first venture was...inteteresting.
A camp site on top of a steep (2nd gear all the way) 1 and a half mile hill and the pub at the bottom. No shop or bar facilities at all on the campsite and nearest food shop that might be open when we arrived about 10 miles away.

Dragged her on a coastline hike of 10 miles on Saturday - arrive at aforementioned pub tired, hungry and looking forward to local fare only to find fully booked - so beans in the van it was!

Still she did say she enjoyed the weekend and was smiling most of the time so all's good.

3 Top Tips for Smithington

1) Look in the right place for the fuel filler cap key

2) Check whether the camp site has on-site food

3) Always have reserve supplies on board

Tips freely given by Bish, look out for further toptips...

Scafell done

Relections

The last 24 hours now seem a blur. Living them was intense. In simple terms I walked about 22 miles. 11 miles up to achieve a total vertical height above sea level of about 2 miles and 11 miles down all in driving rain in the space of 12.5 hours. I sat in a crowded VW with 7 other people plus gear for 10 hours from Snowdonia to Fort William. What a smell! And in total had 4 hours sleep. I ate a fried breakfast and then grazed on crisps chocolate energy bars nuts bananas sandwhiches and water. Would I do it again - no. Did I enjoy it - yes.

3 peaks done

The 3 mountains up and down completed in 12.5 hours plus 10 hours driving that's 22.5 hours. Target was 24 hours. 11 started only 4 finished and I was the oldest. ROCK and ROLL