Back onto fast dual carriageway, this road is so new the sat nav has no idea where we are! The coast is on my right and we are running almost parallel Westwards. Most of the roadsigns are still covered in plastic and there are spaces cut into forest clearings for services yet to be built (Shit i hope this road is open!)
I knew this couldnt last, the beautiful road ends and the sat nav stops moaning as we join the crappy worn out coast road. There are lots of warnings about ice, rockfalls and bambi but didnt come across any (thank goodness).
Our average speed has dropped drastically as we meander through unknown villages which seem lost in a time of their own. Impatient Spaniards do their best to cheat death as they tailgate and overtake on blind bends- all for the sake of one car space- nutters!
We seem to be constantly climbing as the road bends impossibly left then right ( Im sure i should meet myself coming the other way on some of these bends - almost like roundabouts). The air becomes cooler as we continue to climb. Ive been riding with no gloves, my jacket open and just a tee shirt (trousers obviously- but bare feet!) which has now ridden up and is resting attractively on my six pack (crate). I get the mrs to perform a delicate manouvere and relocate the errant clothing whilst still on the move ( I think that may count as motorbike sex).
The road switches back to dual carriageway and becomes better as we approch the outskirts of Santiago de Compostela. The traffic gets heavier and they are all nutters. The sky quickly turns overcast and soon we are riding through drizzle.
We come to our first toll of the trip. I pick up a ticket and of we go, the signs tell us immediatly to change autovias. I have learned to ignore the sat nav and trust my own mapreading instincts. This can be difficult with a double tank bag as the map is directly under my nose and its difficult to focus on at such a close range ( should've gone to specsavers- i know). I think i've got away without paying the toll when suddenly ther'res booths ahead. 4.90 euro for about 20 miles (i thought that was quite reasonable)
Onward to Santiago de Compoastela, its 2:45 Spanish time and the rain has died down. The Sat Nav leads us through mental traffic to As Cancales campsite.
As Cancales campsite is the closest i could find to the centre of town, however its still a fair old jaunt.
The site is basically a forest on the side of an unfeasably steep hill. So steep in fact that they have had to cut individual terraces for each pitch.
I leave the bike a reception and survey the site as SWMBO impresses the staff with her extensive language skills.
OMG this is a steep site, i can only just walk up it! On a scale of 1 - 10 this easily pulls a 15! How the f*ck did they get those motorhomes up there?
Mrs comes out of reception and points skywards. Theyve given us the high ground presumably because we're on a bike.
We look on as car after car spins their wheels attempting in vain to conquer the gradient.
I explain diplomatically to the Mrs that she will have to walk up to the pitch because the bike will never do it 2up!
The mrs starts her lone ascent as i perpare foe blast off. I position the bike outside the camp across the road so as to get the maximum possible run at the hill.
Wait while the road clears then i'm off 1st gear all the way, stood on the pegs, chest on the tankbag and leaning as far over the bars as poss to stop the front end wheelieing.
Theres more- The ascent becomes more interesting as i pass the Mrs. I realise there are two serious switchbacks to negotiate, keep outta my way, comin through, i cant stop on this gradient i'll never hold the bike. I come to rest at the top ofthe site opposite our pitch. From this vantage point i believe i can see our house back in blighty!
After much jiggery pokery i manage to get the bike onto our pitch facing outwards and pitch the tent alonside. Its a bit tight but will have to do.
Then its a quick change and down to the bar for refreshments-
I opt for a large cruzcampo and an enourmous cheese sandwich - Mrs has the same but with coffee (That is, not with the beer)
