Category: Photography (page 7 of 8)

Its just coming up to a month since I started my cycling adventure. I have ridden through parts if northern Spain, the west coast of Portugal and then back in to Spain which took me to Sevilla. I then took a train Malage where I called an old friend who moved over here five years ago and now lives in Calahonda. He and his amazing family have kindly let me stay in there home for a few days. It feels like only the other day that we would be chatting in the car showroom where we all worked but its been over eight years. Since then they have had two lovely children, Jack and Catlin and moved to Spain. Yesterday I spent they day with them and watched Caitlin ride her horse baileora and made Jack wish he stayed at home when we went to the shopping mall. They are such an amazing family and its clear to see that moving to the Costa del sol has enriched their lives.

Follow the green cycle path in Sevilla and you won’t go far wrong. On the whole Portugal and Spain are very cycle friendly with dedicated cycle path in most major coastal resorts. Even most of the national roads have a hard shoulder that is the domain of the cyclist with plenty of room. Having said that I did get hit by a cars side mirror when I on route to Porto which left a nasty bruise. But Sevilla is just miles ahead of the game when it comes to cyclist. Most streets have green cycle paths which cars must give way to, except at junctions. I would say that the only way to get around the city is by bike. I toured the city with ease and went to all the places I wanted to with no hassle. So if you are thinking of visiting Sevilla then bring your cycling shoes.

As far as architecture goes I would say that Sevilla is not that far behind to Roma. The Plaza De Espana is amazing and sits in the grounds of the Prague Maria Luisa where you will also find the Plaza de America. Moving on I went to Plaza De Triunto and the Cathedral y Giralda which you could very easily spend and half day. There is lots to see in this wonderfully city and I’m really happy that my mistake took me down the path to Sevilla although unplanned. One other thing about the emerald path city is it women. Chic is alive and kicking in Sevilla and everywhere you look there are amazing women. They really make the effort and I’m not just speak about the supermodel looking girls which are plentifully but women of all ages and sizes. So much so I felt I had to tell you about it, so if your visiting with a husband, boyfriend or any red blooded male give him a break.

My time in this beautiful city has come to end. Where to now the clue is in the photo?

Enjoy the pics

I woke up early this morning with one thing on my mind, get the hell out of this dive of a camping site. No breakfast, just shower and pack up. I was ready to hit the road in record time and was riding at 8.30am. As I left the site I didn’t even give a wave as normal. First sign I saw was for Lepe 11k and Huelva 51k. sweet I should be there in three hours or so. 5k before Huelva I hooked up with guy on a maintain bike and we rode in to the Port together. I said bye to my fellow rider and decided to head straight for Mazagon which was 19k on. Half way there I stopped to take a drink of water. Then this sinking feeling came over me as I opened my top bar bag.. I didn’t check if I had my passport back from the guy at the reception office . I opened my document holder and yep it wasn’t there. The next few minutes was a seen out Fawlty towers as I kicked the ground hising and cursing in a cloud of dry hot dust with cars passing me at speed. I had just ridden about 45 miles for nothing. There was nothing to do than ride back or at least to Huelva where I would have some options. As I rode back still cursing the street hookers that wait for business on the borders of town where the open road starts, think I’m there next customer because I had past them a little while before. Finally I get into the main city centre. I pull up to a cab stand and ask if they knew where I could hire a motorbike from. I thought this would be the cheaper option. This first cabbie tell me to ask the fourth cab back as he might know. No good said the cab driver. How much to Playa Taray I ask. He pulls out a tarif card €58 each way.. Shit I thought this was going to be expensive. I said €50 their and back and with that we shook on it. What about the bike I asked! No problem we take to my house. How far I said. 4k he replied and so we put the bags in his boot and I followed him to his house on the bike. Had to work hard just to keep up. So now we are on route back to campsite. On the drive there I found out that Nargi is seventh generation Huelve and has lived all his life and never left. He has two children one boy and a girl and is also a grandad. His grandson goes ton the same school that his son when to. Nargi also told me that Huelve football club was the first club to be formed in Spain along with golf and Tennis clubs. The drive back to where I started took about an hour which really surprises me as we are doing at least 80 kilometres an hour. We finally get there and I yes my passport was there. The drive to Huelve seems quicker and I’m now back with my bike but €50 lighter. Expensive lesson. I thank Nargi and I’m on my way again.

At the start of the day I was heading towards Donana national park, which is on the coast but I knew that there would hopefully be nicer camp sites down there but if was now 5pm and very hot and I still had at least two to three hours on the bike to get close. I knew Huelve is a major city and  would have a train station so I major re think was needed. Let me seen if I could get to Sevilla i said to myself. I got to the station and asked if the went to Sevilla. Yes but there was a problem. I don’t think they allow bikes on the train said the ticket Clerk. Come back closer to the train leaving time and we can ask the train supervisor. I’ve head this before I said to myself. With a three hour wait I was in a fix. Do I wait and hope to get on the train or do I just stick to the original plan ride to the next city. Ride I said.. Off I set but 30 mins down the road I knew there was no way I would make it. I was just to tired and exhausted from the days events. So I went back to the station to take my chances with the train supervisor. So here I am waiting in train station lobby hoping to get on a train to Sevilla. I can all the clerks speaking about me and must of looked funny in my riding cloths all hot with a look of being lost on my face. About 20 minutes passed by and the supervisor turned up with a look of sorry mate but this not your day on his face. He asked if I had an alternative plan. I reply yes I could ride.. I did have a bike there.. He looked at me and said come with me. So I went. He took me on the train to the bar area and said put the bike there. Agreed I said with a big smile on my face. So as I’m writing this blog sitting on a train heading for Sevilla I think back to how they day started heading in one direction but ended going in an other.

Crossed the border of Portugal and Spain by ferry at Villa Real De Santo Antonio where I meet a very nice couple, Christine & Stuart where taking the ferry to have a dinner in Spain.

Today I covered 46 miles and ended up in really shit camping site near La Redondela, where they charged me €10.50 for the pleasure of having my company. They also said they have wifi. Yes when its working. Never mind. At least I had an hours walk on the beach.

Went back to sleep after the dogs, bird horses, and chickens woke me me up at 5am. Man they are loud.
Finally hit the the road at 10.30 and was in a sort of pissed off mound. Decided to go to Faro. On the way hooked up with this old guy who was on a racer. In said good morning to him and he replied good morning back and that was it , we were riding partners for the next 30 kilometres. I didn’t ask how old he was but he must of been in his 60s going 70s. I could see he was holding back for me on the hills but on the straights I kept up. Soon the kilometre past and when we hit Faro I wanted to offer him a drink but before I had a chance he pointed towards the beach front. That was it, my riding partner was off. I shouted thanks and he just gave a salute. A unsaid companionship that crosses age and race. Nothing more nothing less. Then I remembered I wasn’t pissed off anymore.

Here are some photos of Faro old town..

http://soundcloud.com/joe-bernardes/animal-farm-at-portugal

Started out late today which is fast becoming the norm, why rush to get to them hills I say to myself. When I finally hit the road I made straight to the coast, after all that’s my main reason I’m riding the coastline is to see the sea. Now you my think there is this long road that follows the coastline but in reality its nothing like that. There are these coastal spots which you have to ride in and out off, which normally means riding down to the beach and of course riding back out again which in normally up hill. There was this one spot which I forget the name of but it was crazy steep with horse use bend coming right back up again. I rode past this English tourist who was walking down the hill. I heard my say to his wife. Watch this guy he has to ride back up the hill. On hearing this there was no way I was going to push the bike up the hill. As I turned and started coming back up the hill, it hit me really hard. This was steep but not that long. Maybe 300 metres but at least 1/15 gradient. I stood up on those pedals and grinded up the f@*%ing hill. I could see the guy just standing their watch me as I went slowly up. When I got to top he shouted out to me. I had a bet with my wife that you wouldn’t make it.. Well done son.. I gave him a wave to tired to speak..

The thing that really made an impact on me today other than hills was how much money white balls bring to Portugal. I’m speaking about golf. Vilamoura and Quarteira is worlds apart from what I have ridden through. They remind me more of LA than Portugal with palm trees and manicured green lawns but I can not help thinking its like a retirement settlement for rich English people but it brings in the money that is clear to see. Its also very expensive. So if you like golf, retired, like the sun and have money Portugal is paradise. Keep hitting them white balls..

Got bitten to bites last night. A moziy must of gotten in the tent and feasted on some fresh English meat. When I arrived at the campsite yesterday I decided that it would be a day of catching up on cleaning and maintenance. So before dinner I did all my cloths washing by hand, the old fashion way and hung it up to dry. Then made dinner which was pork escalopes and pasta followed by an apple and cranberries.

After the shock of being bitten to bits I decided to clean the gears on the bike and make some little adjustments. I come up with my own little tree workshop and let me tell you it worked a treat. I bought some oven cleaner to take the old grease off and washed it down with water. Then being an idiot I decided to mess with the adjustment of the gears. Two hours later I think I got it to the same place I started. Lunch time had fallen upon me so I made some spicy Portuguese sausages with bread rolls. Cleaned packed up and hit the road.

The tree lined roads in to logos was simply stunning. The ever changing climb and decent of the landscape tell you something is changing. Its seems that as you approach the coast the land rises before the descent down to life. Logos now seems distant in my mind now that I’m in Portimao. The famous rocks of priaia rochca stand out and remind me of when I was young on family holidays or have i just seen them to many times on travel brochures. I stop and take a break to full look at them and snap away with my camera. I rode slowly along the beach front looking at all the shops and bars getting ready for the summer madness. I can now hear different ascents, German, French, Irish, English and Portuguese. This is tourist town in a state of ready ness. The lobster look is never far away and the poor pain skin victim seems OK with the third degree burns.

I ride around the bay and hope to see signs for a campsite sooner than later. My luck is in and I’m soon setting up the tent and settling in for the night. Enjoy the photos..

A late start again.. Must be getting lazy! The truth is I got up early but really needed to charge up some batteries and as the campsite had FREE WiFi I took full advantage. Spoke my daughter and the guys at work on Skype which was great. Really nice to see them hard at work. Then spoke to a very close friend who told me some sad news.. Get well soon Robert. Sending all my love to you my dear friend.. Wishing you strength and speedy recovery.

So I consider today as a days of rest a catching up with friends and family. Still manage to cover 38 miles on hilly roads with a facing wind at times. When the wind is hitting you full on, its really hard.. Oh before I forget. A big thanks to George.. You know why mate. You are very kind… Back to the cycling. As I was saying, riding in to wind really takes it out of you and when you factor in hills the energy levels really drop. Also the weather has got as lot better and the sun is out much of the day and there lies a new problem. Burning and heat stroke. I really felt the heat on my arms and knew they were getting burnt. So I put extra sun cream on.

 I also stopped early today. I didn’t want to risk getting court out in the heat and having to ride a further 15 to 20 miles. I am fully aware that I’m out here by myself and can not afford to get I’ll. 

There is so much thinking ahead, do I have enough water, how far is the next village, do I have money and do I have communication /battery power. I know I’m only in Portugal and you would think there’s people all around but one thing I have learnt is you can not take it for granted. I have ridden for three hours and not seen a single person or car. So be prepared. Take no chances.

So tomorrow I hope to hit the south coast of Portugal, The Algarve baby.. People and life.