To say I slept well last night would be an understatement. I was utterly unaware of anything until my 06:00 alarm. And when it went off I had no clue where I was.
It was a little nippy again first thing but nothing like as cold-of-a-morning it has been so far. I sensed it may be a warm day ahead.
A steady 30-35 mph bumble down some gloriously untrafficked back roads saw me spending most of the morning passing through countless acres of orange and olive groves.
A feature I noticed fairly consistently was that where sheep and / or goats were kept in and around the various groves, they were often accompanied by a huge dog. I never saw any humans around and it seems to be something of a practice to leave a guard dog loose amongst livestock to do its thing. A couple of them that saw me chased towards the lorry barking furiously: I certainly wouldn't want to tangle with one. I don't know the breed but they look a bit mastiff-ish.
By late morning I'd covered a good few miles so decided to park up in a spot that looked like it might give access to some good tracks and have a whiz out on the bike.
Wowsers! I found I'd chanced upon something referred to as a Natural Rural Road (read a rough track with vehicular access) that was also designated as part of a super-long walking / biking route known as the Camina Natural del Guadiana (The Natural Walk of the River Guadiana). The Guadiana, I have become aware, is the huge river that forms the border between Spain and Portugal here.
What a fantastic if challenging route! I spent a couple of hours in the now-baking sun dutifully suffering along with many-a local mountain bike rider; whilst also occasionally jockeying for position with more than a few roof-tented Land Cruiser / Land Rover overlandy types of Spanish, Portuguese and French origin. Seems I'd stumbled onto something of a 4x4-vehicle-camper Mecca.
Naturally, post bike and much-needed shower I pointed the truck back up the track I'd just ridden and that's where - in an out-of-the-way spot just big enough for the truck (and definitely no added roof-tented 4x4s) - I can currently be found.
It's been a comparatively lazy afternoon but I've caught up with a few cleaning and equipment tasks, as well as spending a very warm evening sat on top of the cab with bins.
The trucks running well and the only thing I've had to fettle has been a lube and tightening of the driver's mirror arm. It was vibrating and squeaking to the point of fixated annoyance.
I've had only two 'new' bird sightings today: green sandpiper and Eurasian swift.
The green sandpiper is bobbing about in a bit of wetland close to where I'm parked and is undoubtedly resting / refuelling on its trip from Africa to the High Arctic. The Eurasian swifts don't normally make the UK until early/mid-May, so it's something of a privilege to spot them so early.
Come nightfall, the aforementioned wetland has also (as has become quite usual on this trip so far) sprung alive with an outrageously loud and varied amphibian chorus; plus, once again, the sky is mind-bogglingly clear with no perceptible light pollution.
All in, a grand multi-experience day on the road. Travelling makes life last longer.
This post was composed at 22:00 on Saturday 29th March from my intended overnighting spot N 37.40034°, W 07.38551° / http://maps.google.com/maps?q=loc:37.40034%2C-07.38551