Monday 21st May (Off Road in Spain in The Joint)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window into a blue sky and tree tops where golden orioles sang. Today Mr. Kite was on the move to Horcajo de Los Montes on the edge of the Parque National de Cabaneros; but first he had to travel there along the Spanish roads.

First part of the trip was into Guadalupe to visit a church and buy some castanettes and a loaf of bread followed by a drive down a windy road stopping to talk to some English motor-cyclists and watch black storks and griffon vultures; all very pleasant.

Then it was down a five mile track to join the main road. This track made The Joint rattle and shake and bump and other funny noises. Avoiding pot-holes, trees and overhangs The Joint arrived at the main road in one piece. Then a few miles down the main road before turning off on the 'tourist route' with the spectacular scenery. The first part was a track with pot-holes that would engulf The Joint but Mr. Kite carefully avoided them. With four miles of the eighteen completed M.r Kite was contemplating turning back as the road became non-existent. Just before giving up Mr. Kite noticed a lorry in the far distance. Things looked hopeful. Men were fixing the road. So the track became a sticky narrow lane of new tar surface. The Joint then increased in speed and the trip continued. Then just before a village the road ended with a large trench.

Now Mr. Kite was surprised that the road should suddenly end. Not to worry. Then some Spaniards pointed down a mud track around the outside of a field. So Mr. Kite and The Joint traveled across country joining another dirt track before reaching a pot-holed road. This road went through a village with gaps just big enough for The Joint. Carefully avoiding flower pots, dogs, cars, pot-holes, dead donkey and Spaniards Mr. Kite drove through the village without incident reaching the far side.

Now here the road became a track then a series of off-road pistes full of holes. With eight miles showing on The Sat-nav Mr. Kite pressed on as the road crumbled away. A few miles down the road the track narrowed over a dam that was just wide enough for The Joint. Just across the dam the road improved slightly then Mr. Kite saw a lorry and workers; the road was being repaired.

So eventually Mr. Kite and His Lady with The Joint intact rreached Horcajo de Los Montes and a campsite that looked out of the national park. After such stress Mr. Kite enjoyed a few tipples of Mahou Classica as he watched azure-winged magpies. Later in the eveneing a scop's owl brightened up a dark night. Cheers.