Denmark, Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Portugal - Autumn '15
Not that we didn't absolutely love Norway, but it wasn't really that summery up there. Sure, we did see sunshine, but also snow. Say no more!
So come Autumn and return to the South I had in mind at least a few weeks of sunshine to make up for that lack of a real toasty summer. This kindof worked, but, then there was a change of plan.
You see: we were supposed to travel all the way to the bottom of Spain or Portugal for winter, but only made it as far as Porto (beautiful place that is too) before returning to France to attend to some business. Oh well, but it will hopefully be worth it.
At least, after the Norwegian experience, we know how to make the most of cold, grey weather 
Wednesday 2 September 2015
Dear Norway, been an amazing 7 weeks, but passing ferry terminal in more rain too much of a sign! Thus we find ourselves in Denmark tonight.
Thursday 3 September 2015
Good morning Denmark! 
Tuesday 8 September 2015
Sipping beer in Rembrandtplein. Got to the 3rd before remembering to share Used to hang here a lot in a past life!
Wednesday 9 September 2015
Being a tourist in lovely sunny Amsterdam, where I once lived & worked. A whole lot better without the work part
Wednesday 9 September 2015
Few drinks & a wonderful lunch by the canal in Amsterdam. It is really very nice here on a day like this. Cheers! 
Thursday 10 September 2015
Pratiwi fattening up dinner?! A wonder so many plump chickens like this survive on sites full of hungry campers!
Friday 11 September 2015
Visit to Castle De Haar, Netherlands. Immaculately restored and kept, it's just beautiful.
Friday 11 September 2015
Feeding deer at Castle De Haar. They were loving acorns that we collected from an Oak tree just out of their reach.
Saturday 12 September 2015
We got lost walking in the centre of Maastricht this morning. Which was actually a bonus as it's such a lovely place to wonder around
Saturday 12 September 2015
Dropped into a Dutch bakery. Just a sample of the wares we picked up... Nom, nom, nom! 
Monday 14 September 2015
Felt guilty skipping Sweden on our trip so... Swedish lunch somewhere more ubiquitous to make up for it!
Tuesday 15 September 2015
Overcast & chilly in Odenwald, but out for nice loop anyway. Rolling hills mean nothing flat here. Great cycling
Wednesday 16 September 2015
Just 'dropped in' to friends in Germany & completely spoiled again. Thank you guys, best pork ever! Nom, nom, nom!
Thursday 17 September 2015
OMG! Walking back into a French hypermarket after months away is, as Pratiwi said, "Heaven!" Sooooo muuuuuch goooood foooood. Dribble!
Sunday 20 September 2015
Stroll along the coast around Cancale. Past local festivities. Oysters everywhere! Don't worry, we had some later
Sunday 20 September 2015
Post stroll, pre-dinner drinks in last of the afternoon sun. Very nice choice by our gracious host. Cheers!
Thursday 24 September 2015
Breakfast by the river Tarn, at Moissac. Nom, nom, nom... best get the bike out! Lucky it's a beautiful day!
Thursday 24 September 2015
French sunflower fields in Autumn. So sad 
Nice little ride in this area all the same.
Saturday 26 September 2015
Today meant to be all DH from half way so smashed up Mente & Aspet. Imagine my joy finding 2 more cols after that!
Saturday 26 September 2015
Need some sugar post ride? French apple pastry thing not sweet enough? Drizzle it with honey That's better!
Sunday 27 September 2015
Little 'recovery' ride this morning Climbed Portillion to Spain then Peyresourde. Love, love, love the Pyrenees!
Tuesday 29 September 2015
Climbed up Port de Balès. 19kms that just get steeper & steeper! It's lovely! Descent to Luchon even more so!
Thursday 1 October 2015
Hike up to Lac d'Oô. Lovely autumn colours & beautiful views. Pratiwi being brave with the locals too. Mooooo!
Thursday 1 October 2015
Driving over Col de Peyresourde. Not as fun as the bike, but yeah, you can still appreciate the view I guess!
Saturday 3 October 2015
Moving on from Loudenvielle. Shame to leave when the sun is shining like this, but we do have vague plans you know!
Saturday 3 October 2015
View down to Arreau as we drive the Col d'Aspin. The clouds rolled over as we climbed so was a bit nippy up the top!
Friday 9 October 2015
Sunrise walk into Lourdes along the river Gave. Chilly but beautiful. Brrrrrr...
Friday 9 October 2015
Lunch at Auberge Le Bouic on a lovely sunny day in the mountains. Great food here too. Nom, nom, nom!
Friday 9 October 2015
Relaxing in late aftenoon sun above Pierrefitte-Nestalas. Some tricky decisions to be made come morning! Hmmmmm
Saturday 10 October 2015
Stunning riding above Gavarnie today, on 40km climb to Col de Tentes! Final 11km is HC in it's own right! #Broken
Sunday 11 October 2015
Just wondering in the hills above Pierrefitte-Nestalas on an Autumn day. Love the Pyrenees!
Monday 12 October 2015
The valley near Gazost (French Pyrenees). Last time I was here, was on the bike & saw a couple of deer. Lovely place.
Tuesday 13 October 2015
Great 3 course lunch in Nay. Cold meats plate, steak, amazing potatoes & crème brûlée for 12.90€ Can't think why we like it here!
Thursday 15 October 2015
Hola España! Not a bad spot nor day for a first Spanish encounter. May they all be as sunny & picturesque as this!
Thursday 15 October 2015
Beautiful rolling hills inland from San Sebastian. Aside from the main road to get here wonderful riding
Thursday 15 October 2015
Sunset above Zarautz. Say no more!
Saturday 17 October 2015
Rode up to Puerto San Glorio today. Wasn't going to but weather came good. Down to short jersey on the climb! #Toasty
Sunday 18 October 2015
After 6 months of living in the snail we have a break this week. Miss it already, but view from the bedroom helps!
Sunday 18 October 2015
Lunch at Asador Llorente, Potes. Yum! And most of these dishes are entrées! We all left feeling a little stuffed!
Tuesday 20 October 2015
Chores around the home are never ending! All round clean for the snail today. Nice & easy with the terrace here
Wednesday 21 October 2015
This was the 'warm up' climb on today's ride: cat 2 up to Cahecho. Went on to Fuente De but got cloudy so no pics 
Thursday 22 October 2015
Lookout few kays from Puerto San Glorio. I was here before, but today is a chance for those who don't ride to see
Thursday 22 October 2015
The view from Mirador de Pandetrave and again just a little down the road. Shaping up to be a great day!
Thursday 22 October 2015
Sights from the road on the way to Cares Gorge. Moooooo!
Thursday 22 October 2015
Starting out on walk through Cares Gorge. Bit cold, dark & damp in the opening section despite being close to noon.
Thursday 22 October 2015
Obligatory 'Pratiwi is the red dot' pics walking along a path cut into the cliff face! Awesome & not scary at all!
Thursday 22 October 2015
Continuing on... Getting a little sun in this deep gorge in the afternoon was very welcome! Amazing place!
Thursday 22 October 2015
Having fun in Cares Gorge. Perfect day for a hike!
Thursday 22 October 2015
Some of the tunnels (although these are very short) cut into the cliff face in Cares Gorge. Yet more amazement!
Thursday 22 October 2015
Yet more, 'Oh look, we're walking along a cliff' pictures. It's like this a lot of the way and just spectacular!
Thursday 22 October 2015
Most of this has been downhill... until now. One small bump to get over to reach the village at the end of the trail.
Thursday 22 October 2015
Hallooooooooo... Apakah anda ingin bergabung dengan saya sebagai kari kambing?
Thursday 22 October 2015
Well... they almost got the timing right Not bad for a bunch of old folk taking it nice & easy though!
Thursday 22 October 2015
Post hike refreshments. Although to be honest, only one of these is actually refreshing. Am I right?
Thursday 22 October 2015
More roadside randomness. Approaching Potes on the way home. Beautiful countryside around here! #StateTheObvious
Thursday 22 October 2015
What has been our home this week. Not a bad spot I guess Thanks to the olds for having us!
Thursday 22 October 2015
No lens or perspective trickery here. That's just one bloody big steak! So tasty! Nom, nom, nom... nom... nom!
Friday 23 October 2015
Great colours on the Picos de Europa mountains this morning! We're moving on today, but it's a nice send off
Friday 23 October 2015
Not much clearance on this gateway. Tricky because of the hill we're turning onto. But it got in, sooooo... all good!
Friday 23 October 2015
Passing the church at Niembro cove & thought it pretty enough for a picture. The joys of random travel
Friday 23 October 2015
The rather rocky & wind-swept beach at Vega. Only 1 sole surfer braving the elements here. Oh, & me (not Pratiwi!)
Friday 23 October 2015
Another deserted Spanish beach. This is Playa de la Griega, our lunch (well, very late lunch) stop for the day.
Sunday 25 October 2015
Random trundle around valleys in Northern Spain. Lovely & green. Nice hills too, descent back to coast great fun!
Monday 26 October 2015
Prosciutto in a Spanish supermarket. More of a staple than luxury. Which is how it should be to be honest! Yum!
Tuesday 27 October 2015
Cathedral Beach, North Spain. Fabulous 'almost winter' morning exploring. Low tide here is a must. Well planned!
Wednesday 28 October 2015
Amazing what there's time for when it rains solid for 3 days! Fun with wine & drawing https://youtu.be/7TXEZ4tP06c
Friday 30 October 2015
Sightseeing in Santiago de Compostela. Not much here aside from the cathedral with a rather ornate interior though.
Friday 30 October 2015
When in Spain: tapas lunch in Santiago de Compostela. Followed by ice cream for some reason... even though it's cold!
Friday 30 October 2015
Lunch in a restaurant in Spain. I literally LOL'd when the waitress asked if we were splitting the bill. Like I have a choice any more?!
Sunday 1 November 2015
Gotta love a climb where last few kays are 10% pavé! Cattle here impressive too, esp. ones with the odd udders!
Tuesday 3 November 2015
Walk on the beach near Facho (Portugal). Bit grey & windy, but there's still fun to be had looking for treasure!
Saturday 7 November 2015
Entering Porto Market (Mercado do Bolhão) we found an entertaining band of musicians. Nice way to start our day here.
Saturday 7 November 2015
Mercado do Bolhão in Porto. Lots of seafood & fruit & chillies & colour. Oh... & some Port Wine for the tourists
Saturday 7 November 2015
A few random sights from Porto while wondering from the market to cathedral. They like tiled buildings here!
Saturday 7 November 2015
Love these colourful rooftops in Porto. This is the view from right outside the cathedral.
Saturday 7 November 2015
Inside Porto cathedral. Nice light patterns from the stained glass.
Saturday 7 November 2015
Porto's old city & river from Luis Bridge, which is actually rather high & railing low so not for those with vertigo!
Saturday 7 November 2015
Happy times in Porto. What an wonderful, beautiful place. Especially on a day like today. We loved it here! :)
Saturday 7 November 2015
Lunch in Porto. But Pratiwi loves sangria... soooooo... who am I to say no?! Nom, nom, nom
Saturday 7 November 2015
After lunch... time to try the local wares while we sit & watch the world go by. Just a lovely afternoon.
Saturday 7 November 2015
Food & drink done, it's time to enjoy more sites of Porto on the way home. These are mainly by the river & old town.
Saturday 7 November 2015
One of my last memories of Porto: this corner shop smelt divine. Look at all that prosciutto, cheese & Port. Yum!!
Tuesday 10 November 2015
Woke up to this view right outside our front door. So beautiful! Misty hills down the road weren't bad either!
Tuesday 10 November 2015
Short evening walk after parking up for the night. Imagine if this was your local single track? Where's my MTB?!
Tuesday 10 November 2015
Parked by a pocket of woodland tonight. Stars picture just about possible despite light pollution from nearby Tarbes.
Wednesday 11 November 2015
Slept in a woodland clearing last night. Woke & stuck head out of skylight to see wild deer nearby before he bounded off into trees #Magical
Wednesday 11 November 2015
Another day, another spectacular view to wake up to... [sigh]...
Wednesday 11 November 2015
Not been riding much? Try 2xHC climbs (Soulor/Spandelles) when a little out of shape! Beautiful day for some pain!
Wednesday 11 November 2015
Out riding today a Kite (bird of prey) flew directly at me, dived to the road literally 10m ahead & scooped up some fresh roadkill! #Amazing
Saturday 14 November 2015
Plateau de Benou is one of our favourite spots. Even better when you wake up here on such a beautiful morning!
Saturday 14 November 2015
As we're here: short walk up to the ridge & back. Funny how the cows pick a spot with the best view to relax, huh?
Sunday 15 November 2015
Col du Tourmalet today. Can you believe it's almost winter!? Few mins off a PB but came home strong. #CantComplain
Sunday 15 November 2015
Remember Tourmalet is 2115m up, amazing weather this week! Snow coming so cyclists: get up there while you can!
Tuesday 17 November 2015
Tonight's stop: Up at la Croix Blanche just East of Lourdes. Enjoying the tranquillity and a rather nice sunset.
Wednesday 18 November 2015
Early morning views around la Croix Blanche. More great trails & lucky cattle up here
Thursday 19 November 2015
More woodland adventures...
Friday 20 November 2015
End of the road today: Pont d'Espagne. Clearly has more popular times but forecast to be snowed in tonight! Brrrrr!
Monday 23 November 2015
Not sure the solar is going to be doing much work today! Glad the snail has a nice heating system though. Brrrrrr!
