Today was brutal. We\u2019d had a pretty lousy sleep sweltering in the van, so we headed off at 9am to try and avoid the heat. But obviously it was already hot. There were some Dolmens, which are neolithich underground burial chambers we wanted to go to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first challenge was getting there. It was only 5.5 kms, but Google told me there was a quicker route only 3km away. I should have known better but I think the lack of sleep was affecting my judgement. Next minute we are navigating horrendously narrow streets inside the old town and it was terrifying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We managed to get out and followed the main roads. Somehow it took us 30 minutes to drive 5.5 kms. And do you know what the worst part is? We got there and it was closed! Monday\u2019s are a closed day for museums. Doh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So then I asked AI where we could go to avoid the heat. He said the mountains. So, off we went, driving some more narrow and terrifying roads, but this time with lots of idiots on them. It was a beautiful drive though.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I navigated to a campsite with sounded really cool. They bring you tapas when you order a drink, and they also have a pool. But when we got out of the car, the shock was unbearable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was 45 degrees, by far the hottest of anywhere we had been. The wind felt like it was a burning fire! There was no relief even in the shade. It turned out, even though we are up in the mountains, it was in a valley and the hot air was trapped there getting hotter and hotter. It was awful and I couldn\u2019t wait to get out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So I asked AI again, and he said, go higher! I didn\u2019t want to spend an hour in this heat driving higher and higher and be faced with the same problem. I told him this. So he suggested the coast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I set the navigation and off we went, up another steep narrow road, this time no safety barrier. I was absolutely terrified. But, we made it to the top, and remarkably it was a bit cooler. Still 37 degrees, but it felt much better. And there was a stunning view over the mountains, which had frikking snow on them! The wind was even blowing from that direction, but it made no difference. The other side was a view of the mediterranean sea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyway, we had a decision to make. I\u2019ve become a bit nervous about narrow winding roads, and the road google was sending us on, was a narrow winding road down to the coast. So I asked google AI as he has been quite helpful. He said \u2018Don\u2019t take that road. It\u2019s narrow and steep with no barriers and you will burn your brakes out. Go straight on.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But straight on was quite a lot longer. And really, would it be any better? So I asked chatGPT. He said \u201cGo for it, you\u2019ll be fine.\u201d I think he knows me better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyway, we went for it. Google AI was half right. It was steep and narrow and scary in places, but there were some barriers that made it feel safer. And Mike knows how to drive steep mountain passes so brakes weren\u2019t an issue. Heck, we drove down the Mesa Verde with no brakes when they failed in America<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Anyway, we made it down no problem. But it was still stinking hot at the coast! It was 6pm, so we looked at the campground there, but it was full of permanent vans, and nobody on reception. We parked up and looked at out options. There wasn\u2019t a lot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mike has been on about a place on the coast further north that he wanted to go. But we\u2019d have to stay in a hotel there because of the heat. And it was 4 hours away. But it seemed like the best option at this stage as the coast is very busy and there are not any camping grounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I plugged Mike\u2019s place into my google and removed avoid motorways. Only 2 hours! So we decided to go for it. We gave up our avoid motorway plan to hopefully find a nice air-conditioned hotel by the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oh, did I mention why Mike wanted to go there? You\u2019re probably thinking it\u2019s just another nudist beach. But it\u2019s bigger than that. It\u2019s actually a naturist town, where you are allowed to wander around with no clothes on. I know! Not for me, but I\u2019m happy for Mike to be happy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, off we went, hurtling along the motorway and I must admit, apart from all the tunnels, it was quite relaxing, not having to navigate or to hang on for deal life going around corners. And two hours later we arrived.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\u2019d chosen a hotel to stay at as I wanted to make sure there was parking for Bertie. And as it was now 9pm, we needed somewhere with 24 hour reception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thankfully there was parking. We went into reception and tried to book a room, but it was full. Eek. She did some stuff on the computer and thankfully there had been a cancellation. But it was a studio rather than a double. But she gave it to us for the same price as a double, so that was nice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s actually a naturist resort, with bars, entertainment and a pool. But there are rules, but I\u2019ll mention more on that in tomorrows blog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our room is expensive, but still quite nice, with a balcony overlooking the pool, a big room, and a kitchen. I figure most of our accommodation has been free on this trip, so paying for a couple of nights won\u2019t hurt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Europe is experiencing a massive heat wave at the moment, but it is supposed to ease off a bit on Thursday. So we\u2019re hoping to stay a few days. But we have to check in each morning to see if there has been a cancellation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mike can have his naked time, and I can spend time editing my videos in a comfort of A\/C.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Today was brutal. We\u2019d had a pretty lousy sleep sweltering in the van, so we headed off at 9am to try and avoid the heat. But obviously it was already hot. There were some Dolmens, which are neolithich underground burial … Continue reading