BikePermolaOne

A real mixed bag of a day.
A bit of a struggle to reduce my clothing allowance, and needed to sacrifice my sneakers. However, eventually secured everything in the large top box but smaller panniers and we were off.
Immediate problem. The previewed route that we saw with the company yesterday, did not appear on the screen but was replaced by another. Terrific. Just what we need in Barcelona peak hour. Deciding to follow this new version rather than fiddle with the settings, we joined the steady flow on the freeway, not totally convinced of the direction. We turned off to find a quiet spot...haha...to rethink. We were sort of heading in a similar direction...north west...so decided to keep following the magenta line. We also consulted the reliable map and could see some positive possibilities. Perhaps half hour into the journey the traffic was decreasing and we could see familiar town signs.
Coffee time saw us analysing the situation. For some absurd reason the GPS was taking us straight to the night’s accommodation and not on the mbike-friendly route.  Plan B, book in to accomm and then do an afternoon sojourn on part of the road we would have previously arrived on.

From then on, all was well with the world. Our accomm is in a secluded country resort...all words used decisively. Similar to our last tour, the mbike companies know how to pick them. Lovely lady took our panniers to be placed in the room when it was ready. We then headed into the hills.   Straight into the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees. Pink rocky hills with a variety of pine or herbaceous scrub. Some hardy souls growing potatoes in some flatter spots. At 2pm we came across a local restaurant , obviously popular with locals and travellers. A picturesque location. A simple meal of smashed potato, cabbage and bacon.  Perfect cups of tea. This was now my idyll...a pleasant jaunt through picturesque hills to find a local restaurant with home-cooked meals and an atmospheric location.  I will be most happy for this pattern to continue. Oh! And great low twenties weather.
Returned to the resort at 5 ish and preparing for dinner at 8.30. I know...8.30 for goodness sake. Fortunately the bar is open earlier. Hehe.