Saturday 27th June Barqueiro to A Coruña, (Lovely Bay, Bike Maintenance)
One tough little hill out of the village, just like coming out of St Margaret’s Bay, yet again for the people who know East Kent, gears crunching as we hit the summit, few more of these babies today, so just roll it on.

Bit lumpy all morning with the road twisting and turning up through another forest, head down and pump the legs, more power required, legs say ‘sorry guv’ nothing happening, same old early morning blues, every bone in my body aching and as tired as two electricians, just a little reference.

Still pushing the aching legs through the early morning mist, sometimes think mate it’s cold, just enjoy it, it’s only going to get a tadge warmer, always does, winding up these little lanes, with two planks as legs, surely or Shirley they will kick in soon, either way they need some “Inspiration have I none. Just to touch the flaming dove. All I have is my love of love. And love is not loving” Always love a little bit of Bowie to keep me motivated. That’s me sorted now aching legs or no legs, always going to keep singing.

Sorted me out through the early morning aches and pains, even super athlete’s get the odd pain, I can ensure you Bingo and I were going through the whole lot this morning, sitting outside a nondescript garage forecourt drinking a coffee out of a paper cup and a lukewarm soft drink, just a nod of the head, both thinking what are we doing!

Just push the negative thoughts to one side, deal with them later, more important things to get into perspective, not sure what they are at this given time, but push on relentless. Bit of a party going on in Wingham this afternoon, lovely little baby shower for the “Blooming Gorgeous Courtney” not sure if I am allowed to say that, but I have, all to do with the thing I have, they put some sort of label on it now, I just say it with a smile. (honest I do try and check this load of old words, in the first instance I said with a mile) they are both relevant.)

Have a lovely day, you both deserve it so much & thanks for all the family for helping set it up.

Well that little speech passed most of the day, climbed a massive 5 mile climb, with ease, so easy when my mind is so abstract, get on with the riding, to be honest we both do not have a clue where we are going, keep going off route, sometimes good sometimes not so good, but hey ho we keep going, with a little smile and say that was not so good.

Had a little break in A Coruña [Probably not AC, unless it was a village with the same name as the city: Ed] just over the halfway mark, sat watching the world go by, helped with a beer and a large portion of Tapas, always supplied with pride, so hospitable, gives the legs more energy, well that’s my theory, it works sometimes.

Breeze through the second half of the ride, fuelled with the extra energy, just strolling into A Coruña, maybe a little to relaxed, but you know us, nothing can go wrong! I call a stop 5 miles away, seemed a nice bar, lovely beer and the obligatory tapas, so nice.

All went a bit pear-shaped then, few mechanicals Bingo snapped his bottom Derailleur (gear thing),I just had a slow puncture in the front tyre. Just rolled the bikes in for the last few miles.

Excellent sourcing from Bingo, managed to get a bike shop still open on a Saturday afternoon, taxi sorted to the shop, parts purchased, spent the rest of the afternoon sorting the bikes out, with a little bit of a plan, eat then stay up to watch the football, England playing tonight, it’s now 1/2 hour before kick-off not looking good!