A day of 2 halves

The Posada was very comfortable but once again we were woken by thunder and lightning and intermittent torrential rain. We spent a leisurely breakfast looking for the weather app with the most preferable forecast and set off. Within 10k we were hiding under a tree by the side of a busy road and once again a few k later. ⛈️😔. Even more frustrating was the petrol station/ covered forecourt literally 200m around the next bend. Coffee helped our recovery and the next bit of the ride was largely on undulating cycleways through sandy forest with a bit of seaside- and improving weather. After crossing marshland on a great network of traffic free cycleways we crossed into Huelva and found a decent lunch.
Despite lunch finishing at 4 we still felt it a reasonable idea to cycle another 60 k down into the Donaña national park. The first bit was a brilliant esplanade which spat us out onto a horrible dual carriageway bridge. Next were extensive petrochemical factories and then a lovely quiet road- unfortunately quit because it was a ferry access/ dead end. We could hear the road we should have been on 100 yds away but behind a barbed wire fence. The extra 6-7 k detour was pretty painful with some tough stints on the front of the peloton into a head wind.
That was the nature of the next 40k- arrow straight/ head wind. Unfortunately no view of the sea. Redeeming factor was some excellent cycle ways- but these then deteriorated into sandy tracks. The road went on for EVER , "punctuated" by Helen's puncture at dusk with the mosquitoes and the last stint was in the dark but we still arrived just ahead of the Lochs and Glens bus tour at the hotel and muscled our way to the front of the buffet dinner queue!Read more