Departed.

Today we left our hometown Koewacht. A few friends waved us of. How nice.
Now we arrived safely at Simpelveld. Around 160km. Good for a slow start of our roadtrip.
Tonight a family goodbye.
TomorrowBaca lagi
The day it got real!

After an goodbye at Simpelveld, we arrived at our stop for tonight. Almost 5 hours drive.
It was a challenge to get here. Lieske has to fight against the, sometimes, steep hills.
But we made it.
Now.Baca lagi
Three things and some extra miles.

Finally we arrived at Jean-Philippe's house. Our first couchsurf host of this trip.
It was quite a journey!
As we started up the engine this morning at Sézanne, the horn would turn itself on. So weBaca lagi
The massacre of Oradour sur Glane.

Today we only drove 200km to the monumental town of Oradour sur Glane.
It was wet and windy ride..
The destroyed village of Oradour was impressive, it was unbelievable sad.
Thinking about otherBaca lagi
When geese fly the other way...

...we must be going into the right direction.
I can't stop mentioning it enough. It is hard work. Keeping Lieske on the road. And not everybody on route is happy to see us.
We drove a small 320kmBaca lagi
Veni. Vidi. Lieske.

Before we accepted our fate. We wanted to be clean. So after a good smell at each other we decided to go for a shower on a truckstop at the " air l'Ocean Ouest".
As real truckers.
Of course I forgotBaca lagi
CityCamping.

As we left our nice spot in the early morning,
we decided to visit some Spanish cities.
We can slow down a bit and take all the time we need.
Nika did her first km on Spanisch soil.
Sadly she had toBaca lagi
Hannibal,Columbus,Wellington..Ut Lieske!

Today we visited Salamanca. It is a realy beautiful city. Lots of tourist, but who cares if the surroundings are so impressive.
Had some cake, and diner.
You only live once.
Got a campingplace today,Baca lagi
Olé Toledo!

Today we decided to take the inner roads to Toledo. One.of Spain's oldest cities.
But we had some interesting climbs before we reached our destination. And don't mention the descends... 😰
As weBaca lagi
Pitstop. 15min.

@San Luis. Could it be worse?
Yes it can. It's foggy and absolutely not nice to drive.
But we do it anyway.
Caramba! Alhambra!

If the real Alhambra is 200Km more south than you assume. You only can blame yourself for not planning your trip as you might should, but we would never have seen this real Alhambra. And meet allBaca lagi
Before we try again...

After the discovery of the beautiful town of Alhambra and his abandoned castle, we now know that that place is NOT thé Alhambra.
(We were tiped of by the lack of tourist and the entrance fee)
So. WeBaca lagi
We did it!!!

Sometimes. Like today. I envy the youth of my daughter. Yes. I might was able to go into town after the Alhambra visit.
But my feet said no. We were parked on top of the hill, and again. ..No! I didBaca lagi
El Caminito del Loco

Oh today.. today it was again, such a day.
We payed the heavy load of the parking fee and took of into the direction of the famous,
El Caminito del Rey. As we were almost at our destination, theBaca lagi
Slow down, my friend. Slow down!

Nothing to do. Than just have a coffee and a toiletstop.
But the toilet has no flush.
Lets run!!
;)
As time is on our side..

We are only 5km away from the harbour were our ship will set sail to Algeria.
Only a few days left untill we leave Europe and set our first steps into Africa.
I am quite nervous. Nervous for whatBaca lagi
Preparation for the big jump

Yesterday as we arrived we did our washing and had a shower.
So today we could go to "discover" Almeria.
Due to roadworks, -They love roadworks in Spain- there is no bus.
We could pay the guy fromBaca lagi
Morning headache..

Lieske had some morning problems today.
I was not amused.
She needed a second attempt and a runway to take the hill to freedom.
But maybe I should not be to hard on her. Disappointed i was. ..aBaca lagi
Last night Europe.

Nervous as hell. All day.
We parked Lieske at the harbour. Tomorrow morning we sail for Oran. But first I have to get the tickets in the morning.
It's quite busy. Many travellers, with cars twice asBaca lagi
No way back.

Last message from this side.
We boarded the ship.
What a different world already.
Lieske caught many eye's, so also from the Guardia Civil. This time they waved us out of the row and had a good lookBaca lagi
Algeria!

Just to let you all know... We made it.
Now.. we realy have to sleep!!
Feet up in Orán

It was a long and intriguing day.
Started with a wait for our friendly and comforting host at the front of the Sheraton Hotel of Oran. Who than brought us as quickly as possible to a telephone shop soBaca lagi
Hey man, We are in Tlemcen!

After a real nice, but short stay in Oran, we had to continue our trip.
I was a bit worried if Lieske could make the high ramp out of the underground parking.
But just as always .. she did it. Easy.Baca lagi
Nika's first challenge..to resist.

Without any explanation.
..
Tlemcen is not Terneuzen.

For sure they have no locks, nor a canal or even a river with mighty ships on it.
But it has stolen my heart by being a rough gem in a unpolished crown. Our host and her family made us feel part ofBaca lagi