Gorgeous Granada

We feel like we are on the top of the world here! Well over 8000km and still loving it.
Ventas de Zafarraya to Embalse de Los Bermejala, (a dam) 40 km
Nice to have a cruisy day on a high plain, through an agriculture area, stopped in Alhama de Granada, where we were directed to  "Cycling Country" and borrowed some bike tools. A lovely guy, originally from UK, who now organizes great cycling tours of Spain. Everything organized for you, including the bike, looked very professional. He was very impressed with Trevor carrying chairs on the back of his bike!!
Amazing how cold these places get in the winter. Still a little snow on the mtns.
Found a lovely place to camp by a dam and managed a dip in the freezing lake.
Embalse de Los Bermejala to Albunuelas- 43km
All trail, saw no one else all day, riding through a park gaining about 500 metres and then freedom camped again at a recreational area. So quiet. Is there anyone out there?? Nearly out of petrol for our cooker, have not seen a gasolineria since Ronda.
Albunuelas to Orgiva 55 km
Back to civilisation, through small towns on narrow roads. No side markers, cats eyes or middle lines. I think night driving would be difficult! No potholes, fantastic surface, no trucks or buses, the occasional van taking supplies to villages. Finally found a petrol station in a bigger village. People have to go down to the bigger roads to fill up. Good campground, reception not open when we arrived, just a message to find a site and see them after 5. Bar/ restaurant open though!
Orgiva to Cadier, 40 km
Hard hard slog up hill, now nearing the Sierra Nevadas. Our legs were trashed by 4 pm.
This culture takes some figuring out. Nothing happens before 10am, shops  open from 10-2, everyone has a break to eat and have a siesta from 2-5, then they go back to work from 5-8 or 9, shops open again from 5-8 but restaurants close then and open at 9 pm, this is when things liven up. Cafes and bars seem to be open all day, We get to these places and have to have a coffee or beer, (both cheap at about 1 euro) and try and figure out what is happening!
A bit like NZ 30 years ago, Saturday lunchtime all shops close till Monday so we have to stock up on supplies.  There are always eating and drinking places open. No campground so found a hotel with a window ledge just big enough to make a cuppa ( photo)
Cadier to Laroles, 33km
No rush today as a short day, enjoyed the baguette with salsa and coffee at the hotel then food shopping before the lovely winding road on and up. Photo of our lunch stop half way up. You can eat cheaply here if you buy bread... Crusty baguettes with salsa, guacamole, sardines... Salami and cheese and of course olives!
Stayed at a great campground with fantastic views and new enthusiastic owners who delivered us fresh OJ in the morning.
Laroles to Instinction - 55km
Mtn bike route to Bayarcal, gorgeous riding on the edge of the Sierra Nevada parque, wild poppies everywhere, passing through silent streets of small settlements where it seems time has stood still. We will remember Granada for the gorgeous Fuente's (water fountains)  in every village.  Then down down down and out of the hills. Took another mtn bike trail and camped amongst the pine trees. Again so very quiet.
Instinction to Aguadulce - 54 km
Last hill before the coast. 25 km up to the top of a pass, lots of road cyclists and motorbikers out enjoying this Sunday morning as well. Then 18 km down the otherside and into a howling gale! Very scary to ride in.  Got to the intersection at the bottom and could hardly hold my bike. Managed to get through 2 major roundabouts and exited to some shops, just passed a large skip bin and then it  toppled over in the wind! After some time to regroup, we made it to the campground right on the Mediterranean coast about 10 km from Almeria.
The last photo looking down to the coast shows the white shade houses, there are hundreds of kms of these just back from the coast.
Heading to the bike shop next. Then
maybe some flat riding along the coast...