It absolutely poured with rain during the night, and Mo, as usual, tried to out-bark the thunder. We’ve noticed that the campground has made several improvements from the last time we were here. The bathrooms, including the sinks and showers all seem new and they’ve spiffed up other things as well.
The one thing that hadn’t changed was that no one was at the office when we wanted to leave. The last time we’d just left some cash in an envelope and put it thru the door slot, but this time we left a note that we’d be back later.
We had to go up to Lugo to try to get a couple of things fixed in the campervan. Not only had the solar battery/electrics failed but the sink plug had sprung a leak – for the second time! Adria: we love the new campervan and many things about it, but some of the little things are just crap!
We made it to Lugo and the place we’d picked was very good – we got a replacement sink drain/fixture and one of their guys had a look at the battery. He wasn’t an expert and couldn’t determine what was wrong so didn’t charge us anything, although Colin gave him some cash anyway.
We headed southeast back to the campground where we paid up, then further east past Leon, stopping at the edge of the town of Sahechores where we saw a bunch of campervans parked in a field. It was quite pleasant, with a very nice restaurant/bar as well.
We were enjoying a nice beverage when a woman at a table near us lit a cigarette. As this was very smelly, and I know isn’t allowed I motioned for her to put it out – no doing. She gave me the evil eye until Colin went in to pay, then I went to her table and apologized for my response to her smoking, telling her that my mother had died due to cigarettes and it just made me sad. She accepted my apology very contritely.
We had a nice quiet night – with…ta-da! – full power on the battery in the morning. We took a short walk – there’s a huge stork’s nest atop the chimney of a church, and a rock that looks like a frog (according to Colin) – a bit of imagination can be used, then I get it.
We got going before noon back to Leon to stock up again and then off northeast to the town of Bonar. It’s in a lovely area and the aire is right on the river – 3 euros a night including electrics.
The aire is right across from the community swimming pool/recreation area and as it was Saturday they were having a party.
Hundreds of people started to arrive and the music was blaring – we feared no sleep would be had until well after midnight.
We took a walk in to the town and had a nice drink at one of several cafe/bars.
On the walk back two ladies looking out their window smiled as I waved at them then took their photo.
We were very pleasantly surprised when the music at the party across the road stopped at around 9:00 and we were able to get an early, peaceful night.
There were about 25 campervans in the place overnight but many left during the day. We assume this is the last weekend of holidays in Spain and everyone has to get back to work or school.
There are several hiking and mountain-biking trails around here, as well as skiing in the winter. We took a walk along a trail that was meant to take us to a waterfall, but it wasn’t well marked and we went about a kilometre the wrong way before backtracking.
It was still a nice walk, though, and we went back along the road rather than the trail. There was more than one house with guard dogs, and one in particular had several large, loud ones.
Another walk into the town, and another refreshing beverage, this time with a couple of tapas.
On the walk back the sun was coming thru the clouds in brilliant rays – a lovely evening.
This morning we went for another walk, this time following the road rather than the unmarked trail. It was easy walking until we came to the ‘dog house’. This time there were no fewer than six very large dogs just hurling themselves at their gate to get at us so we hustled past.
Then a lone dog – a ridge-back, Colin thought – came after us up the road. There was a fat old lady yelling at it to come back but it just kept coming at us. I scooped Mo up in my arms and the dog went past us and on to Colin and Henry. Colin gave it a light kick and it retreated back a bit, allowing us to pass.
I yelled at the old lady – even though it wasn’t in Spanish I’m sure she understood ‘get control of your f’ing dog!’.
I must say something about the dogs here – there are dogs everywhere, but here in Spain it seems the owners don’t care as much about having them on a leash and it can be quite frightening, especially when we have two fairly small dogs – always on their leads, of course.
We continued on up to the nearby small village of Barrio de Las Ollas – unfortunately there wasn’t even a cafe, and several of the houses were for sale.
It wasn’t deserted or anything, in fact restoration work was being done on more than one place.
Not feeling very energetic we declined to go to town for a drink, opting instead to sit in the chairs outside and take it easy.
There are only four or five campervans here now and it’s very quiet.
The recreation area across the road had a bit of music as usual, but again it ended nice and early.
Sally McKenzie's European Adventures 