Day No. 130 - Playa de Camposoto - Just alone...

Do you know days like this, when you have the feeling afterwards that you've done everything right? - Today seems to be one of those days. - Yesterday evening we looked for a parking space behind a dune later on. And when the sun wakes us up this morning, the first cars are already parked around us. A quick coffee and then we set off to explore the beach.

And what can I say, what a beach - apart from two lonely anglers, there is no one to be seen. A completely different picture to yesterday in Conil. - A long, wide sandy beach and apart from us, the waves, the sun and the sea, nothing, nothing at all, absolutely nothing, simply brilliant. - Torgit goes for a long walk, I go for a jog. - When we meet on the beach, we fall into each other's arms. "Whoever comes into my arms, I love" - the whole thing feels damn good.

I decide to go for a swim first. In the meantime, the beach is filling up. The water is fresh. But wonderfully warm compared to the mountain lake. - It's all a matter of conditions. When we get back to the parking lot, one car after another arrives. We left and returned at exactly the right time. While I'm taking an outdoor shower, more and more cars, riders, motorized paragliders, trucks and so on arrive, riding or flying.

Even the Guardia Civil stop by once. But we only get astonished looks. Because while I'm standing here in my swimming trunks, most people are wearing thick sweaters, jackets and coats. Yet it is wonderfully warm in the sun. (Note from Torgit: The local women are wearing boots, thick winter jackets, hats and gloves, while we are wearing flip-flops, hoodies and vests, Marc often still in shorts.

So first we make ourselves some muesli. And today's muesli is simply brilliant. Our new nut mix is divine. We take it easy, but it's time to change locations. Half of Cadiz seems to be slowly gathering here. (Note from Torgit: Anyone who knows how the Spaniards park knows how difficult it is to get out of there as a van. One of them parked with his hood under our bike rack)

In Cadiz, we use park4night to find a place where we think Hector can park safely for a few hours. We find one on the outskirts of the city, in an industrial area. Apparently, the Guardia Civil has a police station nearby. So we unsaddle the bikes, put the SUP in, lower the blackout, arm the alarm system and insert the steering wheel lock. When a Guardia Civil motorcycle patrol actually drives past, we have a good feeling.

So we set off in the direction of the city. Great, we promptly find a cycle path that leads to the coast, as we want to cycle along the water. But this only supposedly takes us to our destination. After about 10 minutes of cycling, we realize that we can't go any further. The cycle path would take us onto the Jose Leon bridge and out of the city. So we turn around. The mistake is quickly corrected.

We now head north-east and find a path towards the harbor as requested. From here we have a wonderful view of the "Puente de la Constitución de 1812" - somehow I think Puente sounds much more like a vacation than a bridge, doesn't it? - The view of this cable-stayed bridge alone would have been worth the small detour. But the combination with the industrial cranes of the adjoining docks completes the picture.

We ride through a small park, past the train station and stop near the tourist information office to lock up our bikes. We then immerse ourselves in the hustle and bustle of the small streets. Cadiz immediately captivates us. Although most of the stores are closed, the alleyways are bustling with activity. On the other hand, you turn the next corner and find a deserted alleyway.

We just let ourselves drift a little. That's how we discover the market square. With its bars and food stalls, it is a magnet for a lively crowd. But we continue to wander through the alleyways. It is always worth raising your eyes or looking into entrances. The houses are close together. Suddenly we are standing on the western bank. My gaze lingers on an old advertising pillar. Is it the pillar or is it Charlize Theron's face that holds me captive? Either way, I think it's a shame that this pillar is rarely seen here anymore. Back in the bustle of the alleyways, we suddenly step out onto a large square and stand in front of Cadiz Cathedral. It looks extremely imposing. However, we feel that six euros per person is not a reasonable entrance fee for a church. I also think it would be a shame if you had to pay to enter the cathedral. But in the evening we read that the money is being used for renovation. - That's something else, so tomorrow. (Note from Torgit: I actually read that the money is urgently needed for the renovation. That's not quite the same thing)

The cathedral dominates the square so much that we almost lost sight of another, equally beautiful building. The Iglesia de Santiago Apóstol. That would have been a shame. - It's starting to get chilly in the alleyways, so we decide to pick up our bikes and make our way home. First we cycle from the east to the west bank. This way we can make our way back in the afternoon sunshine.

The waterfront promenade is a hive of activity. It's worth pausing for a moment at the town beach with its surfers, which we do. Thank goodness there is a cycle path further on. This makes the tour much easier. If it was already crowded on the beach in the morning, it's even more crowded here right by the town.

When we arrive back at Hector's, have saddled up the bikes and are ready to go, it's time to get to our pitch for the night. We find it a few kilometers further on, right on the beach. It is a little louder here than the day before. On the other hand, we are now also by the water and right at the gates of the city.

Insight of the day: People seem to be herd animals. Being alone is not easy.