On 01.06.2024, we set off for Spain again after a long time.
However, we spent the next 2 nights in Estoi, in the Algarve of Portugal.
There we visited the ruins of Milreu. You can find a more detailed article about this here: https://2hearts1adventure.com/tagebuch-estoi-algarve-portugal/
When we arrived in Spain, we started looking for a garage because of our problem with the hydraulics of the steering pump. On our second attempt, we were lucky and got an appointment in a week’s time.
In the meantime, in Minas de Riotinto we familiarized ourselves with the history of mining and ore extraction and in Nerva
and immersed ourselves in a surreal world and had an unforgettable and breathtaking adventure learning about the history of the Riotinto.
You can find a more detailed article with great pictures here:
After our successful visit to the workshop, we continued on from the province of Huelva to the province of Seville. We found a nice parking space in Las Navas de la Concepcion. You can find an article about our trip there and our beautiful hike in the Parque Natural de la Sierra Norte here:
As we drove on, we generously bypassed Seville itself.
After almost two weeks in Spain, we arrived in Extremadura, the poorest region in the whole of Spain. For us personally, it was an incredible landscape.
The view of the mountain range, the vast expanse across the fields, the ruins, castles and churches that we saw in the villages, no matter how small, never ceased to amaze us. At some point, the landscape changed. Lots of cork and holm oak pastures, often with sheep, goats or cattle lying underneath. Everywhere we looked there were granite rocks that told old stories from thousands of years ago, from Celtic and Roman times. This primeval rocky landscape with its many archaeological excavations and remains from over 3000 years ago, which are freely accessible and can be admired at any time while hiking or walking, simply leave you in awe.
Most of the flora and fauna in this region are protected, so there are more rare birds here in Extremadura than anywhere else in Spain. We also saw some of the beauties of the skies. Vultures, white and black storks, eagles, bustards, blue starlings and some smaller birds that we unfortunately don’t know by name.
We continued into the Sierra de Gredos. We left the Extremadura region and arrived in the Castile-Leon region.
So far, we’ve had adventurous rides through small, narrow villages. Normal roads through endless, barren, dry landscapes. A trip with WENNE is always an adventure and sometimes you actually become an attraction if you drive in the wrong direction or it gets very, very narrow. Even if not at the time, some time later you can laugh about it and enjoy such extraordinary experiences. We also got to know some incredibly great people. We really like their open nature, their desire to tell stories, their hospitality and the serenity of many of them.
We stayed in the mountains and arrived in Vilanueva de Avila.
There we went on an excursion that took us to the barrios of Villanueva de Avila. It felt like we were once again transported to a completely different era, although these borrios were still alive in the 20th century. You can find a more detailed article about this and Saucedilla in Extremadura and San Esteban del Valle , Castile-Leon, Spain here:
One of our pitches was right in the town of La Granja. There we visited the royal gardens of San Lldefonso of the royal palace.
This style of gardens is the most important in Europe, especially the complexity of the hydraulic system and the water features of its fountains, as well as its lead and marble sculptures.
We also visited the Glass, Crystal and Technology Museum. It is located in the old royal glass factory in la Grania, one of the most important European industrial buildings of the 18th century and a true landmark of La Granja and its entire history.
You can find a detailed article about it here:
After it was very hot for us in the mountains at over 35° in places, the last few days have been a little cooler and it has rained from time to time. A breather for our bodies.
In Berlanga de Duero we visited the Castillo -Berlanga de Duero-
An impressive monumental complex with remains from different eras.
You can find a more detailed article about it here:
After these wonderful experiences, we drove on to the regions of la Mancha, Castilla-la-Mancha, Murcia and Andalusia. The plan was to stay at some of the campsites for 2-4 days and see the area, but with the high temperatures we didn’t want to move around too much and so we moved on to the next campsite almost every day.
You can find a short report from Medinaceli, Castilla y León/Spain here:
Despite the heat, one of our destinations was the Tabernas Desert. We stayed there for 3 nights and enjoyed the area.
You can find a more detailed report here:
Our next destination was Orgiva in the Sierra Nevada. In April 2023, we had visited a host there via Workaway, where we worked for room and board.
We had an incredibly good time there and wanted to visit Hanne, our host at the time, and see how her property had changed. Unfortunately, there was some very bad news, because Hanne is now bedridden and she doesn’t know how much longer she will be able to withstand the fight against cancer. Nevertheless, she was very happy to see us again. She was still very positive and in a good mood and had some work for us to do. You can find a small contribution here:
After so much heat, it’s time to get to the coast. It’s now the end of July and we’ll be meeting our kids near Malaga in September as they’re spending their vacation there.
will be. So we already went to the Costa del Sol. First we had a great pitch with a view of the sea for a week.
Since we somehow really enjoy this feeling of being on vacation and doing nothing, we decided to drive a few kilometers further to El Hornillo. There we found a cheap pitch right by the sea. We stayed here for a whole 4 weeks. We really enjoyed the mixture of sea, beach and motorcycle tours in the area.
As we had already spent a lot of time in Malaga last year and have a few acquaintances in the area, we now know where the beautiful places are that we like so much. We were very happy that Mario, a former host from our workaway time, took time for us. It was great to meet him again and spend the afternoon with him.
At the beginning of September, we had already reserved a pitch a little further inland. Cartama is located roughly between Malaga, Benalmadena and Alora, so we can visit both our children and our friends at any time.
This pitch has a great pool and very nice owners. In between meetings with our children and friends, we also love just spending time in the pool and relaxing.
The time with our loved ones went by far too quickly. We really enjoyed hugging them again and spending time together.
At the end of September, it was time for us to make our way to our winter home in Portugal. The joy of meeting all our friends there again was huge. And over the last few weeks, Alex had really got back into the swing of things and started the conversion work on WENNE.
In the meantime, we have …. we have been busy and have done a lot of work on our camper.
Small things and big projects have been installed.
You can find a small summary here:
Of course, during the time we have been here at the caravan park, we have not only worked, but also spent time with our friends. For example, with a great walk on the beach.
Or a short tour on our KTM. First to the Monchique mountains and then to the coast.
You can take wonderful walks from our campsite.
A piece of beach just for us, how wonderful!
And nothing has changed, because when a friend asks for help, everything is dropped.
The daily routine and weekly laundry also quickly caught up with us.
The highlight of the week was a successful surprise party for a dear friend on his 68th birthday.
It’s always nice to sit together with so many lovely people and spend a great day.
Everyone contributed something and there was a barbecue in the evening.
Now you are back up to date with our adventure. From now on we will keep you regularly informed about our current life in weekly intervals. Feel free to leave comments, advice, criticism, praise or anything else. We are very happy to finally be able to get in touch with you via the blog again.