Day thirty two

 

 I leave campsite Llosa at 10:30 and head for Vinaros, slightly apprehensive about the mountains ahead that I must cross or get round. I stick to the N340 almost all the way, despite Maps.me trying to take me off on various adventures into the neighbouring wilderness. The N340 is excellent with very little traffic and mostly flat, so I see no reason to follow Maps.me suggestions, particularly as in the past it has led me onto some very rough terrain and long pointless detours. It is soon apparent I made the correct decision and make very good time. 

Many gas stations on the N340 have been abandoned but there are still enough open for a pee break and something to eat. I stop at one looking for lunchtime sandwiches but it appears there is nothing instantly edible apart from crisps and chocolate bars. I get a cafe con leche from a machine and while waiting see a microwave. I look again at the stuff on sale in cooler section and note that it is all microwaveable. Putting two and two together I reach for a tomato sauce pasta with pepperoni. (taking advice from CS) After one minute microwave it is done and I take it outside with my coffee. The pasta dish was really not bad at all, except it was not hot enough and that seems to always be a problem these days. I stopped asking for warm quiche in France as they were invariably half warm and half cold. I would certainly try this pasta again as it cost less that 2 euros and 1.5-2 minutes in the microwave would improve it immensely.

Seen along the way more of these incredible trees in another garden centre.

It was cloudy all day as predicted but apart from a few drops it never rained properly and riding in such weather is much more comfortable than the scorching hot Spanish sunshine. I soon reach 60km and still feel quite strong. I search for campsites on Google and find one near Vinaros, it's another 20km away but I decide to follow it on Google maps as it's on the coast and just off the N340.

Odd things seen along the way on the N340. Looked like an old millstone graveyard.

A Field full of herons (difficult to see) and the mountains beyond.

The mountains eventually pass by on my right-hand side having taken the route closer to the coast. It was all a lot easier than the Barcelona - Sitges climb. Both Google and Maps.me gave questionable info.

Shortly before Vinaros I come off the N340 and ride along a coastal road into town, the weather was not looking good.

I soon arrive in Vinaros and what a contrast to last night in Cambrils. I was expecting a sleepy little coastal town but instead it's total chaos. Masses of people walking anywhere, in the road, on cycle paths. Walking straight out onto zebra crossings without so much as a glance for any oncoming traffic. It looks like the whole town is spaced out and I feel anyone could easily end up in trouble here. I follow Google maps through the town to the chosen campsite. 

I am a mere 150m away from the campsite when suddenly the screen goes blank. I am in the middle of town and it does not look like the sort of place you would find a campsite within 500m of here. I look around but there is nothing but shops. I try to restart Google maps to find the campsite again but the campsite no longer exists. The next nearest campsite to me is 1.5km away and it's a different campsite. WTF Google! 

I decide being in town and having completed over 90km today (a new personal record) I should stay in a hotel. Many of the hotels here on Booking.com are cheap so clearly there is a lot of competition. I find one about 1.5km away that is only 10 euros more than a campsite would be and follow Google again. I soon find it and it looks OK. The elderly couple who must own the hotel are watching TV. The woman comes out and suggests a room that is 1 euro more than Booking.com and I take it. I gesture towards the bike outside and she rapidly has it stored in a room beside the restaurant without any fuss. She asks no questions, no ID required and within minutes all is paid for and I am in my room with a bath, bidet and double bed! Take that you f**king ripoff campsites! I have come to hate the campsites, the last time I pitched my tent on grass was on Day 10, I think. I cannot even get the pegs into the ground, it's either sand or rock hard. Why they continue to show a tent icon for a campsite is just a complete joke. These places are for caravans, mobile homes and huts that some live in permanently. That's not camping!