With only the pigs in the field beside us for company, we open the curtains whilst drinking our morning cup of tea, in bed. Richard is chattering on about possible, future trips, plans and destinations. "Look!" I say, he doesn't instantly react, attempting to finish what he was saying. "Look!" I say again, once more cutting him off mid sentence. He turns his head to see what I am being so insistent about...large, white, fluffy snowflakes falling all about us!
When we landed in Spain from Morocco, we made the decision not to explore this country. It was too large and we didn't have time. Now we are back here from Portugal, Spain has decided to keep her treasures under wraps until we return to take a proper look. Today, Spain is hidden by dark skies, white snow and grey mists. With the weather closing in, we keep to the motorways and reach Bilbao just before nightfall.
Wed 21st - Thur 22nd Jan
The weather is truly awful today, we are glad we made the decision to reach Bilbao last night. Our ferry is due to leave at 3pm but we have fiddle through the day easily, without being bored. 3pm comes and goes. Finally, the ferry which turned out to be a small tub, rather than the large cruise liner type we had before, departs two hours late.
As soon as we leave the safety of the harbour, we are at the hands of the still angry Atlantic! Somewhat disconcertingly, the first thing that happens is a demonstration of how to put a life jacket on! For someone who fears drowning over any other death, this is not good!! Our thoughts of ending our trip with a celebratory meal in the Al a Carte restaurant are dashed. One, because this little tub doesn't have one and two, because it is soon clear that eating is not going to be on my list of things I want to do!
We meet a couple in the bar, who are about to embark on an overland trip to the Americas. Unfortunately, however, interesting their conversation maybe I have to excuse myself. A sick bag is calling me! Ugh!
All night the boat tosses and turns, rolling this way and that. The sound of the droning engine interspersed with unseen, far off, un identified things smashing. At some point during the night, the ship stops, effectively doing nothing other than tread water. By the time it is daylight we have been back underway for some time, long enough for another sick bag to write my name on it! Ugh, again and yes I have been taking travel sick pills!!
There is an announcement over the tannoy, we will be six hours late docking in Portsmouth. 5pm had seemed such a reasonable time to get in, now we won't be home till the early hours. It could have been worse, the ferry could have been cancelled. We try to look on the bright side.
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