The Rabbit Track

Today the plan was to drive to Almeria. The American weather app promised only overcast skies, but you just can't rely on information coming from the USA anymore, not even the weather forecast!

My hotel served breakfast starting at 8:30 AM, and by that time, the engine is usually already warm. So I just sat down at the table at 8:15 AM and ignored the subtle protests from the ladies preparing breakfast. And so I actually managed to leave at 8:45 AM. After all, over 400 km lay ahead of me.

Out of the rush hour and into the Andalusian countryside. The roads became narrower, and the number of curves increased. However, the sky was also darkening more and more.

Suddenly, rabbits were darting out from the bushes on both sides, crossing the road and disappearing behind the next bush. This went on for about 5 km. It was constant cross traffic! I estimate I startled between 20 and 30 rabbits on this stretch. That's why I named this section “Rabbit Track”.

And then, of course, the entire beauty of Andalusia reveals itself, in the form of endless plantations covered with plastic nets. An almost otherworldly sight. And I wouldn't want to know where these plastic nets end up at the end of their life.

And there’s also tasteless architecture with turrets for golf courses!

As a motorcyclist, you also perceive smells more intensely than you do in a car. So when you ride past large buildings in a deserted area and the acrid smell of ammonia fills your nose, you know right away that there are animals standing in their own waste 🤬

In the meantime, it has also started to rain, and another peculiarity of Andalusian roads comes into play: the rain washes sand, dirt, and smaller stones onto the roads. So you prefer to drive a little slower.

But eventually, the sun breaks through again, and on dry roads, it is a true pleasure to navigate curve after curve; it just doesn’t stop.

I drove the last pass almost blindly: the clouds hung so low that I could hardly see 10m in the thick fog.

And Vally also looked a bit like she had just been through off-road training in Hechlingen after today. I treated her to a bubble bath and a shower; now she shines again.