The new year starts slowly...

At the turn of the year, the entire 'campground gang' meets up at the bar again. Everyone brings something to eat and we dine lavishly. Even visitors from Austria have arrived. It was great to have you there, Marco and Christoph. Unfortunately, after eating, I feel so sick that we lie in bed with our trembling fur babies just before midnight. The fireworks outside are getting more and more intense. So we ring in the new year as we have in previous years, with our fur babies in our arms. The first and second of January are also spent in bed, enjoying the beautiful weather. We start the year 2023 without much drive or appetite. I feel too weak to even participate in the New Year's swim. The only consolation is the new Avatar movie that we were able to enjoy in bed thanks to our connections.

But these days also pass, and on January 3rd, we are fit again. We have breakfast in the sun wearing t-shirts, and the weather forecast promises clear skies for the next two weeks. Our spare parts from Germany are on their way, and now we have to wait for them to arrive. Then we hope to get an appointment at the workshop soon, because we are ready to move on. Andalusia is calling us and wants to be explored.

We visit the neighboring town of Torrenueva together with our friends and we courageously walk over the great glass-bottomed suspension bridge with our 5 dogs.

Kilian bakes rye-caraway bread in the Omnia oven. What a delicious change from the local white bread.

At some point, we run out of gas. Since we have a gas tank, we can't simply exchange the cylinder, and driving to the gas station is not an option with the broken cylinder head gasket. Since we only need gas for cooking, we quickly buy a camping stove. It will have to do for the last few weeks until the workshop appointment.

On January 9th, the spare parts arrive. It's a small step in the right direction. Thank you, Walther! Now we have to continue being patient until we get a workshop appointment.

In the meantime, we visit the town of Nejia. There is the 'Balcony of Europe' here, which turns out to be a great viewpoint. And there is also the opportunity to ride Lusitanos (Spanish horses) on the beach. We don't need to be told twice. Finally, it's time to put on riding pants and mount the horse again. My friend Nicole can also ride, and together we enjoy a nice ride to the beach. I missed it so much!

The days fly by. We have been here for two months now, passing the time by lazing around, hiking, reading, and enjoying the company of the nice people around us.

On January 19th, the day has finally come. Our Hummel goes to the workshop, and we move into the little house that is here on the campsite. For the first time in 6 months, we are living in a house again (even if it's small).

Then suddenly, the events start to unfold. I receive a call from my mother, informing me that my grandfather is dying, which brings me back home. I quickly book a flight and the next morning at 8 o'clock, I'm already at the airport in Malaga, boarding the plane to Germany. I arrive in Munich freezing and with great anticipation, I stand in front of my family's door the next day. Since no one knew I was coming, the surprise is big. It's wonderful to see the family again after such a long time. Tears of joy and tears of sorrow alternate. I arrive just in time and can exchange last words with my beloved grandfather. At home, surrounded by the whole family, he experiences his last days on this earth. I also pay a short visit to my good friends, and everyone is excited for the reunion. On January 25th, I say a heartfelt goodbye to my family, and my grandfather and I make a deal that when I fly back, he will go with me.

As I'm in the plane above the clouds on the way to Spain the next day, my grandfather keeps his word and finally falls asleep. He has indeed gone with me. Rest in peace, Grandpa. You are now relieved and will always have the biggest place in my heart.

With a great emotional chaos in my head, I am now back in Spain with my loved ones. Our truck is also ready and can be picked up tomorrow. In a few days, we will continue our journey through Andalusia... and my grandfather will always be with us.