Two consecutive rest days and I feel well rested indeed. Perhaps too rested. I am getting a little antsy to get back on the bike. I also feel as though I am emulating Mr. Bean when he goes on holiday alone. I am thinking particularly of the scene where he attempts to put his swim trunks on over top of his tweed suit.
Yesterday morning and again this morning I have left my room, locked the door and made sure to leave the “do not disturb” sign hanging on the handle. And each time I have done this the cleaner has seen me and very pleasantly asked me if I want my room cleaned. Today, despite my protests, she asked if I at least wanted new towels. Now most sane people would probably agree to the offer of nice, freshly pressed towels. However, I am currently hiding my bike in my room and simply cannot have anyone enter. There is a bike storage room on the premises, but the hotel sits on a very steep slope and to have to walk to reception to get the bike room key, then down to the locker, then slog back up the hill to reception, then back down the hill to finally get on my bike, so I decided to simply slip it in my room. I know, pretty pathetic for someone who is planning to ride about 75 km tomorrow. Needless to say, my bike is safe and accessible in my room and all of my towels are sufficiently soiled.
I went for another run this morning, but didn’t quite make it up to the lighthouse… Another steep hill. And besides, I had just done it yesterday…
Most of the day was spent beached whaling on the sand and doing a lot of swimming. I had my apple watch going and did some laps in the sea. I was at a different beach than yesterday, called Llafranc, and the water was crystal clear with no corals or big rocks on the bottom. It was extremely refreshing. I swam about 1.2 km, proving to myself that I can at least handle a sprint triathlon swim distance (forget that this is the most buoyant water maybe on earth).
Luck was not so much on my side laying on the beach. I got a textbook loner sunburn, where there is a perfect square of red on the centre of my back where I could not contort my arms to reach and apply sunscreen. I doesn’t hurt much now but it is one of those burns you just know is going to flare up in the middle of the night and have you writhing in agony. Great!
I walked home from the beach and got an ice cream. Flavours = pistachio and chocolate. I don’t want to hear any sass about it. This is the best gelato combo known to mankind.
Upon return to my hotel I sat by the pool for a bit and read, drank a beer, and then sorted out the chaos that is my room. I am pretty much set for the ride tomorrow to Cadaqués and am looking forward to it. Calella de Palafrugell has been a great rest stop but it’s time to say adéu!
DOTD
A sneaky DOTD today. But the real question is: dog or shag sofa cushion?
An Idiot Broad Abroad 