Step by step in terms of our planning of this trip, this route, this week, today just in fact...... has become an overarching concept for us. It has been something both us have learnt before this trip; a simple trust in that which is so much bigger than ourselves and aiming not to worry about the future. It has been brought into sharp focus in this "trail life" when day to day we have no control over much of which we would base our decisions on! The main variable is the weather. Others include our energy on any given day, the actual trail ( whether it is rideable etc), availability of food and water, finding camp spots.

It was weather that helped us to decide to enjoy a few days in the stunning town of Ronda before setting off again on the trail. We stayed in a couple of different apartments enjoying the luxury of cooking on a hob, having a shower and a bed. We found a local restaurant and enjoyed some Spanish dishes, it was helpful to find needed bits and bobs in local shops and some delious ice cream! We wondered why the town seemed so brown , it turned out we had arrived in a dust storm and it was raining mud, a whole new experience for us!

Then off we went back into the hills. Wow there was a strong headwind and it was steep uphill but if felt fantastic to be cycling again. We cycled to the top of a mountain pass, the wind continued to be strong, there was lots of low lying cloud with not another soul in sight. It was completely beautiful. There were unique looking rock formations all around as we progressed down into "the valley of life" . We had to push our bikes at points as the path wasn't so rideable in the high wind. The glorious sun came out as we reached the valley floor. Rob informed me that we had "the river crossing" to do that we had anticipated earlier in the day when we looked at the map. I felt scared as I looked at the fast flowing river, thankfully we found a slightly calmer spot to cross. It was a huge relief nonetheless to both get over it safely with our bikes, there has been much unprecedented rainfall in Spain of late so rivers are very full.

Cycling alongside the river was an utter joy as we journeyed onward. For one it was a wide track going downhill ( we love those!) and two the river was a spectacular turquoise colour pouring through the valley. Truly a valley of life!

The next day we pedalled down to El Burgo, resupplied and kept going up. The wind was behind us spurring us on, we sheltered for lunch behind a farmers makeshift fence. Then it was some fantastic downhill action before a coffee sitting in the sun in a fantastic little town square. Some steep uphill before finding a campspot.

We enjoyed the next day soaking up the incredible views at El Chorro, sight of a seriously awesome suspension bridge, staying on there to shelter from some rain fall!

Such beautiful scenes riding from El Chorro to Valle de Abdalajis and then on up into the hills to camp again up high. We were so fortunate that the sun came out as we started to cook dinner and we were treated to such a beautiful sunset, with the hills in front stretching for miles. We were again grateful for pushing on despite the huge hill, what a reward.

So section by section we journey on, so glad of all we are able to see, all the amazing food, grateful for our bikes, bodies that can pedal and all the fun and connections along the way!