At The House Day 30 Plus - Fine Dining, Cleanup and Driving

John and Angie left just before 7.  I walked up to their what has turned out to be a very reliable parking space with them.  This space has relatively few houses on the street, it is a steep hike up and the street is reasonably wide.

I walked over to Danny Aiello's and had three cafe con leches so when I got back home I was buzzing.  I had a fair amount of work to do before my planned post-midnight departure.  Packing my bike took a while.  It was raining so I never even got a chance to test the new rubber I put on the wheels yesterday.

The plan for the day turned into packing, drive for lunch, get a nap, clean up and drive away.  Andy and Debbie planned to take a day in town tomorrow and on Sunday take the bus and train to Madrid.  The weather forecast for Spain over the next few days was rain and Madrid offered more indoor activities.

One job Andy and I tackled was tarping up the Room 4 bed in case any rain came in the roof.  Before I left a few drops had penetrated and the tarp had kept some drops off.  I also got a bunch of my ESP devices online.

For lunch we drove to Frailes and tried out Restaurante Angelillo.  We were the first customers at a little after 2pm on a Friday.  The food was very good and it may have been the meal highlight of the month.  Our waiter was very good and was adept at using Google Translate.  This place definitely makes the a place to go list.  Reservations required on weekends!

After a long lunch I had hoped to take a long nap but just was not able to get to sleep.  I did "rest" (i.e. watched YouTube and played games in a horizontal position).

When Andy and Debbie were off to bed I said my goodbyes and started my room clean up including 2 washing machine runs.  Somehow I got a little casual on my exit time and realized when I got in the car I needed to not waste any time getting to Madrid.  I got to the TAP counter with about an hour to takeoff; not all that wise when you are travelling with a bike.

On the Lisboa to San Francisco flight I found out that there were a lot of bikes coming out of Malaga because of a 6000 entrants triathlon.  The woman I sat next to said she came first in her age group and was a former Kaiser nurse.  I looked and could not find anyone in the results who looked like her in the possible age groups ... (thinking and rolling eye emojis ... and now a laughing one).  The Malaga flights were limiting the number of bikes on the flights.  Those smaller Iberian peninsula planes do not even have space for modern carryon so I can see 6000 bike being a problem.

The flight to Lisboa went off on time and I think I slept the entire way.  The San Francisco flight boarded a little late and then we sat in the plane for an hour and a half.  Too many bikes or something.  I slept more on these flights than I normally do.  I guess this is one advantage to not sleeping all night.  When I was boarding the San Francisco flight, even though I was in the far corner of the plane I was in boarding group A.  I never get that.  I was in the A line - and could not believe the number of people who though they deserved to board in the Premier or A groups without feing in those groups.  It must have worked in the past but they were throwing those people out of the line.  When A started boarding my line started moving and some lady who was behind me shoves her roller bag in my path and tries to push through.  I made a snarky comment about her going first and she backed off making an excuse that the bag goes where it wants to go.  Later on the plane the woman who sat next to me asked my to change seats so her mother - the  line jumper!! - could sit beside her.  I said no.  Mothers and adult daughters travelling together - in my experience - seem to have an unbelievable sense of entitlement.  She wanted my to move to a interior seat from my window that had an extra three inches; inches I need!  Turns out she was in the wrong seat and was replaced by the triathlete.  Now I am beginning to think the mother-daughter combo spied the best seats in the area and tried to get people to move so they could have them.  The last team I encountered like this asked me to carry their luggage on a plane;  I flatly said no, but my sister got stuck lugging luggage around for an hour.  The noive (in the voice of Three Stooges, Curly).

Back home now to the same weather I just left.  Well, another adventure ends.

At The House Day 29 - Museums and Priego de Cordoba

I started the day with coffee at Danny Aiello's.  

Another roofer came to give an estimate just after I came out of the shower.  John let him in and I ran up to the roof and said "Hi, Pedro, I'm Leo" and shook the guy's hand and he gave me a baffled look.  "I'm not Pedro, that's Pedro. I sold you the house." 

That was bad.  I had dinner with the guy.  Pedro was behind me.

The Canadians all went to Danny's and the bakery while I got my tire change finished.  The old tires were very worn and riding yesterday I heard some leaks.  The front tire had a little liquid left in it but the rear tire was not quite dry but had nothing that would have sealed a leak.   I did have to fight a bit to get the Continentals on but they were no anywhere near as hard to get on the rim as the previous versions.

After that we walked to the city Museum.  The audio tour was alright as it walked you through some of the geology to present day local art.  There was a section on the Ibericans, the Romans and the Middle Ages.  There was barely a mention of the 700 years of Moorish dominance.

Next we went to the Olive museum just out of town towards Preigo de Cordoba.   It focuses on the olive oil extraction.  What all the guys were wondering is how the vast number of olive trees could get picked in any reasonable time frame.  We loaded up on very reasonably priced local oil.

Next we headed to Preigo de Cordoba where we found a very convenient parking lot for 2€.  The town was charming and we had a nice, but with limited selections, menú del dia.  Afterwards we walked through the narrow - walking only - streets to the overlook.  An older woman who was clearly a little off started telling us stories in Spanish that Debbie was able to catch a few words of. 

We headed home for some siesta time and ended the day with churcutiery on the roof.  It is raining now and may be tomorrow.

At The House Day 28 - La Pedriza Loop

I went for coffee alone at Danny's and while there decided I should be a responsible home owner and take care of a few things before I left. I sent the two couples to the Fortaleza without me. They had a great time and really enjoyed it.

I went to the Hiper Home to pick up a few things. They were out of the toilet flush units. I picked up some tarps to protect the room 4 bed from roof leaks. I also got American Tape ... duct tape to me. From now on I will call it American Tape.

It was so nice there was no way I could not go for a short ride. I headed south out of town through La Pedriza and back up on A-335 to Alcalá la Real. I took the castle route instead of the town route to the house for a little 10-14% treat.

Back at the house I started changing my tires and almost had one tire on when the group came back from the castle. A little more wrestling and I got the tire on. The rest is for tomorrow morning.

We got in my brother's car and he drove us to Montefrio just slightly faster than I could ride it. We drove into town and lucked into a great parking spot very near Restaurante El Pregonero where we had an excellent menú del dia for 12€.  

We then drove to Moclín were we saw some awesome vistas and the sun got low and set.

Back at the house we had a little roof time before going out to Café Madrid for some tapas argumented with a couple of raciones.

At The House Day 27 - Market Day

Churros and coffee at 8.  Seems churros are an acquired taste.  John and Angie passed and Andy and Debbie weren't thrilled.  More for me!!!

We headed to the Tuesday market and the girls went off.  The guys did a turn around the stalls and then we headed to the nearest bar for morning beers.  The girls joined us an hour after the appointed meeting time with bags and purchases.  It was time for lunch and we had the menú del dia at Mesón El Olivo.  It was quite good.

We headed home for a much needed siesta.  I had a nice nap.

We walked up to Mirador de San Marcos for the sunset.

After a couple of beers at La Fortaleza we returned to have charcuterie on the roof.  I ran out of gas but they are still going.

At The House Day 26 - La Hortichuala Reversed

John and Angie went to Granada to go to IKEA and to pickup Andy and Debbie.  I rode a reverse La Hortichuala Loop route.  

I headed south and west out of town.  I had only ever con down this road and thought it would be different to go up it.  Having two days rest may have skewed my sense of effort but the climb seemed pretty easy and I don't recall seeing anything over 5%.  Going down the other side the road was in much worse shape at high speed.

This direction is not as good as the one I have done before. Here you go slow in the most heavy traffic and fast on the most pebblely road. Still a good ride.

This reverse direction is easier in many ways.  There are two more less steep climbs versus one steeper climb. The big climb is harder the way we did it before.  Also the traffic and pebbles favor the counter clockwise direction.

Back at the house I had bread and cheese with tea on the roof.  The roof guy came to look at the roof.  Expensive estimate to follow.

I was watching YouTube when everyone came in.  Full house again!  Andy and Debbie had a lot of energy for people off the red eye.

We went out for beer And food.  Unfortunately, being Monday it many places were open.  Tipi Tapa was close to the only option.  It was ok and everyone had fun.  Tea on the roof and bed.

At The House Day 25 - Hanging Out

Very little going on today.  We sat around the house with no plan.  It was very cold in the house.  John had been up since 3am.  I woke at 5:30 and listened to the third period of the Sharks-Florida game.  Sharks won 3-1.  I was very happy.

Before noon we headed out and had coffee and tostadas at Rio de Oro.  The sun was shining and it was really nice sitting outside.

We went for a drive on some of the bike roads.  There were a good number of cyclists out on a sunny Sunday.  I was kind of glad I wasn't riding as the traffic was heavier than usual.  Everyone seemed to be going out for lunch and it was the kind of traffic of drivers not used to the route and trying to make up time.

At a mirador I stole a bunch of olives off a tree to try and cure them.  Angie thought she would try one ... that never gets old.

We drove up to Restaurante Mirador de la Morenita for lunch but it required reservations and was very full.  Angie was not a fan of the road.  Too close to the edge, speeding incoming cars and a suicidal dog.  We tried for lunch in Frailes and they were full.  We did find a table in Santa Ana at Sol y Luna.  Excellent salad, just ok paella, good rabo de toro and very nice bottle of wine.

Back at the house J&A both had a nice nap.  Afterwards John and I solved most of the major problems of the world.  The two of us went out for some beer and tapas at La Fortaleza.  A football match was on when we came in and the place was packed.  We it ended we were suddenly the only customers.

Tomorrow Andy and Debbie arrive.  J&A will pick them up at GRX.  A roof guy is supposed to stop by and I need a ride.

At The House Day 24 - Walk Before Rincon de Pepe

Not much happening today.  John, Angie and I we the second at the churros shop.  Alpha joined us just as we finished but paid for us.  He then went to the bakery to get bus snacks.  

I was driving him to the bus in Lucena that went to direct to Malaga.  I dilly dallied a bit and we were a few minutes later than I had intended.  The map directions calculated we would make it with only two minutes to spare.  I sped a bit and got the estimate up to 5 minutes.  We started to relax a bit and as we entered Lucena the directions said next right.  I took it and it was the wrong right.  Suddenly the estimate was back to 2 minutes.  We were directed down a street and heard "Your destination is on the right".  There was no bus station.  I went around the block and saw a sign for the bus station.  Had to reverse to make the turn and there was a bus station.  Terrible map directions.  The bus was pulling out of the dock but the driver stopped when Alpha flagged him down.  Reports are he made it to Paris.

Back at the house J&A were making changes.  I forced them to walk to make them stop.  We ended at Rincon de Pepe where we had a very good lunch.  I forgot to take pictures.

It was cool today; warmed in the afternoon sun but got almost at night.

At The House Day 23 - Driving, driving, driving

Up late and up early.  A little after 6am Mike and I were at Danny Aiello's drinking the final tall cafe con leche.  The loaded car was half a block away in what I realized was a handicap parking spot as we got out.

The next 8 plus hours was me driving to MAD T1 and back.  We only stopped for gas and a coffee and donut.  Good glazed donut, yummy.  The passenger drop off at T1 doesn't really seem to exist.  I pulled into a painted red parking space in front of a police car and kicked Mike and his bike bag out of the car and drove off as quickly as possible.  Not sure if that's what those spaces are for or I broke some rules.

With about 2 hours still to go I pulled into a freeway rest stop and had some lunch.  It was a decent place of lomo,  fried egg and salad.  Bread and coffee all for 12.50€.  Some places, particularly freeway places use the pay machine and the bar/restaurant people never touch the money.  The bartender entered my order on a terminal and I then feed money into the machine.

My brother John and Angie were in Malaga and were heading to Alcalá la Real.  We were both about the same distance away but I had to do some cleaning and room swapping.  

When they arrived they wanted to street park and I found a pretty reliable looking place a few streets above mine.  I noticed there seemed to be more spots than houses and even though a steep hike up was on a flat reasonably wide street.

After getting settled we needed to dry a sheet for their bed so we went to the Laundromat to use the drier.  I also needed to pick up my bike but first beer and tapas.  We went to Tipi Tapa were you get a choice of tapas.  Two beers, a glass of wine and three substantial tapas ... Angie guessed 20€ ... no, not here: 8€.  And no tip and no tax.

We continued to the bike shop where Nono had replaced my chain, handlebar tape and break pads.  Bike looked good ... 90€.  I also got a 2026 calendar.

Just as we were heading to bed Alpha returned from Cordoba.  He leaves in the morning and I will drive him to Lucena were he catches the bus to Malaga.  That saves him a transfer in Granada and about an hour.

At The House Day 22 - Granada

8am coffee at Danny Aiello's and leave for the bus station at 9:30.  We waited around and watched a guy build his bike in the station.

Tickets for the bus were easy to get online at ALSA.es.  Everything is on the phone.  Best thing is seniors discount starts at 60 here - 6.33€ to Granada.  Mike was pointing out that it makes sense to give your old people a break but why include rich foreigners?  For a few seconds I felt bad about saving 4 or 5 Euros.

We took the bus to the Granada Bus Station but getting off one stop earlier might make sense as it is actually closer to Centro.  At the bus station the 33 bus takes you to Centro for 1.60€.  It's about a 10 minute ride.

We stepped off the bus at the Cathedral and were immediately in tourist hell.  The narrow streets were filled with tourists.  I heard every language except Spanish.  We had a coffee.  The Alpha got absorbed into a spice shop.  He did come out with some tasty nuts.

We walked along the Carrera del Darro up to the Alhambra.  At the Alhambra you need picture ID.  Alpha and Mike had to go to the office to get their digital stuff verified.  My CA driver's license was good enough.  Not a bad idea to carry the passport when out and about.

Mike and I only had tickets for the gardens.  They are definitely worth seeing and have great views.

After we headed down hoping to escape the worst of the tourist restaurants but we could have gone further.  Lunch wasn't bad but compared to Alcalá la Real it was really expensive.  Before we finished Alpha headed off to his appointed time at the Alhambra.

Mike and I visited a few places that had big tapas.  The first was similar to what we had in town and the other wasn't doing tapas yet   We were not very hungry anyway.  With a desire to get out of the tourist area we started walking to the bus station.  We had a beer in a normal neighborhood and one at the train station.

We boarded the bus about 6:45 for a 7pm take off and started wondering if Alpha was going to make it.  He jumped on with about a minute to spare.  He had been charging his phone in the station so it wasn't as dramatic as we had hoped.

At home I headed to bed as Mike leaves tomorrow and we have to be on the road shortly after 6am.