Day 100: Valdepeñas de Jeán (Drive/Big Stupidity/Cycle/Drive)

Well, day 100 has arrived and misfortune has befallen me and the van. Me because I made a number of errors and the van because it now has more damage!

I shan't go into the gory details but, just say that I was using Google Maps to provide navigation to the bus/car park of the castle at Alcala de Reál. Unfortunately, I didn't scrutinise the approach and ended up driving up very steep narrow roads, clearly not the way the coaches go! I eventually compounded this error with another that resulted in much damage to the passenger side of the van!

The irony is I eventually parked in the very same place that I noticed on the way to the act of stupidity, but naively, I thought I'd proceed to the recommended bus/car park instead. Hindsight and all that jazz!

Nothing more could be done so I went cycling! Only one puerto sign again today:

A photo was taken part way down the descent showing yet more olive groves and the pueblo of Castillo de Locubín.

The high point of the day was the Collado de Frailes at an Elevation of 1320 metre (again, no sign!). But the pueblo had one:

I think I prefer the black and white version:

As did Alcala de Reál:

The cycle ride lifted my spirits a little, but recollection of the earlier incident kept on leaking into my conscious, which somewhat detracted from the enjoyment of the ride. However, I can't change what happened, it is in the past, slowly receding in the rear view mirror and, eventually it will be out of sight and out of mind: at least until the hefty repair bill arrives!

• Distance driven: 57 miles
• Distance cycled: 51 kilometres
• Weather: Mostly blue skies and the thermostat has risen significantly. Currently, at 18:20, it is 29°C in my metal box (with added scars!)
• Location: Google Maps

Today's route: