For some reason that I am not sure of, Deane has decided to wear shorts and flip flops at all times.  The locals (and Will and I) think he is quite mad as it is unseasonably cold….so cold that as we drove over the mountains from León we drove into a smattering of snow on the roadsides….then a little more snow falling lightly, then a full on blizzard with snow ploughs clearing the road ahead of us.

To say we were surprised is an understatement, but as we got through the blizzard and back into the clear skies, William suggested the obvious….let’s have a snowball fight!!

Thoroughly beaten, Deane retreaded back in the van to make a nice cup of Earl Grey (can’t beat a good cup of bergamot) while Will and I started getting creative.  Before you could say flip flops in the snow (about an hour), a snowman and his dog took up residence on the picnic table, much to the delight of passing lorry drivers and travelling families who tooted as they passed.  We all had a ball (of snow) before heading on…

It was a big day of driving yesterday and Lake Sanabria was our destination, but when we finally got there, it was most definitely still closed for the  season.  So much so that when we pulled into the only campsite that was open, there was no-one there and when I saw Burt Reynolds walking towards us with a banjo we hightailed it out of there and headed on, unexpectedly ending up in Portugal at a gorgeous little campsite called Cepo Verde in Gondesende.

Today was spent pottering, playing and walking in the woods with Deane still in shorts despite a temperature of -2 overnight (hoorah for electric blankets). Tomorrow we head for the Douro Valley, the home of Port…..mmmmm…..I feel a vineyard cycle tour coming on…..