As we drove off the ferry, dark brooding clouds surrounded the port of Bilbao. It was clear that the local clouds had invited their chums and relations to come and put on a show for us. Sure enough, as we drove up the steep hill out of the city, the skies became blacker still and after a dramatic pause the lightning began closely followed by thunder and heavy rain. So pleased were the clouds with their spectacular sound and light show that they kept it up all the way to Pamplona, where they bid us ‘adios’ and headed back to greet the weather gods arriving on the next ferry.

Yes, the Jones and Fosketts are back on the road and so I have reignited the blog to make sure our friends and family can check on our progress and make sure we are not getting into too much trouble.

This year we are tripping through the Pyrenees, into Andorra and on to Provence. Well, that is the plan we are starting with; let us see what happens?

The ferry from Portsmouth to Bilbao was unremarkable, apart from the insight it gave us into the amazing capabilities of dog’s physiology. We were booked into a dog cabin which had access onto a part of the ship set aside for “exercising dogs” (I think its called the poop deck?). Despite other dogs cocking their legs willy nilly, Bryn and Enzo kept theirs firmly crossed. Bryn finally gave in after 28 ½ hours but Enzo won the prize by lasting until he was back on terra firma; a magnificent 39 hours!

Seriously it wasn’t much fun for them and I doubt if we will use that crossing again. It is a good thing we are planning to return from Dieppe to Newhaven – a much more manageable 3 ½ hours.

After lunch we are going to find a good dog walk to reward our four-legged friends for their extreme patience in the face of adversity. I will let you know how we get on.