El Camino a Agua Amarga

Nearly a month we’ve been in Spain

Its pleasures not hard to explain 

Every week in the heat

This cycling treat,

Rewarding again and again.

I divert to Mesa Roldán

It has to be done, if you can

The climb is a beast

But oh what a feast

For the eyes of a tired old man.

In the National Park I wobble away

Hardly a car on the road today

‘Mongst the rolling vistas

Just a band of ciclistas

“Vamos” they disparagingly say.

I take to the mountain bike track

From here there is no going back

“Access only” says the sign

But in this craze of mine

I ignore it, just for the craic.

In a wilderness calm and serene

Not a soul for miles to be seen

Just small birds that forage

On the track or its edge

And the coast with hills in between 

In Carboneras, as usual, I stop

I’m a regular at this coffee shop

Then Sopalmo climb

Plays on my mind

I can’t believe I’ll get to the top.

I’ve always managed to do it 

As if there is nothing to it

Still I fear the worst,

That there will be a first

Time when I come to rue it.

Bédar