Day 193 - Sun 11th April - 15990km - Vite-Vivar

Still feeling rejuvinated from an easy last couple of weeks I was making great progress this morning until the tar abruptly ended & I was left choking on the dust of passing onion trucks but it wasn't these that almost brought a tear to my eyes but rather the bone rattling conditions and steep inclines. With storms looming and floods already crossing the road I really had to push it to make tar this afternoon & unfortunately I tore the attachments of both rear panniers in the process, leaving them precariously fastened with bungee cords. People in villages along the way continue to be very inquisitive, but with no Portuguese at my disposal, I've been leaving many a puzzled face in my wake with my standard response of "si, obrigado" - at least they can't fault my manners! Now camped at well over 1000m the bonus of all the climbing is cooler temperatures and fewer mosquito's.