Day 4, Monday 11th April – Jerez Pitstop

After another good night's sleep, the task of the day was to fit the tyres we had carried from the UK to all the bikes and clearly get Lars back on the road. After the confusion of the previous evening, the wheels of what you pay insurance money for were in full motion, Lars's bike had been moved to be "done", a taxi was ordered and Mark and I followed Lars to El Motorista to hear the news. It turned out that the skills of the staff in El Motorista were honed like a GP race team. The garage was immaculate and spacious. The bike was being done and awaiting parts (which dutifully arrived in the afternoon) Mark and I explained about the tyres needing to be fitted – no problems, my bike was done in just under an hour, similarly Mark's with some additional tweaking of the idle adjustment. Lars picked up his bike at 6pm. All done at a very price that none could quibble about. The service was quite outstanding.

Jerez is very Catholic, from the immaculate garage, to the immaculate saints that weep or bleed at you when walking through the medina. Being Easter, the town is gearing up for the annual parade of saints through the square. Shops selling icons of every description, you can show your devotion by spending your money on a plastic salt and pepper dispenser of your favourite saint or perhaps Jesus bleeding on the cross; all done in the best possible taste of course. Despite some of the tackier aspects of the town, it really is beautiful; palm trees and hibiscus lined squares, magnificent statues (Old Popes feature quite heavily) and interesting architecture, all baking in 30 degree heat, huge fountains providing some relief.

Tapas for lunch, with the obligatory Cerveza, haven't gone for the sherry yet (Jerez being home to Tio Pepe and Harveys Bristol Cream sherry) we shall leave that to the flocking faithful. Morning TV featured the Jerez equivalent of a religious/ cookery programme; Two nuns making donuts (not the bike type) for an hour – no slick editing here, all in Spanish of course so we didn't get the 'this nun walked into a bar joke'. Once again many Spanish women fascinated by our rakish, swarthy looks. Wrapped in biker's apparel we are irresistible to the innocent, so many eyes mentally undressing us, we almost feel violated.

Lars: Not sure about the fascination amongst Spanish women, I for sure cannot feel the "vibes" that M&M feel...After watching a Spanish TV program in the bar, showing the behaviour of Brits on holiday, I think they just need to feel sophisticated... Just the sight of these two fine gentlemen in their footgear says something...

Mileage: 0

El Motorista

The reason for women looking

Jerez tour

Souvenirs for sale