Leaving the cheese festival, we made our way to Andorra. No expectations, no preconceptions at all, just optimism. Much of our journey has been like this, which is why it has been a pleasure to do.
After 13km or so we ambled passed border control. The guy who should have stopped us had his feet up on the table and was leaning back in his chair rubbing his eyes. Not that bothered then really!
Passing through was the aim today and getting back into France near Carcassonne was the ambition. However, having just passed the capital city of Andorra la Vella we started the climb out of the other side near a place called Encamp. A roundabout decision was made. We have done this occasionally, where you go round a roundabout until a decision has been made about where to go. In the end, we went back towards the town and found a camp site, superbly named 'International Camping'. It's a slightly squalid affair, but will suffice.
Upon completing the set up, (5 mins as mentioned previously!!!) the bikes were dusted off (we haven't ridden much recently), and made our way into the capital. 3.15 miles of downhill. No pedalling required, just coming down the paths to the city. Our first stumble upon was an insignificant hole in the rocks. No great fanfare of a place. It was a thermal spring at 70 degrees celsuis!
We all had the same thought as we plunged our hands in.......BATH!!!!!! Sadly not though, too public. 2 mins later and the bikes were locked and Clare had an idea, an ambition. The 'Andorran Eye', a big wheel was looming large before us.
We have travelled on most things so far, but Clare fancied a go on the 'eye' to add to the list. It was well sited for good views. We paid our way and boarded. This was where the fun began. An immediate swaying began, much to the delight of Jasper and Maya. Once the doors closed and we were under way, the initial idea that Clare had, seemed to have become a daft idea. She has really suffered from Labyrinthitis in the past and occasionally now gets vertigo!!! Now this wheel is no London eye. It is quite a squalid tin pot affair. Wobbles, creaks, groans from all directions. The views however were stunning.
During our first lap we were actually halted at the very crest on the top. 10 mins passed so we could enjoy the view, whilst Clare focused on distant objects whilst trying to ignore the gentle swaying. Lap 2 and 3 were much smoother although I had to move around to get photos and enjoy the view from different sides, so inducing more stress in Clare much to the kids amusement!
Afterwards a wander through the streets gave off a pleasant and cosmopolitan air about the place. A nice place to be.
However, the bit we were all ignoring, turning a blind eye to, was the return cycle. Onwards we set, some steep parts to the climb got us going. A sign post actually labelled our start as the starting point for a bike climb to the top at some 2611metres with an average grade of 9%. Without showing everyone the sign we plodded on making the most of first gear. I was amazed though. Jasper, being Jasper, just loved it. Maya did the whole thing too, I only shoved her on 2 separate short occasions. Clare did it too, I only shoved her on 2 short separate occasions too! A 3.15 mile uphill climb of 1066ft (so says my Garmin!!! - it's probably only 600 ft really) was a very impressive ride for Jasper and Maya, more so Maya. 
Maya was discussing how Chris Froome might only be a little bit quicker to the top than us. She was right, but we weren't going anywhere near the top!
Thoughts on Andorra? We quite liked it!
Ed
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