The impossible completed.

2500km, an average of 180km per day. On our second last day, we pushed a whopping 220km with over 10 hours on the tractors hot seat. Spain set us up for a few challenges and truly tested our endurance levels and minds.

Crossing over the border from France, we had our first mountain pass that led up the Permease mountain range. We made it to the top in time for a beautiful sunset and to set up camp for our first night in Spain. The magic was all around. Sunrise uncovered the beautiful views over the mountains and the valleys. We planted our 3rd flower amongst the wild flowers with a view.

Driving through Spains desolated countryside in soaring temperatures was a tough few days. Flat lands with deserts all around. What once used to be a beautiful landscape, now only sand,stones, and castles from its very own soil. Wind turbines covering the horizon.

Hot, sweaty, and tractor dirty, we watched the kilometers tick by. Google Maps got lost a few times. We were easily spotted as a foreign traveling vehicle by the locals and the traffic department officials. Our first encounter came on a whinedy road through a small village with the Permease mountain range as a reminder of how far we have come. Two very serious officials pulled us over. Documents were provided. Confused, the officials examined the papers, and after lost in translation sign language, we were told.” Impossible, Impossible to drive a tractor to Portugal. Crazy, crazy impossible!” With the Jacob’s weg Camino trail as our guide, we were let off the hook with a chuckle and lots of head scratches and head shaking.

Spain your countryside is over cultivated and bone dry. Your grapevines forgotten with raisins forming on the vines.

Towns and villages along the route seemed like ghost towns, with not a soul to be seen during the day. Cities grouded,busting and stress on the rise. We sweated, skin felt like it was salted and air dried.. Biltong made tractoring style. We pushed as hard and as far as we could during these warm days, chasing the last sun ray’s of the day in search of some trees to camp for the night.

Our last full day through Spain, we were tired. Our minds played tricks, and there were questions and scenarios that arose. Highway to Hell is my new song for the trip. There were so many traffic circles, so many exits, and I chose none other than the actual highway!! As we drove onto the onramp, it was too late to correct my mistake. Huge trucks and a line of cars behind us. There was no turning around or reversing. Only forward to avoid the unthinkable. 14km with no exits in sight, we crawled down the highway. Trucks flying by, nerves shattered, and the mind on high alert and panic. 40 minutes on the hellway, we finally reached the first offramp. Escorted by traffic officials. Nerves at end we came to a stop. We were scolded, we were told what we knew, we had just broken the law, we were in big trouble! Respect is all we gained towards the Spanish Traffic department. All officers were professional, thoughrer, and helpful. Google translate helped clear up a huge mistake, not to ever be repeated, a discounted fine for many regulations broken under European law and a route to continue to our final destination, that couldn’t be closer enough!

Portugal bound, we packed up camp in the dark. At first light, we were on the road. It was a rather fresh morning. We had been off the radar through most of Spain. The bulldog has sweated oil alongside us. Spain seemed like it was testing us from the start, but we came a long way and the bulldog is on its home stretch.

The landscape started to look more familiar. The mountains were greener. The heat felt more tolerable. The last 70 kilometers felt like it was taking forever.

Our last mountain pass and crossing into Portugal, we knew we had completed the impossible… now possible but not advisable.

We rolled down the familiar driveway. Anton meeting us halfway. We made it! We finally made it. What was set out as a 3-4 week journey, we completed in 13 traveling days. The Bulldog has run its final stretch of its marathon! Retirement is looking good!!

An adventure we had. Sights seen by very few, all in slow motion. The imagination ran wild, and our minds were silenced by the tack tack of the tractor.

Thank you for all your prayers,our guardian angels,well wishes, fairydust, and good vibrations. They guided us all along the way. Some days more than others, of course. The bulldog thanks all its fans from its diesel pumping heart ❤️

Until we meet again, family, friends and tractor lovers.