A kettle of storks, a charm of goldfinches and a squadron of jet planes

A day in the desert, at Las Bardenas Reales near the town of Tudela. It's a huge spectacular desert-like area of about 400 sq. kms, with loads of ravines an cliffs and flat topped mesa - like tables. 

This is where the super huge car comes into its own, except for the annoying techie beeping. If these aren't obeyed, the warning lights are even more annoying. The real test is motorway tolls. Whoever is in the passenger seat is challenged to the max when they can't reach the ticket machine and have to remove their seat belt. It's bad enough that it sounds like a major security alert, but when the machine also rejects the ticket for payment and we have to reverse and all that jazz....tis somewhat nerve jangling.

A day in the desert

The day began with a discussion about the origins of collective nouns. We first saw a kettle of storks, then a charm of goldfinches. There weren't enough starlings for a murmuration, but there was a flock of sheep and a herd of cows. 

The subject matter stepped up a gear when we happened to stop the vehicle quite close to where a Montagu's Harrier attacked a flock of Black-bellied Sandgrouse. It didn't grab one, but it caused quite a stir and gave us another species to add to the list. The central area of Las Bardenas Reales is a military zone where there just happened to be 'a squadron' of fighter jets engaged in target practice. We could see old planes on the ground which were being used as targets and could hear the bursts of firing. The jets looked just like birds and were amazing to watch, although it felt a bit unnerving seeing them practice strafing a target - diving sharply towards it, giving a quick burst of gunfire and then sharply changing to a near vertical climb. We're wondering whether 'jet' can be included on our list.

A night in the desert?

We experienced a few road closure issues en route to the next hotel, adding a few miles and two hours extra travelling time. We eventually arrived at an abandoned dirty neglected dump of a hotel. I immediately had visions of spending the night in the super vehicle and all its stuff. What would Bear Grylls do in this situation? Head for the woods probably.

After we'd tried all the doors, buzzers and phone numbers, we headed off for the closest town hoping to find something. It was beginning to get dark and hotels are notoriously difficult to find in little Spanish towns, if there is one at all. We drove to Belchite, a few miles up\down the road, in the middle of another nowhere. I engaged in some delightful 'askings' with the gesticulating fast-talking locals - leading to success. So there Bear Grylls...

The story ended happily and we didn't have to spend the night in the above little desert house. Instead we are in the super-modern minimalist Hotel Oleum (two of four guests). It is brand new and very swish, but feels like staying in a show home/hotel. I'm wondering whether we are on a reality show and have been looking for the hidden cameras. 

''