Deep in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve a small group sit under a camelthorn acacia around a fire at one of the campsites, Deception 6. Earlier in the day, only a couple of kilometres from here we had followed the spoor of a big male Lion who was walking slowly in the direction of our camp. There was an air of excited anticipation, albeit tinged with a fear of this powerful symbol of Africa. As the Milky Way filled the sky we heard him roar, quite close so as the camps here do not have fences we turned in for the night serenaded by his roars that got every closer, until he settled down some yards from our camp.

Spain is a land of mountains, valleys and escarpments that is teaming with tracks that wind across its landscapes. Our route will take you across the mountains of the Parque Natural Saya-Besaya, The massive escarpments of the Valle del Ebro and the rolling hills and valleys near Aquillar del Campoo. You will experience wonderful menu del dia’s along the way, one of which in the village of Alar Del Ray is reputed to make the best croquetas in the whole of Spain…..