Even though we only had 185km to ride to our next destination at Andorra, we were still on the road before 9am as rain was forecast for later in the day and we wanted to avoid getting wet if we could. The riding today was great, excellent roads, beautiful mountain scenery and we even had a couple of hot air balloons to keep us company.

Andorra is a tiny, independent principality situated between France and Spain in the Pyrenees mountains. It's known for its ski resorts and as a tax-haven with great duty free shopping. Greg and I visited here in 2011 and we decided to stay at the same hotel - 4 star and only $75AUD for a night with undercover secure parking for the bikes. The hotel is situated in the historic centre of Andorra la Vella and is in easy walking distance to the shopping areas, restaurants and is just around the corner from Santa Coloma Church with its distinctive circular bell tower. The hotel indoor pool and spa is not bad either!

We arrived at our hotel at about noon but could not check in until 3pm so we parked the bikes in the undercover parking, changed out of riding gear and boots into walking shoes and set off to find some bargains. Greg and I really had nothing that we planned to buy but it wasn't long before Chris made his first purchase. He has been looking for a Tom Tom Rider GPS and after a bit of haggling with the salesman he had bagged himself a bargain. Kerrie found herself some moisturiser she needed at less than she would pay at home so she was happy as well. Lunch was a delicious American style hot dog, a nice change from the baguettes with cheese that we have been having for lunch.

At 3pm we returned to the hotel to check in. First order of business was a swim and relax in the 6th floor indoor pool and spa, it started to drizzle rain as we swam. We had dinner a short distance from the hotel before heading back for a good night's sleep.

Next morning was sleep in time - Kerrie didn't get up until 8:30am - very decadent! The morning was spent checking out the motorcycle accessory shops in town. Once again it was Chris who found the first bargain, purchasing a lovely jacket that he put straight on as it was only 13 degrees while we walked around town. We then caught a local bus to take us to El Pas de la Casa, about an hour up the mountain and 1000m higher than Andorra. and near the border with France. The scenery was again spectacular - snow capped peaks, rushing rivers and waterfalls and ski chalets clinging to the mountains sides.

The bus avoided the multiple switchbacks of Port d'Envalira by driving through the 2.5km Tunel d'Envalira. When we got to the top it was raining so we were pleased to be having a day off the bikes. We spent our time checking out numerous motorbike accessory shops where Greg and Chris purchased some comfortable Gore-Tex riding gloves at the right price - they had none to fit Kerrie or she would have had a pair as well! After lunch we caught the bus for the return journey to Andorra.

As it was still raining when we got back to town we settled in for an afternoon of rest before heading back to France - the weather forecast says it will be fine tomorrow.