Although it was harrowing at the time, it seems that we actually got off fairly lightly when some people tried to stop us to rob us on the AP7 motorway around Barcelona. Since then we have heard the stories of two couples who were attacked on the same stretch of motorway. The first had a boulder thrown at their car - the idea is that either the noise of the boulder hitting the car or the bump that comes from the caravan running over it cause you to think you have a puncture or something worse. They, like us, had been pre-warned so kept on driving, despite attempts to ram them into the hard shoulder, but ended up with a large dent on the side of their car.
The story of the other couple was even more frightening. A car pulled alongisde them and somebody stuck a screwdriver into one of the caravan tyres. They kept on driving knowing that it would be fatal to stop on the hard shoulder. They pulled in at the next service area but unfortunately it was a quiet one with few facilities and the car that had attacked them followed them in! Despite the fact that one of the caravan tyres was completely flat they decided to return to the motorway and, dragging their caravan behind them, made it to the next service area which was more populated. They stopped in the busiest area possible and managed to change the wheel without any problems, although of course both the wheel and tyre were completely wrecked. They reported the incident to the police and gave them the registration number of the car but of course it was stolen so there was little that could be done.
It's a shame that these incidents mar the reputation of the tourist industry in Spain as we have generally found the Spanish people to be delightful and while staying on Spanish camp sites have felt completely safe. Apprently, around Madrid where they have similar problems, the police have been using decoy cars and caravans to catch the bandits. They might have to try something similar around Barcelona - either that or next time we'll carry a shotgun as well as a camera!
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Never mind a shotgun - go the whole hog and get a sub machine gun............oh well, perhaps not but that would turn the tables big time!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep safe you two. Lots of love.....Carol xxx
Hi to you both, I have just read your blog uptodate. I can't believe how jealous and tearful I feel - sounds absoultely wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI have hear many tails about the robbers, they have been bandits on the french motorways for years who rob unsuspecting motorists in airs that don't have service stations. It must have been very frightening. I agree with Carol - get a machine gun.
Take care and love to you both.