tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2883602738397959532024-02-08T13:14:55.345-05:00Our Walk Along the Camino de MadridCome Walk With Us travel and hiking blog regarding the 322 km long pilgrimage along the Camino Madrid from Madrid to Sahagun Spain en route to Santiago de Compostella. Learn about the route, find useful information, get advice for planning your own hiking or cycling pilgrimage. Entries take you day by day along the way from preparation to completion with terrific photographs on the Way of Saint James.Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-28577164811103253702022-04-27T00:29:00.088-04:002023-12-04T11:22:52.293-05:00Camino Frances Rejoined and Reflected : Sahagun to Mansilla de las Mulas to Leon <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Two days ago we finished our walk on the
322 km long Camino Madrid, walking from Spain's capital city to Sahagun, a town
on the Camino Francés. We have spent the past two days walking 55.3 km
from Sahagun to Léon on the Camino Francés, making an overnight stop in
Mansanilla de las Mullas along the way. Essentially we are simply connecting
two routes - the Camino Madrid and the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminosansalvador.blogspot.com/2022/04/camino-san-salvador-leon-to-la-robla.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Camino San Salvador</b></a>, but we have been
curious about what our second time on the Camino Frances would be like.
It was an interesting experience. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9RTvmOZJmANMciwoyPYw4r3ds0LcWUtFuj9j6XFsEbRwZY-QBUs2uYDi30_XOW4qFcZASS-6NuGJe0j6fVmNfkPf8BDcTJIEO6Z8QVbkqaGmmz7WcH9rLad8C7KdLQKm2_TjmsDKQK3EaWkWuCmGswmoYfoRW3KtAWp0H-HS9qEujwPQUkUxsUkY1g/s1789/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1789" data-original-width="1194" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw9RTvmOZJmANMciwoyPYw4r3ds0LcWUtFuj9j6XFsEbRwZY-QBUs2uYDi30_XOW4qFcZASS-6NuGJe0j6fVmNfkPf8BDcTJIEO6Z8QVbkqaGmmz7WcH9rLad8C7KdLQKm2_TjmsDKQK3EaWkWuCmGswmoYfoRW3KtAWp0H-HS9qEujwPQUkUxsUkY1g/w268-h400/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(1).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We first walked the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminofrances.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2016-08-27T16:33:00-07:00&max-results=1&start=2&by-date=false" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Camino Frances in 2016</b></a>, and we've come to the realization
that both the Camino and we have changed since we first ventured out
here. We see now that we were incredibly fortunate to have walked this
way at the right time in our lives. It felt like a great big adventure,
full of meaning and magic, and it changed the course of our lives. It
feels different to us now, and perhaps like it isn't the place for us at the
present time. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We had been hearing rumors that after two years of closures due to the pandemic
and a Holy year that was delayed twice, that the number of pilgrims on this
route was currently filling the available albergues to capacity.
Admittedly, both mornings we set off around 7:30 am, which could have been
several hours after the typical morning rush, but we never saw any evidence of
the crowds we had been imagining. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIJIRCWaubNNQNhaJNzwE5LQ5OljPDJ73tzIw_wpTuT7gDs5ODaEtPQTR1MFxoM3jT5_hS_iqIovVn8mzJck7fZ2ygZXggyUHty9hiKDCaI3kyqHCaUFfS1Gd6M4gotd_KK3BEomygJ-pOCpsK4PQpa2efync9BbT9ET3YXxHFuNkmq_5Ee1JniU8KA/s3958/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3958" data-original-width="2642" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIJIRCWaubNNQNhaJNzwE5LQ5OljPDJ73tzIw_wpTuT7gDs5ODaEtPQTR1MFxoM3jT5_hS_iqIovVn8mzJck7fZ2ygZXggyUHty9hiKDCaI3kyqHCaUFfS1Gd6M4gotd_KK3BEomygJ-pOCpsK4PQpa2efync9BbT9ET3YXxHFuNkmq_5Ee1JniU8KA/w268-h400/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(3).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Heading out of Sahagun we stopped at a lovely café for a breakfast of café con
leches and croissants, which we enjoyed on an outdoor patio in the cool, sunny
morning air. There were two other pilgrims in the café, and a couple of Civil
Guardia officers, whose insignia had the symbol of a shell. We
hadn't seen any evidence of this on the Camino Madrid at all, but we
encountered the same level of pilgrim presence and support over both of our
days on the Camino Francés. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When we headed out of Sahagun, across an old stone bridge, we picked up a dirt
Senda that ran along beside the paved road. Essentially we followed this
tree lined dirt track for the remainder of the first day and part of the
second, which made for easy if not especially interesting walking. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-RJrhyC_eTSeRI6ISqrhzNzH2TKZD9OJV4C7xT2JJ11EtV-LFFAC0GkbJCaia_1X3--9esy8j4WCPe6xuzGbyXJZQUE6gwdH68rUJ_G7YAQ1voWvNWvH3TIA8bRYxra8vaBseVrTu_xJZgrCeDEYiBnes1SQm_KEruVYrqKL4xM7Ea1bhTFmO0m7Qg/s5863/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(9).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3915" data-original-width="5863" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-RJrhyC_eTSeRI6ISqrhzNzH2TKZD9OJV4C7xT2JJ11EtV-LFFAC0GkbJCaia_1X3--9esy8j4WCPe6xuzGbyXJZQUE6gwdH68rUJ_G7YAQ1voWvNWvH3TIA8bRYxra8vaBseVrTu_xJZgrCeDEYiBnes1SQm_KEruVYrqKL4xM7Ea1bhTFmO0m7Qg/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(9).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMANV1Lfn38cgAPhgMTOfAzcwX6Eysl5gqorDovOQnSzIHXxkaruoR6RJ93_BNo7ZReVnjTX0u_bab2Td5VBCXYVmQQ5kULf2_sPy25t7ROLrVyP7vb67NELz19I-dn5KCqBEGbM71jJDheVGFb_vGI5UMwYG2UUhJtmrCDIJsRRed0eUJuS_FO5PTw/s5719/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(15).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3817" data-original-width="5719" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMANV1Lfn38cgAPhgMTOfAzcwX6Eysl5gqorDovOQnSzIHXxkaruoR6RJ93_BNo7ZReVnjTX0u_bab2Td5VBCXYVmQQ5kULf2_sPy25t7ROLrVyP7vb67NELz19I-dn5KCqBEGbM71jJDheVGFb_vGI5UMwYG2UUhJtmrCDIJsRRed0eUJuS_FO5PTw/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(15).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When we reached our first town, Bercianos de Real Camino, we immediately saw
the extent of the development that has occurred along the Camino over the past
six years. When we originally visited this sleepy town there was a single
donativo albergue and one bar which was frequented by locals. As we
approached the town today we encountered a brand new looking, warehouse-sized
albergue, which we stopped at for coffee. Bercianos now includes at least
three albergues, two hostals, and numerous bars and restaurants. This
development seems to have brought the village from rags to riches, hopefully
bringing some benefits to the local residents. The towns we passed
through over the rest of that day and the next seemed to have undergone similar
changes. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSln0NIPQfAJ1w5kSIwHBv2VPO7SlLtnYxiYTr5Bmd0hwZWszSaNgeq7cTJVqG3mntkoD90nJu39m1hyFkJysPLchjXzkYoRF7nmRXztQxydsXOhz1C5b-mIOVbU9kClP9bAs0SuZrZHH-97ioojktd9pi2hcws7Q9jgI2aT5BJ1pJakAU2cjjJJo0tw/s1641/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(27).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1641" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSln0NIPQfAJ1w5kSIwHBv2VPO7SlLtnYxiYTr5Bmd0hwZWszSaNgeq7cTJVqG3mntkoD90nJu39m1hyFkJysPLchjXzkYoRF7nmRXztQxydsXOhz1C5b-mIOVbU9kClP9bAs0SuZrZHH-97ioojktd9pi2hcws7Q9jgI2aT5BJ1pJakAU2cjjJJo0tw/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(27).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTFwsACkHzGvjEChwky_bQOHwtp5t7V0JePCnhjIog2FQoADpLBPKYLO4UPI0roz9F6QL9PzLsw3oRWor4crQIN_1415gR17DRgF5X0d5Bmr2JCX6cYjzYh64RxmkL8HTNGscnrgEo6Lwpr7tYyEdkxhXrnpVyA5HI0T6gi1lzkeRNbX1pxSEIUIllQ/s2359/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(28).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSAW6IOPMFFV5xPYaDpeiDVK8wKiZYMDrV1mX1He786wj8CZxbx9llvfflQH6ivMB5OCXB2GMkIAd5DQgpJ9u8FMgMGiPKsa-yRiiIFZf5DCMqbLqRJF1-10UlpLkVji-4ECJ0X43xcAS-njQL6DaTSfpWvSrl86Fm-Gtwpi5H8QJ9xwpbRxC-pWMqw/s1900/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(32).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1900" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglSAW6IOPMFFV5xPYaDpeiDVK8wKiZYMDrV1mX1He786wj8CZxbx9llvfflQH6ivMB5OCXB2GMkIAd5DQgpJ9u8FMgMGiPKsa-yRiiIFZf5DCMqbLqRJF1-10UlpLkVji-4ECJ0X43xcAS-njQL6DaTSfpWvSrl86Fm-Gtwpi5H8QJ9xwpbRxC-pWMqw/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(32).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBFc3K3K-bxuOgc4k6LAsVYc8P5G7pS9pkSmwgmsZSmmKDx6eydInjzvcdT5NRLo_svzZesK_NTcCPBaEn9ey2dIeHeVARlmXwPBErBA7f5bTASR1tfDxKMAjbjlfdKIVAuK_ty0Pb7NkSVBfv1_xgf80NVATWFG46ZkdjmYT3r4Crjed3M4IKGVRdA/s3514/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(36).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyciP5k0cQDS6UTj4WIZLYlgZM8h89Di8YBNj4AKEBv7gYWdR0DLZp8jqC81jAQ1F3PrjSXSKpMPsqbucaohHFZx-KkxdrSfJYi9AUOC_pBzaunNTRnanwHmLI9LWb20KzrzPheVxtwAXltpJzi3Abivrp_9r6N2hRibRbhvQt01uDJKkXFbAQD-5eQ/s1743/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(43).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1164" data-original-width="1743" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyciP5k0cQDS6UTj4WIZLYlgZM8h89Di8YBNj4AKEBv7gYWdR0DLZp8jqC81jAQ1F3PrjSXSKpMPsqbucaohHFZx-KkxdrSfJYi9AUOC_pBzaunNTRnanwHmLI9LWb20KzrzPheVxtwAXltpJzi3Abivrp_9r6N2hRibRbhvQt01uDJKkXFbAQD-5eQ/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(43).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we walked we also reflected on how much we had forgotten. The trail we
covered over the past two days may never have been the most memorable of
stages, but we found ourselves walking beside a huge mountain range off to the
north. The steep rock and snow covered peaks provided a striking and
dramatic background for the green, yellow, and brown fields. We have no memory
of seeing this mountain range at all during our first walk along the
Camino. It made us question how well we actually know the things we think
we know because we've been there, done that, and or had that experience. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we walked we also realized how different we've become. For one thing,
our focus has shifted. Just after Bercianos del Real Camino we came
across a bird watching area, and Sean didn't hesitate to wade out into the
marsh to take photos of a Black-backed Stilt. On this Camino we are much
more aware of the birds and other wildlife we're seeing along the way than we
were six years ago. We're also much more willing to make detours, take
our time, and add extra distance. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkpYostjZYlblAQamWfqKjx3bc2vH-AxZnMR4pxIDy6rIpIEcsEuu10V1LXaxcmRfSicqXOPwu7eitCgT6BkF8eztyAbjcefNYRc0eEdJgB7QCfoVw3VNk44d-j_hLVbTxiHadmDjYa87g5dpdd43pFgwXCI1LDIDNQYg_h5NLAHYMXB32RnfAmYPbg/s4668/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(53).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4668" data-original-width="3116" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkpYostjZYlblAQamWfqKjx3bc2vH-AxZnMR4pxIDy6rIpIEcsEuu10V1LXaxcmRfSicqXOPwu7eitCgT6BkF8eztyAbjcefNYRc0eEdJgB7QCfoVw3VNk44d-j_hLVbTxiHadmDjYa87g5dpdd43pFgwXCI1LDIDNQYg_h5NLAHYMXB32RnfAmYPbg/w268-h400/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(53).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63egp_KY0dh7Nuyw3GIWHFDz1lZLq9XxPjVe-t4xdjBjKDqX36X0GVoEncr9bcAR84_J3SbWgwivxfZGWB9Kqw9xteUCAU3Iq8rYfet8UaBDqz1_76qOm4kkWDPR6ZIZl4DaVjrDaJnnnWQ-Vm1OeN00d-0r6IsIxAaMj6FFNVQHjYzrqIQS5ekJpDA/s6016/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj63egp_KY0dh7Nuyw3GIWHFDz1lZLq9XxPjVe-t4xdjBjKDqX36X0GVoEncr9bcAR84_J3SbWgwivxfZGWB9Kqw9xteUCAU3Iq8rYfet8UaBDqz1_76qOm4kkWDPR6ZIZl4DaVjrDaJnnnWQ-Vm1OeN00d-0r6IsIxAaMj6FFNVQHjYzrqIQS5ekJpDA/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_j9YPVXMY2QD0Z_xMSJfZYCNI3LkWj0zGToIydGF_V2kS6NezWbQI3CFaGoXsnRi8gOHWHAC3BlUNeSfsX51mJI6YcaY4HGAC2gFyQXMTD4dMcwCQAU76RAYk9Ry9U451Tqw7G-L0mgZh2whUGwHE_oLnuRcOT4aDFQEWMAA0yN0JSvea4ktlYWR5Q/s1976/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(59).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="1976" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs_j9YPVXMY2QD0Z_xMSJfZYCNI3LkWj0zGToIydGF_V2kS6NezWbQI3CFaGoXsnRi8gOHWHAC3BlUNeSfsX51mJI6YcaY4HGAC2gFyQXMTD4dMcwCQAU76RAYk9Ry9U451Tqw7G-L0mgZh2whUGwHE_oLnuRcOT4aDFQEWMAA0yN0JSvea4ktlYWR5Q/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(59).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBczyhzm2wLCjY0MHAMHiwj6AsZPjEZDUr9f4EU6HsEhB0U4pKfGcOQhgTrlugyKR89j68LC6KxaxWIpCpPOXLuE_Ia-p1zstAtwNt9uuQBffFseAxrIFKyF3oupD66z5lcGd7oPQHG1pGzv6hBR_JcHAiikUzpNgJif6yjHkdWZsbHQ2y4Srw7mqzvQ/s2611/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(60).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1743" data-original-width="2611" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBczyhzm2wLCjY0MHAMHiwj6AsZPjEZDUr9f4EU6HsEhB0U4pKfGcOQhgTrlugyKR89j68LC6KxaxWIpCpPOXLuE_Ia-p1zstAtwNt9uuQBffFseAxrIFKyF3oupD66z5lcGd7oPQHG1pGzv6hBR_JcHAiikUzpNgJif6yjHkdWZsbHQ2y4Srw7mqzvQ/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(60).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZlCtipWGgahTJQFNT9WXz1x-LHYLLIAOpF7yLLtwpHB9RZFlGQthXh3ZvYMSNlmkCT0TROCQ4-f4GbQ33_PErxbO_CmoPyxlqh9e9gtXHRSAp12Rx7CNdDpshEPOE15LRjYwB0_Qjy3ij5j8xPldcQ7rgWZcmemrcsz816D1DHJT8WFIJ86tNadrOA/s5721/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(61).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3819" data-original-width="5721" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZlCtipWGgahTJQFNT9WXz1x-LHYLLIAOpF7yLLtwpHB9RZFlGQthXh3ZvYMSNlmkCT0TROCQ4-f4GbQ33_PErxbO_CmoPyxlqh9e9gtXHRSAp12Rx7CNdDpshEPOE15LRjYwB0_Qjy3ij5j8xPldcQ7rgWZcmemrcsz816D1DHJT8WFIJ86tNadrOA/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(61).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span lang="EN-CA"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXem_CZV041JHz2mRZbEYgwfERmV5bj5oeXv5--hU44ynd3wJpERnxFK6BqHa-qzoj6AyqT-mrjW6boNrN4uH-hDPMiukFTfWh783eyljregf_64antidAt9NgCJ_O7govcH1mS6Ibvr0R7mflxgtYZHLYPPl_MP2WWCR3Dy5ZQePpBE2bt9501nQlBQ/s6016/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(67).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2550" data-original-width="6016" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXem_CZV041JHz2mRZbEYgwfERmV5bj5oeXv5--hU44ynd3wJpERnxFK6BqHa-qzoj6AyqT-mrjW6boNrN4uH-hDPMiukFTfWh783eyljregf_64antidAt9NgCJ_O7govcH1mS6Ibvr0R7mflxgtYZHLYPPl_MP2WWCR3Dy5ZQePpBE2bt9501nQlBQ/w640-h272/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(67).JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We also have a different perspective on walking. The first time we walked
this trail we stuck to the daily stages suggested by our Brierly guidebook,
obediently walking around 20-25 km each day. It didn't really occur to us
to walk farther, and we often felt that those distances were enough. This
time around we walked almost two of those stages at once, and we now know we
are capable of going farther than that. However, after about noon on both
days we saw only a handful of other pilgrims on the trail, and it almost felt
like we were doing something wrong. The culture of the Camino is so
strong it felt like we were violating some unwritten Camino rule and we should
be off the trail and not still out walking. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0P3Uab9vDYk-m4zwFMLQIzmjzOrdY7DVK6ZmjBEawbNQzit-dKSTs52U1_B2jJb7C5wdr2oM7TtmxfsniwjWkGv8bKfBHWnCZtyq8rTmCduGLpxTTiZ29K2MCYtdpmTyJZkWB4TqrA3g5Z4h3A4eGTW4Kfr1EaKg1MXU9zlTebM4l81mHY0mWxYmx6A/s3801/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(76).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3801" data-original-width="2851" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0P3Uab9vDYk-m4zwFMLQIzmjzOrdY7DVK6ZmjBEawbNQzit-dKSTs52U1_B2jJb7C5wdr2oM7TtmxfsniwjWkGv8bKfBHWnCZtyq8rTmCduGLpxTTiZ29K2MCYtdpmTyJZkWB4TqrA3g5Z4h3A4eGTW4Kfr1EaKg1MXU9zlTebM4l81mHY0mWxYmx6A/w300-h400/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(76).jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRcOwGldMdx_dNaMig1Os7revDnkXFJctS6ocNtKfN-OC7_s1OWKEyXoGCWuDdRP4onWABeC6HXuIQ9xxthHfa-Z8R1ZbSTNH-jKZ5yaglqyLJ4sDqr1ulqQ3cZVObO0HqnfADEvOqcynlTTeSKySJQrt2XZespATiIthZsu6oiss9QHhcp8EgV54cQ/s1206/Mansilla%20Mulas%20to%20Leon%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1206" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRcOwGldMdx_dNaMig1Os7revDnkXFJctS6ocNtKfN-OC7_s1OWKEyXoGCWuDdRP4onWABeC6HXuIQ9xxthHfa-Z8R1ZbSTNH-jKZ5yaglqyLJ4sDqr1ulqQ3cZVObO0HqnfADEvOqcynlTTeSKySJQrt2XZespATiIthZsu6oiss9QHhcp8EgV54cQ/w400-h268/Mansilla%20Mulas%20to%20Leon%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOcMq_xzFFZhsDlzII1ZyqjS2XSBbL0zHFXSaDRFLRIo5z277GFVp3E9S1mnK4LUvvQ-8NFXKZxAI1JYM96J12EkHxqlX8jwC4R6tY-uPes83aPDaAWuLvGXKE1b8YojAjVnHb1T6XG98jykfeR1D2EMBZ2nL-dprAksGX0pFnqK7qaVR2lEh3QrZQA/s2839/Mansilla%20Mulas%20to%20Leon%20to%20Blog%20(116).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2839" data-original-width="1896" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOcMq_xzFFZhsDlzII1ZyqjS2XSBbL0zHFXSaDRFLRIo5z277GFVp3E9S1mnK4LUvvQ-8NFXKZxAI1JYM96J12EkHxqlX8jwC4R6tY-uPes83aPDaAWuLvGXKE1b8YojAjVnHb1T6XG98jykfeR1D2EMBZ2nL-dprAksGX0pFnqK7qaVR2lEh3QrZQA/w268-h400/Mansilla%20Mulas%20to%20Leon%20to%20Blog%20(116).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqUfR0MHvjZzxWPXqXLK6as2cOsFTpDwYroH3dHZ6gH6EI8cW-tLJiKUEglbdAe4pUViN29HRAp8_z2Xm3VMO8dgEZZZ_MKT6QiPDO6TUDtGHnLoRb_pk08SnwYiWSDpsPqcsdZDeSMQXHRLNCPhkQfwopRZqg5m1yEJNXW3eAOipBJyt5fgO-2Y7yg/s1924/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(71).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="1924" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqUfR0MHvjZzxWPXqXLK6as2cOsFTpDwYroH3dHZ6gH6EI8cW-tLJiKUEglbdAe4pUViN29HRAp8_z2Xm3VMO8dgEZZZ_MKT6QiPDO6TUDtGHnLoRb_pk08SnwYiWSDpsPqcsdZDeSMQXHRLNCPhkQfwopRZqg5m1yEJNXW3eAOipBJyt5fgO-2Y7yg/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(71).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDKeANtpzyFnlo3g7aFlsZ5v54qUTxEBNSUc6JB_tb5xTMz8TkMfoNx0LWAA7hfGcSNj-PbIib-yFaYw7CEx3vAVCWTxkmxbaG5nO3rhltabe8FiUz1hRFrFtC6LWaMFi5WhyK2TnaItrXZ3wAT4WMgQiVsPt8DPStgz_s1RKAJugiHlqgZxoDunAIg/s1943/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(73).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1943" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaDKeANtpzyFnlo3g7aFlsZ5v54qUTxEBNSUc6JB_tb5xTMz8TkMfoNx0LWAA7hfGcSNj-PbIib-yFaYw7CEx3vAVCWTxkmxbaG5nO3rhltabe8FiUz1hRFrFtC6LWaMFi5WhyK2TnaItrXZ3wAT4WMgQiVsPt8DPStgz_s1RKAJugiHlqgZxoDunAIg/w400-h266/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(73).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span lang="EN-CA"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRDMa2z-tjsyWE8HMN4uQftSUiNP61wir2o85TMy3KMXY4cI0dSzZXycMYysBy7sLxex3sBZC1nDUMG4fJYnReXcoz1Kr6z-f6EJt0DU8AMrBAr_G95yHJWru6jOYhnMaw5GZvrn1DH5mXJmax3QHBA4ksk0hDczMxLaB92tv08TplCJ_atKAAIPbpg/s5887/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(77).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2042" data-original-width="5887" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRDMa2z-tjsyWE8HMN4uQftSUiNP61wir2o85TMy3KMXY4cI0dSzZXycMYysBy7sLxex3sBZC1nDUMG4fJYnReXcoz1Kr6z-f6EJt0DU8AMrBAr_G95yHJWru6jOYhnMaw5GZvrn1DH5mXJmax3QHBA4ksk0hDczMxLaB92tv08TplCJ_atKAAIPbpg/w640-h222/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(77).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ3TV3BlGJN_3qyMrJKaozphQg8fTe1IZEXjMig1oyX4MGukCKPZWB9ZlXWu_U6UOAzoqcLT7E8g_G65aBNGf8OAwTQdY2jzyWwX0CoACNVmVdQixBOLmgfZaHBSThK30ydsZfHZartszFFochKbnGfyPOk-er9pf_GxxdVWSenQX9oNneQr3WLr_JQ/s2132/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(87).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="2132" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ3TV3BlGJN_3qyMrJKaozphQg8fTe1IZEXjMig1oyX4MGukCKPZWB9ZlXWu_U6UOAzoqcLT7E8g_G65aBNGf8OAwTQdY2jzyWwX0CoACNVmVdQixBOLmgfZaHBSThK30ydsZfHZartszFFochKbnGfyPOk-er9pf_GxxdVWSenQX9oNneQr3WLr_JQ/w400-h268/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(87).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDhXbWn9cQ7VmIq-nL4sHJlfO4BzAmu99_OLLy95N13fc6SgbsJIgdhGq4i15_1uvgx-EkRekyKmcXvZwCgvwrjke2YLrKTrrFQSQ5IbO3-urSTQalRyZ8L0BtbOC_qvd5msv3sFtd1BxLdNHIhu8MYgQziOxyo5O5RNvbYPIV6Gv8oqaRsEva-OPtQ/s5941/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(91).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2625" data-original-width="5941" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDhXbWn9cQ7VmIq-nL4sHJlfO4BzAmu99_OLLy95N13fc6SgbsJIgdhGq4i15_1uvgx-EkRekyKmcXvZwCgvwrjke2YLrKTrrFQSQ5IbO3-urSTQalRyZ8L0BtbOC_qvd5msv3sFtd1BxLdNHIhu8MYgQziOxyo5O5RNvbYPIV6Gv8oqaRsEva-OPtQ/w640-h282/Sahagun%20to%20Mansilla%20to%20Blog%20(91).JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Even looking at the landscape, we see it differently now. Rather than
experiencing each town as a brand new and mysterious community, we realize we
are steadily walking towards the outskirts of Léon. We were aware of the
freeway beside us and the high speed train corridor linking the towns. We
are becoming better at reading things in context, but at the same time we've
lost some of our wonder and capacity for feeling lost in the moment. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Having said that, we thoroughly enjoyed our time on the trail over the past two
days. On the morning of our first day, just as we were leaving Sahagun,
we were hailed by the Polish pilgrim we met on Day 3 of the Camino
Madrid. We were so thrilled to know he made it, and also curious about
his stages because we never saw him after Manzanares del Real. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGM_9Z7W7qgbfUcNosK9-3sRBKDr5OXnCCyOcAN19sDuMtXyPXcXT6Zx7C2ZFO05bAiM_ViRYG9X-NZGu3SGSfWngbmwRglUNBeR1Qn2HtPAQ_wLuK4mdn-ZoYvgoHW4_qH_xRq2PcchiRDy6fS-Ov2n3Z5H2C2yAamd_GXa74cLKL2ALeSG-WZ_zgQ/s5318/Mansilla%20Mulas%20to%20Leon%20to%20Blog%20(44).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3550" data-original-width="5318" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEGM_9Z7W7qgbfUcNosK9-3sRBKDr5OXnCCyOcAN19sDuMtXyPXcXT6Zx7C2ZFO05bAiM_ViRYG9X-NZGu3SGSfWngbmwRglUNBeR1Qn2HtPAQ_wLuK4mdn-ZoYvgoHW4_qH_xRq2PcchiRDy6fS-Ov2n3Z5H2C2yAamd_GXa74cLKL2ALeSG-WZ_zgQ/w400-h268/Mansilla%20Mulas%20to%20Leon%20to%20Blog%20(44).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span lang="EN-CA"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE3BBvCobW9tMvezJz6M3T8KyYk9XUqH1JTo7U0Bqgkgi6Zh-ez0b6Amg9NYvvZ1R3-Tkuwv4C5Y165_blw1BzuyBxPzxWKcCJB8DPlSsujBxB48pv1FbK--TredqiCz1tRiwEPTkOgtryygdIBg3Rx0PY31Idnwib0LVa3a4wamQSFE5vaQ-KtCaTg/s5385/Mansilla%20Mulas%20to%20Leon%20to%20Blog%20(99).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2057" data-original-width="5385" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKE3BBvCobW9tMvezJz6M3T8KyYk9XUqH1JTo7U0Bqgkgi6Zh-ez0b6Amg9NYvvZ1R3-Tkuwv4C5Y165_blw1BzuyBxPzxWKcCJB8DPlSsujBxB48pv1FbK--TredqiCz1tRiwEPTkOgtryygdIBg3Rx0PY31Idnwib0LVa3a4wamQSFE5vaQ-KtCaTg/w640-h244/Mansilla%20Mulas%20to%20Leon%20to%20Blog%20(99).JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We ended our first day in Mansanilla de las Mullas, where we shared dinner in
the albergue with Theo (from the Netherlands) and Muffin, Morris, and Tripp
(from Texas), all of whom have walked the Camino Francés from Saint Jean Pied
de Port. It was wonderful to share a good meal and stories of the Camino
with other English speaking pilgrims. This is something we've missed so
far, and will perhaps miss again when we head back onto the lesser known
routes. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">On our second day, which was only about 20 km, we continued to enjoy being part
of a larger community of pilgrims, and to enjoy the amenities that were
provided along the route to support us. These have been two wonderful
days on The Way, and they have given us much to think about. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bk5hBchfqdxF3kL-pck4Jd8ITVtnFNX5FyRpx4rqxl65CGw1lKMWFXXue_GiAb87iEWm3UXKxLsGWGvnjJqpWrIYHiTPN4BoO_ngysHJmSkdUBHSqk3TQs0DUq33yuRjjDSn8PN1bQkeE4UMiZ7ou4fIJRKBuMl8h4o-mbc1DgJaE-7E6V2RfANuPA/s6000/Mansilla%20to%20Leon%20(84).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bk5hBchfqdxF3kL-pck4Jd8ITVtnFNX5FyRpx4rqxl65CGw1lKMWFXXue_GiAb87iEWm3UXKxLsGWGvnjJqpWrIYHiTPN4BoO_ngysHJmSkdUBHSqk3TQs0DUq33yuRjjDSn8PN1bQkeE4UMiZ7ou4fIJRKBuMl8h4o-mbc1DgJaE-7E6V2RfANuPA/w400-h266/Mansilla%20to%20Leon%20(84).JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div><span lang="EN-CA">Today we reached Léon, where we re-lived many wonderful memories from the time
we spent here in 2016. Indeed, it felt like we were walking through our
past, and perhaps this led us to one of those highly unnerving moments of déjà
vu. We were walking towards the cathedral in Léon when a man walked
towards us on the street. He was the exact twin of someone we had hiked
the Camino Frances with in 2016, and he smiled and waved at us as though we
were long lost friends. We passed each other without speaking, but it was
like walking past a ghost. It made us wonder what the message in this
strange encounter was as we prepare to set out on a new adventure along the
<a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminosansalvador.blogspot.com/2022/04/camino-san-salvador-leon-to-la-robla.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Camino San Salvador</b></a>. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-CA"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9-y0iTKYzw5APL1LDn1GdEcH5KGEHxLxjLX3zEjXCWPCV6I6llVvZx05WbxnmtLoyDdWem__EnCzEqs_RUYOkA9bBxgOliOXXEPRZeqvCHjOaRCxYQ4CdfNfPpxwNPMMi35AQJcUt2oSCOjaZJRg4KLdh1WoZsVa2HYwNoijYyaKdByLm7wgg4xhUA/s6016/Mansilla%20Mulas%20to%20Leon%20to%20Blog%20(120).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI9-y0iTKYzw5APL1LDn1GdEcH5KGEHxLxjLX3zEjXCWPCV6I6llVvZx05WbxnmtLoyDdWem__EnCzEqs_RUYOkA9bBxgOliOXXEPRZeqvCHjOaRCxYQ4CdfNfPpxwNPMMi35AQJcUt2oSCOjaZJRg4KLdh1WoZsVa2HYwNoijYyaKdByLm7wgg4xhUA/w400-h268/Mansilla%20Mulas%20to%20Leon%20to%20Blog%20(120).JPG" width="400" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_aZsrG3R-Q8ty-M5dPfurBLxwA73VbTanEFoRjkYc0PpfTfAOZ8ssAP44c0qasVcseqap2H0PbBThn7Z2CG27IJOfzepjJOL8KYRDrx3xklLIFoHBJVuySgOrEvNDARccxbAe9w1t4RASEWtDYDLyB2xp3Qsw7Rvt-dR4W_94fHtGMoXSrFjjy78rQ/s6000/Mansilla%20to%20Leon%20(71).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij_aZsrG3R-Q8ty-M5dPfurBLxwA73VbTanEFoRjkYc0PpfTfAOZ8ssAP44c0qasVcseqap2H0PbBThn7Z2CG27IJOfzepjJOL8KYRDrx3xklLIFoHBJVuySgOrEvNDARccxbAe9w1t4RASEWtDYDLyB2xp3Qsw7Rvt-dR4W_94fHtGMoXSrFjjy78rQ/w400-h266/Mansilla%20to%20Leon%20(71).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></span></div><br /><p></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com0León, Spain42.598361100000012 -5.571877914.288127263821167 -40.7281279 70.908594936178858 29.5843721tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-78756791583050933912022-04-26T23:32:00.005-04:002022-06-26T09:50:13.046-04:00Cerrado, Cerrado, Cerrado right to the end : Villalon de Campos to Sahagun<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Well, today we finished the Camino Madrid
portion of our pilgrimage, and I feel the ending was entirely perfect - the
albergues and bars were 'cerrado' right up until the very end.
Nonetheless, it was a beautiful walk, the weather was gorgeous, and it was a
phenomenal wildlife day. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5g_DSkG_2jJ-mE1TcIKKBAL-ZwKlT0G52tvpWQH9vamgnhAYsjdgf0GMuElHc-X5dAupg2W7OUI3fP4wZ_BI3dUFiz8TV-HmlQf-7jYD77pj0fBMiwcNFR0XB-DN5TBrj43KOg6yht8ceP1dgpuD16_K7esGlAY7MwP78luNDA-E0ulFMWSXvm6ilQ/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5g_DSkG_2jJ-mE1TcIKKBAL-ZwKlT0G52tvpWQH9vamgnhAYsjdgf0GMuElHc-X5dAupg2W7OUI3fP4wZ_BI3dUFiz8TV-HmlQf-7jYD77pj0fBMiwcNFR0XB-DN5TBrj43KOg6yht8ceP1dgpuD16_K7esGlAY7MwP78luNDA-E0ulFMWSXvm6ilQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr2ES8QH9jSmAdtLGagUthT52lGbd5lKKvTF8_T0htKOZtdXrsE2MifZUz_OIPqGUPfhsk0CV8ID8MbGcgKAaKYwl326Ru0NjWrXOpmlVsLdGvamPNmp4o-zFyCnJDQzlXXSaCqcSm5eA8_CiaNl4QFnhugT1ow8vjKPi-qk6t0YJDjXYs_OnmRH1dg/s2699/to%20Sahagun%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1802" data-original-width="2699" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGr2ES8QH9jSmAdtLGagUthT52lGbd5lKKvTF8_T0htKOZtdXrsE2MifZUz_OIPqGUPfhsk0CV8ID8MbGcgKAaKYwl326Ru0NjWrXOpmlVsLdGvamPNmp4o-zFyCnJDQzlXXSaCqcSm5eA8_CiaNl4QFnhugT1ow8vjKPi-qk6t0YJDjXYs_OnmRH1dg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevhINB5vCfnWXOT-Vxivts8Ic6kFE9wJ_p5hfeNfDL_DsM1sXs-N8xwfkHH0nM_F_tp5-oh1B7OxkOHf9T0b55WCDaOa0qtnDA9krat3pMK8iOaVgdT-rObBBR-QcWLxvLh0IA1RIOtN3fgTlRTp-P6V7U71OcFkZw1D8vObYotmTRITKfBFVsrhC0g/s4032/to%20Sahagun%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevhINB5vCfnWXOT-Vxivts8Ic6kFE9wJ_p5hfeNfDL_DsM1sXs-N8xwfkHH0nM_F_tp5-oh1B7OxkOHf9T0b55WCDaOa0qtnDA9krat3pMK8iOaVgdT-rObBBR-QcWLxvLh0IA1RIOtN3fgTlRTp-P6V7U71OcFkZw1D8vObYotmTRITKfBFVsrhC0g/w400-h300/to%20Sahagun%20(6).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div></div>We left the albergue just as the sun was rising, being careful not to wake the
hospitaleros, who were out late last night. We made our way to the centre
of town, hoping to find breakfast, but nothing was open yet, and there were no
signs that anything was about to open in the near future. Once again, we
set off down the trail with empty bellies, hoping to find breakfast somewhere
along the way. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh718Jfc3PY0WigNGK7KzczO3cZOH3iTP32kK49_jUJo1joJObYbPh9XOXRwgU5kkn58tEd_rGEF0zfUnB22kwSmpkn8N4Svm_RaoRMBl9NyzEsxck8rgifVa4MP_kQ8ulfd1-o0iSx-PF-Pq_c_9dRY7lObK8fYIEACT4iy9QnGBKJ_acWpU9mFGIp2g/s4919/to%20Sahagun%20(8).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3283" data-original-width="4919" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh718Jfc3PY0WigNGK7KzczO3cZOH3iTP32kK49_jUJo1joJObYbPh9XOXRwgU5kkn58tEd_rGEF0zfUnB22kwSmpkn8N4Svm_RaoRMBl9NyzEsxck8rgifVa4MP_kQ8ulfd1-o0iSx-PF-Pq_c_9dRY7lObK8fYIEACT4iy9QnGBKJ_acWpU9mFGIp2g/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(8).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxmchS3iimsj2A0ufYaGIAoVo-hZGxLQxDPik40WnD8ik1zIFaqhhbPF84-vDogJVcP9PvRhwwXiWg6PVBkNjbcREl1tikeRzN-WpXXZ4rYv8-I_u-UOTxCLRvMp22W594N1KCVx-b2GLHW7kaniU4drFHkNDE4dKASKlekO4bP2hLd1di1JIPh1wYQ/s2061/to%20Sahagun%20(9).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="2061" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizxmchS3iimsj2A0ufYaGIAoVo-hZGxLQxDPik40WnD8ik1zIFaqhhbPF84-vDogJVcP9PvRhwwXiWg6PVBkNjbcREl1tikeRzN-WpXXZ4rYv8-I_u-UOTxCLRvMp22W594N1KCVx-b2GLHW7kaniU4drFHkNDE4dKASKlekO4bP2hLd1di1JIPh1wYQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(9).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI17CuSb5-Z5iitEd4cYdErv8yokShZSSTOtTAiud_7UNaUnETH1fTm96rNMiBuJ-rckOEkAuLQo8ROQhcvfUId0kggYfz8P4Ll8aEbKg_knA1FpPA9e3fleOhoPI_x0wZDYEOyqX25JnABgxNEca9dtgpIAuIvqV1LmiYUgLbbxFOl53Kmf0v43gMkA/s5204/to%20Sahagun%20(11).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3474" data-original-width="5204" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI17CuSb5-Z5iitEd4cYdErv8yokShZSSTOtTAiud_7UNaUnETH1fTm96rNMiBuJ-rckOEkAuLQo8ROQhcvfUId0kggYfz8P4Ll8aEbKg_knA1FpPA9e3fleOhoPI_x0wZDYEOyqX25JnABgxNEca9dtgpIAuIvqV1LmiYUgLbbxFOl53Kmf0v43gMkA/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(11).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtl83E-FAwjC4CN0nHgHicKSRIUzVEn03B55CtADZ1AkfE0lfaCsqzf0peoK9TJ6hXT7rGCkLbsmk-wr1tawrMWYbtEjsEWvCBpYpyss0DOvVVtr4x8gWps31_sdOhKKq69bI7W4oysib3AOTjoeyHj6hcRux74Z7QKFmY20BVABmKQBGeKZeZ3NQEw/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(12).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJtl83E-FAwjC4CN0nHgHicKSRIUzVEn03B55CtADZ1AkfE0lfaCsqzf0peoK9TJ6hXT7rGCkLbsmk-wr1tawrMWYbtEjsEWvCBpYpyss0DOvVVtr4x8gWps31_sdOhKKq69bI7W4oysib3AOTjoeyHj6hcRux74Z7QKFmY20BVABmKQBGeKZeZ3NQEw/w268-h400/to%20Sahagun%20(12).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We followed the winding red dirt trail out into rolling fields of brown,
green, and yellow. The slanting golden rays of the rising sun were
illuminating the young green crops and creating curving shadows across the
rolling hills. The sky was a clear blue, the air was cool and still, and
the only sounds were those of birds singing. Looking back we could see
Villalon de Campos behind us. It was a beautiful morning. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3MZ04eqNgOinC3qrpu8219amEplveZk_GF5a08hN8Qs_B9bpEH9r5v3YLTorTV6y8sQUgWCsfC0cqvWfj0BAJFDwJNyU6LgZQt5Lol9Lckzq_1xgdQviDhFYquumVDfdsSrQUdUDTFwBF1jGt-Uyzf-P0Pz1uEQVgTUGemBk9q_8GWkGNzhgS35mEA/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(14).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3MZ04eqNgOinC3qrpu8219amEplveZk_GF5a08hN8Qs_B9bpEH9r5v3YLTorTV6y8sQUgWCsfC0cqvWfj0BAJFDwJNyU6LgZQt5Lol9Lckzq_1xgdQviDhFYquumVDfdsSrQUdUDTFwBF1jGt-Uyzf-P0Pz1uEQVgTUGemBk9q_8GWkGNzhgS35mEA/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(14).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqj7CaOjyi0J-UXipFSw3nFv4y55Rjef25hAXBR6Cr2JhuqepBWE-vXi8JodWoqNfs8oox5Ru7PeF7gU1WZYzcmn6NcQ5_iuZCU2onWDyhOStVWIFBAUCw42isseCweEQS0Ob5aaBKWpCGM6CP6T3s4g8qodRjTKS5Qwdy-6PLlhSsB243W2IR3qboQ/s4472/to%20Sahagun%20(15).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2985" data-original-width="4472" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKqj7CaOjyi0J-UXipFSw3nFv4y55Rjef25hAXBR6Cr2JhuqepBWE-vXi8JodWoqNfs8oox5Ru7PeF7gU1WZYzcmn6NcQ5_iuZCU2onWDyhOStVWIFBAUCw42isseCweEQS0Ob5aaBKWpCGM6CP6T3s4g8qodRjTKS5Qwdy-6PLlhSsB243W2IR3qboQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(15).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8XrqioQ2QhImrY8SgGU0XvJ3dFyfyeIIPSPkgZDGc9SZM9yaFTnscovpfXUT0tcZH5nf-Mwlbk9p5BfDvsEUoLgXkHGOXPUuWjCRjFk4a5PhBpzM6Ovsfpgkqa_CVSntvZpdKXbkFclsluxyQONTM5e8qDwe81IjE2wRlFmpLoQQMG0zLZsFYur7Ww/s2279/to%20Sahagun%20(17).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="2279" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8XrqioQ2QhImrY8SgGU0XvJ3dFyfyeIIPSPkgZDGc9SZM9yaFTnscovpfXUT0tcZH5nf-Mwlbk9p5BfDvsEUoLgXkHGOXPUuWjCRjFk4a5PhBpzM6Ovsfpgkqa_CVSntvZpdKXbkFclsluxyQONTM5e8qDwe81IjE2wRlFmpLoQQMG0zLZsFYur7Ww/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(17).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6pikzSA7R23MNudAPN8n_ozrXlAj13sz0Hr4OFSPUL06VQU73VcoCm761yyHSowfCRIeHsk22ABa3Omw9Mfp3bZTu1J1qZPff_NNDuk9foYYLKi0Yy-DObbG1zPTSkSrtnAM6fo69lBSWZzGIYwMj2hLsBr6ZLhtF7fjsT-Wuhl6thsslDSDGnGS4Q/s5429/to%20Sahagun%20(18).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3624" data-original-width="5429" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX6pikzSA7R23MNudAPN8n_ozrXlAj13sz0Hr4OFSPUL06VQU73VcoCm761yyHSowfCRIeHsk22ABa3Omw9Mfp3bZTu1J1qZPff_NNDuk9foYYLKi0Yy-DObbG1zPTSkSrtnAM6fo69lBSWZzGIYwMj2hLsBr6ZLhtF7fjsT-Wuhl6thsslDSDGnGS4Q/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(18).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMYwiKWPgZTRN6Lq5h9PSqHyp8vRvpdAKFRnXccs5mDmRWPc5CZm_vL_LIMbXwCLhVq23Bj_83ieMTgb5XykX6AY1VfoFzQHJglJ_D_ryeD-XrTKv_gnhcsMocN6A36wvOprOw14uOUAHCwWf6UzINEytZ1r993yJGDQFFeZBluEOOoOF76M2VEShhg/s2162/to%20Sahagun%20(23).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="2162" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuMYwiKWPgZTRN6Lq5h9PSqHyp8vRvpdAKFRnXccs5mDmRWPc5CZm_vL_LIMbXwCLhVq23Bj_83ieMTgb5XykX6AY1VfoFzQHJglJ_D_ryeD-XrTKv_gnhcsMocN6A36wvOprOw14uOUAHCwWf6UzINEytZ1r993yJGDQFFeZBluEOOoOF76M2VEShhg/w400-h266/to%20Sahagun%20(23).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW-RbJVy3y2Mlw6BnOfBakalobuExhzEYTSUAtllOohQn8rrwm2sU0wrBdYw6OLJJOTbcKkP9iLIg7pljKAOAXS38dd1mvgnUBsIqHneENJTqB3Svvek1cmC8qALn3ysQN67sSIXDNh1K7vRHPXniZv8gpmTp7cIopvJzaCaozfs5AL2IJlrk1TNgOg/s2001/to%20Sahagun%20(24).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1337" data-original-width="2001" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFW-RbJVy3y2Mlw6BnOfBakalobuExhzEYTSUAtllOohQn8rrwm2sU0wrBdYw6OLJJOTbcKkP9iLIg7pljKAOAXS38dd1mvgnUBsIqHneENJTqB3Svvek1cmC8qALn3ysQN67sSIXDNh1K7vRHPXniZv8gpmTp7cIopvJzaCaozfs5AL2IJlrk1TNgOg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(24).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKVgKr7JxzPBNx_QSh7SNVPJwADeyrT-jc_vSaJCGEruvu0tvhFmFIOHY5_GHo54p_1ZDn1zLvP3PIErXym08NAoz-1f79ZO011MdjFVf9uFbGuM3Ch1eg_EYmD_R83NZwcYKMrR_Y_PFac7viham4GbLD9db9cPvr58ayavAs9l0OscqhiYST5AnVg/s1311/to%20Sahagun%20(25).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="875" data-original-width="1311" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdKVgKr7JxzPBNx_QSh7SNVPJwADeyrT-jc_vSaJCGEruvu0tvhFmFIOHY5_GHo54p_1ZDn1zLvP3PIErXym08NAoz-1f79ZO011MdjFVf9uFbGuM3Ch1eg_EYmD_R83NZwcYKMrR_Y_PFac7viham4GbLD9db9cPvr58ayavAs9l0OscqhiYST5AnVg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(25).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LiKGoLynv1E_A2fTHqpxnputLpQj3QE8-P5T3rOhC3tv1kN9jay49GjPHjhlTeIgfeoYEW9fOm3-gkRr1s5UjPCCMWw9H7vIw7iHpH6xdpuskJT1Frqsl-ywUZYeSlbMH7wWrYOI3HCq2JVmsHXEMrEfVw9B7BDiTDnPDhjmstkQ6XWzxK671mbWcA/s2645/to%20Sahagun%20(26).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1766" data-original-width="2645" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8LiKGoLynv1E_A2fTHqpxnputLpQj3QE8-P5T3rOhC3tv1kN9jay49GjPHjhlTeIgfeoYEW9fOm3-gkRr1s5UjPCCMWw9H7vIw7iHpH6xdpuskJT1Frqsl-ywUZYeSlbMH7wWrYOI3HCq2JVmsHXEMrEfVw9B7BDiTDnPDhjmstkQ6XWzxK671mbWcA/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(26).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VWwTE9YjMK50o-FQcWUKGmftsNRdW2LJZUKdNJFAxhlvYtgCv8sWCBHytarxeCP-AwOQdlA4-BMzPDfXC0xYxtUQVKnv4x7I1sxf0CnYKtd5O9St_Pc2lmSgTgGPXwniApTPb2jH0YKXP7Mot7B7kZR6dOnyshysKnN4tRIDjjcyezo1TiiFypwq0A/s3530/to%20Sahagun%20(28).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2357" data-original-width="3530" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VWwTE9YjMK50o-FQcWUKGmftsNRdW2LJZUKdNJFAxhlvYtgCv8sWCBHytarxeCP-AwOQdlA4-BMzPDfXC0xYxtUQVKnv4x7I1sxf0CnYKtd5O9St_Pc2lmSgTgGPXwniApTPb2jH0YKXP7Mot7B7kZR6dOnyshysKnN4tRIDjjcyezo1TiiFypwq0A/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(28).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We cruised through the peaceful morning, stopping frequently to watch and
photograph the birds. Around 8 km into our hike we came to the tiny
village of Fontihoyuelo. Our arrival was ungracious - through a farm
whose large and odoriferous manure pile had escaped onto the trail, creating a
short section of boot swallowing muck. At first I worried that the
scruffy dog lying in the mess was dead, but it turned out to be merely
lethargic. An equally depressed looking cat watched us as we passed the
barn, where someone inside was angrily yelling and banging around.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNA_C7IeBGSshgWuMC-5OG6uKtnay6k6NvnuFxrJP8kwBARFa71-VQs8pbKlQXsZMbrcZolJpTNbL-OHoIFhGqzdbJaLjxIrpcF31V4YOZhjQtoxFO-I8HhwcyYs4ZqOqC6GI4x_nUikUnkXdQ6hzGbw_XYEzF4u6LcHy7Pncqsuc-C8T0EJL44zHkg/s4530/to%20Sahagun%20(30).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4530" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNA_C7IeBGSshgWuMC-5OG6uKtnay6k6NvnuFxrJP8kwBARFa71-VQs8pbKlQXsZMbrcZolJpTNbL-OHoIFhGqzdbJaLjxIrpcF31V4YOZhjQtoxFO-I8HhwcyYs4ZqOqC6GI4x_nUikUnkXdQ6hzGbw_XYEzF4u6LcHy7Pncqsuc-C8T0EJL44zHkg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(30).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZeW0hcvACQSiEMXNCuClkjKSqDPcwoWpePzfLDwwqnjXaSyOB4bmg6MwGm6uYpkOjlusdxmDmQ1uRv4vCBLDCN7MMCjg1PpZMlNeQDQZf2inEXsRyYByx_9FujjdjMlFWVHx1PL99wXgbK1-PNz1EaFPbI96TRAOM6HifPx3EfVJSpjNbn28giu3ug/s5318/to%20Sahagun%20(32).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3550" data-original-width="5318" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZeW0hcvACQSiEMXNCuClkjKSqDPcwoWpePzfLDwwqnjXaSyOB4bmg6MwGm6uYpkOjlusdxmDmQ1uRv4vCBLDCN7MMCjg1PpZMlNeQDQZf2inEXsRyYByx_9FujjdjMlFWVHx1PL99wXgbK1-PNz1EaFPbI96TRAOM6HifPx3EfVJSpjNbn28giu3ug/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(32).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfLaFRcHh8XSikVFq2WVSCD8kJ4A34cBP2DnH28twisLBQ86sQwbcxUA8p9hVJMsKbbJTY7dUkjKyOKd1DwWFqwEq9r9J1UIvoN61dlDBxFdzC7Md-OKzLEInTk95iNSMBzfkMtR6wKg2VJ6KP5gWTM3zhJCJuRxT0Yuy9GJEZk25tQvXTz7fVlpQ1Q/s2742/to%20Sahagun%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1831" data-original-width="2742" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBfLaFRcHh8XSikVFq2WVSCD8kJ4A34cBP2DnH28twisLBQ86sQwbcxUA8p9hVJMsKbbJTY7dUkjKyOKd1DwWFqwEq9r9J1UIvoN61dlDBxFdzC7Md-OKzLEInTk95iNSMBzfkMtR6wKg2VJ6KP5gWTM3zhJCJuRxT0Yuy9GJEZk25tQvXTz7fVlpQ1Q/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(35).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE592RvI5SVjxYsxfYyeMQRP6GbBtZg6_QxV9UjN3-858oLNp2D86aHUtVVdvZWsxl-abekWanyKUm_9FVRyIncB4uRahBvsS2BIlOh5jKFGjeM6O7u9HLdtGcXh5jxgf4AFBHsepR4xAt0aAPUPouDvhcfhKGUnX-4USTj8-JEhW2IbDmvlsRZc5Bpw/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(37).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1893" data-original-width="6016" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE592RvI5SVjxYsxfYyeMQRP6GbBtZg6_QxV9UjN3-858oLNp2D86aHUtVVdvZWsxl-abekWanyKUm_9FVRyIncB4uRahBvsS2BIlOh5jKFGjeM6O7u9HLdtGcXh5jxgf4AFBHsepR4xAt0aAPUPouDvhcfhKGUnX-4USTj8-JEhW2IbDmvlsRZc5Bpw/w640-h202/to%20Sahagun%20(37).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2sCer4qim_9A1hmrCWC4RNWHzvYaSY22VE_0_ETU_zFdIGg2gRBJ27G4vCoAiq_ssvnuBNSWNxrH89qKzq5XeEdt997QWMzKD42vFQpNETUH3CnRcT-ik2-PDxCgplG3XHHUZyHnr-Lu0iXozIAsjodPJ3Wyds-J82sQMKG54Atas3L3yl-EkoeaYw/s4128/to%20Sahagun%20(38).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2sCer4qim_9A1hmrCWC4RNWHzvYaSY22VE_0_ETU_zFdIGg2gRBJ27G4vCoAiq_ssvnuBNSWNxrH89qKzq5XeEdt997QWMzKD42vFQpNETUH3CnRcT-ik2-PDxCgplG3XHHUZyHnr-Lu0iXozIAsjodPJ3Wyds-J82sQMKG54Atas3L3yl-EkoeaYw/w400-h300/to%20Sahagun%20(38).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Cch2FkSIEfFRkYQHcVm6wyU7ZdQrwXa9JZSKzfwxPvdqkvdnA0UXiQ2POxK17v_JIO-GFJq_jHol8VzFwXAf2a6eY_D03vQCDJ0EVVoO8mdWE4Wzi_mVf6VMeQtd8gAA92RAottyQ5u4jMQBBngKkoxpV-HMivwqClN4XQmQCuNFaF2rlj39LLFkGQ/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(40).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Cch2FkSIEfFRkYQHcVm6wyU7ZdQrwXa9JZSKzfwxPvdqkvdnA0UXiQ2POxK17v_JIO-GFJq_jHol8VzFwXAf2a6eY_D03vQCDJ0EVVoO8mdWE4Wzi_mVf6VMeQtd8gAA92RAottyQ5u4jMQBBngKkoxpV-HMivwqClN4XQmQCuNFaF2rlj39LLFkGQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(40).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we crested the hill and descended into the rest of town conditions improved
slightly, and a beautiful view opened up in front of us, revealing a snow
covered mountain range beyond rolling green fields. As our guidebook
suggested, this town offered no amenities for hungry hikers. We stopped
at a bench outside the church and for the second day in a row contented
ourselves with a few slices of baguette and some jam we had purchased in
Villalon de Campos. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkqpgzjWeFAkp0wvyK7r7AhXkRSxbcq5A6g6cj6DhNDFGN_-0r54E7u-8h12JSdlbHSbnGq1ChHQJKXkrWY7F8e2aOoEqqYcyfMbWC1sxg99yMmGzFNmBiB4U0UdpGZSeipOxHNLGXtQEHQZpiqZ0PeMS1m_82NLLn0D5ta4xPoVVmYe40sxvYefxXg/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(41).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinkqpgzjWeFAkp0wvyK7r7AhXkRSxbcq5A6g6cj6DhNDFGN_-0r54E7u-8h12JSdlbHSbnGq1ChHQJKXkrWY7F8e2aOoEqqYcyfMbWC1sxg99yMmGzFNmBiB4U0UdpGZSeipOxHNLGXtQEHQZpiqZ0PeMS1m_82NLLn0D5ta4xPoVVmYe40sxvYefxXg/w268-h400/to%20Sahagun%20(41).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We continued our hike across the meseta, struck by the incredible beauty of the
landscape around us. Conicle trees and umbrella conifers dotted the
landscape of green fields through which our red track snaked. In the
distance tall snow covered mountains loomed. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We were constantly entertained by the enormous wild turkeys dotting the fields
around us. The males posed on hills and ridges, trying their best to
attract the girls, while others faced off against each other, never flinching. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm9n-E9kw_cJ5M6EdTk_bMEnv1L9f4DQxtLEwpTnVsUZSBUBLs-AJFiYjE3mpmRuIgSu6UW05s-J_jsIL9WcJeNXsEwkli_YvBXGFtrU6ZxwVVeG5KOovNC5WDP2vXSGuHn_JTEeOOwdjxNvm25a2feqkOUWd-1EWeqji-C15G0ClanvEETohymS11g/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(42).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWm9n-E9kw_cJ5M6EdTk_bMEnv1L9f4DQxtLEwpTnVsUZSBUBLs-AJFiYjE3mpmRuIgSu6UW05s-J_jsIL9WcJeNXsEwkli_YvBXGFtrU6ZxwVVeG5KOovNC5WDP2vXSGuHn_JTEeOOwdjxNvm25a2feqkOUWd-1EWeqji-C15G0ClanvEETohymS11g/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(42).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xqenRaj_-uUq5q_yt0OIGldo3dfCTUGF52ookKLV0dOhEXQ2j-joNQwxCrc5hFhe-KTMrdK_EEj8Nd9lAuZirATpHiADa9u4eXwZ8HJvS6pg1-dnuFrtHxUrqdoRMFlT4-6K1DT39XdX4k1T4HK8L6Vbcktc5BWOf6wSDz2DrUJtj8AxIYgxon4zng/s4801/to%20Sahagun%20(44).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3204" data-original-width="4801" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9xqenRaj_-uUq5q_yt0OIGldo3dfCTUGF52ookKLV0dOhEXQ2j-joNQwxCrc5hFhe-KTMrdK_EEj8Nd9lAuZirATpHiADa9u4eXwZ8HJvS6pg1-dnuFrtHxUrqdoRMFlT4-6K1DT39XdX4k1T4HK8L6Vbcktc5BWOf6wSDz2DrUJtj8AxIYgxon4zng/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(44).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbl4Bdmxc5f2kkOESRlJ4HSsDY-DUffhc7FZB3cDOOt9cyumw4nPn8GnFKVjjxgmto4hq7uyRprIOj-_kFdkwKhLk2UziLGKlqgcdgspGfqMHl2ZfwdjNcaJnDmZY95SQhZXShpr-6ac0sOFIQk2ZQULgymHYT_xpotYgyHh7YegTMwuSCS0W4QeuJA/s4032/to%20Sahagun%20(47).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVbl4Bdmxc5f2kkOESRlJ4HSsDY-DUffhc7FZB3cDOOt9cyumw4nPn8GnFKVjjxgmto4hq7uyRprIOj-_kFdkwKhLk2UziLGKlqgcdgspGfqMHl2ZfwdjNcaJnDmZY95SQhZXShpr-6ac0sOFIQk2ZQULgymHYT_xpotYgyHh7YegTMwuSCS0W4QeuJA/w400-h300/to%20Sahagun%20(47).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUyH93qNXGiRIxxO4-zAtPbww3tyqQy0I3FuXRSgS5Rodp-dlPkgyjnnHHeTQokDi9IWnaGWWhxhJQIWMkMJzxrHezVoZpB2Znjn6PpITYldIJiKXbRhkZUyFiiK9A-OBhU5e_X4dTZZVsmffbxlxEUeGcVzOeXnyIGxHJWTKWgHZJhF7-EL535g7ow/s1852/to%20Sahagun%20(49).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1852" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhUyH93qNXGiRIxxO4-zAtPbww3tyqQy0I3FuXRSgS5Rodp-dlPkgyjnnHHeTQokDi9IWnaGWWhxhJQIWMkMJzxrHezVoZpB2Znjn6PpITYldIJiKXbRhkZUyFiiK9A-OBhU5e_X4dTZZVsmffbxlxEUeGcVzOeXnyIGxHJWTKWgHZJhF7-EL535g7ow/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(49).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrfvUOHjCyROFRO7psdlAj8onP7ONqqueUBAgExrXz0Fe9sKnaL8mkEoDxbsBDfnkJftwFZSbNuCv_deH9k2vcKU421WgNQ26Q16l11uX4OklXpwYBWajbuJWt1tpLrwBmxG7s7f5Wc1X2hpB4aykhT4j6DgHs2B9B3inPreBj4UPksfF_li79MU93g/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(50).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrfvUOHjCyROFRO7psdlAj8onP7ONqqueUBAgExrXz0Fe9sKnaL8mkEoDxbsBDfnkJftwFZSbNuCv_deH9k2vcKU421WgNQ26Q16l11uX4OklXpwYBWajbuJWt1tpLrwBmxG7s7f5Wc1X2hpB4aykhT4j6DgHs2B9B3inPreBj4UPksfF_li79MU93g/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(50).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Around 11 am we arrived in Santervez de Campos, where we had been hoping to
stay last night, but had never gotten an answer from the albergue. The
trail once again seemed to weave around the edges of town, but we chose to
climb the steep hill to the Ponce de Leon Museum, which is also the location of
the Albergue. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94v9Tor40qznnIodUnH3qaOm3i0O5Fmy_6pN5EFNZlbM3CutLuRc6LluPoTZL87KTQjL0vWeGRlZiyDkQp5slkw8GnguVBT3oc3VMhsm7ktHeGNx5dkdWFp13NapsvAqVdURV06ukQ9FyWCIz0oNKDjEp3vg4rEcC8DPlDwmFWo2xS4HvDeI5lczZbg/s4729/to%20Sahagun%20(51).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3157" data-original-width="4729" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg94v9Tor40qznnIodUnH3qaOm3i0O5Fmy_6pN5EFNZlbM3CutLuRc6LluPoTZL87KTQjL0vWeGRlZiyDkQp5slkw8GnguVBT3oc3VMhsm7ktHeGNx5dkdWFp13NapsvAqVdURV06ukQ9FyWCIz0oNKDjEp3vg4rEcC8DPlDwmFWo2xS4HvDeI5lczZbg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(51).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6taZ3Y9hza_9ATRAiVXsgs5p8CxCHVqi_UxVFqyG0jlkr0wwKrSH08I3zuB4tT45jbsTsF5DA9MZ1qI9YDBNfYmbaYQCk4PvRV5mOOT24nlQiFefbCa_5l0Bzb6m8Q_yQ6ZHSravwfoS9tEP8D-TMF3P3Hk8lkPpxcnNgswq9E6jtKMCB1TAB_DIzg/s2788/to%20Sahagun%20(53).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1861" data-original-width="2788" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA6taZ3Y9hza_9ATRAiVXsgs5p8CxCHVqi_UxVFqyG0jlkr0wwKrSH08I3zuB4tT45jbsTsF5DA9MZ1qI9YDBNfYmbaYQCk4PvRV5mOOT24nlQiFefbCa_5l0Bzb6m8Q_yQ6ZHSravwfoS9tEP8D-TMF3P3Hk8lkPpxcnNgswq9E6jtKMCB1TAB_DIzg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(53).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUQmss_y2t8LQ25Wx2txEsMCFy-9DfzmJ4OMQcEQ38-lwoQfAw6zVWMm-xPTgE821PjuErku8uokZ5y-8EdcHj9tCBD3ZdNksKMg9hAoagFog__u1ptlRPJcIJ7iwAQqXseuSeaeMK0reBwbP3bz3HURDyNt_dqGdC-l1mBQD5_sig9M-LusE2hwceA/s4025/to%20Sahagun%20(55).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4025" data-original-width="3019" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpUQmss_y2t8LQ25Wx2txEsMCFy-9DfzmJ4OMQcEQ38-lwoQfAw6zVWMm-xPTgE821PjuErku8uokZ5y-8EdcHj9tCBD3ZdNksKMg9hAoagFog__u1ptlRPJcIJ7iwAQqXseuSeaeMK0reBwbP3bz3HURDyNt_dqGdC-l1mBQD5_sig9M-LusE2hwceA/w300-h400/to%20Sahagun%20(55).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEdardI0D8VAeLuNGGfONvHi_Rb65MOUJBK97W_N-4w-_gNA2WX4-X0I3KV9_7VYUYnQA6SSRMyUC9bcIO_wzduRJUYUZjApoqC-FRFUMYVJI1NUV2uyWUiEOvy8mIJWQ5x1W06uBX1E9NSxzP3SlOREcSjKZdG5JkYDSaBDhPpHMf9jBBEND1e5-Vg/s4000/to%20Sahagun%20(56).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiEdardI0D8VAeLuNGGfONvHi_Rb65MOUJBK97W_N-4w-_gNA2WX4-X0I3KV9_7VYUYnQA6SSRMyUC9bcIO_wzduRJUYUZjApoqC-FRFUMYVJI1NUV2uyWUiEOvy8mIJWQ5x1W06uBX1E9NSxzP3SlOREcSjKZdG5JkYDSaBDhPpHMf9jBBEND1e5-Vg/w400-h300/to%20Sahagun%20(56).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrDPT8Q1xfc_Vd2FCPAGpSJtPhJQ6PfcjYOxCliLa-m89GU0D11ODHuKV0NkCSTN6Gw4ST6lNNYHlTmBOoYoU7Nb5bhd2mgEz2_YHgXpUVxQn1CemIq8__910kIRd7X0EL0pKjkYJ8MDNkNV6dk1IljyqAZtfdJix8sgQYe-mCCPT1JmREIFdKzCnVw/s2415/to%20Sahagun%20(57).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1612" data-original-width="2415" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlrDPT8Q1xfc_Vd2FCPAGpSJtPhJQ6PfcjYOxCliLa-m89GU0D11ODHuKV0NkCSTN6Gw4ST6lNNYHlTmBOoYoU7Nb5bhd2mgEz2_YHgXpUVxQn1CemIq8__910kIRd7X0EL0pKjkYJ8MDNkNV6dk1IljyqAZtfdJix8sgQYe-mCCPT1JmREIFdKzCnVw/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(57).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvli0skN_zbyGN_kzHq9_8LyvqQzjwR3KSGufudvXfuGW50Lu5pjR8U8189YmancXax_TMlQY8D_aPzTd11zLyYtOqhV0zlUx_46-ddyN0EbS5cu_yX3C-DrcsDzQ1J2dMHUT3q8pjF7J4nD06A1rVKmM8SAY5oiz8c15DArkOVxPDKCAcdTSoVZP0Gw/s2387/to%20Sahagun%20(59).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="2387" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvli0skN_zbyGN_kzHq9_8LyvqQzjwR3KSGufudvXfuGW50Lu5pjR8U8189YmancXax_TMlQY8D_aPzTd11zLyYtOqhV0zlUx_46-ddyN0EbS5cu_yX3C-DrcsDzQ1J2dMHUT3q8pjF7J4nD06A1rVKmM8SAY5oiz8c15DArkOVxPDKCAcdTSoVZP0Gw/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(59).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-GoECLpsbs05RMve-xnD7GWL0zqzF0KXl7B9oRGnnaiY4evghtLqXCW1HP0lMW3EaOP5tn0_bxlggN7wlBXYVnRKx1l6arM6AqNluF4XWDQXi68WoG1sr9_t86vOaNyzjx0ZM8iqlxjn_Sigw_Ze2-egajCZllSuAtLwV7x5lfRfLtoVSZWEoBG50Q/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(60).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-GoECLpsbs05RMve-xnD7GWL0zqzF0KXl7B9oRGnnaiY4evghtLqXCW1HP0lMW3EaOP5tn0_bxlggN7wlBXYVnRKx1l6arM6AqNluF4XWDQXi68WoG1sr9_t86vOaNyzjx0ZM8iqlxjn_Sigw_Ze2-egajCZllSuAtLwV7x5lfRfLtoVSZWEoBG50Q/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(60).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcblNHvMxot-L56YWAk00AFPc3hTziLE37gwK1-Lq5ImF5qe2B3aIe6fxVCn_QuWCec_3xy_d-wwUCG-zxFPJl5eyxoBdpBx_P2V-QLdoZb1ttHABuMCtwz5duF2gWw1aBroOeBNNNLq3iZNDv0E9yzKwNLUEA_z8MJNevyXxc2D6-Bi9h35x1HV-0vA/s1642/to%20Sahagun%20(62).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1642" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcblNHvMxot-L56YWAk00AFPc3hTziLE37gwK1-Lq5ImF5qe2B3aIe6fxVCn_QuWCec_3xy_d-wwUCG-zxFPJl5eyxoBdpBx_P2V-QLdoZb1ttHABuMCtwz5duF2gWw1aBroOeBNNNLq3iZNDv0E9yzKwNLUEA_z8MJNevyXxc2D6-Bi9h35x1HV-0vA/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(62).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The museum was closed, as was the albergue, but we stopped to admire the bronze
statue of Ponze de Leon and read about his achievements. Juan Ponce de
Leon was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who was born in 1474 in Santervás
de Campos and went on to become leader of the first official European
expedition to Florida. He later served as the first governor of Puerto
Rico. Interestingly, he first came to America as a 'gentleman volunteer'
with Christopher Columbus' second expedition in 1493. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVDkABYPUAYUyPmtqpaa9UBbHvEKZkXZfVMGK-fJBtZwuszm6wgJMlN4nb-0QV-4mbBmyDq5qCRunfmp6wHgJ24Gq2E0pMNPMC1EQH3lr0pN2Ksa2IguxVnr0ZXQcrq3SWligk9yH9JovqKF7UoO-j3t9nHoQrIN8Kyc5CpyIB27TUaKlsGSOUoYqNw/s3590/to%20Sahagun%20(63).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2397" data-original-width="3590" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaVDkABYPUAYUyPmtqpaa9UBbHvEKZkXZfVMGK-fJBtZwuszm6wgJMlN4nb-0QV-4mbBmyDq5qCRunfmp6wHgJ24Gq2E0pMNPMC1EQH3lr0pN2Ksa2IguxVnr0ZXQcrq3SWligk9yH9JovqKF7UoO-j3t9nHoQrIN8Kyc5CpyIB27TUaKlsGSOUoYqNw/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(63).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrNtO94FyNn6oVHxaEcfiseBSqKYYjeVG14PNP7frrOg1c3cVXsDJx35KbeLT3HCcHEzax4nvnG5Nj0WyLm4XNTDdFwz1sg8CroqjR0bA45_X2pqL76vW2q9xi8FRKsQ3KoZ9SLmdYa-4EJSnz2XDY2O019Fx8nYkI5uPr7KUXxxkUDIzNoPQrYP6kg/s5371/to%20Sahagun%20(66).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5371" data-original-width="3586" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrNtO94FyNn6oVHxaEcfiseBSqKYYjeVG14PNP7frrOg1c3cVXsDJx35KbeLT3HCcHEzax4nvnG5Nj0WyLm4XNTDdFwz1sg8CroqjR0bA45_X2pqL76vW2q9xi8FRKsQ3KoZ9SLmdYa-4EJSnz2XDY2O019Fx8nYkI5uPr7KUXxxkUDIzNoPQrYP6kg/w268-h400/to%20Sahagun%20(66).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnkkDv9PTdp3eQt5RDbNPOvFO0a9oUqqECMQTzsxapK9Yimo2-kCbuCTNUToKdfP0OKZz8lh6z731yD6otrLfEOS2WnffRLiSZxIk6pnWR1Gu7qiT9a1PIVUvJDpdlVtTu1arWtR_vKL0i3t3EooJPqcwi82CtbkpOTq52RjRFquG59SJ4BrH4zHqzg/s5251/to%20Sahagun%20(67).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3505" data-original-width="5251" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnkkDv9PTdp3eQt5RDbNPOvFO0a9oUqqECMQTzsxapK9Yimo2-kCbuCTNUToKdfP0OKZz8lh6z731yD6otrLfEOS2WnffRLiSZxIk6pnWR1Gu7qiT9a1PIVUvJDpdlVtTu1arWtR_vKL0i3t3EooJPqcwi82CtbkpOTq52RjRFquG59SJ4BrH4zHqzg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(67).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD0SaUXgQWkp-bSnnt7P18UsCN5pCH7AghN4ltRny2575YPTEsUruqcfKNjDMCZBdjOvdFV1jDcngrJWjrNT74w6-NtAlOYKaJkNFmk8bIAQb5MrB-0k5olqykD4_q4YE6Zi06KtcfHwuDImH-_4ei5cbBmj686wTR8rwzcie3BVGDnrYN6xCmQo64w/s4253/to%20Sahagun%20(68).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4253" data-original-width="2840" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTD0SaUXgQWkp-bSnnt7P18UsCN5pCH7AghN4ltRny2575YPTEsUruqcfKNjDMCZBdjOvdFV1jDcngrJWjrNT74w6-NtAlOYKaJkNFmk8bIAQb5MrB-0k5olqykD4_q4YE6Zi06KtcfHwuDImH-_4ei5cbBmj686wTR8rwzcie3BVGDnrYN6xCmQo64w/w268-h400/to%20Sahagun%20(68).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_vlxo-Qq9sOuXfQH9FAWiBH2lKDEkrOuIoo8scWU_trnmie3_wKj-5JdjiIwSFUCstnfGZ_DSFH9wl-F61Gs3Tm3WQmlRXDgl_MdGPAhcvFbNNfPcXTATk6NC3FXSQ6KLazZ7-u1sEQMs_mRfnPckKtU3rGheknrFT1zKky7SE2zf4QwrIXjRf38YQ/s3114/to%20Sahagun%20(69).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2079" data-original-width="3114" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis_vlxo-Qq9sOuXfQH9FAWiBH2lKDEkrOuIoo8scWU_trnmie3_wKj-5JdjiIwSFUCstnfGZ_DSFH9wl-F61Gs3Tm3WQmlRXDgl_MdGPAhcvFbNNfPcXTATk6NC3FXSQ6KLazZ7-u1sEQMs_mRfnPckKtU3rGheknrFT1zKky7SE2zf4QwrIXjRf38YQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(69).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After walking past the museum we searched for an open bar or café and came up
empty, so we walked to the edge of town and took a break at a group of picnic
tables along the Camino. We were in a tiny park shaded by trees, just at
the edge of the road. As we took a break we watched a group of over a dozen
swallows collecting mud from a puddle in the dirt road. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CgcMYhTh4fSBwW7ytOppb3ANNFrUAwBgZ3jdi_eQi8FzE3-PgA6C3NzauJu3jHyYOljfVjwTI_5ZMZDzDkEqjpjRF3qLgtcp_AepQIsYRXVdoa9yG5ywkPHWosKX0XVm_rUlfkSFAML-6ZZipcZxxvSYliI6bs-aOKp-SK-kIy3B--VhCmc5Hvx23g/s2863/to%20Sahagun%20(74).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1911" data-original-width="2863" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7CgcMYhTh4fSBwW7ytOppb3ANNFrUAwBgZ3jdi_eQi8FzE3-PgA6C3NzauJu3jHyYOljfVjwTI_5ZMZDzDkEqjpjRF3qLgtcp_AepQIsYRXVdoa9yG5ywkPHWosKX0XVm_rUlfkSFAML-6ZZipcZxxvSYliI6bs-aOKp-SK-kIy3B--VhCmc5Hvx23g/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(74).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9l6sFVrd-iEtiiJCxA3wS3c-QZKdVlZq84QpG-aGD0dWLh9rzFDS27M52WjJpFsgZvOSp_A_fJrrUS1SIFA0iVDEcendwqlu61x3odQKxSb_H_1cdp7mCIUB6AfaGIVTCxRbWn19Zpk7bsr6hBQ3u6yccUh7bPfitnXQNTc9dUWkUtQWC4eGITr0nA/s1891/to%20Sahagun%20(75).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1263" data-original-width="1891" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg9l6sFVrd-iEtiiJCxA3wS3c-QZKdVlZq84QpG-aGD0dWLh9rzFDS27M52WjJpFsgZvOSp_A_fJrrUS1SIFA0iVDEcendwqlu61x3odQKxSb_H_1cdp7mCIUB6AfaGIVTCxRbWn19Zpk7bsr6hBQ3u6yccUh7bPfitnXQNTc9dUWkUtQWC4eGITr0nA/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(75).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6lnlFSyuXObhL6kPxy_efHymp-XhMfCwszJdv9odhxL9SYzjNcSPX4T-7Dpo7UJccqpdCLH8vqrokNfEr5rAdNdy1_nfrU_tdu4vKpmADvmgJFl6SRXKMcl05EIg047BuqqNHGR3BM1qinAzZYyhK5WBP33JQ4K0yDOHXvqZSlqv0T6DmPnDnf4ghg/s3246/to%20Sahagun%20(78).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2166" data-original-width="3246" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6lnlFSyuXObhL6kPxy_efHymp-XhMfCwszJdv9odhxL9SYzjNcSPX4T-7Dpo7UJccqpdCLH8vqrokNfEr5rAdNdy1_nfrU_tdu4vKpmADvmgJFl6SRXKMcl05EIg047BuqqNHGR3BM1qinAzZYyhK5WBP33JQ4K0yDOHXvqZSlqv0T6DmPnDnf4ghg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(78).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM4_y7deq6WScEsJ9VTF8Z5UUAVMrk4FMwBcuptYpqAhM5nn4Lr2Cs1picoCle5ggKX4lKWyn-xb3oPjSeLeVvVrcEVLdwfMj3wkPH1LFGmQeoq_PFUnZA7YUyK3SQPly64dGVBAotGOicR3JHEy7IF0BMKORQa-j5X5zGCwQh2I0YgWWBJYFwWvZdA/s2832/to%20Sahagun%20(80).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1891" data-original-width="2832" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoM4_y7deq6WScEsJ9VTF8Z5UUAVMrk4FMwBcuptYpqAhM5nn4Lr2Cs1picoCle5ggKX4lKWyn-xb3oPjSeLeVvVrcEVLdwfMj3wkPH1LFGmQeoq_PFUnZA7YUyK3SQPly64dGVBAotGOicR3JHEy7IF0BMKORQa-j5X5zGCwQh2I0YgWWBJYFwWvZdA/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(80).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">One group dragged
their beaks back and forth in the mud, flying off with huge clumps of sticky,
heavy mud entirely covering their bills. The other group arrived with
small bundles of sticks in their beaks which they coated with mud before flying
off. It must be nest building day! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS8o5UIkbuT1ExlSHRmR16qPmgbL3RGI-dka1GCtAUNRJgeeLqhW8IQslPcDo8Dk7J9trxFpR8FQEK9RdH3b2YPtuoLuedmHaruopfPpnSBxg8YfxxVUHbQuG-3UDcq-BY5Alb-HEq6z2g1icCrYwcqUqQmdwKJ_lOtA21WPUOzd5rYcmB8VEguh9mA/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(83).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPS8o5UIkbuT1ExlSHRmR16qPmgbL3RGI-dka1GCtAUNRJgeeLqhW8IQslPcDo8Dk7J9trxFpR8FQEK9RdH3b2YPtuoLuedmHaruopfPpnSBxg8YfxxVUHbQuG-3UDcq-BY5Alb-HEq6z2g1icCrYwcqUqQmdwKJ_lOtA21WPUOzd5rYcmB8VEguh9mA/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(83).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXOC8Durc2DrsZe7-SQrcvyKdqhzv4B3qZaRnYqR6hh-aPDcExoiwyp4WLX0CeoK5ZMUteX8F7s2dy13HhT2MHG_ifGJ9aONrhXT8JOUF3O0i1pTwne2hwH4U9VkNlXtuOCv86iVl-ihzcm5LUBDAHpJYcj0Uwl7glQ-r5YzlgKKQaLvCNSX0nitYPg/s2946/to%20Sahagun%20(84).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1966" data-original-width="2946" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXOC8Durc2DrsZe7-SQrcvyKdqhzv4B3qZaRnYqR6hh-aPDcExoiwyp4WLX0CeoK5ZMUteX8F7s2dy13HhT2MHG_ifGJ9aONrhXT8JOUF3O0i1pTwne2hwH4U9VkNlXtuOCv86iVl-ihzcm5LUBDAHpJYcj0Uwl7glQ-r5YzlgKKQaLvCNSX0nitYPg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(84).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XIRgzUzQ7U1jW3Y96KJriVQd1Fjgi6FBOhXAzRjRuQYGZkagcBUFFTrk9NmA7ZXabb4tmLIh2uRUBKjXAaNfG6PU-V1-28-yU78KK3FsmbF6yqUPpZ_cByy1MFaI6mk_N-MzDKIlomkJpSsnIvki2sgCRPLF2ucYEoWuVQ267-aun6Juu7Of2hqp1g/s3366/to%20Sahagun%20(85).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2247" data-original-width="3366" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XIRgzUzQ7U1jW3Y96KJriVQd1Fjgi6FBOhXAzRjRuQYGZkagcBUFFTrk9NmA7ZXabb4tmLIh2uRUBKjXAaNfG6PU-V1-28-yU78KK3FsmbF6yqUPpZ_cByy1MFaI6mk_N-MzDKIlomkJpSsnIvki2sgCRPLF2ucYEoWuVQ267-aun6Juu7Of2hqp1g/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(85).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE1GEbelQsN7DcAq4CO788byrg-4AZ-Af6wea-SmD8CosnOM3bdBreLet7rS31nrMiehqAhX0gtwwfH-aTW709y8jLxavxEV0IEemac-gO1pwV8Fhz5sRrv2swrZGcXJtS3_yqR0s68E4jjxkwEjA77TPfdUnAl1HznvN_oKuyUvGOwhqLM-T4yuTYA/s5538/to%20Sahagun%20(87).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3697" data-original-width="5538" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheE1GEbelQsN7DcAq4CO788byrg-4AZ-Af6wea-SmD8CosnOM3bdBreLet7rS31nrMiehqAhX0gtwwfH-aTW709y8jLxavxEV0IEemac-gO1pwV8Fhz5sRrv2swrZGcXJtS3_yqR0s68E4jjxkwEjA77TPfdUnAl1HznvN_oKuyUvGOwhqLM-T4yuTYA/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(87).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJITIV-kSDSQK7JT5ms85Dnv-ry8PQLbrlHNE_I1NuqS1Mn30DDmi4S8I6kWW3q-XkfiqrpahcNafpiTrIa27WkluO192zLEsoctVJ54a2IVNbfVsaPrOKXHCdVo_g174K8cQfZ4A62XYJUXsUoCddkTx5fGEmzNanDINdQBpxW5XLswTwZ03GbWIsKw/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(88).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJITIV-kSDSQK7JT5ms85Dnv-ry8PQLbrlHNE_I1NuqS1Mn30DDmi4S8I6kWW3q-XkfiqrpahcNafpiTrIa27WkluO192zLEsoctVJ54a2IVNbfVsaPrOKXHCdVo_g174K8cQfZ4A62XYJUXsUoCddkTx5fGEmzNanDINdQBpxW5XLswTwZ03GbWIsKw/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(88).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb9b13G831NFnpNu3rKv78SOKK6fElgK-LMaj4vKozA3opLfVPmyMcoIJpaXp39EEKgjMCLGlHE32LRt_5cjIa2WZQgyvf-aW_Dx8pwISQOpZgNB4Jd_KG81LyKBHisjI5VjMITo2dv6EV_AD8KBT2thV4phOq_MT8gghiNXaPzQsorf4ECO2JmtayQ/s3931/to%20Sahagun%20(89).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2949" data-original-width="3931" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYb9b13G831NFnpNu3rKv78SOKK6fElgK-LMaj4vKozA3opLfVPmyMcoIJpaXp39EEKgjMCLGlHE32LRt_5cjIa2WZQgyvf-aW_Dx8pwISQOpZgNB4Jd_KG81LyKBHisjI5VjMITo2dv6EV_AD8KBT2thV4phOq_MT8gghiNXaPzQsorf4ECO2JmtayQ/w400-h300/to%20Sahagun%20(89).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmWq7rJO3juHesKsB2MPV9F_6Wfq8j3JHCJwn-1YNnn20OspLNVwQyhIFnubuG0KBjt6DvT_oFbMmmo6Z2Xkw1W_dQnmeidy4hdl7LVkcAKEA54zBXc8o4-H-snVuijkccHNEC5kHV2TzDsAJ9ZmPozfE5s4Xk-rEbqu8gqxvLE1OPTkM6QXXhxsatQ/s4952/to%20Sahagun%20(90).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3305" data-original-width="4952" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmWq7rJO3juHesKsB2MPV9F_6Wfq8j3JHCJwn-1YNnn20OspLNVwQyhIFnubuG0KBjt6DvT_oFbMmmo6Z2Xkw1W_dQnmeidy4hdl7LVkcAKEA54zBXc8o4-H-snVuijkccHNEC5kHV2TzDsAJ9ZmPozfE5s4Xk-rEbqu8gqxvLE1OPTkM6QXXhxsatQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(90).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQO4QDhecCqjFsBkNZCt0u4n7U1deAE2CNDzzgSuDTSC6TeTJIWf6_9ic_AZF7rBCM3yNNknCL1SI9UARCPkBpKLd9fy3Wnyujv45SE81GJX-tLk8Z9UvKCF3Avl-dOh30b4gGw3UTlbqjjKtlCxTN6FX1UlpYqy2AeeDPTqoXcGn4hoANOqsSY-TJLg/s2465/to%20Sahagun%20(93).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1645" data-original-width="2465" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQO4QDhecCqjFsBkNZCt0u4n7U1deAE2CNDzzgSuDTSC6TeTJIWf6_9ic_AZF7rBCM3yNNknCL1SI9UARCPkBpKLd9fy3Wnyujv45SE81GJX-tLk8Z9UvKCF3Avl-dOh30b4gGw3UTlbqjjKtlCxTN6FX1UlpYqy2AeeDPTqoXcGn4hoANOqsSY-TJLg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(93).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOLsBHjMPFtT1mK7TeumhYdG2ZANNv-xJgIDkiSa8f5nNv4WgAnd_KfkA7rZqDxTFxX4AVVjFhnF5bo-97txFIl6zW3DViCHl5tGH2EDlBxZwbmXJazzeL5CIqGMEJXL0eIb-e901JW1bRXOr2RaFtQMwxXi6DH6AIwRR7BCRUr_O2JDo1FVK8WhwfQ/s2509/to%20Sahagun%20(94).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1674" data-original-width="2509" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOLsBHjMPFtT1mK7TeumhYdG2ZANNv-xJgIDkiSa8f5nNv4WgAnd_KfkA7rZqDxTFxX4AVVjFhnF5bo-97txFIl6zW3DViCHl5tGH2EDlBxZwbmXJazzeL5CIqGMEJXL0eIb-e901JW1bRXOr2RaFtQMwxXi6DH6AIwRR7BCRUr_O2JDo1FVK8WhwfQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(94).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Before setting off we refilled our water bottles at the nearby fountain and
came across a small ditch in which Sean spotted a beautiful frog with a bright
green stripe down his back. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkG0ddo6iWN08CMd8fy14yICsynvIaYEqWXsRLRkZXzR3_IV01kQRquUOcLoi8rTCTSFZMQj2phbpmfiAaNJOGaNqKHa5FquKC82R3fHmx6CtKhKXdmn8CPozZKDxsd7gMmuGJD_ipkrkSSeQR26h5h-nCdwv6sEeV03iYw2NEmeQD1nyn1HNgnkps7Q/s1972/to%20Sahagun%20(102).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1972" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkG0ddo6iWN08CMd8fy14yICsynvIaYEqWXsRLRkZXzR3_IV01kQRquUOcLoi8rTCTSFZMQj2phbpmfiAaNJOGaNqKHa5FquKC82R3fHmx6CtKhKXdmn8CPozZKDxsd7gMmuGJD_ipkrkSSeQR26h5h-nCdwv6sEeV03iYw2NEmeQD1nyn1HNgnkps7Q/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(102).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb6umX63EVxeEqznm69JXblnN5JleS_hlHU0wI1VHVRHnJx185uPeVOlQtAEzJfloGSTPAYN0NK7FlzJRK0DoeOTlWpPI2utm26L3uENp4mozyz1p7r_xKDGF3KfUlHI2-zY5xVJ-9C6WQVHRQ3mbfLqJxU0lxN21vwkW-m4h-E4UahxRyhjtCh_e4A/s1495/to%20Sahagun%20(103).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="1495" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhb6umX63EVxeEqznm69JXblnN5JleS_hlHU0wI1VHVRHnJx185uPeVOlQtAEzJfloGSTPAYN0NK7FlzJRK0DoeOTlWpPI2utm26L3uENp4mozyz1p7r_xKDGF3KfUlHI2-zY5xVJ-9C6WQVHRQ3mbfLqJxU0lxN21vwkW-m4h-E4UahxRyhjtCh_e4A/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(103).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBowJMA_ZLyMsBdsGey15wI4z6owibsTnH_ji0uf3ovDk1YJ7zisCM2RgoLdF3kf3P___O5aMvS9q-7xJQDJvHVnDCBabWLxuIbM4LxxNFuQOKhf9YwpZN5tgIWyBMc7tYCkSp7e5RgZmCGJPWc5_mNhmtO5_N8erZyLr_n0GDw65wyA33Qtl45IJGDg/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(106).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBowJMA_ZLyMsBdsGey15wI4z6owibsTnH_ji0uf3ovDk1YJ7zisCM2RgoLdF3kf3P___O5aMvS9q-7xJQDJvHVnDCBabWLxuIbM4LxxNFuQOKhf9YwpZN5tgIWyBMc7tYCkSp7e5RgZmCGJPWc5_mNhmtO5_N8erZyLr_n0GDw65wyA33Qtl45IJGDg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(106).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7c-EbcYlrAR7IRbovfe_T53aSMEzyaNfKkSUOlKBc8dA_ReDLGse2pTZP6hD1yfVsfqfxlFAAV8ERDPKi446OEjZOgQtvZsec3D-UiZoxhCQxAaVUqX5bgLHbb_vgton5h_YehHWkSzMDPgIdA322EnIyO7jQNq0s8boib6ubJ3TOyhR4IVgnwRIzQ/s4100/to%20Sahagun%20(108).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2737" data-original-width="4100" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7c-EbcYlrAR7IRbovfe_T53aSMEzyaNfKkSUOlKBc8dA_ReDLGse2pTZP6hD1yfVsfqfxlFAAV8ERDPKi446OEjZOgQtvZsec3D-UiZoxhCQxAaVUqX5bgLHbb_vgton5h_YehHWkSzMDPgIdA322EnIyO7jQNq0s8boib6ubJ3TOyhR4IVgnwRIzQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(108).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtey7JvjP4LXfhTxlFh1dTu19L7OpPa35oaT60ADm6VpyVd3rw5T2zQD6ixT3Yegvj1qFjjD6VXznKlgcSAY2AhzVlksc9kHsofecx0L4hMI0PWpcOKmp6Z-7KeDFCmAVE8SAPYoL5lS1-KceHTlTJVGFrWFwsbCe3eTE088fmkERGhMUt_QrvsiE-g/s4032/to%20Sahagun%20(109).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtey7JvjP4LXfhTxlFh1dTu19L7OpPa35oaT60ADm6VpyVd3rw5T2zQD6ixT3Yegvj1qFjjD6VXznKlgcSAY2AhzVlksc9kHsofecx0L4hMI0PWpcOKmp6Z-7KeDFCmAVE8SAPYoL5lS1-KceHTlTJVGFrWFwsbCe3eTE088fmkERGhMUt_QrvsiE-g/w400-h300/to%20Sahagun%20(109).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYN1Cd9OAlJkvxgYwfw1HRSROubTigKCNMfR3rpvYscBeIph-wn55KsXtBQRJlywgBjpC7qG01p6vcKTjY7rGQsw4pGnuAOzOJWBcD-xyFbSoDnR__n9yNilwGbWJuf_7rDcQ19gQ_y50ij66AEyc-XFTXS4l7gkZL0anrsjyYFT6fsimViXTexcpuw/s1809/to%20Sahagun%20(110).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1809" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisYN1Cd9OAlJkvxgYwfw1HRSROubTigKCNMfR3rpvYscBeIph-wn55KsXtBQRJlywgBjpC7qG01p6vcKTjY7rGQsw4pGnuAOzOJWBcD-xyFbSoDnR__n9yNilwGbWJuf_7rDcQ19gQ_y50ij66AEyc-XFTXS4l7gkZL0anrsjyYFT6fsimViXTexcpuw/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(110).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngy02FW8PN43FDXdiQx-Yo9OX_-xkry2vAWaTJFpQLELbOPeupFFAtpa9Eo-QVJJX7pkCnt9xBXSdIrtsY_VFLMyoEd-3MWd8Ta16AUWfUSRxIfsW8l0Dkg4LZMfdYUIy6HNtXNPUOuzoEih37e5tuUdT3dWZrCZSuXk-Su2EIq26YZ-ThysSfLAI2Q/s2282/to%20Sahagun%20(111).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="2282" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngy02FW8PN43FDXdiQx-Yo9OX_-xkry2vAWaTJFpQLELbOPeupFFAtpa9Eo-QVJJX7pkCnt9xBXSdIrtsY_VFLMyoEd-3MWd8Ta16AUWfUSRxIfsW8l0Dkg4LZMfdYUIy6HNtXNPUOuzoEih37e5tuUdT3dWZrCZSuXk-Su2EIq26YZ-ThysSfLAI2Q/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(111).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">At this point we had reached the suggested end of this stage of Camino Madrid,
but since it was still relatively early and we'd had no success in reaching the
albergue, we continued on. It was another 8 km across relatively flat, open
fields to the next tiny town of Arnillas de Valderaduey. This town seemed
to be decomposing. Piles of bricks, broken roof tiles, and assorted
debris formed heaps among the weeds at the edge of town. The bricks of
the adobe walls were melting and falling down, and those of the church tower
and walls were sloping and bowing. It seemed like the place was slowly
sinking into the earth. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtpi-fHT2b6kTDmwjWI7liqnVaqB5yq_s7tVEtRyKL3ykxz6rcTfBJHDUp-BsrKy13h5M72F9lUUDfSWL4udvXB3tj6SM4t4Nd455R8EXZ6-7ZhVMgu8t5PIzJ8KrE8rnWOrRMJdDWetUoYr3dxOr2k8Ke6MEW0-48jUsmyvYg5kPDYSux7J8bF8ZdA/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(113).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimtpi-fHT2b6kTDmwjWI7liqnVaqB5yq_s7tVEtRyKL3ykxz6rcTfBJHDUp-BsrKy13h5M72F9lUUDfSWL4udvXB3tj6SM4t4Nd455R8EXZ6-7ZhVMgu8t5PIzJ8KrE8rnWOrRMJdDWetUoYr3dxOr2k8Ke6MEW0-48jUsmyvYg5kPDYSux7J8bF8ZdA/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(113).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lyeQc9jPIqCrgHu9c2XrvQxIkZELnz2Cx2GhlUocSCUJr2MdantAxjXfDxS0kLtob4VNEWs5KSQ0uLCNjsS1Ckj1JxPVEfcumvqqU44Ekhvx6xEO-8ceIToKWqcQ48d7SPAT5FjgoMR0viRSi4S3TIeavuT2P8xdDIUbzMXsQGpoiUKlP9OYTDwQ0g/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(114).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8lyeQc9jPIqCrgHu9c2XrvQxIkZELnz2Cx2GhlUocSCUJr2MdantAxjXfDxS0kLtob4VNEWs5KSQ0uLCNjsS1Ckj1JxPVEfcumvqqU44Ekhvx6xEO-8ceIToKWqcQ48d7SPAT5FjgoMR0viRSi4S3TIeavuT2P8xdDIUbzMXsQGpoiUKlP9OYTDwQ0g/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(114).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK_UjRmaTH6pWCc7e06xLLu239JOn5gzekEaGXHWnwVjweOa94qu8tVxqEDGZFK4eNjA0uDn9_7tLsBWCk0_33gL0tJWGxyltBFBbayRfzfdsGu7ylk-4GLVYkQ78tg0IHxRTptspNsBDyUJxltqsddiSrxKy_R8mE06CK_yWzOtj8ORiIMsF4CVDQQ/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(115).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinK_UjRmaTH6pWCc7e06xLLu239JOn5gzekEaGXHWnwVjweOa94qu8tVxqEDGZFK4eNjA0uDn9_7tLsBWCk0_33gL0tJWGxyltBFBbayRfzfdsGu7ylk-4GLVYkQ78tg0IHxRTptspNsBDyUJxltqsddiSrxKy_R8mE06CK_yWzOtj8ORiIMsF4CVDQQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(115).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfuA6O0XvuW3cP92LdQJ6hVl-b7feFtrAPJcsM6gMk-5fQkbnMEcSZW6eOyPMUXjoD03I1Bk7NogJSqdNMnBelB26V8weBWUQEyC8687kD-50mLC5mQUsMpcBlNpApJvfWp5I01VfvB8bt7AS_NBkHRQn9s8Co40QriYxsH5CNRDnPTB8R2groR4Fbg/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(116).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJfuA6O0XvuW3cP92LdQJ6hVl-b7feFtrAPJcsM6gMk-5fQkbnMEcSZW6eOyPMUXjoD03I1Bk7NogJSqdNMnBelB26V8weBWUQEyC8687kD-50mLC5mQUsMpcBlNpApJvfWp5I01VfvB8bt7AS_NBkHRQn9s8Co40QriYxsH5CNRDnPTB8R2groR4Fbg/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(116).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After quickly making our way through town we crossed a small footbridge and
then found ourselves following a dirt track down the side of a small
canal. It was so full of life that our pace dramatically slowed
down. Birds flitted in and out among the trees, and frogs could be heard
calling down by the water. Perhaps best of all, a small deer scampered ahead
of us through the trees before crossing the canal with a huge crash and
splash. It was magical, and Sean ended up photographing several new bird
species. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lxLvCVOL5c_nWDG8hed-kBs6m3z0nMJYLu3lQXPVXAskiBWLKn_1bWUbO5ntTpRZRdWPKd-MOhLQUUX7v3g5CIahhrkZ6vKc29Y_7JC5vu67ch8BKIuvRwQd6Gdxc9Ehd6WIo-DhFHA_WXrWf28h6_F5H-PdBj3rvVPOHFNdIt96XKD6Y3NU6Qc38A/s4012/to%20Sahagun%20(117).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4012" data-original-width="2678" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3lxLvCVOL5c_nWDG8hed-kBs6m3z0nMJYLu3lQXPVXAskiBWLKn_1bWUbO5ntTpRZRdWPKd-MOhLQUUX7v3g5CIahhrkZ6vKc29Y_7JC5vu67ch8BKIuvRwQd6Gdxc9Ehd6WIo-DhFHA_WXrWf28h6_F5H-PdBj3rvVPOHFNdIt96XKD6Y3NU6Qc38A/w268-h400/to%20Sahagun%20(117).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWz7I34CbKEjTAw1LvW3l6vyE7if0TRDt8LNa1HvZj910QL3SFfjgX4WwYCU5ufPy2P5ZVCOiuqJw3H3fgQC0_i028QSAINgayoTLAMHvqHFrcQvakRUmCY2Avc5L1T3uyhhaJxmTsGW8_RgDjAGm4EDyYv9vkUK4NAc-V4UXLmTrEHPLTi3foyoJObQ/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(118).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWz7I34CbKEjTAw1LvW3l6vyE7if0TRDt8LNa1HvZj910QL3SFfjgX4WwYCU5ufPy2P5ZVCOiuqJw3H3fgQC0_i028QSAINgayoTLAMHvqHFrcQvakRUmCY2Avc5L1T3uyhhaJxmTsGW8_RgDjAGm4EDyYv9vkUK4NAc-V4UXLmTrEHPLTi3foyoJObQ/w268-h400/to%20Sahagun%20(118).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR0T5W9qccm7hCECdfJqj7hbaOI1mvc5D3HLoh5obr16DCg_uiNs5Os7OkGEcfh4S5ZdRfr8OFDa7G6ki5mYuy4ztPek4solepBRyEC8FDdUTWNOcDgARs0KxpVliF9DdwQY_zzvSCEFgoyxWUx_uxir16-DyeR3foO60CyT8yVQ8A7d9aFKjh65iMQ/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(120).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSR0T5W9qccm7hCECdfJqj7hbaOI1mvc5D3HLoh5obr16DCg_uiNs5Os7OkGEcfh4S5ZdRfr8OFDa7G6ki5mYuy4ztPek4solepBRyEC8FDdUTWNOcDgARs0KxpVliF9DdwQY_zzvSCEFgoyxWUx_uxir16-DyeR3foO60CyT8yVQ8A7d9aFKjh65iMQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(120).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Around 2:30 pm we came to the final town on the Camino Madrid, where we had
hoped to stay for the night. Grajal de Campos boasts not one but two
castles, the Church of San Miguel, with its Mudejár architecture, and a colonnaded central Plaza Major. The albergue is in one of the castilles,
and we had hoped to stay there. Unbeknownst to us, on Tuesdays the
albergue is only open until 3:00pm. Although we arrived at 2:30 pm,
there was no one there, the door was locked, and no one answered either of the phone numbers on the
door. We went to the local bar and had a cold cerveza, waiting to see if
we could get a response. We called the numbers listed three times more in
the next half hour, with no answer. The town hall was listed as opening again
at 4:00 pm, so we waited to see if anyone would arrive who could let us
in. Those at the local bar laughed at our attempts to get in as if we were
making some kind of joke. By 4:45 pm, sitting at the door to the albergue and town hall with no one there or showing up, we simply gave up and decided to
walk the final long kilometers to Sahagun. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7zs7yqz0ufNEW61RawER9Ga5l4Zk2A64Dq7HHS9G4Tfwh6UJ86GqpiAjjpgkpIGDouwCSook5VdHIPLaPk8TYIhS18vMQmyz11VA_KxmxUVjGbWaY0PUobdB2NPVfWAVezj8AkMArksWnnQF-eLxyL86bi6738SbcaddknmmqdTO8xNyA5uAzzc57g/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(122).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7zs7yqz0ufNEW61RawER9Ga5l4Zk2A64Dq7HHS9G4Tfwh6UJ86GqpiAjjpgkpIGDouwCSook5VdHIPLaPk8TYIhS18vMQmyz11VA_KxmxUVjGbWaY0PUobdB2NPVfWAVezj8AkMArksWnnQF-eLxyL86bi6738SbcaddknmmqdTO8xNyA5uAzzc57g/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(122).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqMkKUKyHO0ns1-ca8utbQJeWRWwf7rJj_qMpTRetDsrbbEcFyxvZWs62d_DlL26Njjto3TvCi8uhH2bc6F6tjtGkEdZZRb9NM52o7htsKqLp8NWiMiL6KuNsxtbhWBj1fxVIKOZjGeLEA3tNSSB0iLaef1FoH0_gnNzlABzm7ZKFGPi4mZNIIhcsmA/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(123).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzqMkKUKyHO0ns1-ca8utbQJeWRWwf7rJj_qMpTRetDsrbbEcFyxvZWs62d_DlL26Njjto3TvCi8uhH2bc6F6tjtGkEdZZRb9NM52o7htsKqLp8NWiMiL6KuNsxtbhWBj1fxVIKOZjGeLEA3tNSSB0iLaef1FoH0_gnNzlABzm7ZKFGPi4mZNIIhcsmA/w268-h400/to%20Sahagun%20(123).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaJgsLDOcIkL1CU9p2B5SLiU-qhJlsXmwiUAahylUL6arsB49F5h4O3Tmds5j0byMc59Qe6unn48FOLQ_TM9H2zCTQL1CblbtC7CCYtKVhUJBIIBEPqdEvd4-IPLyJh5G0euV_aNGIo-3G5gL-KLww5aQRpqt2_JsDF34vktBD2FzgSgdh0miiKFdGQ/s6016/to%20Sahagun%20(124).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHaJgsLDOcIkL1CU9p2B5SLiU-qhJlsXmwiUAahylUL6arsB49F5h4O3Tmds5j0byMc59Qe6unn48FOLQ_TM9H2zCTQL1CblbtC7CCYtKVhUJBIIBEPqdEvd4-IPLyJh5G0euV_aNGIo-3G5gL-KLww5aQRpqt2_JsDF34vktBD2FzgSgdh0miiKFdGQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(124).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQaSndmi3OewlJyniMLQdMKraDGQSK9zdKP6nWEf0Fb3dZqk9Vy7qBtwCiTE5lJexvP8SqjP2hkX71Nl6jQFov5Umuf-z-2DxMPzt8Mn3QMT-VJb5bK_oh9BtSzMnTd1grxrs6ic8xJ_dnE6TZ0vi2XtubhpcZXOqWhL3AKa7LvRBfhVg8lgWAfc6uQ/s4766/to%20Sahagun%20(127).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3182" data-original-width="4766" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnQaSndmi3OewlJyniMLQdMKraDGQSK9zdKP6nWEf0Fb3dZqk9Vy7qBtwCiTE5lJexvP8SqjP2hkX71Nl6jQFov5Umuf-z-2DxMPzt8Mn3QMT-VJb5bK_oh9BtSzMnTd1grxrs6ic8xJ_dnE6TZ0vi2XtubhpcZXOqWhL3AKa7LvRBfhVg8lgWAfc6uQ/w400-h268/to%20Sahagun%20(127).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn0oXBXPKnS9rh3apgpPeExSkOS3p4CMgRyn8KSMS7ASxu2_Q62nkiYDqwCE07_yPZ2XwWtSmj3eUqXguGMlet339ZsVxt2q0HWvvtdZf1bItayymIQeJKQ8ifWIg4HPOgJiFwI6HVas9Ad07o7QuEH3oEuM0-DRfhVw0WXFCRqXcoYaHVcaMrnuvAg/s4032/to%20Sahagun%20(128).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZn0oXBXPKnS9rh3apgpPeExSkOS3p4CMgRyn8KSMS7ASxu2_Q62nkiYDqwCE07_yPZ2XwWtSmj3eUqXguGMlet339ZsVxt2q0HWvvtdZf1bItayymIQeJKQ8ifWIg4HPOgJiFwI6HVas9Ad07o7QuEH3oEuM0-DRfhVw0WXFCRqXcoYaHVcaMrnuvAg/w400-h300/to%20Sahagun%20(128).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3pcD91ZdSbAkkhOuasXWHPgEoLFRSNApwujVg1s97Nl_DY07XlcgaX9_dk6g6ym6BNiGds05ZZgthD8tRDt2friwHNVoBjhNQhuMMW1hwXQQ_W6d5dD_ghb-gTd4UuJ_y8LTJUWGBorV0K1OcKLGVHu5iF6jwsNDgLRFVw3ouqLWjR9LgYrVnadRCQ/s5349/to%20Sahagun%20(131).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2517" data-original-width="5349" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3pcD91ZdSbAkkhOuasXWHPgEoLFRSNApwujVg1s97Nl_DY07XlcgaX9_dk6g6ym6BNiGds05ZZgthD8tRDt2friwHNVoBjhNQhuMMW1hwXQQ_W6d5dD_ghb-gTd4UuJ_y8LTJUWGBorV0K1OcKLGVHu5iF6jwsNDgLRFVw3ouqLWjR9LgYrVnadRCQ/w640-h302/to%20Sahagun%20(131).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Our journey along the Camino Madrid has been incredibly beautiful, but since
the beginning it has been plagued by holidays, regional days off, temperamental hospitalerios, and closures. To me it felt entirely
fitting that each albergue in the final kilometres remained cerrado until the very end. When we finally
entered Sahagun we learned that the place to get credentials for the Camino
Madrid is now permanently closed as well - how else could this end? Even the volunteers at the central albergue in Sahagun were stunned to discover that there was a route that came from Madrid. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5tcjNqpA4V1i9rXkS7xQlyqco0NsZc4D75QKK3eryGpbkUzldoOur-80YPZCwaRKsjLmw9q0GMh3Qrgcq_aQjKVzYRwGxRo5jmH2Z7XgRnWJ_HfSdBPLJgLPKWxeLtgXcudiuVljjzq0FV67RaN7b8kKGAMR1NnHSG1YQIW0NyRD31OWgTO1ajlvwQ/s3893/to%20Sahagun%20(132).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2919" data-original-width="3893" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5tcjNqpA4V1i9rXkS7xQlyqco0NsZc4D75QKK3eryGpbkUzldoOur-80YPZCwaRKsjLmw9q0GMh3Qrgcq_aQjKVzYRwGxRo5jmH2Z7XgRnWJ_HfSdBPLJgLPKWxeLtgXcudiuVljjzq0FV67RaN7b8kKGAMR1NnHSG1YQIW0NyRD31OWgTO1ajlvwQ/w400-h300/to%20Sahagun%20(132).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When we walked into Sahagun it didn't look even remotely how we remembered it
when we passed through on our walk along the Camino Frances in
2016. We saw it with new eyes and from a new perspective. On one
hand we very much enjoyed finding food for the first time in several days, finding
accommodations that were open, and hearing English spoken around us by other
pilgrims. On the other hand, the prevalence of shells, bars and streets named
for peregrinos, as well as the many references to the Camino made us feel a little
like we'd left Spain and Spanish culture behind and entered into a pilgrim
corridor built more for tourism than reflection. I guess the next few days will give us a better understanding
of what the Camino Frances is and has become. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">
<b>Distance: 46 km</b><br /></span></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com024320 Sahagún, León, Spain42.3709599 -5.029949300000001114.060726063821157 -40.1861993 70.681193736178841 30.126300699999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-17512455964005501192022-04-25T23:31:00.002-04:002022-06-26T10:35:03.241-04:00Natural Beauty and Lessons on the Way : Medina de Rioseco to Villalon de Campos<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When we set out this morning we had no idea
where we would end up. We had called the albergues and hostals in the
towns ahead of us yesterday, and either received no answer, found the telephone
number in our guidebook and apps to be out of service, or were told they were
temporarily closed. Case in point when called the albergue in Villalon de Campos the lady who answered bluntly told us that they were 'closed'. As a result, we figured we could have between
55 and 61 km of walking to do today. As it turned out we should have
trusted that the Camino would provide - in the end we only had a 24 km
day eventually staying in....the albergue in Villalon de Campos. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoQKlhzii4MZmA4d0al9x693KFuYuCneru_lZ6Bei90POgsJZIoFpBxqMgl1Cpb_NS7KXGMxQGeYq40Kp-LjhfkeFwSoNb98XWtwA5qV2Kh3jrC3xN9AGxIdJj_PbYZFQxnOLgo85Fbl4CrQ0PUgU7kcQeqEtDejRVpK4g7lZVtE4xCHxtTi1baWEiw/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoQKlhzii4MZmA4d0al9x693KFuYuCneru_lZ6Bei90POgsJZIoFpBxqMgl1Cpb_NS7KXGMxQGeYq40Kp-LjhfkeFwSoNb98XWtwA5qV2Kh3jrC3xN9AGxIdJj_PbYZFQxnOLgo85Fbl4CrQ0PUgU7kcQeqEtDejRVpK4g7lZVtE4xCHxtTi1baWEiw/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN65mzeC5Jn_My5UKjM2gLSH4czj2bqvxYX24cFXY5m56qSpi9D39eLF0B6jssQxAmzz0bkIECqWdINZZbGDU33oZZ9NTttdfdU-uAma7V7BJ1IvkqbgiIxFDKYsga9WdSLYDwQpom7nYmYJjp-MA-TIhBSqnIoRy8u6Qvohtr7R79Y3T6yCFlkLHIw/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(5).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN65mzeC5Jn_My5UKjM2gLSH4czj2bqvxYX24cFXY5m56qSpi9D39eLF0B6jssQxAmzz0bkIECqWdINZZbGDU33oZZ9NTttdfdU-uAma7V7BJ1IvkqbgiIxFDKYsga9WdSLYDwQpom7nYmYJjp-MA-TIhBSqnIoRy8u6Qvohtr7R79Y3T6yCFlkLHIw/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(5).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5GOlbeAPLsI_3qLnWjrFHYwMCR7Hew1IuQLipfU7DPn2VMlPLwqDI-gUp6qf15mrn2-E0MDYerySGyY-1DvV4tMrDP9MRaUBcM4882hQFSYIxu0E-F_4GI_72I62DhRpKqs4xbK-cMnZ9SArfi4AWhKviSPvkYm4bxeKTt7bQOtb3q56Uhe8qVog-w/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(18).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5GOlbeAPLsI_3qLnWjrFHYwMCR7Hew1IuQLipfU7DPn2VMlPLwqDI-gUp6qf15mrn2-E0MDYerySGyY-1DvV4tMrDP9MRaUBcM4882hQFSYIxu0E-F_4GI_72I62DhRpKqs4xbK-cMnZ9SArfi4AWhKviSPvkYm4bxeKTt7bQOtb3q56Uhe8qVog-w/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(18).JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4aMh-dcyY7G_-g65Zry-jmMJ-zLjKtmevtrlzQg1CycDmDkUK2L4xPvhbeFfyjEV2KU7JPLZnXYC-sivRb2D4QAMTlvDzNK-PCunLeRrfPuZL9N37dN2FrQHBwz_4sKWccq4qxXLacW_sh4vA2Ln-pdGcmVuXmAEcdzfpE-lkGBka4lY0ir_6u8C7A/s3103/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(11).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2072" data-original-width="3103" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF4aMh-dcyY7G_-g65Zry-jmMJ-zLjKtmevtrlzQg1CycDmDkUK2L4xPvhbeFfyjEV2KU7JPLZnXYC-sivRb2D4QAMTlvDzNK-PCunLeRrfPuZL9N37dN2FrQHBwz_4sKWccq4qxXLacW_sh4vA2Ln-pdGcmVuXmAEcdzfpE-lkGBka4lY0ir_6u8C7A/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(11).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfMekF_-TZMVBphv6Jfzi25Jvll4RHgB1pe6tC-NNgQJxY-OdukGOZy6CvCGUBumAe4EoKtnl6LnEgsIMWk9W_tTHx7HDzshW08yFgXkMGl_ika6TyWDk9TbQknRZIKDbvx9Bb8KXu_RvqMHiMBweZqwErC3qvJg2Uwt7CCJgve0y0i-l8HMH649sCg/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(16).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfMekF_-TZMVBphv6Jfzi25Jvll4RHgB1pe6tC-NNgQJxY-OdukGOZy6CvCGUBumAe4EoKtnl6LnEgsIMWk9W_tTHx7HDzshW08yFgXkMGl_ika6TyWDk9TbQknRZIKDbvx9Bb8KXu_RvqMHiMBweZqwErC3qvJg2Uwt7CCJgve0y0i-l8HMH649sCg/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(16).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Nonetheless, we set out early, making our way to the edge of town as the sky
was just beginning to turn a pale yellow. There we were in for a real
treat! The first 8 km of the walk today was along a tree-lined pathway beside
the Canal de Castilla. This canal system is 200 km long and was built in
the late 18th century to transport goods, produce, and grain across northern
Castille. Interestingly, we have already crossed this canal system in
Fromista, while hiking the Camino Frances. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI8KS3kHascCO8o0JtrM4laVygiO3UjyWb8nlv0tQfnCFDNbSJvJDjCTR4rLZi742Ih8y4rlAM0ewxYEumK3oXpgSZDxVfBqfCFbaDPnkBuqD8QVEB3QcZxwm0YJblSZjbiV_WLll6Ugvot_6VOcig9bCYPlvByv9i5FHeujTQyu0Pc4jnmiLQ2rZww/s5689/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(23).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3797" data-original-width="5689" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdI8KS3kHascCO8o0JtrM4laVygiO3UjyWb8nlv0tQfnCFDNbSJvJDjCTR4rLZi742Ih8y4rlAM0ewxYEumK3oXpgSZDxVfBqfCFbaDPnkBuqD8QVEB3QcZxwm0YJblSZjbiV_WLll6Ugvot_6VOcig9bCYPlvByv9i5FHeujTQyu0Pc4jnmiLQ2rZww/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(23).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-PROhj5wDh0USmQ8r_tGNT7JJLQzqmBfIEUvko-0XSNqPzdDx3PrmtWfPT_pfLu4pD8aPWWA76qLOWhj2OS2d1qjU3Fn6U4_G3CSog-Hu9wPRKmTBmsrMID6EXlgpiIkuCPfbByAgd9gfLIcj3AnpM_w5yIraUrTnMvU86upaJ0MeTXDUtjnyuqMmw/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(24).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8-PROhj5wDh0USmQ8r_tGNT7JJLQzqmBfIEUvko-0XSNqPzdDx3PrmtWfPT_pfLu4pD8aPWWA76qLOWhj2OS2d1qjU3Fn6U4_G3CSog-Hu9wPRKmTBmsrMID6EXlgpiIkuCPfbByAgd9gfLIcj3AnpM_w5yIraUrTnMvU86upaJ0MeTXDUtjnyuqMmw/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(24).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-5pnBBXfNpy9R_7TUYgwlW3FcLJx1KPe8bdhI16K4Dysen3BK5xRIIHusBVCd9J-QElfiXvgprMa5WbLQq4-hn0mUzIyzVAJVDsyi6S2FJ_IyLCX6vWA51Wl2lnsR4y9-kthSdoJZBULzj0oEAR-iVdi7WqRljmBhCosPK8pbmGpXm-lpPJC3XZaEg/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(25).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-5pnBBXfNpy9R_7TUYgwlW3FcLJx1KPe8bdhI16K4Dysen3BK5xRIIHusBVCd9J-QElfiXvgprMa5WbLQq4-hn0mUzIyzVAJVDsyi6S2FJ_IyLCX6vWA51Wl2lnsR4y9-kthSdoJZBULzj0oEAR-iVdi7WqRljmBhCosPK8pbmGpXm-lpPJC3XZaEg/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(25).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we set out, a delicate mist was rising from the still waters of the
canal. Even though we believed we had a long day ahead of us, we took our
time walking and photographing those first magical kilometers. The still
waters provided almost perfect reflections of the trees on either side of the
waterway, and bands of silvery mist covered the surrounding fields in shifting
bands of light. As we walked the sun rose, turning the sky pink and
golden, and at one point the steeple of a church and the tower of a castle rose
up out of the golden mist. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GYWcSpzp1Fn47sZV9dig_BD_nrV4pMAfDykSw8ciEL53CztAj7EwK8WecGiKFNuxfbIkqecZ7cU2YLg5CsvYDAa_2deGLSMyNHHtAbbHn84N1KvP_sCJKWlCfd3VeNPvK8GYSp1Tj5R_ncM5EDG8AkLfHWNNe-VfaNXaQ5tuR7Qpk5CQLBAewxOTOQ/s4000/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(26).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GYWcSpzp1Fn47sZV9dig_BD_nrV4pMAfDykSw8ciEL53CztAj7EwK8WecGiKFNuxfbIkqecZ7cU2YLg5CsvYDAa_2deGLSMyNHHtAbbHn84N1KvP_sCJKWlCfd3VeNPvK8GYSp1Tj5R_ncM5EDG8AkLfHWNNe-VfaNXaQ5tuR7Qpk5CQLBAewxOTOQ/w400-h300/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(26).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOUtYOcviUrYCe5-6KWe8FZJQ_pXS2O7Xp8rjwiUsQzxWJ-QvFurPUg-wzqtciX8e_TICPGF3XIvJ6YIyQ-TWTMG4HgeDeQB_lWybRFWtaCYWSfUfhIoHf5leWpoNFbHnynsM-VE8z1kY8SNCkwj8oEIF2uNmOlwxV0cmNz1qH1XNxINRI2HbsOVerw/s2962/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(26.5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2834" data-original-width="2962" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSOUtYOcviUrYCe5-6KWe8FZJQ_pXS2O7Xp8rjwiUsQzxWJ-QvFurPUg-wzqtciX8e_TICPGF3XIvJ6YIyQ-TWTMG4HgeDeQB_lWybRFWtaCYWSfUfhIoHf5leWpoNFbHnynsM-VE8z1kY8SNCkwj8oEIF2uNmOlwxV0cmNz1qH1XNxINRI2HbsOVerw/w400-h383/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(26.5).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk63bixUT47Koc4Ys9P6u54ZbWFVDxLIU2-1M7LtolgL6SL55GQFwn49nkPrIN_K0xuV_s3VT57DCXnA341b7ftiv4LtF0yzw1UrSpuFiRuUcs9R-lxnJM_B_lJdD34gOib2mWNnzKPlyaR_BSTDMVfAPAuZGgClsVurGA5gAhTt33bN0i2j_g4Ze-A/s5058/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(27).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3377" data-original-width="5058" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpk63bixUT47Koc4Ys9P6u54ZbWFVDxLIU2-1M7LtolgL6SL55GQFwn49nkPrIN_K0xuV_s3VT57DCXnA341b7ftiv4LtF0yzw1UrSpuFiRuUcs9R-lxnJM_B_lJdD34gOib2mWNnzKPlyaR_BSTDMVfAPAuZGgClsVurGA5gAhTt33bN0i2j_g4Ze-A/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(27).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Except for a solitary man on a bicycle and his dog, we were mostly alone in the
still, cool, morning. Large snails traversed the dirt track, and dew hung
like jewels from the lush green grasses at the water's edge. Loud and
exotic sounding bird songs resonated from the trees above us, but we mostly
contented ourselves with simply listening to them, rather than trying to
photograph them. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8sRwOcudj9ZIFCjHZ3nAHy_vkFKh3WD67USYneIWBYLAu2VsTQl9C8OirwoFvRpp1yP5jLuzZBpudUbis-Q3c32lmQuEG8xisrZEgr_x8OziWyKM95dSJmbFM7M7K1ERvFFiEco_OQCqHtgurpq-Ib4hZKDNsyfvavp-k5IL2g5roTCGA3aFRMObTA/s5372/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(29).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3586" data-original-width="5372" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8sRwOcudj9ZIFCjHZ3nAHy_vkFKh3WD67USYneIWBYLAu2VsTQl9C8OirwoFvRpp1yP5jLuzZBpudUbis-Q3c32lmQuEG8xisrZEgr_x8OziWyKM95dSJmbFM7M7K1ERvFFiEco_OQCqHtgurpq-Ib4hZKDNsyfvavp-k5IL2g5roTCGA3aFRMObTA/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(29).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvzMzlYDPFly5Qn1_N-tS2k6oqk2vI3HXXg-64rzjGeadCbJuXI9Km5ITE_DwFKUOV7YgvyOCEtecH4GmH8IdD2IpWaJxOwa3xD5Y6TVFqFbboR7lk17Ph02S2CV8en3ViyGKsTaiwLARUeQLbZuV7QwwYhqH1WxbUruzwjHwv3zt8IA6Hi4nFDcp4A/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(30).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3338" data-original-width="6016" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcvzMzlYDPFly5Qn1_N-tS2k6oqk2vI3HXXg-64rzjGeadCbJuXI9Km5ITE_DwFKUOV7YgvyOCEtecH4GmH8IdD2IpWaJxOwa3xD5Y6TVFqFbboR7lk17Ph02S2CV8en3ViyGKsTaiwLARUeQLbZuV7QwwYhqH1WxbUruzwjHwv3zt8IA6Hi4nFDcp4A/w400-h223/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(30).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmzldO7-DmnrIHzxyGMaKIIcRsVT69WnU1_PIBCek-d8YrcY3rNYlx5ZqBDtfIXfxlCHIFNrslxQ1ypWHA6I-vXDqvgq8zl_a3eAufh8oTfj4fLc0GavILG72Md6IAIzUBJtV2s_2-qSJGFhfVah4Cpwyfw7qSgRP2MzuHLWRLtQmu7_JNqdVk5LL7Q/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(32).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmzldO7-DmnrIHzxyGMaKIIcRsVT69WnU1_PIBCek-d8YrcY3rNYlx5ZqBDtfIXfxlCHIFNrslxQ1ypWHA6I-vXDqvgq8zl_a3eAufh8oTfj4fLc0GavILG72Md6IAIzUBJtV2s_2-qSJGFhfVah4Cpwyfw7qSgRP2MzuHLWRLtQmu7_JNqdVk5LL7Q/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(32).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCn3xpozkVBoLATFS0K2wCvoSuVnmvrSClmhN4awx3EE4DvGGQyd6aShjqmNIe7JMPh7uA4mndHqUJJuJjjLvQMqXWyqvsaLr8me3FWEjUML__p34tvZdQz0GbkAZ1N0wLek3F9ddyY84BmxkeqzV2g_ZgtzPPOJMDa82nNW9gFIUo7Q6GmDFP7YJnw/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(33).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCn3xpozkVBoLATFS0K2wCvoSuVnmvrSClmhN4awx3EE4DvGGQyd6aShjqmNIe7JMPh7uA4mndHqUJJuJjjLvQMqXWyqvsaLr8me3FWEjUML__p34tvZdQz0GbkAZ1N0wLek3F9ddyY84BmxkeqzV2g_ZgtzPPOJMDa82nNW9gFIUo7Q6GmDFP7YJnw/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(33).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X6h6jAYO3gGKi1FKPLTwgRT3A5bTA7P-5gJJ6Cow_bwVocBvtZFd52Qd_myH9I2301uUkCubv9OKA2CWHpB0D7YnlSUCAeSVs_XsmyFz4AZb_giPAqgJbydJoLpG0FSbUj8ogOIm-ncgp2hS1rTfe3CWNVJKVKjdPxiSwAsg0k9OZPjt-LmOpwueEg/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(34).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5X6h6jAYO3gGKi1FKPLTwgRT3A5bTA7P-5gJJ6Cow_bwVocBvtZFd52Qd_myH9I2301uUkCubv9OKA2CWHpB0D7YnlSUCAeSVs_XsmyFz4AZb_giPAqgJbydJoLpG0FSbUj8ogOIm-ncgp2hS1rTfe3CWNVJKVKjdPxiSwAsg0k9OZPjt-LmOpwueEg/w268-h400/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(34).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After crossing three curved stone bridges that spanned the canal beneath the
canopy of trees, we came to the remains of a large stone mill, and what
appeared to be a lift lock. At this point the canal made a sharp right
turn, and the Camino continued straight ahead into the open fields. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JXlh3-BtdGbFH0rlckcRMjM2e4DhlBi3bAFYeqtyxnlPbBgHE4gyrzmoRIolJrYWFoKRcxkg-qBKAIgHm3GyR8z0xKuGke3T9L-wHrQDMeg3hKuJEDpHPoZtBEPLVvxOHgRT7DMf7lOmGFPYuK54yjyDoyGl7S6pQNqi5pTnZF4WYkPkoXqowoTEcw/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(39).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1JXlh3-BtdGbFH0rlckcRMjM2e4DhlBi3bAFYeqtyxnlPbBgHE4gyrzmoRIolJrYWFoKRcxkg-qBKAIgHm3GyR8z0xKuGke3T9L-wHrQDMeg3hKuJEDpHPoZtBEPLVvxOHgRT7DMf7lOmGFPYuK54yjyDoyGl7S6pQNqi5pTnZF4WYkPkoXqowoTEcw/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(39).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVDnUa-ixs6k30DCOCQYuDGkVJGJ8LMM-qg0AMuYJU0922AkF2RukAe2MvGhpWSmzKIdCWMbiDGEXp_kT4adfxunasUHvIn95UM3edz3Zo85inebO5tamVjQkhSEUW5__Lbwvi05uXO_9gzUvr7x9PdPqRekMCYcKM3vF23ss_Ih8f_tbznu_jCioGw/s4548/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(41).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3036" data-original-width="4548" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfVDnUa-ixs6k30DCOCQYuDGkVJGJ8LMM-qg0AMuYJU0922AkF2RukAe2MvGhpWSmzKIdCWMbiDGEXp_kT4adfxunasUHvIn95UM3edz3Zo85inebO5tamVjQkhSEUW5__Lbwvi05uXO_9gzUvr7x9PdPqRekMCYcKM3vF23ss_Ih8f_tbznu_jCioGw/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(41).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-CMZBFECCrdTPWe3LyUuBWKG5ksD6HLtMoBKsk8Qps_Tv7IEjJNp6-5FdHX-sBhABml8xI35BEriyt2hkjc_eIG0pTzCglTiHL3DEzX6zlHIilH-xaamXb7kZDzgM5oeWmXUU8hUFMyX23A4f7Ww04DZ6QgN3Ld7rRexYUr67QZZOpKRgQaVg_ZeFg/s5973/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(42).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0fy6kFHS_d2-QRzCW0mMkizLSqly1VvN1igimGP6WatFWoSuWW-tmN3NjgCtGqRG--kc65EjF2zq2PZERrjl6NnVf3BD7BxdvHmREV9_RlbJG4ErNJIIujzuYTmbWNPtnRxABB9q-qOf49iRc6gTlLhQJT9em7ns0rnPDF-U0k6p5htFzNEWsozkfg/s2940/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(47).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1962" data-original-width="2940" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0fy6kFHS_d2-QRzCW0mMkizLSqly1VvN1igimGP6WatFWoSuWW-tmN3NjgCtGqRG--kc65EjF2zq2PZERrjl6NnVf3BD7BxdvHmREV9_RlbJG4ErNJIIujzuYTmbWNPtnRxABB9q-qOf49iRc6gTlLhQJT9em7ns0rnPDF-U0k6p5htFzNEWsozkfg/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(47).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ51cKlaMkIxnlsWVoFZmDPI8Q61UhVDOHh91tMOcYtBSeV2bdokLSxxerrXfZWh9Qh2TiYKB_ouq8Uft2aPtoSu0PabW3GAGY-lhcGAESX0SfizSTjWIQjkvDAal2WcVAYxB1FqGVjCEq6srHPZhmNqWYNojqJZU7dmE0ZlirPDZ0zuBsQSDRPX2Jw/s2840/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(48).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1896" data-original-width="2840" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdJ51cKlaMkIxnlsWVoFZmDPI8Q61UhVDOHh91tMOcYtBSeV2bdokLSxxerrXfZWh9Qh2TiYKB_ouq8Uft2aPtoSu0PabW3GAGY-lhcGAESX0SfizSTjWIQjkvDAal2WcVAYxB1FqGVjCEq6srHPZhmNqWYNojqJZU7dmE0ZlirPDZ0zuBsQSDRPX2Jw/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(48).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhMKw6JmJM8RqHWjPqREjzeMlpRzA4hHbUEn1QhLuQ16lLrbuZibrNjYkj4jR7lIRf4xku71UZtN1Cs9QzRciiRcY0p1ZTX-k2JHbPcuZCgx9Ai-ZOMzPDVzyKKePdZmpZbioC7d0YMqz-1D_qo0dwwPXEb4il6zu4I2kqoefe6fFPd06u6Ko6usL_g/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(51).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdhMKw6JmJM8RqHWjPqREjzeMlpRzA4hHbUEn1QhLuQ16lLrbuZibrNjYkj4jR7lIRf4xku71UZtN1Cs9QzRciiRcY0p1ZTX-k2JHbPcuZCgx9Ai-ZOMzPDVzyKKePdZmpZbioC7d0YMqz-1D_qo0dwwPXEb4il6zu4I2kqoefe6fFPd06u6Ko6usL_g/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(51).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAe17DovZEVgfn3uzenNbeoFCz1QruLUIndPiOSXUI_AhGf6gZgm4rfCjr5K_dYPpsiQRclyx_1Jp_7Zz_sjyWx8_fH2yBWFqRvq7cU88ixLudX7m5IX360LxCfWE4ax88LO1YyPDw9A1dpGAeUYwQg-x8GBgpj5UE9EEE-0qBsSc4dF_Oiaa-0Cm9yQ/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(53).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAe17DovZEVgfn3uzenNbeoFCz1QruLUIndPiOSXUI_AhGf6gZgm4rfCjr5K_dYPpsiQRclyx_1Jp_7Zz_sjyWx8_fH2yBWFqRvq7cU88ixLudX7m5IX360LxCfWE4ax88LO1YyPDw9A1dpGAeUYwQg-x8GBgpj5UE9EEE-0qBsSc4dF_Oiaa-0Cm9yQ/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(53).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Reluctantly we bid farewell to the beautiful treed pathway along the canal, but
not too much farther along we came to a raised wooden bird watching
blind. Posters of intriguing looking wetland birds covered the inside
walls, but we didn't actually see much wetland outside the blind. Perhaps
it had been drained for agriculture. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aAIlhHnXnVjdvyyC_mkrmFG4jq3BtLSWsQ1OBKrhr5N4a3-7oIgFnmqbNycw-MgWi2su63R7h9eetQRVYFQtey2SG0osbtSusQaLx0wdsfqcLFwWPU33RUmEe9amj-ep-oji9t7xNPdmgSNnUpkADgJTr4KfmcgXVwvwoS-5f4cs-_VGPkMA8r0xrA/s5609/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(56).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3744" data-original-width="5609" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0aAIlhHnXnVjdvyyC_mkrmFG4jq3BtLSWsQ1OBKrhr5N4a3-7oIgFnmqbNycw-MgWi2su63R7h9eetQRVYFQtey2SG0osbtSusQaLx0wdsfqcLFwWPU33RUmEe9amj-ep-oji9t7xNPdmgSNnUpkADgJTr4KfmcgXVwvwoS-5f4cs-_VGPkMA8r0xrA/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(56).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08U2Cz0HqSBa8yr8rTfrFMkvckVvSz7VgBSzNswhcCksLBK9G3_GnxnLpuUOaqxbJhrsH-jMm_GUX7D8hO6YMcQkTFj9ytsJTkpfh4ifEtl-i0nLIJ4KQRbgIyqMRfUoDoS1RB134DOmIZ35OsKGpYSctFex0VO6cNlYaEHh_Usf8F4d0JyWSZp8Z2g/s5206/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(54).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3475" data-original-width="5206" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg08U2Cz0HqSBa8yr8rTfrFMkvckVvSz7VgBSzNswhcCksLBK9G3_GnxnLpuUOaqxbJhrsH-jMm_GUX7D8hO6YMcQkTFj9ytsJTkpfh4ifEtl-i0nLIJ4KQRbgIyqMRfUoDoS1RB134DOmIZ35OsKGpYSctFex0VO6cNlYaEHh_Usf8F4d0JyWSZp8Z2g/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(54).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLJDi_LlbsE90_KCCaxSI-X3-EZLy1jd58vN8bna8d86RGzBMQd60XyMpJbYREwnxjwXZzqrSPCblmYX__-B3tfMuj5WzAfWpnZjSva1y5Jji_IiDFZrudFaRTfGGfEp7z49nN5Gg8U2lVjBwU9Ln6gKqPJRWmiZBEKCeyWaRPf_AhtpDYc_D50qe2g/s5011/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(55).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3346" data-original-width="5011" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLJDi_LlbsE90_KCCaxSI-X3-EZLy1jd58vN8bna8d86RGzBMQd60XyMpJbYREwnxjwXZzqrSPCblmYX__-B3tfMuj5WzAfWpnZjSva1y5Jji_IiDFZrudFaRTfGGfEp7z49nN5Gg8U2lVjBwU9Ln6gKqPJRWmiZBEKCeyWaRPf_AhtpDYc_D50qe2g/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(55).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0l1r_Dm5gz_wL4DTRpPvILbjOz_R8DLx2OiDzoTFCPEFxoGGeIYhN5IJl_60_CLz3o0ORjkw2YmWFMrREI8ZGxjkqNCWR0VWuiwsF3xP9K2QhkBE8ZciPAs131AWyMmgkqsncQgLxRPRa6yeacgYxJq_6E1_drw1_uuxLDyMkV_7M69gxTVaD88wOw/s4000/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(57).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl0l1r_Dm5gz_wL4DTRpPvILbjOz_R8DLx2OiDzoTFCPEFxoGGeIYhN5IJl_60_CLz3o0ORjkw2YmWFMrREI8ZGxjkqNCWR0VWuiwsF3xP9K2QhkBE8ZciPAs131AWyMmgkqsncQgLxRPRa6yeacgYxJq_6E1_drw1_uuxLDyMkV_7M69gxTVaD88wOw/w400-h300/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(57).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div>We could see the red roofs and church steeple of Tamariz de Campos ahead of us
across the fields, and it was a relatively short walk along the red dirt track
to reach it. We had been hoping to find an open bar where we could have
breakfast, but sadly the single bar in town was closed. We sat on a bench
in the town square and had some of the bread and jam we bought yesterday, while
watching a white and orange cat sitting on a nearby rooftop. Across from
us was the old Church of Saint Peter. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaib4YM1hyUkzIqMd188kOGgJUwnKDIos9MI9kRAPEaQf7X0ytEQ63mJtvTjs-z-DXELZejUA9D5F7L4KioF-fzlbtxlmGDWPr9N3KgDQybewWATjIKSrbVlr0AlQrqKLdDZsyIhg2cTlJ7YTQU0BIqSKG97u113xZH9QQd9anUcdnBidpEPuzRol6A/s3621/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(59).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2418" data-original-width="3621" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDaib4YM1hyUkzIqMd188kOGgJUwnKDIos9MI9kRAPEaQf7X0ytEQ63mJtvTjs-z-DXELZejUA9D5F7L4KioF-fzlbtxlmGDWPr9N3KgDQybewWATjIKSrbVlr0AlQrqKLdDZsyIhg2cTlJ7YTQU0BIqSKG97u113xZH9QQd9anUcdnBidpEPuzRol6A/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(59).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DxMsqD6MA2admheV50pfpRBwNj5rr6qT9MbCrP2nCnsCCpEVlSufoJuSrqBI4IUNAhNCjMPydLLFDWaUQG5e1JwfXGS2IFuCCBlcmDfwv6UnzW5HP_LffkbGey9X2fd4Gb0OWKieOHUxDUTsD6HnA6V8biYjeyOLSxaGA1Xr_ghowKaqnf2na1h6Sw/s5318/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(60).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3550" data-original-width="5318" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4DxMsqD6MA2admheV50pfpRBwNj5rr6qT9MbCrP2nCnsCCpEVlSufoJuSrqBI4IUNAhNCjMPydLLFDWaUQG5e1JwfXGS2IFuCCBlcmDfwv6UnzW5HP_LffkbGey9X2fd4Gb0OWKieOHUxDUTsD6HnA6V8biYjeyOLSxaGA1Xr_ghowKaqnf2na1h6Sw/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(60).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOiKPjGmWyyBWM_rI07ceSwLXxfH-rK0vnPUVFncAohwPwfwTKcN72me7SQS2ND9LtbALEaSf1P3F2NHyaLyhkoPKHc89LxgD1MBYBNzCpPhXF8W0YYyFHlimritXRkhCC2WDNUcg34xbn-YCNJzSwtPSLwXbPYb-8-nSsTuQWSU3-EndlAQgAlwfXg/s1320/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(62).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="882" data-original-width="1320" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjOiKPjGmWyyBWM_rI07ceSwLXxfH-rK0vnPUVFncAohwPwfwTKcN72me7SQS2ND9LtbALEaSf1P3F2NHyaLyhkoPKHc89LxgD1MBYBNzCpPhXF8W0YYyFHlimritXRkhCC2WDNUcg34xbn-YCNJzSwtPSLwXbPYb-8-nSsTuQWSU3-EndlAQgAlwfXg/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(62).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTtIlomSVvbQPB-nQQ-L6ZvWfJzifu1BKlEnNw_hcxMZhKpeSh6ns0p5mhChjw_SniSunAX-jFBtF-M2anrv0vlMtGjUSJTZaQ38nTHA1zu-Ibc_dso66eR10lG8eP0p_Rvqj0F30h39-EiAAXHa2BWcCn0rflZ2QmMHFRPmtz0iUKk7HVOk7vrj99A/s4440/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(64).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2964" data-original-width="4440" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTtIlomSVvbQPB-nQQ-L6ZvWfJzifu1BKlEnNw_hcxMZhKpeSh6ns0p5mhChjw_SniSunAX-jFBtF-M2anrv0vlMtGjUSJTZaQ38nTHA1zu-Ibc_dso66eR10lG8eP0p_Rvqj0F30h39-EiAAXHa2BWcCn0rflZ2QmMHFRPmtz0iUKk7HVOk7vrj99A/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(64).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Somewhat happier but still a little hungry, we set off across the wide open
fields towards Cuenca de Campos. Apparently we were supposed to follow a
dirt track straight across the fields, but the markings weren't too clear as we
left town, and we ended up following the cycling route down the paved highway
instead. It was a very quiet road with almost no traffic, and we rejoined
the official walking route just before the town, so we were happy enough with
our mishap. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGw5-6vvgH9E49kMS5wPnlS2nFwwv3JZgPAOxRoWHIUMPITeVeYniPU2fU0b58zmDkdBcTNWNv0tI3AK0un14CVMc41kPAuCKv54rn5SFgI3K8COt097YuVjenvYHenJ9S27R-9fA2s6pFHwt8hC_ePH7S2kgOrQhxP4uJHHNIsuWhYvz89Pr1ILh0Q/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(65).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGw5-6vvgH9E49kMS5wPnlS2nFwwv3JZgPAOxRoWHIUMPITeVeYniPU2fU0b58zmDkdBcTNWNv0tI3AK0un14CVMc41kPAuCKv54rn5SFgI3K8COt097YuVjenvYHenJ9S27R-9fA2s6pFHwt8hC_ePH7S2kgOrQhxP4uJHHNIsuWhYvz89Pr1ILh0Q/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(65).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2QHUI4QKLCkGXHEqoDDAiUMjDZERBUSguzGQWfy3at4sk61_AoU_TsK-Y_m8LAvugBKYPd55GEYM1495UL1JMW8dEHPmMtSPJxEcRAu24D1Rf6gzG5rQanYZjmNAjysKUodIPARp09EoyzFOWm_2B5KZUFnQpHSY7b-bDeBKs4KWm38ONSbnn94bbQ/s2145/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(66).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="2145" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2QHUI4QKLCkGXHEqoDDAiUMjDZERBUSguzGQWfy3at4sk61_AoU_TsK-Y_m8LAvugBKYPd55GEYM1495UL1JMW8dEHPmMtSPJxEcRAu24D1Rf6gzG5rQanYZjmNAjysKUodIPARp09EoyzFOWm_2B5KZUFnQpHSY7b-bDeBKs4KWm38ONSbnn94bbQ/w400-h266/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(66).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_paLhmYCHFJAJ5uCZO1Fb2zdk0PK3cWmOpGiJ_jjR1I3QtPuCBgxJKEHwjrGt2jtA6N694u6lr-_o7eXScHSioB5CdlZ_lP3K64d6rfPV-bZ_Qls-lUJRZKGBTL2FFQfghdOCPNLD4tNQPNvtERHWWIkgqFokQz38lV_A_uXGvgYzc4lkkdZHxktQIA/s1984/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(67).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1984" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_paLhmYCHFJAJ5uCZO1Fb2zdk0PK3cWmOpGiJ_jjR1I3QtPuCBgxJKEHwjrGt2jtA6N694u6lr-_o7eXScHSioB5CdlZ_lP3K64d6rfPV-bZ_Qls-lUJRZKGBTL2FFQfghdOCPNLD4tNQPNvtERHWWIkgqFokQz38lV_A_uXGvgYzc4lkkdZHxktQIA/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(67).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2H7849c1KJfhghKrvyImi0TWXDj7FO1gUWHCWjGGwmwR6xM61qXU48zq5oeybCXwsTyj7Sz3JvctWpUPbN4bpdcJjWYnFch2RVzUzYLWjpsSuliS2KYJ50-z2eLsz4W9ZaH-Zj1vj1mZ-nCD12qaFGhRpRoDQs9rsyvcjuDUEZJEN5pQi9EXEWmI03A/s2995/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(68).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1999" data-original-width="2995" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2H7849c1KJfhghKrvyImi0TWXDj7FO1gUWHCWjGGwmwR6xM61qXU48zq5oeybCXwsTyj7Sz3JvctWpUPbN4bpdcJjWYnFch2RVzUzYLWjpsSuliS2KYJ50-z2eLsz4W9ZaH-Zj1vj1mZ-nCD12qaFGhRpRoDQs9rsyvcjuDUEZJEN5pQi9EXEWmI03A/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(68).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjpsnAYHyaLqjq63HCNSL21qO-bVgJyGWemhAQpsNf2fUnhSutMJXNI6SNvAqDARAxaZwSB0xiVcumekzYp5D3ceT-flijHq83v6udzRQBNlsDc8SETYd29JmqlfZwP5lhZerUlip_f0aCdKpNdBmpdU2-QoLyQUrX0tvIRF22P2-h3_VvA3XIGO0fQ/s5637/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(69).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2435" data-original-width="5637" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqjpsnAYHyaLqjq63HCNSL21qO-bVgJyGWemhAQpsNf2fUnhSutMJXNI6SNvAqDARAxaZwSB0xiVcumekzYp5D3ceT-flijHq83v6udzRQBNlsDc8SETYd29JmqlfZwP5lhZerUlip_f0aCdKpNdBmpdU2-QoLyQUrX0tvIRF22P2-h3_VvA3XIGO0fQ/w640-h276/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(69).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JjXW4c4jcHlsN3vRdGlptFIcc7Jq-9juEfxT7gQciAMZetpwoz-vLI0f7zlT_Ii_AKz81_IIQtSLavdOBjj-fFCVq7sGZ6VNfEg4rO665CTSOQw6YZ-pClrALmH56mLD7zD8UqZI7rTrV19wEC5Bu7HAKoeTq2ODyWZ2960nioxxqezDAiDIX1w0pw/s4798/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(70).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3769" data-original-width="4798" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0JjXW4c4jcHlsN3vRdGlptFIcc7Jq-9juEfxT7gQciAMZetpwoz-vLI0f7zlT_Ii_AKz81_IIQtSLavdOBjj-fFCVq7sGZ6VNfEg4rO665CTSOQw6YZ-pClrALmH56mLD7zD8UqZI7rTrV19wEC5Bu7HAKoeTq2ODyWZ2960nioxxqezDAiDIX1w0pw/w400-h314/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(70).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">For the 8 km we spent walking to Cuenca de Campos we found ourselves in a
minimalist landscape of clear blue sky, gently rolling hills covered in a
patchwork of emerald green, brown, and bright yellow fields, with a winding
line of light grey asphalt snaking through it. Every now and again we
would spot hawks and kites soaring in the clear sky above, as well as small
birds hopping and chasing each other through the fields around us. A
particular highlight was spotting a truly enormous turkey in a nearby
field. Even from a distance we could tell it was desperately trying to
impress the girls. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlABtyU6QpxHMU1FUhyWojGsKyCGCe8OY-zWKKX0texaxaJkjzE4VnnEz_1Bb3PiDlLSIBbKXAooPo0Pb01x8WS5kPIVp8aGqYq7koyXDdmIJQr38_uLgzCIHPv_Ii86u5OnzUHsMlFIiHJsqyXnKGUegHqCIY_hgLJZVbCOeOMg4j1eJ5b62fRzfn_Q/s5303/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(71).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3540" data-original-width="5303" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlABtyU6QpxHMU1FUhyWojGsKyCGCe8OY-zWKKX0texaxaJkjzE4VnnEz_1Bb3PiDlLSIBbKXAooPo0Pb01x8WS5kPIVp8aGqYq7koyXDdmIJQr38_uLgzCIHPv_Ii86u5OnzUHsMlFIiHJsqyXnKGUegHqCIY_hgLJZVbCOeOMg4j1eJ5b62fRzfn_Q/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(71).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutTX8M0M2XibeKzDGIA9IWthmULl8kGT3JURL7QIWtugCbx3Sb_iE4hBLgHBG0zC3ReRR9ZXBPBwHe8T0mHRevO7vdEtAP_gg8lN3nQdpjqndSzQ8LDhX1HK2aMRqdI6-wtuWHSq25PuHw-_VSf4GcNtOESX6RiN0JsaZ1Pu69xzxIolViHKfpzw46w/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(72).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutTX8M0M2XibeKzDGIA9IWthmULl8kGT3JURL7QIWtugCbx3Sb_iE4hBLgHBG0zC3ReRR9ZXBPBwHe8T0mHRevO7vdEtAP_gg8lN3nQdpjqndSzQ8LDhX1HK2aMRqdI6-wtuWHSq25PuHw-_VSf4GcNtOESX6RiN0JsaZ1Pu69xzxIolViHKfpzw46w/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(72).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm9j0MjGYO4Or4Dp_WvkoFOQ7li5s-vNVJhkvia6TzbXH5sWAwfqH4KqYA3yjAQR598XbxXrB_rN_HLM5DHYBX5rI7a9jmB2TmvRwstX6nNC3zf8cTOGjFArwQ6cIGLHwDpxcKKL_1mYe6ipH4ImuDWcuZLVYwxfOwE32ihcnslo69O8LWG8tab0_ig/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(73).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJm9j0MjGYO4Or4Dp_WvkoFOQ7li5s-vNVJhkvia6TzbXH5sWAwfqH4KqYA3yjAQR598XbxXrB_rN_HLM5DHYBX5rI7a9jmB2TmvRwstX6nNC3zf8cTOGjFArwQ6cIGLHwDpxcKKL_1mYe6ipH4ImuDWcuZLVYwxfOwE32ihcnslo69O8LWG8tab0_ig/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(73).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtVkUAyn7mFaGgVLMRcmIlGcwQE-o0ZbdMbrtJmWkk7zbq_YNkKY_7x0USWpkQK4E_v2UU29F75YKgNqQTv5cXxhh_zCHtSuxqXPNi918B2ru0LxXN8cZeme9c9V-EOKqt3fbmSR9ezQoi-OjXm4uCO30qnLJMvTHyl_-ICRg7tj4u1qXyMvqJC949w/s5260/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(75).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2101" data-original-width="5260" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtVkUAyn7mFaGgVLMRcmIlGcwQE-o0ZbdMbrtJmWkk7zbq_YNkKY_7x0USWpkQK4E_v2UU29F75YKgNqQTv5cXxhh_zCHtSuxqXPNi918B2ru0LxXN8cZeme9c9V-EOKqt3fbmSR9ezQoi-OjXm4uCO30qnLJMvTHyl_-ICRg7tj4u1qXyMvqJC949w/w640-h256/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(75).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7w2F9BX6GQiZI-TllfMUTct8L0461mtWYCfLj7FtQy34JA_8-COmthzDLq_EdpeUA_fe4wiAVN4_tfvxuxdOZUXn0Xolubg1pDrAJGc0ppsFwfhNZOP2ayFdnuNQ7dZnN-CjnJ31viJv5HSC3ahNQ0akGaHtoImrud83pB83AQ-9ijmc12N6sht7VQ/s1543/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(76).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1543" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL7w2F9BX6GQiZI-TllfMUTct8L0461mtWYCfLj7FtQy34JA_8-COmthzDLq_EdpeUA_fe4wiAVN4_tfvxuxdOZUXn0Xolubg1pDrAJGc0ppsFwfhNZOP2ayFdnuNQ7dZnN-CjnJ31viJv5HSC3ahNQ0akGaHtoImrud83pB83AQ-9ijmc12N6sht7VQ/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(76).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd47gqLUrDLoH6KdVG8RG7F4btHF75fx1VhAgiHdPs49Ys1nGCF2kfGgvdcbP7joR_OCFMppECbuqyds-YHyAzZWbIn17UvpvZrsokrOYwKKQ8ROUaMJDQa0ftsBhpWDKN3JZRUr7fHjkQ7I3bGUZqgN9Ey6hGAKdkLjKft__monN9gti_1QdNuf4Sw/s3186/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(81).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2126" data-original-width="3186" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcd47gqLUrDLoH6KdVG8RG7F4btHF75fx1VhAgiHdPs49Ys1nGCF2kfGgvdcbP7joR_OCFMppECbuqyds-YHyAzZWbIn17UvpvZrsokrOYwKKQ8ROUaMJDQa0ftsBhpWDKN3JZRUr7fHjkQ7I3bGUZqgN9Ey6hGAKdkLjKft__monN9gti_1QdNuf4Sw/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(81).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnnXyMJEcUTCSNPuunw1tZLUi7bZ2yAwUa8mpCrvzvoRLSBI22Mf0S3lZQj0fA0KKSeNKx0uqyhhG55X9BricOuFOMq0If1JlVFWd-YPrYUS94Em9YJihSKmHAVjJZQohw7snHwxhje1NFyOfmnvOasLg4484JpmJrrMRFx353pV2wIctruYtzgRPhg/s2388/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(82).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="2388" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYnnXyMJEcUTCSNPuunw1tZLUi7bZ2yAwUa8mpCrvzvoRLSBI22Mf0S3lZQj0fA0KKSeNKx0uqyhhG55X9BricOuFOMq0If1JlVFWd-YPrYUS94Em9YJihSKmHAVjJZQohw7snHwxhje1NFyOfmnvOasLg4484JpmJrrMRFx353pV2wIctruYtzgRPhg/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(82).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPAiVTBwgCfGuZPpK1CNnlVefu2mcMkQivPNcM4Rge2bbDAzn7pWVGQBt9slNNRAvxV3qQ6-JSazMuuoTAMktD3dfQJKgD8emxMGL7jg7ID7qSZkj1Zc4VO7D_pV7ipUxbW1mHh23Ls4P7WL7RjPkhbZxdiqbK3XjU8P0NSPZpxfjNozA9mj8NlVG4A/s4779/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(84).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3191" data-original-width="4779" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPAiVTBwgCfGuZPpK1CNnlVefu2mcMkQivPNcM4Rge2bbDAzn7pWVGQBt9slNNRAvxV3qQ6-JSazMuuoTAMktD3dfQJKgD8emxMGL7jg7ID7qSZkj1Zc4VO7D_pV7ipUxbW1mHh23Ls4P7WL7RjPkhbZxdiqbK3XjU8P0NSPZpxfjNozA9mj8NlVG4A/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(84).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgWu5Sa0jiinSPFOFd6v88WblI9_YgUHW5sEzb4sGS-ZmNGr1D-nuPp3Hs1GU7aoWBssgRByPORhzIGncYpyEUhtxPxjE5bi--RxvlLDbnI5Ug8zDKvIBxfghNTE4yUSIh_x3jzuHXLmh4n8xukUP4zZqRoRoiF-ZubG4MhUE1-Jhwlt0sTFjtiu-fA/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(85).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgWu5Sa0jiinSPFOFd6v88WblI9_YgUHW5sEzb4sGS-ZmNGr1D-nuPp3Hs1GU7aoWBssgRByPORhzIGncYpyEUhtxPxjE5bi--RxvlLDbnI5Ug8zDKvIBxfghNTE4yUSIh_x3jzuHXLmh4n8xukUP4zZqRoRoiF-ZubG4MhUE1-Jhwlt0sTFjtiu-fA/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(85).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After an indirect approach that wrapped us around the edge of Cuenca de Campos,
we finally entered the town, which was larger than the first two we'd visited
earlier in the morning. Although it apparently offered a full range of
services, most things seemed to be closed, including the bar and the pilgrim
albergue, which had an indecipherable note taped to the door. Even the hospitalero sitting outside the albergue just grunted at us rather than providing any answers.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZsnV8lQ2JVTN-ktfLjuXRJGIVUcFxQ-lABRBCeBUMYK_wTSousl6R5yn0PlHShuBV3d8F9PZzgfI4SLwhFdsdb0wfAVxfQ8xRMA1-EW4zJMmNIkTMUk083K9JQ3jAndcB2tIajobaJOYEnblizv4HQmhMU199ridPNwZP2pw6fjtUd1Ng8m02VJUqg/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(90).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZsnV8lQ2JVTN-ktfLjuXRJGIVUcFxQ-lABRBCeBUMYK_wTSousl6R5yn0PlHShuBV3d8F9PZzgfI4SLwhFdsdb0wfAVxfQ8xRMA1-EW4zJMmNIkTMUk083K9JQ3jAndcB2tIajobaJOYEnblizv4HQmhMU199ridPNwZP2pw6fjtUd1Ng8m02VJUqg/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(90).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> </span><span lang="EN-CA"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnb17Vxah5jaEVT626-IuSea0-LHv4Ho-GbHtnmB3mNgsPycYL5ookmjnrhFL2GmJe0Q4biRbX2a2igek20Yl6nICDjM0OUO_DWAySvr8OMlZR6OzZTgNXS5TTGRgYXfoCh-4Atc1yx4ofVf9Q7nEoNhaHN9WqebGHEQLJANcD2yUZ6At1qZHj9AkPA/s4000/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(89).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnb17Vxah5jaEVT626-IuSea0-LHv4Ho-GbHtnmB3mNgsPycYL5ookmjnrhFL2GmJe0Q4biRbX2a2igek20Yl6nICDjM0OUO_DWAySvr8OMlZR6OzZTgNXS5TTGRgYXfoCh-4Atc1yx4ofVf9Q7nEoNhaHN9WqebGHEQLJANcD2yUZ6At1qZHj9AkPA/w400-h300/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(89).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAaVvc7DtyPuy1nrwykEYOZzwD7nTQOlZ7eltQzl1PmRFidlzECDntd51WGz-itCuJuV3OnkLfCDw7W26gkkfeve349ZNJ3QmoPilX07hAsjZalg5bJdnOH2ur4RuUbt5w6IG5RTOCcv5ppeIKzJMiDu8bKEDhosyGsdrO5onv_0k6cY25lp1ZNjPcA/s5354/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(87).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5354" data-original-width="3574" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxAaVvc7DtyPuy1nrwykEYOZzwD7nTQOlZ7eltQzl1PmRFidlzECDntd51WGz-itCuJuV3OnkLfCDw7W26gkkfeve349ZNJ3QmoPilX07hAsjZalg5bJdnOH2ur4RuUbt5w6IG5RTOCcv5ppeIKzJMiDu8bKEDhosyGsdrO5onv_0k6cY25lp1ZNjPcA/w268-h400/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(87).JPG" width="268" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We spotted
an open restaurant and stopped in, hoping to find something to eat.
Sadly, we received a pretty cool reception from the bar tender, and although we
were able to enjoy a café con leche, there apparently was no food available,
not even the usual cookie or biscuit that typically comes with coffee in Spain. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepUgO-xIPe5-smR5lESj0kNOT3B36qSwUc65QBRatkH8puFttJ4Jr_DvMrxvgBDZLB5YsDxBUhan9JBlY0mlRW7axsb9mn_8tLJ--1DaU9-Jz7UqjELUapAaiKk2FXEFP5B2xRnERrhKIThefiSOg1LfTrp-auV9HsQp-P5SnmCU3pTvYpSkNYhLb7A/s4453/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(92).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2972" data-original-width="4453" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjepUgO-xIPe5-smR5lESj0kNOT3B36qSwUc65QBRatkH8puFttJ4Jr_DvMrxvgBDZLB5YsDxBUhan9JBlY0mlRW7axsb9mn_8tLJ--1DaU9-Jz7UqjELUapAaiKk2FXEFP5B2xRnERrhKIThefiSOg1LfTrp-auV9HsQp-P5SnmCU3pTvYpSkNYhLb7A/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(92).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZm8w7nPJFJRS5ZBy-IYpbVcQmADHZBdv63c-0g2_GO3uwFuzRtWky8ihogiix1FGNZfbe4VTlJHYo9UJlqDZaGIKnPxjuyosTp-kvjbtFRsdBRmhHPSQKiw01c4wBHU63cu81efZykTfaO0_qTr0qsC0N2Iz22kg12I4bn33f7oGfw5hVqeAp3pFkQ/s3838/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(93).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2562" data-original-width="3838" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDZm8w7nPJFJRS5ZBy-IYpbVcQmADHZBdv63c-0g2_GO3uwFuzRtWky8ihogiix1FGNZfbe4VTlJHYo9UJlqDZaGIKnPxjuyosTp-kvjbtFRsdBRmhHPSQKiw01c4wBHU63cu81efZykTfaO0_qTr0qsC0N2Iz22kg12I4bn33f7oGfw5hVqeAp3pFkQ/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(93).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Although we didn't have much luck there, it was a charming little town with a
landscaped main square, a Camino de Santiago mural, and several beautiful
churches. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Somewhat disheartened, we set off once again into the wide open meseta.
We soon came to a sign suggesting we were following the 'El Tren Burra' Rail
Trail, which happily was bordered by a wide diversity of trees on both sides
which provided some much appreciated shade. Along its length there were
also signs describing the flora, fauna, and birds of the region, and in places
we could still see the metal rails at the edges of the trail. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPEMn0a8T-V0z-rJxbLFAL6tHGr4BnjorjWeoZaK8gxzgRFJcc9ckdsVu25R8e6a55puIw_fwMMus95bNaIYOf4PSy1uLIqA87Vx8AnrlZli70GYP7M4EPbUSag11CgrOKKMkvIzsSZzX7QX49T0_nkjt6F27WT5xzJQVKt8nTMx1kql6YC_eD3hINw/s4032/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(99).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPEMn0a8T-V0z-rJxbLFAL6tHGr4BnjorjWeoZaK8gxzgRFJcc9ckdsVu25R8e6a55puIw_fwMMus95bNaIYOf4PSy1uLIqA87Vx8AnrlZli70GYP7M4EPbUSag11CgrOKKMkvIzsSZzX7QX49T0_nkjt6F27WT5xzJQVKt8nTMx1kql6YC_eD3hINw/w400-h300/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(99).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt9vGWI6IGbWq_GHP2uBLsUD6wX9DBIEkRxZPYFT_jPx9kpXglnag_lDElp7J_N3ng2PYrn_QAIjsNpw5Yqtn8YMs9H9oXT4Nigd4b38IoqdVGClTsLiOF9IIV79DmLGY0bmDOREBomlOAQvJWvBQb7nrlcOSqjGqFawFeRuvyxUTLT8ZDJM6LNvw_w/s5872/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(101).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3920" data-original-width="5872" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt9vGWI6IGbWq_GHP2uBLsUD6wX9DBIEkRxZPYFT_jPx9kpXglnag_lDElp7J_N3ng2PYrn_QAIjsNpw5Yqtn8YMs9H9oXT4Nigd4b38IoqdVGClTsLiOF9IIV79DmLGY0bmDOREBomlOAQvJWvBQb7nrlcOSqjGqFawFeRuvyxUTLT8ZDJM6LNvw_w/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(101).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUvXsO4XvRrgKPeiNIiMQWGF92eUNaOz3nbJRuUvYqa1P3Or3S8SqBC1LB8aU1gMjot-SlBOmsgtp_59KhLwI0n6xtETmnymzjqWHHNP8yxIvGyZdvc_UNf3p0MMSBG46OadoVcoj9-I9JRhwMUUpb-eKfWT79Q0WvYpcVyXazfYjUMhdnwVjHtHTtQ/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(104).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUvXsO4XvRrgKPeiNIiMQWGF92eUNaOz3nbJRuUvYqa1P3Or3S8SqBC1LB8aU1gMjot-SlBOmsgtp_59KhLwI0n6xtETmnymzjqWHHNP8yxIvGyZdvc_UNf3p0MMSBG46OadoVcoj9-I9JRhwMUUpb-eKfWT79Q0WvYpcVyXazfYjUMhdnwVjHtHTtQ/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(104).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKvbv2LJZzgP7ro7CiaU0jqVQNAYE8I6B8W4OFQQpO97zztp68aUlyjLh9wGRZWQpQf20blTLTSGewiLVGCZutYpju-M2HblxCf6-Re28dM0shmHZJkBS_6bQqbvOL58ADnVIKiOBQBnYXtsT2C6O7TqDckk19wsYqf3R23oE_PTg7J7CI4dcHQxR8A/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(106).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkKvbv2LJZzgP7ro7CiaU0jqVQNAYE8I6B8W4OFQQpO97zztp68aUlyjLh9wGRZWQpQf20blTLTSGewiLVGCZutYpju-M2HblxCf6-Re28dM0shmHZJkBS_6bQqbvOL58ADnVIKiOBQBnYXtsT2C6O7TqDckk19wsYqf3R23oE_PTg7J7CI4dcHQxR8A/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(106).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4WNCD9vAdXglyj1mLev38_y1UCeufRFrAquaMgz0HW0Y13B2A26qwEpq8W-S4INtaphsWedmoWqXcVC_F4vTnSh3M4dd5PlcUq9EaGKUM1jVi-IATl6u2TzBgBrIP09R0oxlSmj7VqTmQG9iZHCAQoGfHA_iBAc0UmVW-sVBqb5QANC2d7HN-isvXQ/s5938/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(109).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1806" data-original-width="5938" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb4WNCD9vAdXglyj1mLev38_y1UCeufRFrAquaMgz0HW0Y13B2A26qwEpq8W-S4INtaphsWedmoWqXcVC_F4vTnSh3M4dd5PlcUq9EaGKUM1jVi-IATl6u2TzBgBrIP09R0oxlSmj7VqTmQG9iZHCAQoGfHA_iBAc0UmVW-sVBqb5QANC2d7HN-isvXQ/w640-h194/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(109).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdF1Z0o9Z8WJXOiLE9Xcqq6fl6hp8qeJwdGbDn1Q5Tr6fq_3gr4mxodWHhowg85ZeNS-h60AKL8ledi3laEmYyrV3xvNxCOAI0APPNCgKzbSmLXRhob8XROBRIOOjpdXTTXKxQGtt34wDl-CRZtxCz2Xb6auCMm1cSUnPBb3c9HcIp1wAwROmYTtRZQ/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(112).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFdF1Z0o9Z8WJXOiLE9Xcqq6fl6hp8qeJwdGbDn1Q5Tr6fq_3gr4mxodWHhowg85ZeNS-h60AKL8ledi3laEmYyrV3xvNxCOAI0APPNCgKzbSmLXRhob8XROBRIOOjpdXTTXKxQGtt34wDl-CRZtxCz2Xb6auCMm1cSUnPBb3c9HcIp1wAwROmYTtRZQ/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(112).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">A highlight of this section of trail was stopping to check out the Ermita de
San Bernardino. We followed a short track lined with pines to an old
yellow stucco building set back in a peaceful meadow with picnic tables and a
water fountain tucked into the trees behind it. An old stone cross stood watch
out front. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaabzrxWypJa7LzqfCFo_X3YBXd9nIx7pbuIHKl2r9IETj5m0S_-pFSh3-PQT5GnfFiBiAlhq291ZHvXfP8Kg2vNgmcNNQ5H1R9MHYl8UQl8AqwFnpOEOgohKIk7OEHV2md5dzC-tnEYE6fXQt8RCdG7ky1_ZW2w6LGmgd7rEyWEZKf9hcytLjIv90w/s5721/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(113).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3819" data-original-width="5721" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlaabzrxWypJa7LzqfCFo_X3YBXd9nIx7pbuIHKl2r9IETj5m0S_-pFSh3-PQT5GnfFiBiAlhq291ZHvXfP8Kg2vNgmcNNQ5H1R9MHYl8UQl8AqwFnpOEOgohKIk7OEHV2md5dzC-tnEYE6fXQt8RCdG7ky1_ZW2w6LGmgd7rEyWEZKf9hcytLjIv90w/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(113).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq3BwuMQHZ7xZKgp1ecztwvCtfv-W5OgCCA47yKm75wW0EolYWTSwbmn-pqnPNzIiQtoDfdgVzYgo0bPKGpw9EpHjRgEqm72pf85XEFSf0hm-Y1JI5sfYaOkf-N84lJ2cakG-gJVRCw4dLjF7tEz4Qn74NWHzRqV1aQwMbboVDEI9A2gcjinD_7JAlw/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(114).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifq3BwuMQHZ7xZKgp1ecztwvCtfv-W5OgCCA47yKm75wW0EolYWTSwbmn-pqnPNzIiQtoDfdgVzYgo0bPKGpw9EpHjRgEqm72pf85XEFSf0hm-Y1JI5sfYaOkf-N84lJ2cakG-gJVRCw4dLjF7tEz4Qn74NWHzRqV1aQwMbboVDEI9A2gcjinD_7JAlw/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(114).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>The rail trail continued to the edge of Villalon de Campos, where we again
seemed to skirt around the edge of town instead of taking the direct way in to
the center. When we had finally woven around to the main square we found
it strangely empty, as though it was a holiday. It was. Happily, a
row of bars along one of the streets leading off the square was open, and we
chose one at random. As we were ordering a café con leche (they did not
serve food either today), a kind man approached us and asked in English if we
were staying in the albergue or walking on. We replied that when we
called we had been told by a lady that the albergue was closed, but he said this was not the
case, that it was open and we were welcome to stay. We gratefully
accepted the offer, and after finishing our coffees, we followed the arrows
through town to the albergue. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguh5YQSor-jLBnZYghpI9F7VBXVvfv_64e-HjJjyJ3Q_V8ebvFNRx7Yn0XAWgGY_h5MF3gC_BceX5dqjvwmkYN0gMBWsEhMxw405WGvoh6OmPK3RaarUm5dYxnqfY89Wmq_nziMdoC88JH-DCIGSOo3w0JMWH8fh0m0pt8hUYPq-5y89aZCEMZOIwPvQ/s4032/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(132).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguh5YQSor-jLBnZYghpI9F7VBXVvfv_64e-HjJjyJ3Q_V8ebvFNRx7Yn0XAWgGY_h5MF3gC_BceX5dqjvwmkYN0gMBWsEhMxw405WGvoh6OmPK3RaarUm5dYxnqfY89Wmq_nziMdoC88JH-DCIGSOo3w0JMWH8fh0m0pt8hUYPq-5y89aZCEMZOIwPvQ/w400-h300/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(132).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The albergue turned out to have three live-in hospitaleros, 7 bunk beds, a
bathroom with one toilet and two showers, a kitchen, a washing machine, and a
cozy living space. The hospitaleros were initially very friendly, offering a lot of
advice and help, and the chance to visit a local museum with them later in the
evening. They suggested that if we bought groceries and wine for the night that we could all have a communal dinner. As such, despite being hot and tired we set out to find a grocery store to get supplies for dinner. When we returned to the albergue they again asked if we wanted to go to the museum with them, however we were now both extremely hungry and so declined their offer. </span><span lang="EN-CA"> I think this
disappointed them greatly, which was not our intention. As a result we were told that the albergue was going to be closed while they were away and so had to go out until they returned. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">So we deposited the groceries and wine on the common room table and went out for a cold cerveza and a small slice of tortilla. Later, we also walked around the medium sized town,
which presented an interesting mix of old and modern. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">In the large central square we found the prominently placed Rollo de
Justicia. These tall and ornately carved stone columns are used to denote
the jurisdiction of the community where they are located, whether the town is
subject to royal, council, ecclesiastical, or monastic rule. Towns in
Castille y Leon which had a Mayor and were bestowed with a rollo had the
authority to judge and sentence criminals, including giving the death sentence. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0eolW2fIYDSZsm4gnlshs4Q7Z5VQa1Ssf2TZyNylaCLZJX7FMyJ657XQWzpI3VJlSVN6PwKyJQC23_mDGqe5m7B3awn3Jt7cgLnW4QD7nUyAeK8IBvYfSwjADy5cYOSrX1PPvqHde_fOChsUmrYgmSTZiUCkCHQmL8d6ZQjIhkP-ju7zXyeDVB72-Q/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(115).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT0eolW2fIYDSZsm4gnlshs4Q7Z5VQa1Ssf2TZyNylaCLZJX7FMyJ657XQWzpI3VJlSVN6PwKyJQC23_mDGqe5m7B3awn3Jt7cgLnW4QD7nUyAeK8IBvYfSwjADy5cYOSrX1PPvqHde_fOChsUmrYgmSTZiUCkCHQmL8d6ZQjIhkP-ju7zXyeDVB72-Q/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(115).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIAZGJAusgiVRZ2fELvrYN9WP7U02VenYbcHGgqrAHAGR4M15Bb4SBDKvIrRgkCT71vvz5Ty7v3-BhPgTCYqxyq_UhYDRxgUT5VyfaXy-TL-V8halT5IBfD-IrH7RDz_9JdN_1QO19l-hnKv7AiEnrMAqgiiaMGJoLZBj7oVKj-zp4BS4Zi0GmPc7Ug/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(118).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfIAZGJAusgiVRZ2fELvrYN9WP7U02VenYbcHGgqrAHAGR4M15Bb4SBDKvIrRgkCT71vvz5Ty7v3-BhPgTCYqxyq_UhYDRxgUT5VyfaXy-TL-V8halT5IBfD-IrH7RDz_9JdN_1QO19l-hnKv7AiEnrMAqgiiaMGJoLZBj7oVKj-zp4BS4Zi0GmPc7Ug/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(118).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCvAsMfFP5RfmFQUKyiw_EzY2-UBCT0wfk8wxqZpVqQ2XCuperJdl6YeVUttHGK2rKmgv9G6S3ykRwPv_RZN_9YyeV_Wg53Ety7kQ6cAl97o6ob2JOdjKWxPNvaVHEiMvoz7JbT4au6BGDOR26wa0IkKT1_SgVTrt5BhiEk0oiJ-fhRBEvHOMf1L-mg/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(123).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqCvAsMfFP5RfmFQUKyiw_EzY2-UBCT0wfk8wxqZpVqQ2XCuperJdl6YeVUttHGK2rKmgv9G6S3ykRwPv_RZN_9YyeV_Wg53Ety7kQ6cAl97o6ob2JOdjKWxPNvaVHEiMvoz7JbT4au6BGDOR26wa0IkKT1_SgVTrt5BhiEk0oiJ-fhRBEvHOMf1L-mg/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(123).JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd0CGI9DFY09sgJXywtgSq793gPCfZ8SLJdHjQb9nKMGXrAvk6Z3yp7P3qV3lYooJ5t4pPTvk2P1-SvOUaXJWpPS5SxIfzAjXp1njeIXOjkPRdAcc5V5wYtf5uTvBmNM9oiaqNRMflBqD-HhMki8wkAD7P2qj9ImD6sBwQSMlKsavKDLTeBSP-NRRqQ/s5282/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(130).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5282" data-original-width="3526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfd0CGI9DFY09sgJXywtgSq793gPCfZ8SLJdHjQb9nKMGXrAvk6Z3yp7P3qV3lYooJ5t4pPTvk2P1-SvOUaXJWpPS5SxIfzAjXp1njeIXOjkPRdAcc5V5wYtf5uTvBmNM9oiaqNRMflBqD-HhMki8wkAD7P2qj9ImD6sBwQSMlKsavKDLTeBSP-NRRqQ/s320/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(130).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCsu2RNjNBN6rgSFPC24WzzS788FBF4KTIxRKaz_bA1K0yKSYZ-d_RHcZHMEsfo6e0g7xaxzahtrWwc7tFktVy23M-Z-FxQbmnqJQpeALpfZevxtpeZ4sJV1SiDCQB-DySPkXdpGdE2LCIML6tZmDCBaL8HVmw7ZSnbaOoSoKJu3oGbip0dBhd2QFWg/s5172/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(121).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5172" data-original-width="3452" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinCsu2RNjNBN6rgSFPC24WzzS788FBF4KTIxRKaz_bA1K0yKSYZ-d_RHcZHMEsfo6e0g7xaxzahtrWwc7tFktVy23M-Z-FxQbmnqJQpeALpfZevxtpeZ4sJV1SiDCQB-DySPkXdpGdE2LCIML6tZmDCBaL8HVmw7ZSnbaOoSoKJu3oGbip0dBhd2QFWg/s320/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(121).JPG" width="214" /></a></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The Rollo de Justicia in Villalon de Campos is a tall stone column carved in
the Gothic style during the 16th century. The town council sent a letter
to the Burgos Cathedral Chapter requesting help in constructing the
scroll. They sent Flemmish artists who had worked on the Burgos
Cathedral, as well as the stone which is the same as the material used in that
famous Cathedral. It is a truly impressive monument, which features a lot
of scallop shell decorations. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">On one side of the square where the impressive and ornate column stands is the
Parroquial Iglesia de San Miguel. This Gothic-Mudejar building was built in the
13th and 14th centuries, but was updated in the 16th century. Its light
coloured adobe and brick facade fits well with the rest of the square, and
somehow looks invitingly simple compared to some of the more ornate churches we've
visited. We had hoped to get a stamp from the cathedral and to visit when it
opened for mass, but while the bells tolled and people showed up in the square
for mass at 7:30 pm the doors were never opened. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54fDVUQo02bweDUOM-KMQw9td8DuL5O5e95QehH-fUiVocSO6UAcgvYOP_RTi4BYWM9vYrmTSApogXjCy37w-nAewXwMfX_7lIcmahMRgiqqYwOayyRC5klrT-WSxItZkjO9KziGawdw_EZoaPxJYHQ9-L1rW7asA-GzaMC02rFdN8gSVEgFKO77r0w/s3805/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(124).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2540" data-original-width="3805" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh54fDVUQo02bweDUOM-KMQw9td8DuL5O5e95QehH-fUiVocSO6UAcgvYOP_RTi4BYWM9vYrmTSApogXjCy37w-nAewXwMfX_7lIcmahMRgiqqYwOayyRC5klrT-WSxItZkjO9KziGawdw_EZoaPxJYHQ9-L1rW7asA-GzaMC02rFdN8gSVEgFKO77r0w/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(124).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We wandered the streets at random, remembering the hospitalero's claim that
this was once one of the biggest market towns on the meseta. We passed
another Mudéjar church - the red brick Church of San Pedro, as well as many
interesting adobe buildings, and walked several colonnaded streets, some of
which had strings of peppers drying under the overhangs. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The old buildings were mixed with a modern Cheese Museum (which was closed),
and a Bread Museum (also closed). We also visited several city parks
which hosted a huge variety of different trees. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLD6dB-PXaRMluxhwC3UdojOs6NbihIrTgswHXyTrWTkmj4FxUSpYDmc4u3D4-BCoh9vwFeC97KCBtF6sw_hR9JMGoAklrvVgPsYqEVn6fBuZWkRxnDa81GEMxYOdsT81PFDCkRWBJTfMZ8b4dmOaK69l3hMkd6opBEtJvNkdeXUPMWUraCQgrb9aixA/s2728/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(129).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="2728" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLD6dB-PXaRMluxhwC3UdojOs6NbihIrTgswHXyTrWTkmj4FxUSpYDmc4u3D4-BCoh9vwFeC97KCBtF6sw_hR9JMGoAklrvVgPsYqEVn6fBuZWkRxnDa81GEMxYOdsT81PFDCkRWBJTfMZ8b4dmOaK69l3hMkd6opBEtJvNkdeXUPMWUraCQgrb9aixA/w640-h330/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(129).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We enjoyed our wandering, knowing we were locked out of the albergue until
around 5 pm, when the hospitaleros returned from their visit to the
museum. When they returned and we got back inside it was to find that the groceries had been put away, the kitchen was closed for the night and all the heaters in the
dorm going full blast, which made it uncomfortably hot for us. We were
very glad the dorm wasn't full, as the added body heat would have made it
unbearable. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we sat talking with the hospitaleros in the common space about our pilgrimage plans one of the gentlemen got increasingly agitated with us - an attitude that only shifted when the lady of the house answered the phone to tell the caller (presumably a pilgrim) that the albergue (which was empty except for us) was closed. As a result all three hospitaleros went outside to have a very loud conversation with one another. Clearly this was the lady whom I had talked with yesterday who had also informed me that this albergue was cerrado. Sigh.<br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Tomorrow we plan to walk to Sahagun, a distance of 37 km, which is something
the hospitaleros think is too far. We have walked longer distances than this
previously and think we will be okay, but I suppose tomorrow will
tell. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwJMqe5hRWa_Y1M-GF2gthvp2TU2mRpvXjYHVATsR-9dnOo0AjwtnT7JulZ2lhMORkXWNau12Udj30iuPifroS84-xyaQLGzD5GszPj6QYPAQMHS9n5Ko3gZsmXdd-HAa8k5mWxyGj3M1Cq71_TrumehEooQiED_pvG2UP0x1-NWrd-05qYPPC_kL3Q/s6016/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(131).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwJMqe5hRWa_Y1M-GF2gthvp2TU2mRpvXjYHVATsR-9dnOo0AjwtnT7JulZ2lhMORkXWNau12Udj30iuPifroS84-xyaQLGzD5GszPj6QYPAQMHS9n5Ko3gZsmXdd-HAa8k5mWxyGj3M1Cq71_TrumehEooQiED_pvG2UP0x1-NWrd-05qYPPC_kL3Q/w400-h268/Medina%20to%20Villalon%20de%20Campos%20(131).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">It has been a strange evening. We don't really fit the description of a
typical pilgrim, with our larger packs, Sean's cameras, my habit of writing the
blog each night on the cell phone, and our belief that we can manage slightly
longer stages than those recommended in the guidebooks each day. Sadly, our
inability to do things the usual way seems to frequently disappoint and frustrate people, and
I think this may have been the case with the hospitaleros tonight. They
told us we were "clearly not ready to hear their advice", and perhaps they are
right. We simply aren't doing this conventional way, and while it isn't
always easy, it is what we enjoy. On the other hand, I think we ended up
here tonight for a reason, so now is the time to reflect and learn the lessons presented to us along The Way. <br />
<b><br />
Distance: 30.2 km<br />
Accommodations: Albergue de Peregrinos</b></span></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com047600 Villalón de Campos, Valladolid, Spain42.0988354 -5.034883213.788601563821153 -40.1911332 70.409069236178851 30.1213668tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-8189934680421490832022-04-24T22:03:00.138-04:002023-02-15T14:43:53.749-05:00Logistics on a Developing Camino : Castromonte to Medina de Rioseca<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Today's walk was a very short 14 km.
This was not exactly by choice, but because the alternative was just over 60
km, to Santervès de Campos. That distance seemed like it would be too
much to enjoy, so we decided to stop in Medina de Rioseco tonight, and walk
either 41 or 55 km tomorrow, whichever way it works out. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_8eiY4oNzIdLJkYcmVh5g2VZT3YO7lN_0AiVfe8k4o8S8r9WaiWhN2odLBm7y4B302VN6kT_drV8UgF5-9ljVFWUC5gwGLsaNwub11AieayaH3JBwjmDS-B4itoDkehIaPWPZibv_YLqQlDJXQBNhCePoMpCQ88zo8dlVI3lEQmxC0EqZa9SthUnrQ/s5936/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="5936" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_8eiY4oNzIdLJkYcmVh5g2VZT3YO7lN_0AiVfe8k4o8S8r9WaiWhN2odLBm7y4B302VN6kT_drV8UgF5-9ljVFWUC5gwGLsaNwub11AieayaH3JBwjmDS-B4itoDkehIaPWPZibv_YLqQlDJXQBNhCePoMpCQ88zo8dlVI3lEQmxC0EqZa9SthUnrQ/w640-h198/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We have been experiencing difficulties finding accommodations along the last
stretch of this Camino route. Perhaps it is the combination of Easter, Castille
y Leon Day, and then Orthodox Easter, or perhaps it is our lack of language
skills, but there seems to be a 70 km stretch in which all the Casa Rurals and
Hostals are booked and the Albergue de Peregrinos are temporarily closed.
So far everything has worked out, but we have spent a lot more time than we
usually do on a Camino trying to figure out the logistics. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N6Mr31FP-KWVjVGSwsWNTRSfeb-20mL8w23ioMINkeWjVLgxE0b-SV_GQqdRtnbEn-BBqJXZmkQ2Ll1yp3-YA2h0Y-dlcTuyJAJDAbXrgKx5ZUDKd36BKhia9VTmv_cgUUgS9Je2s7HecxHmvKsfT8v9x4BvhBQkK5GpUV1a7rd6jF3xg_FcxvhJaw/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5N6Mr31FP-KWVjVGSwsWNTRSfeb-20mL8w23ioMINkeWjVLgxE0b-SV_GQqdRtnbEn-BBqJXZmkQ2Ll1yp3-YA2h0Y-dlcTuyJAJDAbXrgKx5ZUDKd36BKhia9VTmv_cgUUgS9Je2s7HecxHmvKsfT8v9x4BvhBQkK5GpUV1a7rd6jF3xg_FcxvhJaw/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">It was a crisp, sunny morning when we left the Albergue in Castromonte this
morning. We made our way through nearly deserted streets to the edge of
town, where we descended to a treed trail running along the river. Green leaves
brought forth by yesterday's rain were covered in a delicate layer of frost,
and dew hung like sparkling crystals from grasses warmed by the rays of sunshine
filtering through the trees. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrrfRe1H_sM9vPqbze35CotvB_bqCGmeZXbCMhipQxCMV7MlaVXx0I9HRQHwIDbGThWA0hgkeOmyzDMUkOln07Sg8_90CukZB4ai93uqQHhVvdweGcDDsGZ2gLMSelsUt9u09B0aFJsbGsANFOwxVYJDItCDMB9qKYEesgEEPD16aa9Nm1C0sGpyBVw/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(8).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinrrfRe1H_sM9vPqbze35CotvB_bqCGmeZXbCMhipQxCMV7MlaVXx0I9HRQHwIDbGThWA0hgkeOmyzDMUkOln07Sg8_90CukZB4ai93uqQHhVvdweGcDDsGZ2gLMSelsUt9u09B0aFJsbGsANFOwxVYJDItCDMB9qKYEesgEEPD16aa9Nm1C0sGpyBVw/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(8).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We made our way along the forested river way amidst a chorus of birds, all
eagerly welcoming the spring and the sunshine. The songs began to change
as we climbed the gravel track up onto the wide, flat, meseta once again.
For most of the next 9 km to Valverde de Campos we wove our way back and forth
through a field of wind turbines. Their rhythmical whooshing and banging
filled the cold morning air, and the long shadows of the turbines strobed
across the dirt trail. We couldn't help but think of Don Quixote and
Sancho Panza and wonder whether we too are tilting at windmills out here. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PCWLLytxdBQECcC36Qofr7Y6QgAhDX-0EZOFbCnM8Vw5dvioWhSu3ViSwMeoFrOGlOw0A2m08q4ttw8pZbneApx9ub5FSCA0G_SmFFJPi_d389cG7G_MWVKB5cON04dyaG5uu8C5zS4Wo0Q9zYH9dtYbWI6_U197mlOsZMs8sHg8TRjm45fkLut4WA/s5602/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(11).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3740" data-original-width="5602" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PCWLLytxdBQECcC36Qofr7Y6QgAhDX-0EZOFbCnM8Vw5dvioWhSu3ViSwMeoFrOGlOw0A2m08q4ttw8pZbneApx9ub5FSCA0G_SmFFJPi_d389cG7G_MWVKB5cON04dyaG5uu8C5zS4Wo0Q9zYH9dtYbWI6_U197mlOsZMs8sHg8TRjm45fkLut4WA/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(11).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXl4ezeV4WTbx_6WwGII6KbLBlcEVNZE6z9R3Ue7KBoePihxeBesVHt2jDpH4It5JQxb_oFxe8bPEbutES2mqy0MyJtmkSE_MMDClZz95KX5vJSZgLuRqye0y_bgvn3t79bnOHB4QC1qYipStIrSiZAohRcKNqVl2H1FxvVjc816O3Qc7fFuVNr-RkQ/s4000/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(13).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXl4ezeV4WTbx_6WwGII6KbLBlcEVNZE6z9R3Ue7KBoePihxeBesVHt2jDpH4It5JQxb_oFxe8bPEbutES2mqy0MyJtmkSE_MMDClZz95KX5vJSZgLuRqye0y_bgvn3t79bnOHB4QC1qYipStIrSiZAohRcKNqVl2H1FxvVjc816O3Qc7fFuVNr-RkQ/w400-h300/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(13).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-kga8ttfN7AlBvlAxscg3F6f5tUtsa1B8W-Tsx0X1SAJTMwKRgOe-UHokwBj7Thyr0qpdaPDDyLKhJi20h4conPFEqnS39A2J89LPknLwf_y98CSzmcBxVr4-vBmInS_IP_QflxkoorLftaH3tQaeGrtteKd4wqi1hxPdK7FMttUObQbgxLDBncJsg/s2924/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(16).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1952" data-original-width="2924" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1-kga8ttfN7AlBvlAxscg3F6f5tUtsa1B8W-Tsx0X1SAJTMwKRgOe-UHokwBj7Thyr0qpdaPDDyLKhJi20h4conPFEqnS39A2J89LPknLwf_y98CSzmcBxVr4-vBmInS_IP_QflxkoorLftaH3tQaeGrtteKd4wqi1hxPdK7FMttUObQbgxLDBncJsg/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(16).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxfoOIMFa-0vMKZyA-g76KULyfQQYuWsRd_8AQY6sm44s4-zNoiMJ5IZqnj_unjRe7fr7q0jrdVGORgWEK2jzyavBap40YYUNLHoZ-F3Vn3dF6bEBIeyujIdqTViGIhAxlMtXGgfr5X5SBnIAvvHXru2FoLuCz39W2K6VT5h3SfggTzWokcvV3pH1KA/s5116/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(17).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3416" data-original-width="5116" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRxfoOIMFa-0vMKZyA-g76KULyfQQYuWsRd_8AQY6sm44s4-zNoiMJ5IZqnj_unjRe7fr7q0jrdVGORgWEK2jzyavBap40YYUNLHoZ-F3Vn3dF6bEBIeyujIdqTViGIhAxlMtXGgfr5X5SBnIAvvHXru2FoLuCz39W2K6VT5h3SfggTzWokcvV3pH1KA/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(17).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKFKR-lubcTfJSB0fEjBoTk2fvwY9MejVeWVG9PBPjQjETUuutuOufhkqsvHtizKfzwJvlqRzbb1p2xQ2lmNAn1P9CY924mhufZVrjMBRcK1O52bp0j1NhLpMpJ6xsc1zOE_0eB5-NR0cicp923A6aMZ7yO-hj6bRzj_jt8YiNgDwSvDDw9rIM7Xq7A/s2732/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(19).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1824" data-original-width="2732" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaKFKR-lubcTfJSB0fEjBoTk2fvwY9MejVeWVG9PBPjQjETUuutuOufhkqsvHtizKfzwJvlqRzbb1p2xQ2lmNAn1P9CY924mhufZVrjMBRcK1O52bp0j1NhLpMpJ6xsc1zOE_0eB5-NR0cicp923A6aMZ7yO-hj6bRzj_jt8YiNgDwSvDDw9rIM7Xq7A/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(19).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK8y6f7Mu8wrWbQMaeSrOkGJsXwqkVluUhNFubMJ21OKhel_LFQg2dfFRH8BSNqRCs1zH8vzFwGoHFRwLymx8YvQ4MKN_NaEINTdgM2LN9sO3rTLUX0_keBfwiuXxIKwaUOYdeOyRHs1QGv9_q3ibp3mIFehGZl967GM0-HZNUB0ArGXAQxfeFtKAfA/s5180/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(21).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3458" data-original-width="5180" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyK8y6f7Mu8wrWbQMaeSrOkGJsXwqkVluUhNFubMJ21OKhel_LFQg2dfFRH8BSNqRCs1zH8vzFwGoHFRwLymx8YvQ4MKN_NaEINTdgM2LN9sO3rTLUX0_keBfwiuXxIKwaUOYdeOyRHs1QGv9_q3ibp3mIFehGZl967GM0-HZNUB0ArGXAQxfeFtKAfA/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(21).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We walked through fields of bright yellow and green, the morning sun frequently
shining directly in our faces as we zigzagged back and forth. Around 9:30
am we crested the rise of a small hill and saw the red roofs and tall steeple
of the church in the small village of Valverde de Campo nestled down below
us. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoC-5QgIgFWPVkZepp3sxBWQ8LANY257PO-41wbx-qRxeIrT8Gmom2kc6s5Q4Vc48eIIxxH_178TWpBIrU8TD_3R6zditfqU3yk8Ssz6qlq7PD1Bx9ttdLhoJvBAtZC6RIFOv_SVo8vY-nBOpQlLvpv7fvsq6vMd7NH14hUDXs6CHCwle8dz-NSUVUyg/s5607/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(22).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3743" data-original-width="5607" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoC-5QgIgFWPVkZepp3sxBWQ8LANY257PO-41wbx-qRxeIrT8Gmom2kc6s5Q4Vc48eIIxxH_178TWpBIrU8TD_3R6zditfqU3yk8Ssz6qlq7PD1Bx9ttdLhoJvBAtZC6RIFOv_SVo8vY-nBOpQlLvpv7fvsq6vMd7NH14hUDXs6CHCwle8dz-NSUVUyg/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(22).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8XRWnZ_lSKeA3Eh__RAXDPVeBuBZS1lY6XLEfG5tDeETYYxUj4NWJwZqV5BZJrs5HHQ4GNpisKCJf2N19UaouqXFY25AlAfAvC8DzVHvQS-B8TflHvnZB0RzJSNPtcZ4EQtAfj0-tVSuvU9qStQCqF1ZMO7VzmY0LE-XYye1xYN_tBOccDI_vJwvMg/s3091/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(24).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2064" data-original-width="3091" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8XRWnZ_lSKeA3Eh__RAXDPVeBuBZS1lY6XLEfG5tDeETYYxUj4NWJwZqV5BZJrs5HHQ4GNpisKCJf2N19UaouqXFY25AlAfAvC8DzVHvQS-B8TflHvnZB0RzJSNPtcZ4EQtAfj0-tVSuvU9qStQCqF1ZMO7VzmY0LE-XYye1xYN_tBOccDI_vJwvMg/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(24).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaTgvKi8GFiJOQ984uGcVubxuXOfHyarPEuIKBcGaWekhYrOEQcI6w9rNTj_5aIPWRQmQ9TW8spPKE76KVqfU5rM5DRtppr0NBkTWes7ghSEHy8WamFtVRbbB7oQz0Y4Dh0ZiFq6bL_XZ68Ln6Kj9pz90Gnhmh57ecWNHzwdX6PmgyUJHP0NqSxiQew/s1412/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(25).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="943" data-original-width="1412" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaTgvKi8GFiJOQ984uGcVubxuXOfHyarPEuIKBcGaWekhYrOEQcI6w9rNTj_5aIPWRQmQ9TW8spPKE76KVqfU5rM5DRtppr0NBkTWes7ghSEHy8WamFtVRbbB7oQz0Y4Dh0ZiFq6bL_XZ68Ln6Kj9pz90Gnhmh57ecWNHzwdX6PmgyUJHP0NqSxiQew/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(25).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When we arrived at the Iglesia Parroquial de Santa Maria its soft yellow stone
was lit by the morning sun, and it seemed to be alive with birds. The
soft hoo-HOO-hoo of doves could be heard from the tower, and the chirping of a
large flock of House Sparrows was so loud it drowned out almost everything
else. We could see loads of them foraging in and around the terra cotta
roof tiles, while others busily collected nesting material in nearby trees and
shrubs and brought it back to nooks and crannies in the old structure. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL5W5FD1xER6f7QVr17mcaQ7BHG57y9x8aaSqJLj6xdcgWN1jmcMWvij0HIi2sPW0rymzw1Djq5mKgPIqyXtuTsfvGqy2v4BOQKNPXTEirn_cknuy2VWfzhej-ncQ2vxXuaWhraFDrwR43uIo0E9_IP5IBa6AYtYmiNnkCyTW5fh3oUG0cMUvg68XHg/s2500/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(27).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1669" data-original-width="2500" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBL5W5FD1xER6f7QVr17mcaQ7BHG57y9x8aaSqJLj6xdcgWN1jmcMWvij0HIi2sPW0rymzw1Djq5mKgPIqyXtuTsfvGqy2v4BOQKNPXTEirn_cknuy2VWfzhej-ncQ2vxXuaWhraFDrwR43uIo0E9_IP5IBa6AYtYmiNnkCyTW5fh3oUG0cMUvg68XHg/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(27).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8DKYCUfBkP8mmmlaWQ-LX7kXhPgwQIDNRtJvfG-kpSOSWG7D3iQpwnV7Prr46oZb4aERI462cxJe6FYZSEi-SCaRUsCaadHX4IaEWT7S9HwohvnKVk7SUsTrkPCktXQmgugpiVl7zAbtx7d6Pmzooq6lSvmpHFHMfF9DkCvy57e1K5Jr_zv6utWBEA/s3069/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2049" data-original-width="3069" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd8DKYCUfBkP8mmmlaWQ-LX7kXhPgwQIDNRtJvfG-kpSOSWG7D3iQpwnV7Prr46oZb4aERI462cxJe6FYZSEi-SCaRUsCaadHX4IaEWT7S9HwohvnKVk7SUsTrkPCktXQmgugpiVl7zAbtx7d6Pmzooq6lSvmpHFHMfF9DkCvy57e1K5Jr_zv6utWBEA/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4w0TIkFVXepu270Y2epWYQwop37N15hG3A6XNLX6erAdbvXxSV4Z0Lk_Tw9o0J7GMyyk5o21XLEyzq1Ii8ksDo_1epeU5AtHmiK_EeyhZtVtuGYUeePmX-zZXTysUToS7Ie78ORcwSmX46iUEhh4-nW7upfLSQAtomER3QsU71zvIfhqQj35v8MlU7w/s4032/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(30).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4w0TIkFVXepu270Y2epWYQwop37N15hG3A6XNLX6erAdbvXxSV4Z0Lk_Tw9o0J7GMyyk5o21XLEyzq1Ii8ksDo_1epeU5AtHmiK_EeyhZtVtuGYUeePmX-zZXTysUToS7Ie78ORcwSmX46iUEhh4-nW7upfLSQAtomER3QsU71zvIfhqQj35v8MlU7w/w400-h300/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(30).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJv_iBLgzbmYRt0XmXDNvKC0QpI5yjOoBVYQF6l5VY1cZ4vSTTWaIkNmhjVqsWYoyyKC7dkqg_1_DVeSBS_NUqBR6TpJV5JJ33wunBZj0NwnPTwISVGXynzekXF_P8U2nJl1AIKbWr18QjOcaPjBLRhF5JXTWvPvEnh8mvskhYNkxvX7Uz77FN-hUwQ/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJv_iBLgzbmYRt0XmXDNvKC0QpI5yjOoBVYQF6l5VY1cZ4vSTTWaIkNmhjVqsWYoyyKC7dkqg_1_DVeSBS_NUqBR6TpJV5JJ33wunBZj0NwnPTwISVGXynzekXF_P8U2nJl1AIKbWr18QjOcaPjBLRhF5JXTWvPvEnh8mvskhYNkxvX7Uz77FN-hUwQ/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqp3ymImrCx1N2zJKPuCa3ojVLYMjFpWrx7q5hPLV1MTzC704G91f5R5MJqXS9sIgEoYLNaX_ey36-9yvsYqQ2FslFn9vNlsMRBFDZ3EUTiZwAe-mjhYxJZ8rAoWmVxV1voXY98YYq-vSL29G88rayZ0sJPFCSBm6-9g9CCuV5n_QOVzLtsyu9DyFexg/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(33).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqp3ymImrCx1N2zJKPuCa3ojVLYMjFpWrx7q5hPLV1MTzC704G91f5R5MJqXS9sIgEoYLNaX_ey36-9yvsYqQ2FslFn9vNlsMRBFDZ3EUTiZwAe-mjhYxJZ8rAoWmVxV1voXY98YYq-vSL29G88rayZ0sJPFCSBm6-9g9CCuV5n_QOVzLtsyu9DyFexg/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(33).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When we made our way to the central square of the tiny village we were very
pleasantly surprised to find an open bar! Since we hadn't had any
breakfast yet, we stepped inside for café con leches and tiny pieces of
cake. The lady who owned the bar was extremely nice, and offered to
stamp our credentials. It was a lovely break, and as we sat there many of
the locals came in for a drink, a chat, and one or more special loaves of
Easter bread. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiFNP-6hhpYrGbjEADNXBjdQOVKQoGGTBF6jGwde_WmMvCvrvuhYtEiNnBPKsuptJaEG0scD9eB6CEV15KGBl_JmBBRiTpRk-QJw3jaMcBV0IxVRVP8FKOQK590wVTBQx5nx9OQpdl3sILcY96_bh6avM1Bh4LkG1xgxOHQ9iL9pUOHXzVG0VIbK5Jw/s5177/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="5177" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiFNP-6hhpYrGbjEADNXBjdQOVKQoGGTBF6jGwde_WmMvCvrvuhYtEiNnBPKsuptJaEG0scD9eB6CEV15KGBl_JmBBRiTpRk-QJw3jaMcBV0IxVRVP8FKOQK590wVTBQx5nx9OQpdl3sILcY96_bh6avM1Bh4LkG1xgxOHQ9iL9pUOHXzVG0VIbK5Jw/w640-h188/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeQnNBwM03177IADYCM_GEaYAcrjff6k5yQD32DJ1HEhzAenerX1JsMQUmAK_k1l_U2pycgB1JlhFbjDMKUzL0Rsna4uT_plSPD7mvltp4NGefbJxFi5ULxOSY-Eppe-6tz1jk1HW-g87TiLdG7lFze-RFhoqUWKZ3tURUMMMJWcr1P_K9sK4_a8ZPQ/s3945/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(36).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3945" data-original-width="2633" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqeQnNBwM03177IADYCM_GEaYAcrjff6k5yQD32DJ1HEhzAenerX1JsMQUmAK_k1l_U2pycgB1JlhFbjDMKUzL0Rsna4uT_plSPD7mvltp4NGefbJxFi5ULxOSY-Eppe-6tz1jk1HW-g87TiLdG7lFze-RFhoqUWKZ3tURUMMMJWcr1P_K9sK4_a8ZPQ/s320/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(36).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRcwGBwnnHwd6JpP6nQdAYux8mfu7BEBQhNUhvFAYFGeUOTElGxvQGrbbMu33Qw6OgcK80lox8XlApzIAKUjppkZTUlZXia4wOHivaf2DSbdkngOEUhbmevrdBZBzmTEQ5o409r50gL3rlV6aTGfne6uxd7ogggzcEq2mlKH29yiei75L2sIuGIrcgA/s3813/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(37).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3813" data-original-width="2545" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiRcwGBwnnHwd6JpP6nQdAYux8mfu7BEBQhNUhvFAYFGeUOTElGxvQGrbbMu33Qw6OgcK80lox8XlApzIAKUjppkZTUlZXia4wOHivaf2DSbdkngOEUhbmevrdBZBzmTEQ5o409r50gL3rlV6aTGfne6uxd7ogggzcEq2mlKH29yiei75L2sIuGIrcgA/s320/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(37).JPG" width="214" /></a></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we left the café one of the locals pointed down the street quite
insistently, kindly letting us know that the Ermita del Cristo was now open,
and we could look inside. The tiny white hermitage had no windows, but
the simple interior of the sturdy stone building was quite beautiful. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88K_gjDyV2HId50P1HVpcYxQcpNq2M_haMsM9YBnAEdrqg-nqfnX0HkfzCXRLzlbcHxOnvupgRXMKJtjIErg-d7oQdpGOmNpGppe4VAD85vv3PlxFhwJ2eTBllepTCAVe3jtasTElaD8yY4y5wx8MqvgftnbpKJP-jgiDtzBt7FpGucMc9Jfz1Mta0w/s5863/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(39).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3915" data-original-width="5863" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh88K_gjDyV2HId50P1HVpcYxQcpNq2M_haMsM9YBnAEdrqg-nqfnX0HkfzCXRLzlbcHxOnvupgRXMKJtjIErg-d7oQdpGOmNpGppe4VAD85vv3PlxFhwJ2eTBllepTCAVe3jtasTElaD8yY4y5wx8MqvgftnbpKJP-jgiDtzBt7FpGucMc9Jfz1Mta0w/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(39).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOddSuo44Tb74u-KrmSrcnD1zaR9d5AQYKTtW0dwAHB2VSP09twyAGCvkc-0R9oako0-NL4UUQjjIAu7A80CU_KkLtAB0cv3yBBpGzqqqnnwi1Ibc0bulNWBF661S1IM5dOVPZDpyWBW8N8dLT0Ytg8PtN2ePjNIR_5Z314q1EJ7tP8GLPXKf6DKXlw/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(42).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHOddSuo44Tb74u-KrmSrcnD1zaR9d5AQYKTtW0dwAHB2VSP09twyAGCvkc-0R9oako0-NL4UUQjjIAu7A80CU_KkLtAB0cv3yBBpGzqqqnnwi1Ibc0bulNWBF661S1IM5dOVPZDpyWBW8N8dLT0Ytg8PtN2ePjNIR_5Z314q1EJ7tP8GLPXKf6DKXlw/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(42).JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After leaving Valverde de Campos we found ourselves walking beside the paved
highway on a dirt track. The recent rain had rendered it extremely muddy
and sticky, and the grass was still wet, so our feet were soon soaked and our
pants covered in sticky mud. Conditions had not been improved by the fact
that the trail was clearly used by ATVs, which also drove up and down the
surrounding hills and pine covered dunes. It seems the tension between
hikers and motorized vehicles exists all over the world. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RuIqs1ETc8ka8l4wl9Zud-veeNGysLoQpZNDedSqg9tldeXeFmwoAFKXtnlIyW1a8-b4GXx_mURaAxhCYYI6lOVfykdrqYU9qtJjOiADHxHABkG_hzIZjAJWnrNu2Y_zjJeOZFLoYR1p6PWKcmyxPe9_QQ768aOUtSDSdg_G6Uu6ewpa5XgOEsHqLQ/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(41).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RuIqs1ETc8ka8l4wl9Zud-veeNGysLoQpZNDedSqg9tldeXeFmwoAFKXtnlIyW1a8-b4GXx_mURaAxhCYYI6lOVfykdrqYU9qtJjOiADHxHABkG_hzIZjAJWnrNu2Y_zjJeOZFLoYR1p6PWKcmyxPe9_QQ768aOUtSDSdg_G6Uu6ewpa5XgOEsHqLQ/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(41).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD33ysiqhtpwEBpZWTV2s_uuv1vgrjhFDneIrgDyzxAjKAFHhHob2T8tEf7pnbRxJ5kAnVAJyd53DsWED7c1IKJWQxn1ykrViwTEAnnadMUS_UhK5OGCQ51HQVDaNiu2an5UmYV3CaHyhTG2Uxqj0lQBp-XcdTZChy03Oz4104T6ws3ij6NzCJTfOpxg/s3563/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(44).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2379" data-original-width="3563" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD33ysiqhtpwEBpZWTV2s_uuv1vgrjhFDneIrgDyzxAjKAFHhHob2T8tEf7pnbRxJ5kAnVAJyd53DsWED7c1IKJWQxn1ykrViwTEAnnadMUS_UhK5OGCQ51HQVDaNiu2an5UmYV3CaHyhTG2Uxqj0lQBp-XcdTZChy03Oz4104T6ws3ij6NzCJTfOpxg/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(44).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Although it was a bit of a muddy slog, the rolling green hills and fields of
the surrounding countryside were beautiful, the weather was perfect for hiking,
and the sky above us was filled with hawks and kites soaring above the
ridges. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Around 11 am we began to see the spires of the three churches in Medina de
Rioseco rising up over the fields ahead of us. It was a pleasant walk past
crumbling old stone walls with flowering fruit trees beyond them, abandoned
buildings, and tall concrete walls surrounding small farms. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rhWh5rP02rZ9I_nGJUo7ROAGLt-VWmG_1tbl0o43Jhl7Q55BA-DuZokHtYDJfIcGs8-kg2w3sW0bK51_JMyR9Bu1JU_HZ0oWPDbagcX8hNKNi1AGtV9ggBaIEjuhUi7w0uch7h5maGl9A8Mf3bWrxA534EyGC9c6xalQRwmcBV0GPqyENct6CUgaKg/s4032/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(47).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1rhWh5rP02rZ9I_nGJUo7ROAGLt-VWmG_1tbl0o43Jhl7Q55BA-DuZokHtYDJfIcGs8-kg2w3sW0bK51_JMyR9Bu1JU_HZ0oWPDbagcX8hNKNi1AGtV9ggBaIEjuhUi7w0uch7h5maGl9A8Mf3bWrxA534EyGC9c6xalQRwmcBV0GPqyENct6CUgaKg/w300-h400/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(47).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUhTxb6vkqooB0DGvi5yqMIF9Y1J1BbE6GPJaARjDVAIE1Gzren_hnAeD0eYlfxQcs0SpgMMpvRVHWC7_mLrELFYSYzDkEI_aJFA8oRzYemDz1KYMy3p4DlAUR1wDcCT8qjbSIDjixjgB9992gSiDwE01XXJMQjVVzTCbkm3SnLITkclExO-3g8APLg/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(48).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfUhTxb6vkqooB0DGvi5yqMIF9Y1J1BbE6GPJaARjDVAIE1Gzren_hnAeD0eYlfxQcs0SpgMMpvRVHWC7_mLrELFYSYzDkEI_aJFA8oRzYemDz1KYMy3p4DlAUR1wDcCT8qjbSIDjixjgB9992gSiDwE01XXJMQjVVzTCbkm3SnLITkclExO-3g8APLg/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(48).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphXJuBCEHxdsrkShPcAYXV5b4XfLg4vZykwtCS2N22NolJFxxZQil1_wC9SgCaWuIZGjOQOW39Xgegtf2-59IqyWQ4kL6zthHC3fD-lJ_rVPr2D5fZC_hGeB8d5Re-yL_gZAOly7tmfv1WVK1UPsk69C3B2lBqvI28uUbG8A9g0Mg243CqmQo1DKZnQ/s4032/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(50).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphXJuBCEHxdsrkShPcAYXV5b4XfLg4vZykwtCS2N22NolJFxxZQil1_wC9SgCaWuIZGjOQOW39Xgegtf2-59IqyWQ4kL6zthHC3fD-lJ_rVPr2D5fZC_hGeB8d5Re-yL_gZAOly7tmfv1WVK1UPsk69C3B2lBqvI28uUbG8A9g0Mg243CqmQo1DKZnQ/w400-h300/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(50).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_9km4mzO4lk1jEhLjQjXUhLNcoKO-l5xnWi9p7dz-82gzVykWOBSDMJorwua8ekN5uHsOPV59RzOqNUyi9EGZMl8JjltefIeLCluQrhxJmVyjzL3afwI97wat_5_i8JDbiRedKwTegJ8V0tEsmTP-k2aGimmxPGA7fqiLarFkMo3at6kK5o4e1OzzQ/s2074/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(52).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1556" data-original-width="2074" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_9km4mzO4lk1jEhLjQjXUhLNcoKO-l5xnWi9p7dz-82gzVykWOBSDMJorwua8ekN5uHsOPV59RzOqNUyi9EGZMl8JjltefIeLCluQrhxJmVyjzL3afwI97wat_5_i8JDbiRedKwTegJ8V0tEsmTP-k2aGimmxPGA7fqiLarFkMo3at6kK5o4e1OzzQ/w400-h300/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(52).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We stopped at the edge of town at the first bar we came to and sat outside with
café con leches, taking a few minutes to figure out whether we should walk on
or stay in Medina de Rioseco. We wanted to walk on, but when we called
ahead to the albergues in the next three stages yesterday there was either no
answer or the phone numbers in our guides and apps were out of service.
We tried calling them all again, and confirmed that the next two albergues were
closed. Next we tried calling the hostals in the next few towns, but all
were full, for unknown reasons - perhaps Semana Santa?. Our choice was to
stay here for the night, or to walk on 55 km more to the next albergue.
We had already walked 14 km, and know from past experience that 69 km is more
than we can happily manage in a single day. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVhj0KfRlJ4NiD6FzsZFMUUaYoSFOWin6T39RV5fN4vsbhx8htry9dMmmf4RHfKFJlp0x5Hg7JDiXn-6L39dmuaMnNWMkOjrna07Czqw-rRzM0HPhXCCg0ocA3vxHdzr8oCyhtYxgGREDT2xKrYeBPL2d3FGYFTD7ijUqU04JlhB79gx2oJEVnVIOGg/s4032/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(51).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVhj0KfRlJ4NiD6FzsZFMUUaYoSFOWin6T39RV5fN4vsbhx8htry9dMmmf4RHfKFJlp0x5Hg7JDiXn-6L39dmuaMnNWMkOjrna07Czqw-rRzM0HPhXCCg0ocA3vxHdzr8oCyhtYxgGREDT2xKrYeBPL2d3FGYFTD7ijUqU04JlhB79gx2oJEVnVIOGg/w400-h300/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(51).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5GxwWSlDRL_oar4N7jgw8vzTdaTSBK_QKYrlBY6_QjKqgUaAUoqUpAdyAG3tAUQ53O1kwlkyWLzILM3qJkL-DwyzCXboSCnjyaJvQ_DnHphKV7FbXm43qO3KE25Uc2LNjHA5ywWP1gJrlCbNZLAyeQc4uK2_3DW7ZkJxjook5vgsNmJ0vwIrEfubzQ/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(52).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA5GxwWSlDRL_oar4N7jgw8vzTdaTSBK_QKYrlBY6_QjKqgUaAUoqUpAdyAG3tAUQ53O1kwlkyWLzILM3qJkL-DwyzCXboSCnjyaJvQ_DnHphKV7FbXm43qO3KE25Uc2LNjHA5ywWP1gJrlCbNZLAyeQc4uK2_3DW7ZkJxjook5vgsNmJ0vwIrEfubzQ/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(52).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZOy4FpamNE6pwxkDsQwM1e0hlvPjrUGoXv74LuQeHrumunqkn4FId6s3vTp9p95dn-foOuwaBMaewOWmv69gcZL-AYsdHSzvdFZnhIAXbRbqxEPGHpr3vBpyOMVh44aycziVpT9H86zsG7niOayBSBLuFphtc05LybjcNGFSx5YroiosBBztKiJ65w/s2973/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(56).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CYorqHflJikhY277Ij17RWpbSP1Wjx7UjkhFh07Byns5KiMtlRQjMD0z923yHSpaiZ1ZXQ2FbbWOQaGd82_GRpLAnAINeAscxr2UKPRC16T2V_q-6BGK69NDKroM2LGouvhQAmuXu6MjAi1mcIDdK-DmNHT0q7IV0Tuhw3-Eq0w1L3t1Ah0FpfiJ7A/s3250/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(67).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2169" data-original-width="3250" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CYorqHflJikhY277Ij17RWpbSP1Wjx7UjkhFh07Byns5KiMtlRQjMD0z923yHSpaiZ1ZXQ2FbbWOQaGd82_GRpLAnAINeAscxr2UKPRC16T2V_q-6BGK69NDKroM2LGouvhQAmuXu6MjAi1mcIDdK-DmNHT0q7IV0Tuhw3-Eq0w1L3t1Ah0FpfiJ7A/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(67).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We made our way up through the old town, whose main street had colonnaded
sidewalks supported by thick wooden beams and columns of various designs.
There were crowds of people on the cobblestone streets, and we soon discovered
that this was because there was an Easter procession in progress, in which the
stations of the cross were being carried back through the streets to the Museo
de Semana Santa. We joined the crowds in watching the festivities before
dropping off our backpacks at our hotel and doing some more exploring. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjX4w8AtIn3rBCswgDvkp5T4g8noABS1deSyIbRCSeiMTZq2-71jOgxYpbWfJNNwd3lDU89XWbijT-mx7ISE3GmlImVl7SvEHxZy9ML_xy4uAydw5UUc4VSGAL0G_-XGL8b6e_ySuq2NQgOdxP5sTrspUi0QcSHZe1E4FVB2egMmwr-_ZDS2PLrC0Rsg/s1541/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(69).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1541" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjX4w8AtIn3rBCswgDvkp5T4g8noABS1deSyIbRCSeiMTZq2-71jOgxYpbWfJNNwd3lDU89XWbijT-mx7ISE3GmlImVl7SvEHxZy9ML_xy4uAydw5UUc4VSGAL0G_-XGL8b6e_ySuq2NQgOdxP5sTrspUi0QcSHZe1E4FVB2egMmwr-_ZDS2PLrC0Rsg/w400-h266/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(69).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The Museo de Semana Santa is housed in the Church of Santa Cruz, which is a
large, light brown stone structure built in the Classicist style from
Vallodolid that is typical of the 16th century. The majestic facade is done in
the Herreriano style, and it dates back to the 18th century. Today it is
used to house the processional floats used in the Holy Week parades, and it is
open to visitors. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwAAeXg6pcMJqjo2UJ0IShLNcQjODQT1txMVkm5vi1K0BoJx0twS8htE71N000j64ofp9vUpe3kPWzrPHuYyL3XB1H0X-LZTFQu6wQRRP_MVjY61d8FG5Mx_2J7bzs4xsGq9sQnJTZjZYDBdPiWaMKqfjufr-XxPXokFe5hVz-g0yAYzPJt-kE8CrVw/s3612/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(73).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2412" data-original-width="3612" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwAAeXg6pcMJqjo2UJ0IShLNcQjODQT1txMVkm5vi1K0BoJx0twS8htE71N000j64ofp9vUpe3kPWzrPHuYyL3XB1H0X-LZTFQu6wQRRP_MVjY61d8FG5Mx_2J7bzs4xsGq9sQnJTZjZYDBdPiWaMKqfjufr-XxPXokFe5hVz-g0yAYzPJt-kE8CrVw/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(73).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiphlcGiK_O-d83MoiasguBNDL-RgxRquGZ6OQnqDYcL7pYrXx_UXujpqdbfhmV1JAQcROYcJxAHCmlFFIldgV5oMtEdCPRBo32U6BdYPDzQadTGuR5zPJDe3ufTAhb_ncOwRZE_g2zONESQm9bE4Q1OEfZsrpSKHln-XKdpTLqTUpJHTSmAUdhpoQQ/s2151/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(74).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2151" data-original-width="1436" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiphlcGiK_O-d83MoiasguBNDL-RgxRquGZ6OQnqDYcL7pYrXx_UXujpqdbfhmV1JAQcROYcJxAHCmlFFIldgV5oMtEdCPRBo32U6BdYPDzQadTGuR5zPJDe3ufTAhb_ncOwRZE_g2zONESQm9bE4Q1OEfZsrpSKHln-XKdpTLqTUpJHTSmAUdhpoQQ/w268-h400/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(74).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We watched the procession, which was done with much ceremony. The large
floats were carried by 4-8 men, who carried the heavy floats on their
shoulders, and used special y-shaped sticks to rest them on the ground when
they stopped. Young boys used drums to coordinate the starts, stops, and
marching of the procession, and the men slammed the sticks rhythmically into
the ground with each step when they walked. It was all very impressive. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLohhM31RnlLKQVBNhmvHmPoQ50Nb1EH7uMcmBvgFQBjj6VjExeobVxFDTWGhZ9TSpWA5bwBJjREs1bxBROzwDZvDGajJdWFnQ76gXNsMmOYY6PGUdFFoq6Dgvb4elM2yLyALhj3ZgRE1cLjQiivmBnLASeFeYib_Vg16t4FBGyKNJoDEBCecAMcf4Q/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(76).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLohhM31RnlLKQVBNhmvHmPoQ50Nb1EH7uMcmBvgFQBjj6VjExeobVxFDTWGhZ9TSpWA5bwBJjREs1bxBROzwDZvDGajJdWFnQ76gXNsMmOYY6PGUdFFoq6Dgvb4elM2yLyALhj3ZgRE1cLjQiivmBnLASeFeYib_Vg16t4FBGyKNJoDEBCecAMcf4Q/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(76).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicN4Mqzx3705egh1gybFsFk2kNLibyp3nnaZxmkU74qSPWGOLTWBKL0sIqMW5h_Pz-m4wnQGnFj63K61onK66JHHfKQqyoR8C7pZLgJFxlar7e_aF-2szPdPM3-8g-YcRFl-OuS6OTERQCGqaCBKLstY0ui-97gKc-7OUbCMyJxgt4HkstIIy5h7IrVw/s4481/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(83).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4481" data-original-width="2992" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicN4Mqzx3705egh1gybFsFk2kNLibyp3nnaZxmkU74qSPWGOLTWBKL0sIqMW5h_Pz-m4wnQGnFj63K61onK66JHHfKQqyoR8C7pZLgJFxlar7e_aF-2szPdPM3-8g-YcRFl-OuS6OTERQCGqaCBKLstY0ui-97gKc-7OUbCMyJxgt4HkstIIy5h7IrVw/w268-h400/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(83).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When the last of the floats had been returned to the museum, it seemed that the
whole town was out on the main street, the adults enjoying a drink in the bars,
and the children visiting the candy store for Easter sweets. All the
bakeries were open as well, offering a selection of special pastries. We
stopped in to sample a few, which lived up to the town's reputation for
creating excellent sweet breads and pastries. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After buying a few ingredients from a tiny grocer for a simple dinner in our
room, we went back out to explore a little farther. It felt as though the
entire town had gathered for the procession, and the crowds from each bar,
cafe, and restaurante were now spilling out onto the main street in a noisy,
joyous, crowd. We made our way to a tiny wine bar, purchased two glasses
vino rosado and spent a happy hour or so watching the elegantly dressed and
dramatic crowds celebrating. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkMsLY36q9I5FVk4wSQ4l9wt106H6qEhyuAeJVePDUsAD6uSS5x6umGFspgqCQuTWFxrU9rELPQkm96JyoVgxqEBX0QUk8LwPIP2zoZnemlpX7SbSDyAg7mheM85q5sDZ-nGUzFhH-LwV3ShDwQ90Llz_qtg4tJ3PrXUDQSMNCqijUiFc4ISf8GwMsg/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(105).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTkMsLY36q9I5FVk4wSQ4l9wt106H6qEhyuAeJVePDUsAD6uSS5x6umGFspgqCQuTWFxrU9rELPQkm96JyoVgxqEBX0QUk8LwPIP2zoZnemlpX7SbSDyAg7mheM85q5sDZ-nGUzFhH-LwV3ShDwQ90Llz_qtg4tJ3PrXUDQSMNCqijUiFc4ISf8GwMsg/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(105).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWYrSVdDFvwkcj3gO950F73w--8eEY3RxAwYLY02nOw2dC-bqH5iol_rK-fFqxUmcPxkbPD0ujOSxfaG8zr3HZtm0_yM8CNtEwt51g7YN7543I0MEXBibFpC6W5mdBoXXTF4sedRo-9YYXYgD5PzZmppxtFOANS5e8-846X-8inxe08fpP13spx6haQ/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(70).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWYrSVdDFvwkcj3gO950F73w--8eEY3RxAwYLY02nOw2dC-bqH5iol_rK-fFqxUmcPxkbPD0ujOSxfaG8zr3HZtm0_yM8CNtEwt51g7YN7543I0MEXBibFpC6W5mdBoXXTF4sedRo-9YYXYgD5PzZmppxtFOANS5e8-846X-8inxe08fpP13spx6haQ/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(70).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMaQnzVuBoKFvi3r0CjXhiVxH97nzuBmjhLEGwBdeQbYrIcNl28JTf5fPnrGKAU7l8YZkai8IR-zHXWbUdDblZ_UQn8yEC7Bk1fggHfO-6XIoDt2Eq7ZV7iiuP48rcSrLLDt44nLz86b301EtK9qPjil_aYBXeXmE8JfU2mavMYofbv3k0zJjdirh8g/s3866/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(101).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3866" data-original-width="2581" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPMaQnzVuBoKFvi3r0CjXhiVxH97nzuBmjhLEGwBdeQbYrIcNl28JTf5fPnrGKAU7l8YZkai8IR-zHXWbUdDblZ_UQn8yEC7Bk1fggHfO-6XIoDt2Eq7ZV7iiuP48rcSrLLDt44nLz86b301EtK9qPjil_aYBXeXmE8JfU2mavMYofbv3k0zJjdirh8g/s320/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(101).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqZ5WKqjvMHiZubLPu80fU4Yb3d4HUbnY0P4meSOfL-GM-x-7i5Hg2gOSmvWedcpkobVHrY9imJthDAJavrBj4M0I6j9QSxwHeE-Vc5tgokgqi3v0xcQ0c-s-0VktspZ51Ky25Bl0q0sZKb54LFG-1NJ31KHpknWx9viSd6qwV3bq7uIjXv0LvwbdSA/s3855/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(79).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3855" data-original-width="2574" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmqZ5WKqjvMHiZubLPu80fU4Yb3d4HUbnY0P4meSOfL-GM-x-7i5Hg2gOSmvWedcpkobVHrY9imJthDAJavrBj4M0I6j9QSxwHeE-Vc5tgokgqi3v0xcQ0c-s-0VktspZ51Ky25Bl0q0sZKb54LFG-1NJ31KHpknWx9viSd6qwV3bq7uIjXv0LvwbdSA/s320/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(79).JPG" width="214" /></a></div></div><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div>Medina de Rioseco is the main town of the Tierra de Campos (land of Gothic
Fields), and historically its economy was based on sheep and cereals, which are
still important today. Surprisingly, this land-locked town with a
population of around 5,000 people is also known as the Ciudad de los Admirales,
or City of Admirals. For reasons that remain a mystery to me, Alonso
Enriquéz made the city the headquarters for the admiralty of Castille in
1424. Shortly afterwards the admirals funded the establishment of the
Convento de San Francisco here, which was consecrated in 1491. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Eventually people began to disperse, the main street of the town began to empty
out, and we decided to explore a little further. In our wanderings we
came across the Convento de San Francisco, which is now a museum that houses
Hispanic ivories, Flemmish paintings on copper and polychrome, and many other
interesting collections. It was closed, but we were able to step inside
the walled courtyard to get a glimpse of Gothic-Romanesque structure. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOotlEmwmwO57bbm9FkuLKqC4CriRCQNT2rQM2YHtfhvNls-cLwQCZ88VzdqdXUEKgTXR0XBH6gqWPuwtZoyhFxnkfrKm5e4OLUF6aGT4wvc-QHJq0VYUih1Rl02EUju7Mjs004z8gdwuD-oHa8Z77ok3Kd3NeefmYeucCMSj_y1q3w1fX7AOe9Tluw/s5221/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(92).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3485" data-original-width="5221" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOotlEmwmwO57bbm9FkuLKqC4CriRCQNT2rQM2YHtfhvNls-cLwQCZ88VzdqdXUEKgTXR0XBH6gqWPuwtZoyhFxnkfrKm5e4OLUF6aGT4wvc-QHJq0VYUih1Rl02EUju7Mjs004z8gdwuD-oHa8Z77ok3Kd3NeefmYeucCMSj_y1q3w1fX7AOe9Tluw/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(92).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BXFRH5ARmRI1RkvQz2Dnahc3zujwZm9PvTsrVpBlAKeApWc5WCNKk86LTGOAdvMy8AfQ1lP5Bg_L3a6txSEA9Kuj7KJiCE-A944yNdOsnNWXGCRYfrc8urgHGkjI1hk3vzt_Y6bp4JJTnsUszQPcLNYCA2X7tBaO0J5Y6mpTNN57t3g87Hn6i6ihqw/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(84).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BXFRH5ARmRI1RkvQz2Dnahc3zujwZm9PvTsrVpBlAKeApWc5WCNKk86LTGOAdvMy8AfQ1lP5Bg_L3a6txSEA9Kuj7KJiCE-A944yNdOsnNWXGCRYfrc8urgHGkjI1hk3vzt_Y6bp4JJTnsUszQPcLNYCA2X7tBaO0J5Y6mpTNN57t3g87Hn6i6ihqw/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(84).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGAyXZ9gf6fEislgG2ONDinpj_GwzWcdBLVTncrBzUhNQvkTrKPDqplZ_OsVTjQDq2ys-ruWZGjd7muX6-bi-fvyGTBs9NdxH-fRlFG5Tj-XV5HWeTv4vsr4UOdd5qqh88jAptt1D9xwcfkNODNWccX2Jkd8ccXX3UvWsTN1D8D44F6YrsdGGPOJthg/s6016/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(85).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZGAyXZ9gf6fEislgG2ONDinpj_GwzWcdBLVTncrBzUhNQvkTrKPDqplZ_OsVTjQDq2ys-ruWZGjd7muX6-bi-fvyGTBs9NdxH-fRlFG5Tj-XV5HWeTv4vsr4UOdd5qqh88jAptt1D9xwcfkNODNWccX2Jkd8ccXX3UvWsTN1D8D44F6YrsdGGPOJthg/w400-h268/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(85).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOwnMBBQxPuxbG8WM2oMNhTzcO9OIQgQgOjEneLuJcVyGOSj6ePQEHhhtBBY_EchW3KfGJcHBANjwvzhtiyEUTsgWXVdjuUpytLhF3kTqHcsdI5pDp3PL1Kkq_DghI5Lst-guBtfMn-_zpwuveHbD2IWdS0dwWdkpLJ6Dn9g3JWjaDcYbqg3tDnAcQA/s5863/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(89).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5863" data-original-width="3915" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOwnMBBQxPuxbG8WM2oMNhTzcO9OIQgQgOjEneLuJcVyGOSj6ePQEHhhtBBY_EchW3KfGJcHBANjwvzhtiyEUTsgWXVdjuUpytLhF3kTqHcsdI5pDp3PL1Kkq_DghI5Lst-guBtfMn-_zpwuveHbD2IWdS0dwWdkpLJ6Dn9g3JWjaDcYbqg3tDnAcQA/w268-h400/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(89).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div>We continued our exploration, walking down a wide promenade through a
beautifully treed city park, and eventually ending up outside the Church of
Santiago. This renaissance church was built in 1533, although much of the
exterior dates from later on. We were pleased to see the statue of
Santiago Peregrino (as opposed to the Moor slayer) above the south portal, and
to find tiny scalloped shells around the columns on the south portico.
Apparently the inside contains one of the most complete series of Spanish
paintings depicting the Life and Legend of Santiago, and it is well worth
visiting, but like so many of the other churches we passed lately, it was
closed. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">On the way back down the main street we witnessed a very cute and touching
sight. A couple of young boys had built a very elaborate and convincing
mini replica of an Easter float, and they were carrying it down the street with
great seriousness, banging their own sticks on the ground in rhythm as they
went. It was wonderful to see such spirit! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nVe9xDfjeYvkIMiInrYBJNsGgOUWPwoW874sSRf9FttUR1kpLomZ0c5hOHpUkvmZx-6v1q20yPo1b-n8IT8LGZaieJZXt06vT07wg50m_kefPe4Soogf-0kWq8Bc6GjC8FDgIQJnAQ4N1HezzA0YxhYLdSlk98dIcn5iAEgg-MEEV3aYbrpebilQqw/s4326/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(71).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4326" data-original-width="2888" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_nVe9xDfjeYvkIMiInrYBJNsGgOUWPwoW874sSRf9FttUR1kpLomZ0c5hOHpUkvmZx-6v1q20yPo1b-n8IT8LGZaieJZXt06vT07wg50m_kefPe4Soogf-0kWq8Bc6GjC8FDgIQJnAQ4N1HezzA0YxhYLdSlk98dIcn5iAEgg-MEEV3aYbrpebilQqw/w268-h400/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(71).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Along the main street there is also a statue of an alligator. Google
suggests it was put there in honour of a man named Manuel Milan who traveled to
America in the 18th century to seek his fortune, and became mayor of Pueblo,
Mexico. There he acquired the skin of the 4 m long alligator, which he sent
back to his hometown. The one in the street is apparently a replica. I
think it is sage to say that when we began this Camino we didn't expect to fins
an alligators. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jZMqC1RMjR9OfP7o-IQurFW05NCaRKK3toSMyWKMmbTXSpOMF1ehz0hvsAX2hW_Ifp4TwZBy5PX1CL0aBMKUb4T75DLkS3oX4leM049834vrg-8SwbmgmRvkpWo_VoAJeltF7ixKFeChEgkhT77cH5q-KWaLZJLT7hCqNOj6h160uBCAS9DeA8xM-A/s4000/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(95).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9jZMqC1RMjR9OfP7o-IQurFW05NCaRKK3toSMyWKMmbTXSpOMF1ehz0hvsAX2hW_Ifp4TwZBy5PX1CL0aBMKUb4T75DLkS3oX4leM049834vrg-8SwbmgmRvkpWo_VoAJeltF7ixKFeChEgkhT77cH5q-KWaLZJLT7hCqNOj6h160uBCAS9DeA8xM-A/w400-h300/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(95).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Eventually we walked out to the far end of town, coming to the park where one
branch of the Canal de Castilla ends. This impressive piece of
engineering was constructed in the 18th and 19th centuries as a means of
transporting grain. The canal system is 205 km long and connects
the provinces of Palencia and Valladolid. It closed to boat traffic in
the 20th century, and since 1959 its main use has been for irrigation and
tourism. Interestingly, the canal we crossed over in Fromista when we
walked the Camino Frances in 2016 was the same canal! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHe7SmBDj7HNC4rwRppc4CbOT77F-fHHrryiCuY9HaviSJovb8XYe69sdwabZ9S_YraqxXDT3PwA567asQr5Fah7XQLHKYaJf3aMefe_UWCB8ZRMemFZmh9aLxwh5nmi893MVTJQD_xvdXXJ3Qf3AvmNDo1qcAbVUU5LV3WgNRW7CzCIAVSZ60-NTqA/s4032/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(98).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsHe7SmBDj7HNC4rwRppc4CbOT77F-fHHrryiCuY9HaviSJovb8XYe69sdwabZ9S_YraqxXDT3PwA567asQr5Fah7XQLHKYaJf3aMefe_UWCB8ZRMemFZmh9aLxwh5nmi893MVTJQD_xvdXXJ3Qf3AvmNDo1qcAbVUU5LV3WgNRW7CzCIAVSZ60-NTqA/w300-h400/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(98).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FaHsYvsvAyjBCwq-nFJvurIoo35p0fBhjcLoRjmPeLlwPUk8p3ZWj0o0zIBRzp6Fo2TViW-MnVCdsahNU-VX7YXwqYNW-w_4d8vtv-wtu1lHoEgmMQHF4SPOTxcacQfix98QD1RVlQhLuua_8albvzeqKzvXvVOz9ZGHZUNGOAnc7sBBpSH_3bfptQ/s4032/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(99).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FaHsYvsvAyjBCwq-nFJvurIoo35p0fBhjcLoRjmPeLlwPUk8p3ZWj0o0zIBRzp6Fo2TViW-MnVCdsahNU-VX7YXwqYNW-w_4d8vtv-wtu1lHoEgmMQHF4SPOTxcacQfix98QD1RVlQhLuua_8albvzeqKzvXvVOz9ZGHZUNGOAnc7sBBpSH_3bfptQ/w400-h300/Castromonte%20to%20Medina%20de%20Rioseco%20to%20Blog%20(99).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After a short day of walking and a long day of exploring we returned to our
room, ready to make yet another dinner of salad, bread, and cheese and get
ready for an early start, in case we have a 55 km walk tomorrow. While
this Camino is incredibly beautiful, we haven't really enjoyed the logistical
challenges of finding lodgings and food when everything seems to be 'serrado'
day after day. It is perfectly possible that this has simply been a result of
bad timing - essentially we're walking during a two week holiday.
However, it has made us question what we expect on a Camino, why we chose a
developing route, and why we are here walking right now in the first place. So
far the Camino has provided, but this way demands a high degree of faith and patience. After 10 days or so of hiking our patience and faith are running low. Then again, perhaps that is what we need to learn on this particular walk. <br />
<b><br />
Distance: 14 km<br />
Accommodations: Hotel Vittoria Colonna</b></span><b><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></b></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com047800 Medina de Rioseco, Valladolid, Spain41.8823041 -5.042955813.572070263821153 -40.1992058 70.192537936178837 30.1132942tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-59313174645821548632022-04-23T21:20:00.156-04:002022-06-25T12:50:29.556-04:00Into the Meseta : Simancas to Castromonte<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After a delicious breakfast of warm
croissants, freshly squeezed orange juice, and café con leche we headed out
into a cool (2°C), windy, overcast morning. We crossed the highway using
an underpass decorated with painted sea creatures, and were welcomed on the
other side by another bronze pilgrim statue - the first of many we'd pass
today. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSfpc7ksC_HgYFLOOfr-NZafWOkhL2BBRLMc4KjX608icV3q6AR3g2ekB8MgBPsDxHaKpS_1ZrNknUUwFkXUvyOH69pZwyMx9m8lOrz3gcZdfzk1CSVAbxBDCci0V4kIjZOxC6DJpxrdizCmbw-7_PWdH1sedVvI-6f-cq8GVIfrM691huiCtoeSyeA/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSfpc7ksC_HgYFLOOfr-NZafWOkhL2BBRLMc4KjX608icV3q6AR3g2ekB8MgBPsDxHaKpS_1ZrNknUUwFkXUvyOH69pZwyMx9m8lOrz3gcZdfzk1CSVAbxBDCci0V4kIjZOxC6DJpxrdizCmbw-7_PWdH1sedVvI-6f-cq8GVIfrM691huiCtoeSyeA/w300-h400/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(3).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpHTy27bDWmaWojkcHHyYqrDxBWXoScs-a9opAFIe0Qg2ZaLGDW4cnjet5Nx23_lQI1XZ07LOThhELX1uQqeQtEy4gBmTBZ3Vi4u4EgS9o22ah5yYAQt1UDfyhZvEem2C4dQQiPwYUZYQDjxkWutNLB07EgNXtE026-SslNX_Id2f7NJQ9BpfjoU4EQ/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpHTy27bDWmaWojkcHHyYqrDxBWXoScs-a9opAFIe0Qg2ZaLGDW4cnjet5Nx23_lQI1XZ07LOThhELX1uQqeQtEy4gBmTBZ3Vi4u4EgS9o22ah5yYAQt1UDfyhZvEem2C4dQQiPwYUZYQDjxkWutNLB07EgNXtE026-SslNX_Id2f7NJQ9BpfjoU4EQ/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(5).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhz9IktxAmMNmTwHzhn8lkfGFnMdKnmAOUOuey1FXoB7Pqdy7pjfPwgQ5_SgVyPs79bhdi73lqT_rLq0sYdaCCFH-N1zJgoXA3jSkx6qUZ8b7PFtT2aXYdYMEYobrUEx6HGluZUOCfhzaBgyf-DRd7o8f1zM88y2SnQqTv_Sw6hhzIPv53jxa9cjANg/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(9).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhz9IktxAmMNmTwHzhn8lkfGFnMdKnmAOUOuey1FXoB7Pqdy7pjfPwgQ5_SgVyPs79bhdi73lqT_rLq0sYdaCCFH-N1zJgoXA3jSkx6qUZ8b7PFtT2aXYdYMEYobrUEx6HGluZUOCfhzaBgyf-DRd7o8f1zM88y2SnQqTv_Sw6hhzIPv53jxa9cjANg/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(9).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_Q3EHwF0LmgR9CjX7FmKPl2oSBpdY0bJSCxNvS_ZCQ0UTSNbib8h6rOwmS50oo04CQOnsZXvahV1f7PE8d755vZJaGQHvttN_RR50gDz0-WC8XtRyRrOIIDTig2MWdDyNHCDl7ZEYHr2p0Fz6fzl5O-9S7YS17KQgPWUUqp5PKexjdAVt_zqwchi-g/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(14).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_Q3EHwF0LmgR9CjX7FmKPl2oSBpdY0bJSCxNvS_ZCQ0UTSNbib8h6rOwmS50oo04CQOnsZXvahV1f7PE8d755vZJaGQHvttN_RR50gDz0-WC8XtRyRrOIIDTig2MWdDyNHCDl7ZEYHr2p0Fz6fzl5O-9S7YS17KQgPWUUqp5PKexjdAVt_zqwchi-g/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(14).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Almost right away we began climbing out of town and into the countryside.
Yesterday's rain had really made the fresh greens and spring yellows of the
fields pop, and many of the fruit trees scattered along the road sides had pink
and white flowers beginning to show. Unfortunately, yesterday's rain had
also turned the dirt roads to mud, and our boots soon began to feel like cumbersome
weights at the ends of our legs. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEevqjDEYxhvoEI97Wxispu_mK8B5QnZelOjmDd52U07qie6DxWiZ69ymcFa7wg840RGLPhNuAy5EZkJyvqgQV69LuTxjLmiDuYtjyTWGFPfBTfVn6HQ6fqsTRhESko0ab6CvEMDls_gJNtx50KyJrX-YB4ANvhs-7Nl1jDGqAdSIW9D9PmljS2ZuD_w/s1597/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(17).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1597" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEevqjDEYxhvoEI97Wxispu_mK8B5QnZelOjmDd52U07qie6DxWiZ69ymcFa7wg840RGLPhNuAy5EZkJyvqgQV69LuTxjLmiDuYtjyTWGFPfBTfVn6HQ6fqsTRhESko0ab6CvEMDls_gJNtx50KyJrX-YB4ANvhs-7Nl1jDGqAdSIW9D9PmljS2ZuD_w/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(17).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyq933CVO0lMcp0A2IZLFboLPCElYvWHA1x63hIQfN2jDGPw4tEl7Qr5FCpmNs_5EvljPsctms0CAfgfBqTuKUD3CEQvMEzdaHhgcPfWRlH7OXPDDjgVPlmBgALBUP2iQHB4uBoqSUjtx_Ncc3JdeH2eRiW2QtuMmklTNCpUd50jOqJWT-booRrTHTA/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(18).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFyq933CVO0lMcp0A2IZLFboLPCElYvWHA1x63hIQfN2jDGPw4tEl7Qr5FCpmNs_5EvljPsctms0CAfgfBqTuKUD3CEQvMEzdaHhgcPfWRlH7OXPDDjgVPlmBgALBUP2iQHB4uBoqSUjtx_Ncc3JdeH2eRiW2QtuMmklTNCpUd50jOqJWT-booRrTHTA/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(18).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt4iw6fGZEgmDgeu1FtkMOsnz7hvPpO6IGyESwx9yh6jMNUumfdWDFinrai33sS5pjadHRsdQ_CG2aQInYORpq01iRTbEH2lqa_yWBJ9FFCCFN_oQoPFIwezCSFphh2ylNIzN-2eeaENBapFpjUoOrlctVyWHfN0GsY15RdVmyj_iSt8ba4A15Lgu-A/s5955/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(21).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3976" data-original-width="5955" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt4iw6fGZEgmDgeu1FtkMOsnz7hvPpO6IGyESwx9yh6jMNUumfdWDFinrai33sS5pjadHRsdQ_CG2aQInYORpq01iRTbEH2lqa_yWBJ9FFCCFN_oQoPFIwezCSFphh2ylNIzN-2eeaENBapFpjUoOrlctVyWHfN0GsY15RdVmyj_iSt8ba4A15Lgu-A/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(21).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOe-w4lt8tO5th9bMx0mnpuRA95ktH0cdzNl-u9r-OReZCOx26F4gK8OQeRGmavtX_hC3_4U9YY3jVwnt1dilWfhNWtI-IzlZZBn1nb_H-opy5-w6njdb2UeGxrl_9j2UFcfhid8_nO6BRFrquwrlTOMBU3W_yvAqSkZno2F8SduDFQ-8KowPTKfDJg/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(23).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoOe-w4lt8tO5th9bMx0mnpuRA95ktH0cdzNl-u9r-OReZCOx26F4gK8OQeRGmavtX_hC3_4U9YY3jVwnt1dilWfhNWtI-IzlZZBn1nb_H-opy5-w6njdb2UeGxrl_9j2UFcfhid8_nO6BRFrquwrlTOMBU3W_yvAqSkZno2F8SduDFQ-8KowPTKfDJg/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(23).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D1yfqsbpz7sTNItAf_e71RMpixKNd_ypurcsPHcIYpF7lIe83DEZ2gs92ykimZNCHUJN8Qpyx6qNZ4jRrK-2j2v1cNvLygie8uDHsnanqLN0FwSmJ84NFf98hEPyZqEqOMYWXfbsSXGRJqS1sxfa_qTBWU9ZKeCRs7IYtoVJwdYJl8nwglC2Tg7yKA/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(24).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2D1yfqsbpz7sTNItAf_e71RMpixKNd_ypurcsPHcIYpF7lIe83DEZ2gs92ykimZNCHUJN8Qpyx6qNZ4jRrK-2j2v1cNvLygie8uDHsnanqLN0FwSmJ84NFf98hEPyZqEqOMYWXfbsSXGRJqS1sxfa_qTBWU9ZKeCRs7IYtoVJwdYJl8nwglC2Tg7yKA/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(24).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Between Simancas and Cigunuela the open rolling countryside was
beautiful. Tall sand dunes covered with pines dotted the landscape, and
the grasses and hedge rows were filled with birds. A particular highlight
for us was seeing a fox bounding up a hill and out of sight - his coat a mix of
dark grey and rich red fur with a flash of white somewhere near his tail. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0bC9jtwNxnIRs7mWnkpVsC-q_STmPOkiZXnaf1cw47mFlvwwJGDgDwI3tNxwQPS0UtjnL9ty5eHSPN9Maa-vNfE078mJZMnzQJUts9ndE8VIG2JQF_Ss2hDUPatMi-jF_i72hiuSOTcMtwacCBOLM5VNoOG4Qk7Q2ZBLCn-_29Jrt6LttDSaFSFjqQ/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht0bC9jtwNxnIRs7mWnkpVsC-q_STmPOkiZXnaf1cw47mFlvwwJGDgDwI3tNxwQPS0UtjnL9ty5eHSPN9Maa-vNfE078mJZMnzQJUts9ndE8VIG2JQF_Ss2hDUPatMi-jF_i72hiuSOTcMtwacCBOLM5VNoOG4Qk7Q2ZBLCn-_29Jrt6LttDSaFSFjqQ/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NSY8Ci9mZZQndM6zM2SKxZQIfaMN8PjM36OT7DIgELohpXj3VUy3hpqI2zazDeO3AqYUEAK4pQ3Xn22GXfTWT3adsy7HhlPtqDxQrFHfq3OcboBbX5rk5gCq9ecMTzmoXzmBp4n2uA5LvAMOI-fVuKHNpp-MojHd9KKVuSRcrNwtNKaxowuBPpJNMg/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(30).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3NSY8Ci9mZZQndM6zM2SKxZQIfaMN8PjM36OT7DIgELohpXj3VUy3hpqI2zazDeO3AqYUEAK4pQ3Xn22GXfTWT3adsy7HhlPtqDxQrFHfq3OcboBbX5rk5gCq9ecMTzmoXzmBp4n2uA5LvAMOI-fVuKHNpp-MojHd9KKVuSRcrNwtNKaxowuBPpJNMg/w268-h400/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(30).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD79wv7bPpl_yt7B_rvizO2WYnoQyDmKIKCmU-8N5M0-7EadiPjzQESm56trHUPgVcFPM37lrY4lBep0vryMDoU_q6hAx6zaIiZCxnT_84ibrwkqfNmw3cSW7JClDpoym2yVKZDbYEHReE-Juk5XVMO07S2f0UiYFiPHjsAEzujH4jEBfv5dviUD3_7A/s4678/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3122" data-original-width="4678" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD79wv7bPpl_yt7B_rvizO2WYnoQyDmKIKCmU-8N5M0-7EadiPjzQESm56trHUPgVcFPM37lrY4lBep0vryMDoU_q6hAx6zaIiZCxnT_84ibrwkqfNmw3cSW7JClDpoym2yVKZDbYEHReE-Juk5XVMO07S2f0UiYFiPHjsAEzujH4jEBfv5dviUD3_7A/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkvbuP2iZtpRI_l_JR9nuPfZZ3cYbt_8iq59-VeaNIr9tGVdxzVlD57-q8_XPlF7t_-86-n2pODUohALD4sEuefip1C6jTJ5QExNSC3GZn3-nd3eojw6jFD9_ZHvE38MZQIeRGtf6azWSl9l6alRbpT_A_7wAO0rimo6Q-iUeXvtVIrNLBP_sjtZCjA/s5863/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(32).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3915" data-original-width="5863" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkvbuP2iZtpRI_l_JR9nuPfZZ3cYbt_8iq59-VeaNIr9tGVdxzVlD57-q8_XPlF7t_-86-n2pODUohALD4sEuefip1C6jTJ5QExNSC3GZn3-nd3eojw6jFD9_ZHvE38MZQIeRGtf6azWSl9l6alRbpT_A_7wAO0rimo6Q-iUeXvtVIrNLBP_sjtZCjA/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(32).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Just before we reached Cigunuela we came to a lovely rest area with a bench, a
small stone hut, and a group of picnic tables under a stand of shady
trees. We were only a few kilometers into our hike so we didn't stop for
a break, but we appreciated the amenities. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8gdCU_Noo4y6_kmfCa4s9H9zhkyXPgRfXAJvbDzW__CkhBX4Xw8iZGk_y6xwWmpv8fSdQT10cAr-TV4cDXa2WAtyhE3Ma879eBgSshpEJg-LoJK9DgH92KIll2_O_7u0U16T2RgsD5qvP-TExTbNYogcD41OPxYVirmb9AAAZDnjMwVekgU3zhkOhA/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(34).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8gdCU_Noo4y6_kmfCa4s9H9zhkyXPgRfXAJvbDzW__CkhBX4Xw8iZGk_y6xwWmpv8fSdQT10cAr-TV4cDXa2WAtyhE3Ma879eBgSshpEJg-LoJK9DgH92KIll2_O_7u0U16T2RgsD5qvP-TExTbNYogcD41OPxYVirmb9AAAZDnjMwVekgU3zhkOhA/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(34).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZZZoXC_qxO2IqiwaVxZMVR1OzDk5v6VaZ0dGFk435vS7PQBnM_aLRH735lmrRpLFgmNfyex_f7e08RweT0a4Y6lQG0flOQvU0_i-0H2smNEN8myJElZ8KXs_-CW5WvXS8XiIh4SfSyQyLkTDKc6Wbj4AZn40IZrnGR3-wLfl3yuQhd70GQWkwLOHfA/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(41).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZZZoXC_qxO2IqiwaVxZMVR1OzDk5v6VaZ0dGFk435vS7PQBnM_aLRH735lmrRpLFgmNfyex_f7e08RweT0a4Y6lQG0flOQvU0_i-0H2smNEN8myJElZ8KXs_-CW5WvXS8XiIh4SfSyQyLkTDKc6Wbj4AZn40IZrnGR3-wLfl3yuQhd70GQWkwLOHfA/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(41).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHr5OkF8CayW0x3Ow9gzdZ7-NRemgHyLbAuBlaMA8yJnjLvW1MRd48OrX6R3il9TUDL89qblUQgtv9M3LQVuCerqn5Qa-CBCKzGoQKLXIsa5UXp8FVCTkgR4Zi90teB-3bKhfDLNbPwhZuK95bFlTTyODGgzG3oXWzw4pZRSpKLGmAg5owaGysBC5Fw/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(42).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDHr5OkF8CayW0x3Ow9gzdZ7-NRemgHyLbAuBlaMA8yJnjLvW1MRd48OrX6R3il9TUDL89qblUQgtv9M3LQVuCerqn5Qa-CBCKzGoQKLXIsa5UXp8FVCTkgR4Zi90teB-3bKhfDLNbPwhZuK95bFlTTyODGgzG3oXWzw4pZRSpKLGmAg5owaGysBC5Fw/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(42).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTzQHQIkNsa6pVVcMZNZ7l583hOKQ877HA1sW_yfWcjpe8j3tF2H_-uDHirGhMQshq3Izh2otDggHPmJwTsdE0yMp5LtiI9hba22mG5JjXS7dAX-PRC8_vn7NigJZ02HHby4gxQNMyCyT12N8eGm128YVhIveQ2Mw07kfN10Bj8OG0tipeejv-XzmxQ/s3257/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(43).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3257" data-original-width="2174" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTzQHQIkNsa6pVVcMZNZ7l583hOKQ877HA1sW_yfWcjpe8j3tF2H_-uDHirGhMQshq3Izh2otDggHPmJwTsdE0yMp5LtiI9hba22mG5JjXS7dAX-PRC8_vn7NigJZ02HHby4gxQNMyCyT12N8eGm128YVhIveQ2Mw07kfN10Bj8OG0tipeejv-XzmxQ/w268-h400/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(43).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We continued to climb into the town, and found a charming little village with a
large church and a lot of Camino spirit. The outside of the albergue was
decorated with shells and a beautiful sign, and there were colourful tiled
signs for the Camino de Santiago throughout town. Further, the bar where
we stopped to warm up and enjoy a second café con leche had a small statue of
Santiago, and the very kind and friendly owner offered us a stamp without being
asked. We enjoyed a few minutes of warmth in a lovely looking café,
watching a uniquely entertaining talent show involving Spanish singers and
dancers called Spain's Got Talent. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After winding our way out of town down the narrow curving streets we made the
final climb up onto the meseta, where we encountered the full force of the
wind. Dark clouds raced across the sky in bands, and the wind was so
strong it felt like it was blowing us backwards. The flat landscape,
where we could see for miles, was very reminiscent of our walk along the Camino
Frances. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6y6hfNiLfPcKSwluemfY56vEQTae-JSvHbzSzdKUKAR_chivtuYjVGVSctONCmhlantgmpbXDP9olJ0VuvXzrmFjIifDhL3gsE5w-yBNiNPIJvbKdU4L4Va6AuDtDj8gFWGi0ufhCxFLP_7sHoTLWy27WGXIcjEfx517PHJwARkGpXt-IbgZCVUGQw/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(46).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6y6hfNiLfPcKSwluemfY56vEQTae-JSvHbzSzdKUKAR_chivtuYjVGVSctONCmhlantgmpbXDP9olJ0VuvXzrmFjIifDhL3gsE5w-yBNiNPIJvbKdU4L4Va6AuDtDj8gFWGi0ufhCxFLP_7sHoTLWy27WGXIcjEfx517PHJwARkGpXt-IbgZCVUGQw/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(46).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV8dwrNkYQJlZFOjGDOnU22i4422b9tu_Dm0sY71l9Ob08KvayGqVpvttdcUVDHOU42Kl0eLQWFmjkGjZ07-7w8Ww4JSOIhJYKqU4NkRj5Wy4mo-jwuP5L5fZPur_tCVvxIhOAkJIKNHgFr3o6pe7bxC0VJfvusn4D_iUW7Y2eDrrUeYm7TVOjJd50A/s4725/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(47).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3154" data-original-width="4725" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQV8dwrNkYQJlZFOjGDOnU22i4422b9tu_Dm0sY71l9Ob08KvayGqVpvttdcUVDHOU42Kl0eLQWFmjkGjZ07-7w8Ww4JSOIhJYKqU4NkRj5Wy4mo-jwuP5L5fZPur_tCVvxIhOAkJIKNHgFr3o6pe7bxC0VJfvusn4D_iUW7Y2eDrrUeYm7TVOjJd50A/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(47).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji25dkWiRhrr047ii9rN3V5TepQLiEZ71eONdfvEh3BLLWMwKknQfilmG36Itzycb145VJBaKYM7FdJnC5xl6TDpSFFQmE8IIbo6yR7nRgFyMY6qUZxIZez9gODO6CGx5Kb1nnU7dyqssHx43W6h7uRsCUEKJdAhWiBezxQAXvs0nf1tuLC_GrbfqV5Q/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(50).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji25dkWiRhrr047ii9rN3V5TepQLiEZ71eONdfvEh3BLLWMwKknQfilmG36Itzycb145VJBaKYM7FdJnC5xl6TDpSFFQmE8IIbo6yR7nRgFyMY6qUZxIZez9gODO6CGx5Kb1nnU7dyqssHx43W6h7uRsCUEKJdAhWiBezxQAXvs0nf1tuLC_GrbfqV5Q/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(50).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQzMRoxtZtOc4Fdc7i85WOWqHPUCESRWdB1dlpJpGvjYdYPj8VPoHrEDgGBX1vxNEdC4uAC2Z2K2SrGlezA6XngECLLP44aLs5xAm-t4MPNiq0Yvduw4R7UBMQxVNbmBK8t1KGFcZ0mpg7iH6Vq1vaxXQ5r8iGgAdlHg_sm_Lja-Cs4O92w-kYe4AIA/s5783/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(51).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="5783" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQzMRoxtZtOc4Fdc7i85WOWqHPUCESRWdB1dlpJpGvjYdYPj8VPoHrEDgGBX1vxNEdC4uAC2Z2K2SrGlezA6XngECLLP44aLs5xAm-t4MPNiq0Yvduw4R7UBMQxVNbmBK8t1KGFcZ0mpg7iH6Vq1vaxXQ5r8iGgAdlHg_sm_Lja-Cs4O92w-kYe4AIA/w640-h218/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(51).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We fought against the cold driving wind for the next 7 km, walking among flat
fields of bright green grain, hay, and newly planted crops, rich brown squares
of unplanted soil, and bright yellow patches of canola. Suddenly we came
to a a small river valley, and spotted the red roofs of Wamba sheltered down
below us near the river. We turned off the snaking dirt road onto a
grassy track that led through a stand of trees, and then followed a paved road
to the edge of town. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dhfLsZjRsr5y1kHzTPr1TtjKVUWPuXeAw_tEW2l1I5Zgn5NeuJFFaSMqgq4Cq7T3KOQpGQlZbNforb2Cpoi_zT7rh2Mm7taB4w9GMbqDTybjYCJ_6N0muK7j_A_mWXQ3Ktgf0bvE8NbXOlkGU8y36l_biW4xrGh0lVyFrerY-1bCBmepo2BgHABZbA/s5560/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3744" data-original-width="5560" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dhfLsZjRsr5y1kHzTPr1TtjKVUWPuXeAw_tEW2l1I5Zgn5NeuJFFaSMqgq4Cq7T3KOQpGQlZbNforb2Cpoi_zT7rh2Mm7taB4w9GMbqDTybjYCJ_6N0muK7j_A_mWXQ3Ktgf0bvE8NbXOlkGU8y36l_biW4xrGh0lVyFrerY-1bCBmepo2BgHABZbA/w400-h269/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXIK0AuWXVa-5k5DTfRRQDGX6Tugte-dgpAyjw58d8xEe6n97rNmwCiLThmlYmt10Mkyxxc-3cCpMoAwPj_1aYwwOC4mQEmBLE_xmOCS4foLrbJeNQ8dIt0E40MQP9xVZQdPgP8lPMsVXqTiOOZQwR5I305NUuTOr71S5NPNCmPmd2RaRJYuNSIM9tw/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(55).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLXIK0AuWXVa-5k5DTfRRQDGX6Tugte-dgpAyjw58d8xEe6n97rNmwCiLThmlYmt10Mkyxxc-3cCpMoAwPj_1aYwwOC4mQEmBLE_xmOCS4foLrbJeNQ8dIt0E40MQP9xVZQdPgP8lPMsVXqTiOOZQwR5I305NUuTOr71S5NPNCmPmd2RaRJYuNSIM9tw/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(55).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W1JHe9EdxpwNZN2ZL8hqJU8cRoG9g5ZHoGsbFuTsxLeedcPIQW29dfJSWaeEMoIH8obudYE-eT3Y0asvR10HR21veoxruIe2n62PqgGbfNRYvdqfifLSZtlMkJ8uFTEHJSkSm3E9oVcMvjd344IeMUBKIjiCI_W_WqmLfwVu4McsqsQpD0wtCjlr1w/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(56).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W1JHe9EdxpwNZN2ZL8hqJU8cRoG9g5ZHoGsbFuTsxLeedcPIQW29dfJSWaeEMoIH8obudYE-eT3Y0asvR10HR21veoxruIe2n62PqgGbfNRYvdqfifLSZtlMkJ8uFTEHJSkSm3E9oVcMvjd344IeMUBKIjiCI_W_WqmLfwVu4McsqsQpD0wtCjlr1w/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(56).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Wamba (pronounced Bamba in Spanish) is apparently the only town in Spain whose
name begins with the letter 'W'. It is named after the Visigoth King
Wamba, which some suggest was elected as the successor to King Recceswinth in
672. At the entrance to town was a large white limestone statue of the
king, which to our uninitiated eyes looked a little like it was sticking its
tongue out at us. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzeg4W9hIA7UQj7EiZXrykHfuHvFF4Xv12OTWqilsUQyWyQKqOa-kLfcWh669FrudR6ERDZNlhfQnKdBH5qTNoCr-gDzNjsCp9AZkQPUCgbgQ6vgsK9e-Vjpnd0b2-bCF1mH3hMx43lg3UZv0pucG-i4qHkwv0yp07mKm6FGU2VTxGsB2krKD5Yl-vw/s4060/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(61).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4060" data-original-width="2710" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVzeg4W9hIA7UQj7EiZXrykHfuHvFF4Xv12OTWqilsUQyWyQKqOa-kLfcWh669FrudR6ERDZNlhfQnKdBH5qTNoCr-gDzNjsCp9AZkQPUCgbgQ6vgsK9e-Vjpnd0b2-bCF1mH3hMx43lg3UZv0pucG-i4qHkwv0yp07mKm6FGU2VTxGsB2krKD5Yl-vw/w268-h400/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(61).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We made our way towards the center of town along streets lined with limestone
buildings. We must have looked a little cold and windblown, because a
very friendly man who was just getting out of his car stopped and kindly asked
if we were looking for the bar. He pointed us down a small side alley,
and when we pushed aside the curtains we found a warm room absolutely filled
with people out celebrating Castille y Leon Day. We settled into a table
at the back of the establishment and enjoyed absolutely delicious tortilla con
patata and another warm café con leche. As we left, the staff and
customers all cheerfully wished us a 'Buen Camino!' with friendly smiles.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2avyHZTXxD8gaQ-h3wB92T88ipf4Qvd1MLrPMyx3_D0ZFTZFDhQ1LxI2hbP_ZNYjqNp9-I7mdu0kHF37T0r-GV4CfXeqK_pFuvRmWeFRM2wGIwet7os83RbR6XFNEDXJeM07mfTzQ4y0nZw5Q1um_zUIr2mX_BtzfNi2pLeDsWhkqrPjMaMSnSfxHLQ/s4008/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(64).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2675" data-original-width="4008" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2avyHZTXxD8gaQ-h3wB92T88ipf4Qvd1MLrPMyx3_D0ZFTZFDhQ1LxI2hbP_ZNYjqNp9-I7mdu0kHF37T0r-GV4CfXeqK_pFuvRmWeFRM2wGIwet7os83RbR6XFNEDXJeM07mfTzQ4y0nZw5Q1um_zUIr2mX_BtzfNi2pLeDsWhkqrPjMaMSnSfxHLQ/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(64).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We continued towards the large cobblestone plaza at the center of town and the
Church of Santa Maria (or Nuestra Señora de la Asuncion). This unusual
and beautiful church dates from 928. In the 12th century it was turned
into a monastery, and used as a command center for the Hospitallers of Saint
John. We were very fortunate to arrive just as it was opening for a tour,
and the very nice guide asked if we wanted a stamp and gave us a very quick
private tour before taking the group around. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmR4-BIs3YcIzcaGSHzxGoNQ66LoUjVTX2EYxWd3yxzrcemNeayPDoiZ5aRL4TwxnVbSi39D5V_ZVk1rN3FUF0AWzKaTXGZtq3s2RV_la5axRZOOnkbjVlz-OWPbq9Woj1dafMSG7YU4eQIKDsuUkK1K6PkMfanLParSGz5A56dNsfKTtGDfdjn0Ujg/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(72).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifmR4-BIs3YcIzcaGSHzxGoNQ66LoUjVTX2EYxWd3yxzrcemNeayPDoiZ5aRL4TwxnVbSi39D5V_ZVk1rN3FUF0AWzKaTXGZtq3s2RV_la5axRZOOnkbjVlz-OWPbq9Woj1dafMSG7YU4eQIKDsuUkK1K6PkMfanLParSGz5A56dNsfKTtGDfdjn0Ujg/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(72).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVp2XD6-oMyYPGVlo4Wrla1vXqPetNck6j6XfFs0IjVnNs26RbVb8CNxrKal9uZO-dAOZs5qT_j2vBVIG9ZnY2Uu7IAw5YrTM5HKJ45qYWD3kPutskuuBj_1_VR5SmPE7rUAerd5S_KejfzKHxN0UhCbwq3et8OlIf1w6aG-IVRE8cAv-5oYeLzY98Q/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(73).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOVp2XD6-oMyYPGVlo4Wrla1vXqPetNck6j6XfFs0IjVnNs26RbVb8CNxrKal9uZO-dAOZs5qT_j2vBVIG9ZnY2Uu7IAw5YrTM5HKJ45qYWD3kPutskuuBj_1_VR5SmPE7rUAerd5S_KejfzKHxN0UhCbwq3et8OlIf1w6aG-IVRE8cAv-5oYeLzY98Q/w300-h400/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(73).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Xo724JZLNa7fHLAGDToi3V_ybtEiQmXr80Gs8R_fIDgOO9gG62Md-q10bT24NoJTy-zOgBFdD9IplFHUc__7mj5Joqbnv2pRDKlMi0IcoUjXruzUCPOY7NzME_kcqUAgL1698Hh1sIiIos7XQeNx3p-M82rCGHYthOE8amKYyhC8tbyXMs47bCkWg/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(70).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD_Xo724JZLNa7fHLAGDToi3V_ybtEiQmXr80Gs8R_fIDgOO9gG62Md-q10bT24NoJTy-zOgBFdD9IplFHUc__7mj5Joqbnv2pRDKlMi0IcoUjXruzUCPOY7NzME_kcqUAgL1698Hh1sIiIos7XQeNx3p-M82rCGHYthOE8amKYyhC8tbyXMs47bCkWg/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(70).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3yY0-b1b9a57lQDIkXePGz20F6sSNCiGVOaGPCMxA7vzj9q8AVhd5DjDXj9REhfzty8ZN9YfnxO1SWdVrTT6nYeWY2uGkUsaCeDukPLLRUdR5HZZ7CbIkhD58mpHi1zs8fuZVHvcc2Lzz00DNkZO96OwORpVvMRNOqkJLG9k6LDzkNU4Yy1CEG68CQ/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(69).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ3yY0-b1b9a57lQDIkXePGz20F6sSNCiGVOaGPCMxA7vzj9q8AVhd5DjDXj9REhfzty8ZN9YfnxO1SWdVrTT6nYeWY2uGkUsaCeDukPLLRUdR5HZZ7CbIkhD58mpHi1zs8fuZVHvcc2Lzz00DNkZO96OwORpVvMRNOqkJLG9k6LDzkNU4Yy1CEG68CQ/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(69).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhD_9JQ4LjQut4kL-7dkR-P6IfbLAAKX8XDstNZrzXtTa2lC6YJK-Jdx3CiYK41MxeZ89SkDf7OewHHzMEXNj_ELvhLraWeURVhSOvSKUpNvqKihSx-5fBo_c5INsWA-heCIzLWTCaUIbyrLFqsjbJJDhTOXDU1Wh9kRmBWd4Pr7zmDzWJC_xLZDKeg/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(68).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEhD_9JQ4LjQut4kL-7dkR-P6IfbLAAKX8XDstNZrzXtTa2lC6YJK-Jdx3CiYK41MxeZ89SkDf7OewHHzMEXNj_ELvhLraWeURVhSOvSKUpNvqKihSx-5fBo_c5INsWA-heCIzLWTCaUIbyrLFqsjbJJDhTOXDU1Wh9kRmBWd4Pr7zmDzWJC_xLZDKeg/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(68).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div>The inside was an interesting mix of Mozarabic horseshoe shaped arches in the
apses, and round-headed Romanesque arches and capitals along the nave. We
enjoyed seeing the remains of 10th century pre-Romanesque wall paintings in a
niche along the south wall, and behind the alter. Throughout the Chapel were
14th century paintings. A highlight for us was finding a statue of San
Roque Peregrino in a niche along the south wall. Perhaps the most
disconcerting part was being shown the charnel house full of over 3000 skulls
and bones from victims of pestilence and war. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QBdG_L4oWrXNzgmQKSPfyvjYGRar8nuOJWhUlvvnl_BnXAr1L7cmCorv4tE0u4MKxyxk_qWFLWe9I_zVHjho4P0Ge9ImxkRM0OuEzp6qBAnb3WS65cT7mjnVOKAXUIQHuUvHtMsC4T9EIrYqWWDJMMQnz1ciqxk8T0VtQ7bIyjl7efrgTzSs_DLiog/s4000/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(66).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QBdG_L4oWrXNzgmQKSPfyvjYGRar8nuOJWhUlvvnl_BnXAr1L7cmCorv4tE0u4MKxyxk_qWFLWe9I_zVHjho4P0Ge9ImxkRM0OuEzp6qBAnb3WS65cT7mjnVOKAXUIQHuUvHtMsC4T9EIrYqWWDJMMQnz1ciqxk8T0VtQ7bIyjl7efrgTzSs_DLiog/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(66).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we climbed back up out of the river valley, we felt very fortunate to have
been met with such a warm welcome in Wamba, and to have had the chance to visit
the very unusual church. When we arrived up on the meseta we were again
accosted by the wind, now mixed with a light rain. We had a gentle but
steady climb for about 5 km, at which point we caught our first glimpse of the
next town, Peñaflor de Hornija on the horizon. From a distance it looked
like it was settled in a forest of wind turbines. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLnOytr_SfVKMyEY8bKw8X6iuUyGaS2gLHIBbrgavyJ9A9-lmRUvg-Gjs-xWFiFsjsSfYWMmr4UDI9ydeJtDAD78rPuIkUK7o20zL3JcRmUslCdCpp6mMZuwVnmKRbqOGBfAzu3B0I0kFgULxm6y02BSVYgJ-o8A3xvxVaEvhJYJwDFoS_zteT7SVBw/s5815/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(75).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3883" data-original-width="5815" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLnOytr_SfVKMyEY8bKw8X6iuUyGaS2gLHIBbrgavyJ9A9-lmRUvg-Gjs-xWFiFsjsSfYWMmr4UDI9ydeJtDAD78rPuIkUK7o20zL3JcRmUslCdCpp6mMZuwVnmKRbqOGBfAzu3B0I0kFgULxm6y02BSVYgJ-o8A3xvxVaEvhJYJwDFoS_zteT7SVBw/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(75).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NmCcEwamexluDoUGsSetFmykfKi1qo-21KQx4PC7ViF2jU--wfXtyCxzUZJTHmqVeYtROLrG9bRO2K_C2Tt84vUOhi-BbtdEcZjK8Ra7ZyE0NeCgHuJL-qE0FQocXR7qM_YeSE9idG1sAGrAH4_asZi6bdWu_GgZ5pa_4vfs-upvt4bvS7tpjJ8P5A/s5863/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(76).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3915" data-original-width="5863" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NmCcEwamexluDoUGsSetFmykfKi1qo-21KQx4PC7ViF2jU--wfXtyCxzUZJTHmqVeYtROLrG9bRO2K_C2Tt84vUOhi-BbtdEcZjK8Ra7ZyE0NeCgHuJL-qE0FQocXR7qM_YeSE9idG1sAGrAH4_asZi6bdWu_GgZ5pa_4vfs-upvt4bvS7tpjJ8P5A/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(76).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAbboMXwiTrQvUUGANdcJM0FepAHHctDJ9R4I4Svd5cgS47LD8iELVFRADwoNO96aZaeLJFsnIe2MZbPbmvaLM6w8sV_zkYPZYvh83kSnn1kx8uRluygMbXsQk_LhO4_9TTFtLOw-QbPgBc-mDmuywZbbKMy-1TPd70jWVt52ZPRYJ4Kt8wYF8SYc5A/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(78).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQAbboMXwiTrQvUUGANdcJM0FepAHHctDJ9R4I4Svd5cgS47LD8iELVFRADwoNO96aZaeLJFsnIe2MZbPbmvaLM6w8sV_zkYPZYvh83kSnn1kx8uRluygMbXsQk_LhO4_9TTFtLOw-QbPgBc-mDmuywZbbKMy-1TPd70jWVt52ZPRYJ4Kt8wYF8SYc5A/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(78).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>We watched the town slowly approach for about an hour, looking for all the
world like it was straight ahead of us, level with the fields around it.
On the final approach we realized that there was not one but two river valleys
between us and the town! The river had long since dried up and the small
valleys were being farmed. It was a relief to get some shelter from the wind in
the first dip, but the climb up into town was steep! Apparently, if you
don't want to visit Peñaflor de Hornija you can take the dirt track leading off
around the hill and connect to the Camino on the other side of town, but for us
it was worth the visit. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpjDZTGf-P4dodVSxMKkZNJ34v6m8k562Aft_in8hreEo-KyNS7lotqH3WbOGuzxpMyIBIwcYDaRBbJdAi5zJ1naZ2AZ8ND_yfyQ_uvCdgVha3HodzAFIaRjU6O0l3H7lVrMAdy5KFyjoSXp10nVak1LL64nrjhA5P1EFrcFJhSICthqxABvxXPnQyg/s5696/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(79).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3802" data-original-width="5696" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpjDZTGf-P4dodVSxMKkZNJ34v6m8k562Aft_in8hreEo-KyNS7lotqH3WbOGuzxpMyIBIwcYDaRBbJdAi5zJ1naZ2AZ8ND_yfyQ_uvCdgVha3HodzAFIaRjU6O0l3H7lVrMAdy5KFyjoSXp10nVak1LL64nrjhA5P1EFrcFJhSICthqxABvxXPnQyg/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(79).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm3JoJ1RkiAw3o54b7YYqo7hp-t6josIK96_ttBeSVs6gt2MlLLJdDC4oPaATkqGsrqGDRQU_-8L2WXa_ttelUO2zopFvqDEPUhTO8c_YWcjr0UdbDLVzo-eBoZw6T4lqGazkwX983PL4TQYaOyBtAM1Upg4NKpTHt-ZgsjqpR80ZRgIfZMznmRv5jw/s5814/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(82).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2192" data-original-width="5814" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLm3JoJ1RkiAw3o54b7YYqo7hp-t6josIK96_ttBeSVs6gt2MlLLJdDC4oPaATkqGsrqGDRQU_-8L2WXa_ttelUO2zopFvqDEPUhTO8c_YWcjr0UdbDLVzo-eBoZw6T4lqGazkwX983PL4TQYaOyBtAM1Upg4NKpTHt-ZgsjqpR80ZRgIfZMznmRv5jw/w640-h242/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(82).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhp4N5PKgSPMHor6as-Dm-avoKILZ0vW0Bvb7mZ06ygEeJcztXdiF9dIxe8WE1C1km_YAjUBP06d7CRK5Qhsy2vvZ1e1t7I8XgBYcCzinsHrCvQvMd4d8FqoC8xiTC2B0F5HGO8bAOwzaN_Nns-cQ9m2Df-xFyDvuOb4RNW_IABJ3INoLoyV_vlBp97w/s2608/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(83).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1956" data-original-width="2608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhp4N5PKgSPMHor6as-Dm-avoKILZ0vW0Bvb7mZ06ygEeJcztXdiF9dIxe8WE1C1km_YAjUBP06d7CRK5Qhsy2vvZ1e1t7I8XgBYcCzinsHrCvQvMd4d8FqoC8xiTC2B0F5HGO8bAOwzaN_Nns-cQ9m2Df-xFyDvuOb4RNW_IABJ3INoLoyV_vlBp97w/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(83).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQ1z7EFuw8_-hIukdN9Az7plH6o2oFQUl4efqioQCSurgJkhYXgLXwRls6FV3IjZOK8WZKz-diFAp-ablZZZJCaQQBb_BUkYRJiBbbnyiFhSUMKQSGToRn7sAAvSNlBTftMTAsx-GWB0CNURRvKYBa16pp-vGfQPetwCKj6a5SrusOO2tsUp3BEPZJQ/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(84).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLQ1z7EFuw8_-hIukdN9Az7plH6o2oFQUl4efqioQCSurgJkhYXgLXwRls6FV3IjZOK8WZKz-diFAp-ablZZZJCaQQBb_BUkYRJiBbbnyiFhSUMKQSGToRn7sAAvSNlBTftMTAsx-GWB0CNURRvKYBa16pp-vGfQPetwCKj6a5SrusOO2tsUp3BEPZJQ/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(84).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The views out over the lush looking meseta were stunning from the top of the
hilltop town. This larger town was apparently originally a sheep farming
community, but now it is a nice mix of old limestone buildings and more modern
homes. We made our way down the winding streets, past the stone ruins of
the Romanesque San Salvador Church, and up to the Gothic Church of Santa Maria,
which sadly was closed. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhXfLGG1Ge47nup_6xncVCBixF3jJCDhYWskSXSd0C1JSEjHt2YxVemrZveMmLEnKUvrLqYaP5tblU3l5FeUG2zCuO4pdEFaf7Oe9x5kZXG3Pjd6cvEd2DFRCHdDhZpMyqES4xjxSUE-b0GdyqRdM0zy08ukoCTVAKwFJ6VugGfgOj23mtgpZA4xW0w/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(94).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhXfLGG1Ge47nup_6xncVCBixF3jJCDhYWskSXSd0C1JSEjHt2YxVemrZveMmLEnKUvrLqYaP5tblU3l5FeUG2zCuO4pdEFaf7Oe9x5kZXG3Pjd6cvEd2DFRCHdDhZpMyqES4xjxSUE-b0GdyqRdM0zy08ukoCTVAKwFJ6VugGfgOj23mtgpZA4xW0w/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(94).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vc7kcc0zfaf_--ygHKX-U0L2erwP7BerOsuEMfYLDfbSGClQVhrFNSj_nkIeAwAHXuGvD1kqHU_kut_UajPEVf0HF7yfvMINw_PDWLI_193ofi73Az53fOi8IRTOws37kh4m_SaMAKWV8eRwT-VjNkSvvFpaJpFxEZFyTNIWXZMDJ_y7EPW0QbMbfg/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(93).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vc7kcc0zfaf_--ygHKX-U0L2erwP7BerOsuEMfYLDfbSGClQVhrFNSj_nkIeAwAHXuGvD1kqHU_kut_UajPEVf0HF7yfvMINw_PDWLI_193ofi73Az53fOi8IRTOws37kh4m_SaMAKWV8eRwT-VjNkSvvFpaJpFxEZFyTNIWXZMDJ_y7EPW0QbMbfg/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(93).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlPZSJPWksx8HvpFHEXcxtHGuMn6yS5UXYXK6zA0OEEnXALY3T8phPN29T4YbPQIvUW8esOs_q7JziTuPlhLAe5PgPXmqEEGRHvnPtmF7jNxF9fraFWb9Sp-9_cpNed8rWonIGbDugdh5xjWO-YAoE0DGk8rqrbPx5efNfw16xI0Sq6hFQE5b4fi1rw/s5356/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(92).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3576" data-original-width="5356" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMlPZSJPWksx8HvpFHEXcxtHGuMn6yS5UXYXK6zA0OEEnXALY3T8phPN29T4YbPQIvUW8esOs_q7JziTuPlhLAe5PgPXmqEEGRHvnPtmF7jNxF9fraFWb9Sp-9_cpNed8rWonIGbDugdh5xjWO-YAoE0DGk8rqrbPx5efNfw16xI0Sq6hFQE5b4fi1rw/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(92).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhZRrIuOATEHNBZDaIaFsa8KMHhWVZ5Bj9DNDyQASR5FPfecXQVvvaHG5g8eS2V0PLA-UbIQIUw8maCsAjDR9O7U3dsQZ0XOV5eKzi_1Xqno1jZIcnAGJGHdTbEgKEtwBR7xEmoXmp0_z6uT9o9zdt9SMbV-bRU41u_G7j4SDCOvVO8iXNw2MHJgeLA/s5678/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(89).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3791" data-original-width="5678" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhZRrIuOATEHNBZDaIaFsa8KMHhWVZ5Bj9DNDyQASR5FPfecXQVvvaHG5g8eS2V0PLA-UbIQIUw8maCsAjDR9O7U3dsQZ0XOV5eKzi_1Xqno1jZIcnAGJGHdTbEgKEtwBR7xEmoXmp0_z6uT9o9zdt9SMbV-bRU41u_G7j4SDCOvVO8iXNw2MHJgeLA/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(89).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Tired and hot after the steep climb up to the town we decided to make one last
stop at a bar before making the final 10 km push to Castromonte. A light rain
was falling and the streets of the town seemed deserted, but when we opened the
door to the bar we found another warm oasis full of happy people. The
very kind bartender brought us several glasses of orange Aquarius, and some
delicious tapas. As we sat there, wind blown and covered in mud up to our
knees, more and more very elegantly dressed people filed in. The place
was full of life, and it felt like a noisy, exuberant celebration. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlxX2P8ek2ZfUxefASmk0uT5uuXUEhNDPcQnFpn4TZ3uZ3WnsEC6ISvAGrbs4MVPvSM4V-AshG5Nc4OxNOftEE8-efNC7stJETuv-squINQ5-MfdAfprnfU5IWvYIqhfLoXlHS5HuHWvvcBzCYP6X-8wGxgGPSoa6zbwijfPmpOSMiGM_cYt0O8vK5g/s4446/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(98).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2967" data-original-width="4446" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlxX2P8ek2ZfUxefASmk0uT5uuXUEhNDPcQnFpn4TZ3uZ3WnsEC6ISvAGrbs4MVPvSM4V-AshG5Nc4OxNOftEE8-efNC7stJETuv-squINQ5-MfdAfprnfU5IWvYIqhfLoXlHS5HuHWvvcBzCYP6X-8wGxgGPSoa6zbwijfPmpOSMiGM_cYt0O8vK5g/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(98).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EMSpHaVOGX4yWtyJKvexxycZ7XLeE78JgPyNDQ3D09rHKPoZvx8L3YbP5hs_IYMnsnyyqJh4TEMzt2b0-fGAn-hOdDee_kDiBCnGI6BhQa15B0DmP4wbVwwLa-eZFq9iPt9YTcmnAYRT9cBW6SJX0dTVytXhCpQ2ROPiXLDIqXVuHSuF2dEe0rDWrw/s5815/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(103).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3883" data-original-width="5815" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6EMSpHaVOGX4yWtyJKvexxycZ7XLeE78JgPyNDQ3D09rHKPoZvx8L3YbP5hs_IYMnsnyyqJh4TEMzt2b0-fGAn-hOdDee_kDiBCnGI6BhQa15B0DmP4wbVwwLa-eZFq9iPt9YTcmnAYRT9cBW6SJX0dTVytXhCpQ2ROPiXLDIqXVuHSuF2dEe0rDWrw/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(103).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIydwIHwRg9hS0ZRIf7OYqpsgeV-V1Gkon74IaJjbQ_8qOaLEH4gVlaXfo_1wzAHtL7yZ2eDwflct8VKk9M1hShiqFC-S95rY9B5ppDr3l9u-ZZgx4YE_37XlFbOQvU6CeAb_urFpzvSW5qer6uMRr1ZZpsasa0o-2VswEGso3a0u3InWIpVdpj2atA/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(111).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIydwIHwRg9hS0ZRIf7OYqpsgeV-V1Gkon74IaJjbQ_8qOaLEH4gVlaXfo_1wzAHtL7yZ2eDwflct8VKk9M1hShiqFC-S95rY9B5ppDr3l9u-ZZgx4YE_37XlFbOQvU6CeAb_urFpzvSW5qer6uMRr1ZZpsasa0o-2VswEGso3a0u3InWIpVdpj2atA/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(111).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZCFxjaullnHuH4D9wBZZ3_ZMbh9spXqRxyVHjWaIEtcaxT39yOySITDYKNkODQomKax1ohzeqAfc-EOAiAL0Ucp6T1sL8q5mHJ8enSZr4DygGy_-kcEH4JUooOiEjX_YBjHRPda92utN0PC_jvSY-zhPH6CQlA-TuW5BRGoA0_TeUa-Q8Y0b2vkjcA/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(112).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZCFxjaullnHuH4D9wBZZ3_ZMbh9spXqRxyVHjWaIEtcaxT39yOySITDYKNkODQomKax1ohzeqAfc-EOAiAL0Ucp6T1sL8q5mHJ8enSZr4DygGy_-kcEH4JUooOiEjX_YBjHRPda92utN0PC_jvSY-zhPH6CQlA-TuW5BRGoA0_TeUa-Q8Y0b2vkjcA/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(112).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Reluctantly we made our way back out into the wind and cold, and continued on
towards Castromonte. Our guidebook had warned that the signs going
out of Peñaflor de Hornija were confusing and hard to follow, but we didn't
find this to be the case. We climbed down a steep set of stone steps,
past a small farm, followed the arrows across a highway, and then along a dirt
road that again climbed back up onto the meseta. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMHSompogAYwKNuDMxutgnK8Yakn8hw5IAVM53_t77OiXddg84EAJaYe_w2RWLhVx8c2P9BIKTJjNp7pkTSKscwBiStBG8g8bd6IU_06uWoTpWM9U1SRQm_y9DCm-8uOiRPZ2KpGeWW87n63t-BeT1ib-SRXOTg9Buvt3wosZEq2WLugsks5Y2_TiXw/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(120).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhhyVPp-gzm4LAXE8EmuUTxxc6Ku6uFcN6AXjRDVY9foDQB9t88hwy94x762MNCSlyefOQelP7x6exQGGBJyt3jLM94p3ZBn9fZRt2babadbcje8t4e5Qrzv0iPvxAGRH2KXAq3P3lgISzMHndAwbAYslmDZifrUYzv5n5A_KxltIvr-tmYLdQBolQA/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(114).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ih69KpnKkfxr5HRH_IHlIpe8z1ygcazv3iiWgry-7mJ3ATCoej1JozUIVJyrfHAReMXVfDwVKpD7NVK-m039qwCrcQnEn3C-rTsvRrq5CmG-AFnas4hVseCbxBch_Zcj97NQl8hLRtzBJ3x8Lx47i9z4KAH6-aGc5sczeToA-ram8JfR4bPk2bFqNw/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(120).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Ih69KpnKkfxr5HRH_IHlIpe8z1ygcazv3iiWgry-7mJ3ATCoej1JozUIVJyrfHAReMXVfDwVKpD7NVK-m039qwCrcQnEn3C-rTsvRrq5CmG-AFnas4hVseCbxBch_Zcj97NQl8hLRtzBJ3x8Lx47i9z4KAH6-aGc5sczeToA-ram8JfR4bPk2bFqNw/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(120).jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82sz2ZtIWihCXK5hMHTO-jbtq3egS-rIiVmuHUUWgHQvSQVVuoOK0PFj8NXNSoNymF8UMPWXZykVrkFg5tkxcOIeQvtBEdGlgcjJWJJOSL189xG1OQzcItgaDqITh7N7GNCv5GfsmIGv39THNb2Od0yidsWpQzi27h-nXP0_5cKKEChfb7gAhvR5UuQ/s1212/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(122).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="808" data-original-width="1212" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi82sz2ZtIWihCXK5hMHTO-jbtq3egS-rIiVmuHUUWgHQvSQVVuoOK0PFj8NXNSoNymF8UMPWXZykVrkFg5tkxcOIeQvtBEdGlgcjJWJJOSL189xG1OQzcItgaDqITh7N7GNCv5GfsmIGv39THNb2Od0yidsWpQzi27h-nXP0_5cKKEChfb7gAhvR5UuQ/w400-h266/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(122).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Not too long after regaining the wide open flat meseta we came to a crossroads
that offered us a choice to turn left towards Santa Espina, where we could
visit the 12th century Monasterio de la Santa Espina, which was founded
by Alfonso VII's sister, or to turn left towards Castromonte. Given the
inclement weather we headed straight for our evening's destination. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uXFpcqat3cMb_wepYkIVUTon-XDtPitjwr79XQTBIGyJYquvZDYqxFHwy2C7tr8L77LfHnzHeYuybZXpTB_Q4khMI0LeAay--KGZ5lE8kcNuFG2CTNfQUaaO7hPAm6Je6y_AcBwz7w0WCDINn8lhsSP1pFikw2bT2P0KiUfUgybXGS3LSZopKZfkDA/s5684/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(123).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3795" data-original-width="5684" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0uXFpcqat3cMb_wepYkIVUTon-XDtPitjwr79XQTBIGyJYquvZDYqxFHwy2C7tr8L77LfHnzHeYuybZXpTB_Q4khMI0LeAay--KGZ5lE8kcNuFG2CTNfQUaaO7hPAm6Je6y_AcBwz7w0WCDINn8lhsSP1pFikw2bT2P0KiUfUgybXGS3LSZopKZfkDA/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(123).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XH0i7QT6CiPoYoSgReIeSAop4poHzc965KKJ09gCcT0WY-D4zZe_xbPBQ4RLrH4XQAT3NL0kN90A9-I_rcgwJMaiUY5UXV4lJpqVidjCTgdtqQqcwu3GSCjL3mGvgLciaP55qBpFknjK9wRmYxO9IGPETH22NZiF3eZFSHI9KtJjXpi2n6vUfzW13g/s1666/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(124).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1666" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XH0i7QT6CiPoYoSgReIeSAop4poHzc965KKJ09gCcT0WY-D4zZe_xbPBQ4RLrH4XQAT3NL0kN90A9-I_rcgwJMaiUY5UXV4lJpqVidjCTgdtqQqcwu3GSCjL3mGvgLciaP55qBpFknjK9wRmYxO9IGPETH22NZiF3eZFSHI9KtJjXpi2n6vUfzW13g/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(124).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrztb4FRocbG85IhxgUsLvvPh4vL1MautHeDAP2ZV8-sle-y8FWU2tiux7kUYm-Qfu5d8ZJsCW-fxxXxs2P1cNO_V9dJSY4BqNBtH8-8BOuAumiry9MVRLCigRVvtRBuEUEwAa7tC-koRbz1qqY4zag1gdW4opZpnLs7ggnmXJp8PXURAFWVLvEPfb_w/s1697/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(126).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1133" data-original-width="1697" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrztb4FRocbG85IhxgUsLvvPh4vL1MautHeDAP2ZV8-sle-y8FWU2tiux7kUYm-Qfu5d8ZJsCW-fxxXxs2P1cNO_V9dJSY4BqNBtH8-8BOuAumiry9MVRLCigRVvtRBuEUEwAa7tC-koRbz1qqY4zag1gdW4opZpnLs7ggnmXJp8PXURAFWVLvEPfb_w/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(126).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We soon found ourselves walking along a dirt track that was bordered on both
sides by a single line of planted trees. Without leaves they provided
little relief from the fierce wind, but in summer they will undoubtedly provide
welcome relief from the heat of the sun that must bake the fields on either
side. They did support a high diversity and abundance of different birds,
but the wind was too strong and the light too low to photograph many of them. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXaraN-CY5hM6YFKQgaaEpo3JsQ-VSYJDHJhXT2Qawusg7DI0MFSY_qlhseLEgPpAqH6XiETtrXGBwFg3MYp2XSmgTJ9KK-a1t5Ngba2e7JYq_rmtZiil3cIhRixhQsVUUD74PKQaAUzktcqdTJCLAmmTTG_poThXxDwLkt9tnF9ocfnXtuUKNZK1Ag/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(127).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgXaraN-CY5hM6YFKQgaaEpo3JsQ-VSYJDHJhXT2Qawusg7DI0MFSY_qlhseLEgPpAqH6XiETtrXGBwFg3MYp2XSmgTJ9KK-a1t5Ngba2e7JYq_rmtZiil3cIhRixhQsVUUD74PKQaAUzktcqdTJCLAmmTTG_poThXxDwLkt9tnF9ocfnXtuUKNZK1Ag/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(127).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2aC-_Z8LHB0OyBmFTxuX6Qntbz22CGJCFbsNET73yPzewMwmjCPl0OVftKqRfMy0gyE2HKtXpEwW2KzQbnz5DpffIU49Zh23vyP381PgAj1tVQIltXFLTz1pgzjgVMxQDIGL3JiD4q9drecA1ggixEmnxG5TIlPTfEwX--Pp1XV3VmtogwwK9bAQ_Q/s2745/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(130).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1833" data-original-width="2745" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2aC-_Z8LHB0OyBmFTxuX6Qntbz22CGJCFbsNET73yPzewMwmjCPl0OVftKqRfMy0gyE2HKtXpEwW2KzQbnz5DpffIU49Zh23vyP381PgAj1tVQIltXFLTz1pgzjgVMxQDIGL3JiD4q9drecA1ggixEmnxG5TIlPTfEwX--Pp1XV3VmtogwwK9bAQ_Q/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(130).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Shortly before we reached the town we passed through an old olive grove,
marvelling at how much protection even a few small trees could provide.
At this point a light rain began to fall once again, and we quickened our
steps. The albergue is located near the edge of town, and when we called
the number on the door a very kind man came to let us in almost immediately. We
found ourselves in an old school house, which now houses ten bunks, two washrooms,
and a well equipped kitchen with a washing machine. It was very cold
inside the building, and there wasn't too much hot water, but we were able to
turn on the heat, and we took full advantage of the washing machine. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7G4EVSXZi-QCr9pInFx8BdxfcOQq7TLsIX5f8VP-NX1t35tXgcyksvMdSU5AZUsFlbIGFkikQWmeEZJOYAnaHo0n3wUsBfSv5HlDtjIjdWKAYioBzVlZuGO2fjWtPoqaliNJqYOzA1OVlSfoi9MHjz-I-TfV2jbeLP5OqC4kIAVZCLlBkYrEtQVtpQ/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(140).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7G4EVSXZi-QCr9pInFx8BdxfcOQq7TLsIX5f8VP-NX1t35tXgcyksvMdSU5AZUsFlbIGFkikQWmeEZJOYAnaHo0n3wUsBfSv5HlDtjIjdWKAYioBzVlZuGO2fjWtPoqaliNJqYOzA1OVlSfoi9MHjz-I-TfV2jbeLP5OqC4kIAVZCLlBkYrEtQVtpQ/s320/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(140).jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLWHyZ8-rHK9LL9d20e_q4XM5j2bODoDupqBZGV3zg4eeBs9-Bbza8RQbOQrM74m-z2JFGc86R3a4dnAnDSA75nOajDO8PjXTI5wzYbXTQl8OuCNXa75y8haMw8FA5CABhTuInie-kwPNd2ZoP47gXnBf080lEEG3gRrnfv8jhx_tCi38tOr2wpgPUw/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(131).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOLWHyZ8-rHK9LL9d20e_q4XM5j2bODoDupqBZGV3zg4eeBs9-Bbza8RQbOQrM74m-z2JFGc86R3a4dnAnDSA75nOajDO8PjXTI5wzYbXTQl8OuCNXa75y8haMw8FA5CABhTuInie-kwPNd2ZoP47gXnBf080lEEG3gRrnfv8jhx_tCi38tOr2wpgPUw/s320/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(131).JPG" width="214" /></a></div></div><span lang="EN-CA"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYRkUS7nG5EgVFFjR_eb6Qzgu27xwnJeavUoDvPBD89eeeZLlr7GTRcjDUvXsttZcHObd4D2heF3wqRNbv_ap_pJ72lK9YkPbmKDKfBfwHnetZ9kjwP1rlKV88TMfonRJTt2hPOGWmih5xT-cllEBCra41pW7Gp8ppulGr6jt7cvBmBLdJDU7RNWDnw/s4032/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(141).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIYRkUS7nG5EgVFFjR_eb6Qzgu27xwnJeavUoDvPBD89eeeZLlr7GTRcjDUvXsttZcHObd4D2heF3wqRNbv_ap_pJ72lK9YkPbmKDKfBfwHnetZ9kjwP1rlKV88TMfonRJTt2hPOGWmih5xT-cllEBCra41pW7Gp8ppulGr6jt7cvBmBLdJDU7RNWDnw/w400-h300/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(141).jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1GV_v_oz-GnfTBI0Cx6l-6230V-lVL4gTU5GVH70d_NkSXc8QS9E18qB9Ux5gELdiMZfXxAowT1cYEnLnM3qGp4x35DdO8a2PNDOeoVnX8LSexzYD3zX4k-PT2wfRlu_AlLStOIRKQUQRhCZib6a1yMz9o2D80JzO0IMureEWzGS7Y0Zbh6liNQc6g/s5029/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(37).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5029" data-original-width="1912" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx1GV_v_oz-GnfTBI0Cx6l-6230V-lVL4gTU5GVH70d_NkSXc8QS9E18qB9Ux5gELdiMZfXxAowT1cYEnLnM3qGp4x35DdO8a2PNDOeoVnX8LSexzYD3zX4k-PT2wfRlu_AlLStOIRKQUQRhCZib6a1yMz9o2D80JzO0IMureEWzGS7Y0Zbh6liNQc6g/w244-h640/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(37).JPG" width="244" /></a></div></div><span lang="EN-CA"><br />
After cleaning up and doing chores we walked into town to see if the grocery
store or bar were open. We had read some sketchy reviews about the bar,
but when we stepped inside for a drink the bartender was very nice to us.
He didn't serve food, and the grocery store was closed, so we returned to the
albergue and cooked a dinner of pasta that we had brought from Simancas. </span><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_YO0J9rzDjrbiqCcLPhK1ClE591X32nVD56P-kkzw3x34GCzHcmOoadckfJAR5zu485igywOlYQH15q1TaA_b-p0ZIbPylc_TZU6IbId9s-mLwwDJCnPm0SVWbSAkb4xynGlkUeSxutCS40Ll4nkZEnUZjNtHCwdE1GrVAg65TGqcVoKkjaRWV11Jw/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(138).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2_YO0J9rzDjrbiqCcLPhK1ClE591X32nVD56P-kkzw3x34GCzHcmOoadckfJAR5zu485igywOlYQH15q1TaA_b-p0ZIbPylc_TZU6IbId9s-mLwwDJCnPm0SVWbSAkb4xynGlkUeSxutCS40Ll4nkZEnUZjNtHCwdE1GrVAg65TGqcVoKkjaRWV11Jw/w268-h400/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(138).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReN5cp2q3sbQoU61R-QbfkJ5P6zze7MsHpH-1OJK39-l0RlbiDfUtoTRQ05vuSWUJWO6DYERyKsXBS0diFWjmvbXoX603l_FTRdZzEdtrqpc4Sdw7NEzJy7GB1gIWD1kRVnX7zQKEWHPwXR58GffyIE6Yd7a0_CES2xJyU8-p3CObkcuogsP8_DdZVg/s6016/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(139).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhReN5cp2q3sbQoU61R-QbfkJ5P6zze7MsHpH-1OJK39-l0RlbiDfUtoTRQ05vuSWUJWO6DYERyKsXBS0diFWjmvbXoX603l_FTRdZzEdtrqpc4Sdw7NEzJy7GB1gIWD1kRVnX7zQKEWHPwXR58GffyIE6Yd7a0_CES2xJyU8-p3CObkcuogsP8_DdZVg/w400-h268/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20Blog%20(139).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA">
<br />
Although we are back on the meseta, which was described as flat, empty, and
difficult to get through mentally when we walked the Camino Frances, our day
was anything but flat or boring. <br />
<br />
<b>Distance: 30 km<br />
Accommodation: Albergue in Castromonte</b></span><br /><br /><p></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com047641 Castromonte, Valladolid, Spain41.772815 -5.038403199999999413.462581163821156 -40.1946532 70.083048836178847 30.117846800000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-23356291393047104342022-04-21T20:44:00.133-04:002022-06-26T10:48:32.638-04:00Finding Balance amid Frustration : Alcazarén to Valladoid and onward to Simancas<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After another quiet and peaceful night, we
made ourselves a breakfast of coffee, bread, and jam in the albergue before
heading out into a cold (-2°C), sunny, morning. We made our way back
through town to drop off the key to the albergue, and then headed out into the
countryside. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q1OFh1WT-xA3P65obG9fQxX5t-l3tc0waXFpTVZJsYMtw9vihKR84cg1x2zVcwEhM8wFdxzH_oI1lM8Jb2eOCLm9_nvgpY1k_mBAZbjwyxh2Eh9DE_JJIvjwhctwL0b_cRXDcdykJ3UBMz5OccGsepaDqW6T2A1sY5XD_YBgC-vaOMP3UkJaCqYH6g/s3424/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2286" data-original-width="3424" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Q1OFh1WT-xA3P65obG9fQxX5t-l3tc0waXFpTVZJsYMtw9vihKR84cg1x2zVcwEhM8wFdxzH_oI1lM8Jb2eOCLm9_nvgpY1k_mBAZbjwyxh2Eh9DE_JJIvjwhctwL0b_cRXDcdykJ3UBMz5OccGsepaDqW6T2A1sY5XD_YBgC-vaOMP3UkJaCqYH6g/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYHcwUC39TieuZJ-mf-9IEIB9J7UOGEZ5YsvjqwETKC6_dkQVRio4NCPNH8ix7odjUAAVBZ2kLvRJGsYo2SDKRWi4B9fmLVZAImTNr9-AzpoknMZQIRbBrplazsUq4lihZIxJjuX0nA3QoNqKyGyfHrqzrrX8NOU2gOELy7Ix7uGj18WX0NRnaMBP6A/s4488/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="4488" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheYHcwUC39TieuZJ-mf-9IEIB9J7UOGEZ5YsvjqwETKC6_dkQVRio4NCPNH8ix7odjUAAVBZ2kLvRJGsYo2SDKRWi4B9fmLVZAImTNr9-AzpoknMZQIRbBrplazsUq4lihZIxJjuX0nA3QoNqKyGyfHrqzrrX8NOU2gOELy7Ix7uGj18WX0NRnaMBP6A/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div>We passed a winery at the edge of town, crossed over a busy highway, and began
following a hard packed gravel road among open cow pastures. The smell of
cattle hung heavy in the cool air, and delicate steam rose from a large manure
pile a little ways off the path. Sunlight reflected off a patch of solar panels
as the temperature began to rise. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYX-2NTMJvn6gb0iwEgpGAUtoUcVSwjbHSv4S8c1hEd1LuvDAYL8pt0qMBj4sTYLvPBAI8MBmzYDoTdLcPGygyXnWWKAL3cL8BaO1DHYdjAdm4R7YQorHjZW-4kpNIyMrer_wWtCCIotRmcnXd7q1EZXYZ2xFQD-ysnECbXV1iRZAo6PLOFg8Iqm6rw/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(6).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvYX-2NTMJvn6gb0iwEgpGAUtoUcVSwjbHSv4S8c1hEd1LuvDAYL8pt0qMBj4sTYLvPBAI8MBmzYDoTdLcPGygyXnWWKAL3cL8BaO1DHYdjAdm4R7YQorHjZW-4kpNIyMrer_wWtCCIotRmcnXd7q1EZXYZ2xFQD-ysnECbXV1iRZAo6PLOFg8Iqm6rw/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(6).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NXySELY3JlC4JOIN1_AkN46hpeGlRsJ3MzjtaIgEJgwp81VAzIrE8Ibn7MXvDenX6U66Aj70JrVeyaHTV4ibWK6kALId1QmfgY1s_SYIWDto45EglybVKTRoXwOMeuxZjb3DYzxEiMluigYefbKSOnt_cX2SWXFA9iiDYekEXfZVXs1V1skjjL13BQ/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(7).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-NXySELY3JlC4JOIN1_AkN46hpeGlRsJ3MzjtaIgEJgwp81VAzIrE8Ibn7MXvDenX6U66Aj70JrVeyaHTV4ibWK6kALId1QmfgY1s_SYIWDto45EglybVKTRoXwOMeuxZjb3DYzxEiMluigYefbKSOnt_cX2SWXFA9iiDYekEXfZVXs1V1skjjL13BQ/w268-h400/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(7).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f5Knv7dtyWFST6RLqQ7wKFBLMENSI2orYaxdLj0idcF723ZcO4hnaDofMpsdhF27Dp2gfVmHLqukYEG0SyK3x3GuE9tVu-cIiDMj5gAl6axP_fBaEAEGKOFO9oEXkU2W-ujikh9Wcr1fP9yp_rcAsDgARxlBuU6TJDHiwHn310Va47_3G2YIje3r4A/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(8).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-f5Knv7dtyWFST6RLqQ7wKFBLMENSI2orYaxdLj0idcF723ZcO4hnaDofMpsdhF27Dp2gfVmHLqukYEG0SyK3x3GuE9tVu-cIiDMj5gAl6axP_fBaEAEGKOFO9oEXkU2W-ujikh9Wcr1fP9yp_rcAsDgARxlBuU6TJDHiwHn310Va47_3G2YIje3r4A/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(8).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Just before we entered another stand of majestic pines we paused on the side of
the trail to remove our sweaters. Already the morning was warming up, and
the birds seemed to be taking full advantage of the beautiful spring
sunshine. The persistent call of a cuckoo echoed from across the river,
the call of a rooster sounded behind us in the distance, and the drumming of a
woodpecker beat a tattoo from somewhere nearby. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisARvD7nv5yGOpTGJwMVRq6w1EELTiXua-J8__bQ24VntHL50u6gg6b7eI_NN09xo7jCbrZd-R84pRNW7XQKBUqkHNsCXQ44CoEiuqEt1uIDSn-w7d4KCSKjXo1rag_M_DrMov4ibouiEXWoRvUiTSsp55LMbbbKK3CiXa4k7P_QD2u7PxXdgTlF-nAg/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(11).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisARvD7nv5yGOpTGJwMVRq6w1EELTiXua-J8__bQ24VntHL50u6gg6b7eI_NN09xo7jCbrZd-R84pRNW7XQKBUqkHNsCXQ44CoEiuqEt1uIDSn-w7d4KCSKjXo1rag_M_DrMov4ibouiEXWoRvUiTSsp55LMbbbKK3CiXa4k7P_QD2u7PxXdgTlF-nAg/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(11).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpveyq8u_DJrfpdv_xc9pmFHJNVlYSXvbMd90-w5Ucp51onwEbGIaE5r14i2ckCIp0u0A_OGEvVPQYyop_9ZzBWmVtGZpzmtW4gm2kEUddsq1wPW1u1pV4lGbXG-m1ZYeDeV_YgpwCQ3wQl_9crk1CD264bvD4R-xdAhayHJiQf3HiO-SSQHnzfXZYBQ/s4549/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(12).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9ceSPty_JaZTKnm735sYVex8FN8ZAwKwB-uhB7WxIhMaVT6RMT-5YkWO3PPakp96frnkQ3UXIvkSU3cL3cgwGywhiEsVEujUL_b1dnq_R1CSd6jogzD03xsdQACtSO4BdiKx7urPfbrSnispMPl8b3jjLBSk8CmLSSDXcYeczPz3_MXcqXkaqRWV1A/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(14).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9ceSPty_JaZTKnm735sYVex8FN8ZAwKwB-uhB7WxIhMaVT6RMT-5YkWO3PPakp96frnkQ3UXIvkSU3cL3cgwGywhiEsVEujUL_b1dnq_R1CSd6jogzD03xsdQACtSO4BdiKx7urPfbrSnispMPl8b3jjLBSk8CmLSSDXcYeczPz3_MXcqXkaqRWV1A/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(14).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzOZZH-S8QwxhaleoEaxEoJ_o_JdJRg65jWww-mHN9dxtq4rRd56VDqc_eImwwwCD5D-SSeBHfl6oNX1_NREo4Q-svHWL5M5P1jeRFykibBqTxyOYD1ySm3WxxLBoxr1NYPzxWTsdYvwArwAQOAt9RDj22oerx0QfODAule0bghfVo9wLe0Xeik7ykA/s4032/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(15).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzOZZH-S8QwxhaleoEaxEoJ_o_JdJRg65jWww-mHN9dxtq4rRd56VDqc_eImwwwCD5D-SSeBHfl6oNX1_NREo4Q-svHWL5M5P1jeRFykibBqTxyOYD1ySm3WxxLBoxr1NYPzxWTsdYvwArwAQOAt9RDj22oerx0QfODAule0bghfVo9wLe0Xeik7ykA/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(15).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxwwYRR722hv_6B2ScVdP-lvp4PTihVz_sEt04dlVzcXXjvfACAdV5-4P0cQ_emIM4GiOCTLkQCexDfv5sfX1_efpAO-U7wANCCYkFuTcV6qRSbTqAw7MPS4RFpOTXbJQWoMmwMBTEWKg-Lv9yrtopB4UhM_J7SJZypjqMnpJUhvLgHQxgG_MZ0du8w/s1809/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(16).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="1809" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxwwYRR722hv_6B2ScVdP-lvp4PTihVz_sEt04dlVzcXXjvfACAdV5-4P0cQ_emIM4GiOCTLkQCexDfv5sfX1_efpAO-U7wANCCYkFuTcV6qRSbTqAw7MPS4RFpOTXbJQWoMmwMBTEWKg-Lv9yrtopB4UhM_J7SJZypjqMnpJUhvLgHQxgG_MZ0du8w/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(16).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uFXYzcujDs8XmN7_zHGgrEAr3YeJ537H7j94Cc8KtTT9IymWYUR1JVhzJP4RV2eS30Z-wQls6IClqIU-WvxA5VjuWj0sce5BgPfrm0QxFYs7oOthGIGcUWh_yy-qy3t78gXBoLsfbNQvI9hT1NtUxSinLWB3Hg6-9F0irlVZt6J-fIQeOwAZqLUaIA/s3477/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(17).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2321" data-original-width="3477" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uFXYzcujDs8XmN7_zHGgrEAr3YeJ537H7j94Cc8KtTT9IymWYUR1JVhzJP4RV2eS30Z-wQls6IClqIU-WvxA5VjuWj0sce5BgPfrm0QxFYs7oOthGIGcUWh_yy-qy3t78gXBoLsfbNQvI9hT1NtUxSinLWB3Hg6-9F0irlVZt6J-fIQeOwAZqLUaIA/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(17).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3M2TTicQ8oRjPBb0sKVV8S-ulBvrLaHHJVHMwasmWoJ4nSAZtzbGKtuNFlbWyWOnnlmxh1SBNq8CNNWAXUwY8q3CVyQYXM8JMhAwenU20n9AaMTcSuagY0vS97TvE-r94K1lsQ2d4iFZ1JOYkypKbeTRr7tNtKL9Cp1QwD5BJ4H7DfSHL4LV31zEGQ/s2096/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(20).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="2096" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh3M2TTicQ8oRjPBb0sKVV8S-ulBvrLaHHJVHMwasmWoJ4nSAZtzbGKtuNFlbWyWOnnlmxh1SBNq8CNNWAXUwY8q3CVyQYXM8JMhAwenU20n9AaMTcSuagY0vS97TvE-r94K1lsQ2d4iFZ1JOYkypKbeTRr7tNtKL9Cp1QwD5BJ4H7DfSHL4LV31zEGQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(20).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">For the next few kilometers we walked along a pleasant sandy track beside the
river. Sunlight filtered down through the dense pine canopy, lighting up
the spiky dune grasses and delicate pink and purple wildflowers on the forest
floor. Eventually we came to a paved road and crossed over the Eresma
River for the last time on its pedestrian walkway. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPQt1qTvasw-uPJZdAKrfH5eY6NsSoUo-Jw2oepoz2OUbHMf7wlG6HuoU9h_JTESjg_OcfWGxj6PYACIK8kFu-R9TR5mxgnbl5Av2lA8KcjyesLCGcdFxsID2MUBfrlR07Eq9bpjNY91Z4drDcaVratmsgmPADJX1lg8Zy6ej0FbsonxMjLyiHe1qRQ/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(28).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXPQt1qTvasw-uPJZdAKrfH5eY6NsSoUo-Jw2oepoz2OUbHMf7wlG6HuoU9h_JTESjg_OcfWGxj6PYACIK8kFu-R9TR5mxgnbl5Av2lA8KcjyesLCGcdFxsID2MUBfrlR07Eq9bpjNY91Z4drDcaVratmsgmPADJX1lg8Zy6ej0FbsonxMjLyiHe1qRQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(28).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7ZsFa7lG-r6dQv1SiJDhyYXIWqitqaPKubPrKWrGGAIfzwO2LZTcz4jzl90sCOAGd54RHe3JwEWrEqhf6X3eSrMvZIcqWMpTdFfZ2yPk9KqOUfm8N4pLS7d-ndo364c9naFkyLpwVek49XEDwipp0q3CU26BBN26JP_WPJPMfgsWaA0P5CRD4NcBzw/s1942/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1296" data-original-width="1942" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7ZsFa7lG-r6dQv1SiJDhyYXIWqitqaPKubPrKWrGGAIfzwO2LZTcz4jzl90sCOAGd54RHe3JwEWrEqhf6X3eSrMvZIcqWMpTdFfZ2yPk9KqOUfm8N4pLS7d-ndo364c9naFkyLpwVek49XEDwipp0q3CU26BBN26JP_WPJPMfgsWaA0P5CRD4NcBzw/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Pk88JOcoWSuj75zDwUOQv1TLkD9fZwD4HS60SlX_iCfdkMbnx0KLrrDRA7nFcYxo6GRwoz-70NwDAkh4aQlHNW1XjIWa_0cPj5Yri6EpU7PgSNBBlY4XFjm7Bg2J4uUHJtSh--qIwAibrgc4A6Ie1SN1HygwAm5Vl0ssqDc7AdJ1lAUX8K_Uk9rk9Q/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Pk88JOcoWSuj75zDwUOQv1TLkD9fZwD4HS60SlX_iCfdkMbnx0KLrrDRA7nFcYxo6GRwoz-70NwDAkh4aQlHNW1XjIWa_0cPj5Yri6EpU7PgSNBBlY4XFjm7Bg2J4uUHJtSh--qIwAibrgc4A6Ie1SN1HygwAm5Vl0ssqDc7AdJ1lAUX8K_Uk9rk9Q/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEdtjbqW9C00aDHNB4opLNuKdAD0iVxdfg43PMD0R4AKEeF9pdhI8Lu1Fxw5gt6Vts1ir4hHSlnlGaKL7-XFwqzil8HeAV2D9H-fV-O9-vFIa7hKVmAzWbi6lc0pcZ95UPpa0iycHbxy5i52_Pf74_UAyZyx3Q41pa8JB5KxEw6-8v2MAmJFV6SB26w/s5817/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(32).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3883" data-original-width="5817" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguEdtjbqW9C00aDHNB4opLNuKdAD0iVxdfg43PMD0R4AKEeF9pdhI8Lu1Fxw5gt6Vts1ir4hHSlnlGaKL7-XFwqzil8HeAV2D9H-fV-O9-vFIa7hKVmAzWbi6lc0pcZ95UPpa0iycHbxy5i52_Pf74_UAyZyx3Q41pa8JB5KxEw6-8v2MAmJFV6SB26w/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(32).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVD3bnM4Izlfghd4GMlMtYVHvFAXnIVv0EEJRRRub6E1xNf4TXJViQb0bfWvqmeroYUBMLd19XdA5OZS6FHHkQDXjJ0aSgiYvySEPnIsx08S2MSHFffxOastS3TEW-dPVq_qKo0jdsFZso_tuhwZRLUtEbVCVqWSGUpeTozw9RKfQX3AWuEbL9UG9bHw/s4000/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(34).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVD3bnM4Izlfghd4GMlMtYVHvFAXnIVv0EEJRRRub6E1xNf4TXJViQb0bfWvqmeroYUBMLd19XdA5OZS6FHHkQDXjJ0aSgiYvySEPnIsx08S2MSHFffxOastS3TEW-dPVq_qKo0jdsFZso_tuhwZRLUtEbVCVqWSGUpeTozw9RKfQX3AWuEbL9UG9bHw/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(34).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">A short stretch of country road took us up a small rise, where we got a clear
view of the large white stucco and red brick Siete Iglesias hermitage.
Shortly afterwards we descended to a small treed park with picnic tables and
information signage on the banks of the Adajo River. We stopped for a
break and a snack, hanging out with the half dozen parks employees that were
also enjoying a smoke break in the park before returning to their work of tree
planting. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLsmPI_WXFQ-hpBdH60MfAl138hdO3ulQbHFbhdpCGfLKpw0z4ZZyFg8p7qL4NaeEp5Ns-mIJCWZU_1Q6SH-YWIXTUUujIjijYHmw-ruWG-tKn0JN5MBcnC5NFGrMtqy64zTrtRkBNwd-6cawgqCrGnM_HMlPeprUHrMkRZe0jHjIBCav9dSQZnvYHA/s3095/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2066" data-original-width="3095" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLsmPI_WXFQ-hpBdH60MfAl138hdO3ulQbHFbhdpCGfLKpw0z4ZZyFg8p7qL4NaeEp5Ns-mIJCWZU_1Q6SH-YWIXTUUujIjijYHmw-ruWG-tKn0JN5MBcnC5NFGrMtqy64zTrtRkBNwd-6cawgqCrGnM_HMlPeprUHrMkRZe0jHjIBCav9dSQZnvYHA/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xtvJLa9HLcqLo6dbtHwrgD0rTBGGv9YhqPhVTWoKkxpbma9AlERlYHz_1lkZcOyzGG1Hcbs0jltEdnf9Dc88IdYCvb6D4B67XQcvREK5HSYpJBDi4A94j9sf1MLR9mHCS6zqaNs29Ir_dMWLULiBICncywZuCRbTfFjZgf7X6WSdSTPht8BHwA_QkQ/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(37).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xtvJLa9HLcqLo6dbtHwrgD0rTBGGv9YhqPhVTWoKkxpbma9AlERlYHz_1lkZcOyzGG1Hcbs0jltEdnf9Dc88IdYCvb6D4B67XQcvREK5HSYpJBDi4A94j9sf1MLR9mHCS6zqaNs29Ir_dMWLULiBICncywZuCRbTfFjZgf7X6WSdSTPht8BHwA_QkQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(37).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AVgv63CgJJlyZm9SlqWpTonYX6hr_813kX892nN0nG2j5bEsofLr0m23zUOf1wodB_kUtQJOXxG04tT77cN7Om1Vg2HJYhlsUd0Hld7AxTrtkA7IuLJCHY-OqlEwrPjQagRrkgFi3RpMZ_9eogMNSa-sOuqYUO-zXcXKeE2x1-lLz2p4gHQIfrY5tQ/s4032/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(39).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0AVgv63CgJJlyZm9SlqWpTonYX6hr_813kX892nN0nG2j5bEsofLr0m23zUOf1wodB_kUtQJOXxG04tT77cN7Om1Vg2HJYhlsUd0Hld7AxTrtkA7IuLJCHY-OqlEwrPjQagRrkgFi3RpMZ_9eogMNSa-sOuqYUO-zXcXKeE2x1-lLz2p4gHQIfrY5tQ/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(39).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dNMy7E2kT-24nX_7wCoLq5BfKSxN4_vdQqO67BSKpjlgrBoSx8xAjbF0YwenvyUK51iqe8-Na_aIwkmrFF0vUrS7xeYlOSxkzbc9hHxtZ0opUBjq084rPOyipO9VSjX9DG9mvBO8Q5LErFNa_CpKenA346S9nEA1HhuaH5ezJ769EZ7ALZrZZkk1sg/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(41).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0dNMy7E2kT-24nX_7wCoLq5BfKSxN4_vdQqO67BSKpjlgrBoSx8xAjbF0YwenvyUK51iqe8-Na_aIwkmrFF0vUrS7xeYlOSxkzbc9hHxtZ0opUBjq084rPOyipO9VSjX9DG9mvBO8Q5LErFNa_CpKenA346S9nEA1HhuaH5ezJ769EZ7ALZrZZkk1sg/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(41).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After a short break we crossed a very low-lying bridge over the water.
The old stone arches were almost completely submerged, and the fast-moving
brown water was only a few inches below the bed of the bridge. It made us
very thankful that the river wasn't running high due to rain or spring thaw. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The trail climbed back up out of the river valley into the countryside, where
small patches of pine dotted fields of light green grain and onions, brilliant
yellow canola, and sandy brown soil. We were happy to be greeted by a
metal sculpture of a pilgrim welcoming walkers to the nearby community of
Matapozuelos. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2RO8yTiW5SdtYJpsawfVrTJ0DSmysQ67eug1imZb8lF8g_9g1kFVQQNFb-EMSRCuMp2HvAJGeIyiCtzC4Qulo-Lw-KesSUCjduUa3xpB2bS-QhNjlqLGIAtruIP0gUn3o4CkDtUEbPw7iy7B5ZBPLIQtDFkbYJE6_iRbFdHYNAGME1IjFHAI2M-zqw/s4032/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(43).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit2RO8yTiW5SdtYJpsawfVrTJ0DSmysQ67eug1imZb8lF8g_9g1kFVQQNFb-EMSRCuMp2HvAJGeIyiCtzC4Qulo-Lw-KesSUCjduUa3xpB2bS-QhNjlqLGIAtruIP0gUn3o4CkDtUEbPw7iy7B5ZBPLIQtDFkbYJE6_iRbFdHYNAGME1IjFHAI2M-zqw/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(43).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnEEl74XjGG0Zj8HiCe6bLhfV79QAPibuVxWJnbYfNXd61TYw0ibHCw4vxLOa-sDNDd5OgkIrpam3hbtrPvoxkM5TV3lEDPcbSGVdeu_r37IQ74isMgsd0Faldf2vYibU20UuPumHlHLuFLx_w9o5QriabL-TplnnPf_Hfw1eBTyb5pJwbUXWzOlT7Q/s5792/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(45).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3867" data-original-width="5792" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHnEEl74XjGG0Zj8HiCe6bLhfV79QAPibuVxWJnbYfNXd61TYw0ibHCw4vxLOa-sDNDd5OgkIrpam3hbtrPvoxkM5TV3lEDPcbSGVdeu_r37IQ74isMgsd0Faldf2vYibU20UuPumHlHLuFLx_w9o5QriabL-TplnnPf_Hfw1eBTyb5pJwbUXWzOlT7Q/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(45).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcMrzCQK_5fM7d5Jec0TquhlMTGaZiHMMeH3Pj3XC0xciBZY2XfW_AznYaa9jRMgOJCjaUvW7Boq1vy3ziBgfvnddSG42ERw0pq-lPU1KVHzFWWv9wDkNqzZSntZZXmnnUpuy8uWyRPxgUWuCqFAbl6-NaHUyYkWJ34m3W5gD0JbHtNlahAgXlzO7JQ/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(47).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcMrzCQK_5fM7d5Jec0TquhlMTGaZiHMMeH3Pj3XC0xciBZY2XfW_AznYaa9jRMgOJCjaUvW7Boq1vy3ziBgfvnddSG42ERw0pq-lPU1KVHzFWWv9wDkNqzZSntZZXmnnUpuy8uWyRPxgUWuCqFAbl6-NaHUyYkWJ34m3W5gD0JbHtNlahAgXlzO7JQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(47).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmqsWQ7FmzZz4oV4ydx-270CvURFeJXHKhXbUZZW1Tq7KmZh9ighBDD2-yeQAylPab1zEI9eYv14uXLqtd-SE6N0SOQBkCdVjbNr7n2C02H--nfdrtPJnZFcSQyhDH52hT52kYGSEkvXTzHxiPkQ2KeY6O9WplHr5ekCacPbx2mQz1WTFgabQWse0XQ/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(48).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBmqsWQ7FmzZz4oV4ydx-270CvURFeJXHKhXbUZZW1Tq7KmZh9ighBDD2-yeQAylPab1zEI9eYv14uXLqtd-SE6N0SOQBkCdVjbNr7n2C02H--nfdrtPJnZFcSQyhDH52hT52kYGSEkvXTzHxiPkQ2KeY6O9WplHr5ekCacPbx2mQz1WTFgabQWse0XQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(48).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kHKcXzoysyXjkUunnJbfTNH8aEalU1kuUSWCNX_b28ax1FRDKerz2v2nDqUhID8egImEG2lS8JKcIaeUAmzuHCAxATe7u8gFCk8_cNNPWE_99KKgsugu0vrpHxHdIT5xL72SkJkqRRQpRe-luZPbbG8bE15lz_GjfdUVDQuQLkAtcBzgGRHiqPO35g/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(50).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1kHKcXzoysyXjkUunnJbfTNH8aEalU1kuUSWCNX_b28ax1FRDKerz2v2nDqUhID8egImEG2lS8JKcIaeUAmzuHCAxATe7u8gFCk8_cNNPWE_99KKgsugu0vrpHxHdIT5xL72SkJkqRRQpRe-luZPbbG8bE15lz_GjfdUVDQuQLkAtcBzgGRHiqPO35g/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(50).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As the white line of the Camino snaked through the fields ahead of us we
watched futuristic commuter trains zipping by towards Valladolid, and soon we
saw the tall brick bell tower of the church in Valdestillas ahead of us.
We were surrounded by birdsong and grateful for the cool temperatures and good
weather on the route. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-nV4nS7NIHFulxGTCZ7SKkTui0BBSW9i6Debeu3y2I9zzaxsZyLWqldT69yGMNHnyzHJbdtxrgmLdhfeKL0bVqWwNosKbZeMW7uuK3OPbJq2kg_IkwMuT602KUaOEwjgj89rEjnFBlOivAfj9b_vvo3-tfpy5VQrXQPJtPbjGVn610xzJHmtenjUtQ/s1709/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(56).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1140" data-original-width="1709" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR-nV4nS7NIHFulxGTCZ7SKkTui0BBSW9i6Debeu3y2I9zzaxsZyLWqldT69yGMNHnyzHJbdtxrgmLdhfeKL0bVqWwNosKbZeMW7uuK3OPbJq2kg_IkwMuT602KUaOEwjgj89rEjnFBlOivAfj9b_vvo3-tfpy5VQrXQPJtPbjGVn610xzJHmtenjUtQ/w400-h266/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(56).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXnNGdwHQgnKGo69ndTVH3bIhjxJUwKYj_mnQHMQPPLmYIk-WmB2mhCJ7D5Kx2AnGVMsjk0gSwoZzoGHACsIH1l7VWREV0iN00GJ2nOZrc-9g8AaU1riWi6az4HVpSfztEB5q0QBvXRGMbuXOwfLQt1PYnhxt_T3hkox5mD8iiYy0dkzW1Ks4gne6Mg/s1485/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(57).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="1485" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBXnNGdwHQgnKGo69ndTVH3bIhjxJUwKYj_mnQHMQPPLmYIk-WmB2mhCJ7D5Kx2AnGVMsjk0gSwoZzoGHACsIH1l7VWREV0iN00GJ2nOZrc-9g8AaU1riWi6az4HVpSfztEB5q0QBvXRGMbuXOwfLQt1PYnhxt_T3hkox5mD8iiYy0dkzW1Ks4gne6Mg/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(57).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmuNpy0_iRZXRl678NdpGHpx4XV8AWPBVPn6KyycNYVOtbvhDxudx7h1A8kbfBRa7RaaInLhIVVJf61wPHhexrrD9F58DifHqbz1hat3VDt60m0l0wI17lMrq38NZy6NpCxg2KWiJ2Z4X4FpPLQyeJwpSMXsHX9N8kY36dG22150HI-2_A0Jha8qHVQ/s3901/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(58).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2605" data-original-width="3901" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMmuNpy0_iRZXRl678NdpGHpx4XV8AWPBVPn6KyycNYVOtbvhDxudx7h1A8kbfBRa7RaaInLhIVVJf61wPHhexrrD9F58DifHqbz1hat3VDt60m0l0wI17lMrq38NZy6NpCxg2KWiJ2Z4X4FpPLQyeJwpSMXsHX9N8kY36dG22150HI-2_A0Jha8qHVQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(58).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGvwzl8EKCDw5cjw5_d4-YDaREJMjVyRjr9k3gyAZQpF49wwtrJXxXuZfQ6n-0N1IzHxovX6BuEm_3PBr7PQ_fKPcGdNHBVBR2SuoulvM0SvFVD2_s_eUzwKkvHBdLWrkGBkMLyFSJlqvObTs67_Nn16-6dLV2f1RYOtMvTgcOcJhdRqgWlyoA-ji7Q/s1791/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(61).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1791" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGvwzl8EKCDw5cjw5_d4-YDaREJMjVyRjr9k3gyAZQpF49wwtrJXxXuZfQ6n-0N1IzHxovX6BuEm_3PBr7PQ_fKPcGdNHBVBR2SuoulvM0SvFVD2_s_eUzwKkvHBdLWrkGBkMLyFSJlqvObTs67_Nn16-6dLV2f1RYOtMvTgcOcJhdRqgWlyoA-ji7Q/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(61).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ-jaNs0MyhJnVHEZcXRAgL118S48aaGipTLhOIviRuPw0hK4IhRs8PfZeZPLFZokGRPQ_AJ8kzjPOcJKdB3R1Gy15QWmoYe4pdWefQ7-slirSl3wcUfq4UPFOtf9nuwzEAHTzlQraBc67mJGPFw9Sfbg_lvP01FleMxJcQq4kGkQ2XcHbxJd6cj-nw/s1685/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(63).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1685" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmQ-jaNs0MyhJnVHEZcXRAgL118S48aaGipTLhOIviRuPw0hK4IhRs8PfZeZPLFZokGRPQ_AJ8kzjPOcJKdB3R1Gy15QWmoYe4pdWefQ7-slirSl3wcUfq4UPFOtf9nuwzEAHTzlQraBc67mJGPFw9Sfbg_lvP01FleMxJcQq4kGkQ2XcHbxJd6cj-nw/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(63).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The medium sized town of Valdestillas is essentially a suburb of Valladolid,
the capital city of Castille y Leon. It is a nice mix of old and new,
rural and urban, and features the Gothic Church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario
and the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora del Milagro. We stopped in one of its
bars for a break and café con leche, and learned from the TV in the corner that
there was still snow falling both ahead and behind us on the trail, and that
the pass we took through the Sierra Guadarrama mountains is currently
closed. Once again, we felt blessed by good fortune! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7VrtOlk0jLM2nZpWKQAtpf_nxx8St_z6NH7f6qSEpJFf38BAu-OxmMPRYO_1-h7NGjVljAQllsUnLdQTp22K--dnxQ89DEAuZNjlyXUrPHEDCtp2XAT3AGmZS0Xcx5FGz1gO-J-aqs0xB2F33-gND2ByrfNsCJ72QCyzhL2Y6wC1o8YkSEa_AIhq9Q/s4032/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(65).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij7VrtOlk0jLM2nZpWKQAtpf_nxx8St_z6NH7f6qSEpJFf38BAu-OxmMPRYO_1-h7NGjVljAQllsUnLdQTp22K--dnxQ89DEAuZNjlyXUrPHEDCtp2XAT3AGmZS0Xcx5FGz1gO-J-aqs0xB2F33-gND2ByrfNsCJ72QCyzhL2Y6wC1o8YkSEa_AIhq9Q/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(65).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimS9TjpK-hCpypiUII_Shz06lTU-760ql3EkE9Es-WYPKGeFduB-prc3KP0q7njtlE2434_vz6-W8rzojypN-WilPGx6m2I9BW2RzfZTda9Wy14mjOAo--IzLymwLqJqmH6Twf4uoSB4_-Q-BgWbw3ypUadKOynXpBb2XUjrMiahOrzhiy1lg2pfPvdA/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(66).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimS9TjpK-hCpypiUII_Shz06lTU-760ql3EkE9Es-WYPKGeFduB-prc3KP0q7njtlE2434_vz6-W8rzojypN-WilPGx6m2I9BW2RzfZTda9Wy14mjOAo--IzLymwLqJqmH6Twf4uoSB4_-Q-BgWbw3ypUadKOynXpBb2XUjrMiahOrzhiy1lg2pfPvdA/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(66).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNJzwHcGk_aTWjDhoLW8FaPivLtUZ20orMLgrcwdU-NYZI0yQfUN0OcIHvEH7D8n_NrnC0pyVslIV3M6J8nT1rKiMurZRalTbj1HqdXVZxciEfSqy0grahozYZJqgMwAw1EYI3YvPiXeTuHeW3Lw2wfseondWlOdqBWZ8DN7ixJaJYLvIPGLZhxVV8A/s5442/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(67).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5442" data-original-width="3634" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNJzwHcGk_aTWjDhoLW8FaPivLtUZ20orMLgrcwdU-NYZI0yQfUN0OcIHvEH7D8n_NrnC0pyVslIV3M6J8nT1rKiMurZRalTbj1HqdXVZxciEfSqy0grahozYZJqgMwAw1EYI3YvPiXeTuHeW3Lw2wfseondWlOdqBWZ8DN7ixJaJYLvIPGLZhxVV8A/w268-h400/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(67).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGufX5lPXboBo5lEdkUki0dzQtKAduZsKgRjKvcnMLNy0hDg3UC__TcGAIY-06iUOGdWWYnqsKAkW2SAQywN9kMMq2-LJ9bOr7HgwTnBj6A8zJdQD4zMEl4eqwFZmJQFTlQP7dSZ9Yj9Tn2hZhMkrR88d0MGxjJSkqF6As3yH_twpAo5gXwfFdqYeQYQ/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(68).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGufX5lPXboBo5lEdkUki0dzQtKAduZsKgRjKvcnMLNy0hDg3UC__TcGAIY-06iUOGdWWYnqsKAkW2SAQywN9kMMq2-LJ9bOr7HgwTnBj6A8zJdQD4zMEl4eqwFZmJQFTlQP7dSZ9Yj9Tn2hZhMkrR88d0MGxjJSkqF6As3yH_twpAo5gXwfFdqYeQYQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(68).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">At the far end of town we crossed over a picturesque bridge of unknown age, and
then picked up a sandy footpath through pine trees that ran parallel to the
busy highway. The Camino markers were on the crash barriers on the narrow
edge of the pavement, but we decided to follow the gravel track of the nearby
GR trail which ran parallel to the road but was well removed. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV6mx3N_qTr-zUAMqVE0w8lwe7WWXOCuGAagRPKdPUUvNEDKf0o2b1DaKj85wKPCJJe1WNPFQn0xA9VfcdBhTtZmimghO7wUJr80iWRnkb-LFn6wBxhLYMIOoLZqe1_pVACWkAXY_YbgdQMIplz2CCB0nIpJl3DUtu0Jy-ljUf8QRhy41oG8KSZQ96A/s4032/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(70).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzV6mx3N_qTr-zUAMqVE0w8lwe7WWXOCuGAagRPKdPUUvNEDKf0o2b1DaKj85wKPCJJe1WNPFQn0xA9VfcdBhTtZmimghO7wUJr80iWRnkb-LFn6wBxhLYMIOoLZqe1_pVACWkAXY_YbgdQMIplz2CCB0nIpJl3DUtu0Jy-ljUf8QRhy41oG8KSZQ96A/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(70).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLux7nPsAu5jhd-Uh_frWgDZ-B94OHr25aofLvM2BL-WyoyHSzQbP9R1x_Y_r_qX-BT9rvA9X1WVcTb6U1dB-4yuyYeeH65BUhBdGChjyh6z_oPN3mUv00IQTziGNo9yJ_yxlWd_92fbt-BRCXy6esn3afKVfSMjpOiKfLMkQRcQh4bzci5QI4KPVuw/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(72).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLux7nPsAu5jhd-Uh_frWgDZ-B94OHr25aofLvM2BL-WyoyHSzQbP9R1x_Y_r_qX-BT9rvA9X1WVcTb6U1dB-4yuyYeeH65BUhBdGChjyh6z_oPN3mUv00IQTziGNo9yJ_yxlWd_92fbt-BRCXy6esn3afKVfSMjpOiKfLMkQRcQh4bzci5QI4KPVuw/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(72).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMGJyOj6nzK2Xc4sEXIovxjWA9nn3II0panm-hiHxmbmATs_YaLxKLVzY6tOAhISHw2Sd1Lgq_kd02qh01sjpgP8xLRDWkfFLsCuwaRxlVjv-IhgSmE4WAmJl48-vILZDrm6TqZv1hpvnxKq-Cvl_ih6P0kQfYXQJ4mz6o1GQYz4smrChMmb3xlZWTw/s5783/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(73).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3861" data-original-width="5783" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMGJyOj6nzK2Xc4sEXIovxjWA9nn3II0panm-hiHxmbmATs_YaLxKLVzY6tOAhISHw2Sd1Lgq_kd02qh01sjpgP8xLRDWkfFLsCuwaRxlVjv-IhgSmE4WAmJl48-vILZDrm6TqZv1hpvnxKq-Cvl_ih6P0kQfYXQJ4mz6o1GQYz4smrChMmb3xlZWTw/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(73).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4hLFIEUTpC4-udG91258PzAixhI7GRhz_FblvpaBnJ4e4roL5t0n-h0PoXxrhOn5wgHWqseTvFmyr3YUUdLyS-WkVQcot9gHp_XG5PMKW2mhZYOwCppHWEX_5-0x7cfybGquKnVYyBDIFo68ylMv8BcLj81Yl8nXi6Snns1FjWVbrBBFg02LrqJlZA/s3941/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(75).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2955" data-original-width="3941" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4hLFIEUTpC4-udG91258PzAixhI7GRhz_FblvpaBnJ4e4roL5t0n-h0PoXxrhOn5wgHWqseTvFmyr3YUUdLyS-WkVQcot9gHp_XG5PMKW2mhZYOwCppHWEX_5-0x7cfybGquKnVYyBDIFo68ylMv8BcLj81Yl8nXi6Snns1FjWVbrBBFg02LrqJlZA/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(75).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The only
difference was that we added perhaps a kilometer when we crossed the train
track on a pedestrian underpass rather than on the highway. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtDuTsRgbvlzjAWSWkqg_wbXVfrjWX1KNNCjWWhMPJF5Wg3iSHY0JgI1_QGDvNSNPmFfpSN9oxp1HswRUyBPgiQItiKd79YGVYX4HQijBKO_PQwsZdRE3nUqfVupJAQkwkufaYWtVvPCzLwIvMnffT5qNr-5c1RqpZAZtCML4Jbm67T0VCFZBoI0LJw/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(78).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4015" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdtDuTsRgbvlzjAWSWkqg_wbXVfrjWX1KNNCjWWhMPJF5Wg3iSHY0JgI1_QGDvNSNPmFfpSN9oxp1HswRUyBPgiQItiKd79YGVYX4HQijBKO_PQwsZdRE3nUqfVupJAQkwkufaYWtVvPCzLwIvMnffT5qNr-5c1RqpZAZtCML4Jbm67T0VCFZBoI0LJw/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(78).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>Walking along the roadway through rolling hills and forests was
uneventful. After a few kilometers of sandy track we caught our first
glimpse of the red roofs of Puente Duero ahead of us, as well as the apartment
buildings and housing developments on the outskirts of Valladolid 11 km beyond
that. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Puente Duero began with a long winding treed street of landscaped homes.
We then crossed into the main part of town on an impressive, if very narrow,
medieval stone bridge. Luckily no cars crossed the single-lane span while
we scurried across. On the far side we found a wide street with a
greenspace running down the center, which was lined with homes and businesses,
including bars, restaurants, and a pharmacy. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoyvEs4HEjdm7w14IdcmtFi7hlUHITc4K-oEPdJbQdzQogPDwVc6AX0DN5djiFvGhgx4L-pKuJqmcBzDL1UFa0SLuSOP3pS8yE7nrfoVUVj9LksMsT-RBb5l7cUughK65Z48tJ3cfBcQ4jNscmzthLs6Kg0mmhmwf77GDQxO5m5JAeO-4heczxOQ6bw/s3886/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(80).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3886" data-original-width="2594" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsoyvEs4HEjdm7w14IdcmtFi7hlUHITc4K-oEPdJbQdzQogPDwVc6AX0DN5djiFvGhgx4L-pKuJqmcBzDL1UFa0SLuSOP3pS8yE7nrfoVUVj9LksMsT-RBb5l7cUughK65Z48tJ3cfBcQ4jNscmzthLs6Kg0mmhmwf77GDQxO5m5JAeO-4heczxOQ6bw/w268-h400/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(80).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After taking a look at the church and checking to see if we could get our
credentials stamped (it was closed), we walked across the street to the bus
stop. Our guidebook had suggested that taking a trip to see Valladolid
was a worthwhile addition to this Camino, so we had booked accommodations there
for the night (there was no albergue). However, when the bus arrived we
weren't permitted to take it without having a bus pass. When we asked where we
could purchase one, the driver simply kept repeating that we must have a pass
to board the bus - cash and cards were not accepted. Amid all of this a local resident offered for us to just use her bus card which the driver refused to allow her to do. When we asked again for help or for directions so we could purchase a pass the bus driver yelled <i>'go home American touristimo!'</i>, slammed the door shut and drove off.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC883p_TVPvXdz58eTiNSTrQjSo29vQ9a4h4AKfFtodkSFRSzQk9hicQKowdAI163nEUpUEBnNsQvTo05V_cVgaV9I8XAlRojgrD9c55GNtfs1fOQT70eHOmr69K6uwnhI56gebsxr3SBH4IAbsH-HEn6Hji6tuawO5DFP4lrG357Sj6T3wYEHUUp6hg/s4128/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(81).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC883p_TVPvXdz58eTiNSTrQjSo29vQ9a4h4AKfFtodkSFRSzQk9hicQKowdAI163nEUpUEBnNsQvTo05V_cVgaV9I8XAlRojgrD9c55GNtfs1fOQT70eHOmr69K6uwnhI56gebsxr3SBH4IAbsH-HEn6Hji6tuawO5DFP4lrG357Sj6T3wYEHUUp6hg/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(81).jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><span lang="EN-CA">The only thing open in the town was the bar, so even if these passes were
available somewhere in town, buying them wasn't an option for a few hours at
the very least. We have later discovered that it is likely possible to
pay the bus fare through an App on your phone, but we don't have a lot of data
available, and didn't figure this out until afterwards. If you are
walking the route and plan to take the AUVASA bus into Valladolid we recommend
figuring out exactly what is required to do this in advance. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsZUDTDZ1pZOiYRVMyTAMKF1mjxBiyJhip81mHCl-dRnR0RYA8qQS1tXbo8ZqvCwA5lxCyO0gJ_J9HabyZDr2h0FLnK3yY-qMOJenOZqL6v2dGdRmi3-eIJIN5yWlK-IPGqiE_Wr8-3i1l2Xgd0fo7iqZ1tzdm8Iar9nNlEji5HRsefWNNallnSotSg/s5001/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(82).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5001" data-original-width="3339" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsZUDTDZ1pZOiYRVMyTAMKF1mjxBiyJhip81mHCl-dRnR0RYA8qQS1tXbo8ZqvCwA5lxCyO0gJ_J9HabyZDr2h0FLnK3yY-qMOJenOZqL6v2dGdRmi3-eIJIN5yWlK-IPGqiE_Wr8-3i1l2Xgd0fo7iqZ1tzdm8Iar9nNlEji5HRsefWNNallnSotSg/w268-h400/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(82).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40vWlrwYrbdM76Yoh-f3Eg62VW9TbEQM3zVeEfbQ91RHWjMGIUh9PF69jMp1D_rgI-r6PN2kYDHocxBQSp4qVTj_5RXyfIUGsU-IOMEb9J0XhE_gctvJmLg-hgWq9Gwk23CTep5dTZ7rJ6Uh2AdgfdGJSGF-u0AGbNba_Vn0YoSU1Tu0_nYVDfnkDvA/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(84).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi40vWlrwYrbdM76Yoh-f3Eg62VW9TbEQM3zVeEfbQ91RHWjMGIUh9PF69jMp1D_rgI-r6PN2kYDHocxBQSp4qVTj_5RXyfIUGsU-IOMEb9J0XhE_gctvJmLg-hgWq9Gwk23CTep5dTZ7rJ6Uh2AdgfdGJSGF-u0AGbNba_Vn0YoSU1Tu0_nYVDfnkDvA/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(84).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbOi_LAXoP84_DjcxwfrL33c3yWTYVUZ2TWxLh1ZGY5HzZTxmUqvPqHAJvzk1IGDDsQAte3uO2yV00ZV3U_WfxMq2d8msRDI6d14AijJ4K4Ra0Tws6VSdTvfYUVqpmlAD3gNK8NKhO7ydn92kOFjxVx43H0G2eVzcAuLgaUPzAGBI3ETzhkGiVTq0KQ/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(85).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXbOi_LAXoP84_DjcxwfrL33c3yWTYVUZ2TWxLh1ZGY5HzZTxmUqvPqHAJvzk1IGDDsQAte3uO2yV00ZV3U_WfxMq2d8msRDI6d14AijJ4K4Ra0Tws6VSdTvfYUVqpmlAD3gNK8NKhO7ydn92kOFjxVx43H0G2eVzcAuLgaUPzAGBI3ETzhkGiVTq0KQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(85).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU3_Rq3Rj6rQzO5_7SdvpzstODPSccUjMG6f1OkE2J1fs5HOjrStSIUCIW-sHWLUfH4L8L_eqifPu4DnBud2Bsc5WaK6htYUd_erHtoN3geQHRTO567WPlEqA_hhqYmefDVCZ6ica0wngwhHoUHuej5FMyFTdaGMqR8i0UXqlpuOV1SvacgZtqW3Rcw/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(87).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdU3_Rq3Rj6rQzO5_7SdvpzstODPSccUjMG6f1OkE2J1fs5HOjrStSIUCIW-sHWLUfH4L8L_eqifPu4DnBud2Bsc5WaK6htYUd_erHtoN3geQHRTO567WPlEqA_hhqYmefDVCZ6ica0wngwhHoUHuej5FMyFTdaGMqR8i0UXqlpuOV1SvacgZtqW3Rcw/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(87).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_9-MtHzH539jj997B9sbPJGbhReFAietwNmX34QDRHmD2sXc49Ym8ENHSjas-DQwIYrYgGfX-c6cdEOgh2jtTt9Vqhc-8eTieAouR7DJF5SQM7SelB0Q3oTJ7jHI0gviP-NkD0F9XfN18VuUv_taqj3PUvcW-l6XKds423vvdWlM9KJr4qIQds-cBQ/s5691/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(88).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3799" data-original-width="5691" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio_9-MtHzH539jj997B9sbPJGbhReFAietwNmX34QDRHmD2sXc49Ym8ENHSjas-DQwIYrYgGfX-c6cdEOgh2jtTt9Vqhc-8eTieAouR7DJF5SQM7SelB0Q3oTJ7jHI0gviP-NkD0F9XfN18VuUv_taqj3PUvcW-l6XKds423vvdWlM9KJr4qIQds-cBQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(88).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">It was around 4:30 pm when our bus mishap occurred, so we went into the bar for
a café con leche to figure out what to do next. There is an albergue in
Puente Duero, but tonight we needed WiFi to give a work-related presentation
back in Canada, as well as a private space where we could talk at 2:30 am
without disturbing others. So, we decided that rather than walking 11 km
beside a freeway to Valladolid, we would walk another 6 km along the Camino to
Simancas, where there were private rooms available (no albergue). Perhaps
it was a sign that we simply weren't meant to leave the Camino.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8petu9rJfRXc4jtDCEvnTdOfk0w4KmI495B39hFS40X6fi4UVc6VP8NFhg5ZLt-mDg9zBzLkxAAYECiOITHcen3aHsrF4ioXP4VH7CeMfSt2fUTs3FnDzLXmZS2lc1pyL9saOFGzwNDEU4e-mshBikJtKT1aXVCnTE_tWIIivEyd8Hz1ReQPdFXfxSA/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(114).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8petu9rJfRXc4jtDCEvnTdOfk0w4KmI495B39hFS40X6fi4UVc6VP8NFhg5ZLt-mDg9zBzLkxAAYECiOITHcen3aHsrF4ioXP4VH7CeMfSt2fUTs3FnDzLXmZS2lc1pyL9saOFGzwNDEU4e-mshBikJtKT1aXVCnTE_tWIIivEyd8Hz1ReQPdFXfxSA/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(114).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">In the hot sunshine of the late afternoon, we set off for Simancas. We
mostly followed a dirt footpath that skirted around neighborhoods and followed
along beside larger roads. After crossing a somewhat unnerving roundabout
we came to a long medieval bridge over the Rio Pisuerga. A bronze statue
of two pilgrims pointed the way across the bridge, and the hilltop town of
Simancas towered above us, dominated by the impressive Gothic Church of El
Salvador with its tall Romanesque Tower. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-VmqRpYXGU4mr382SNxKR4mQDMsO6idcC2PHwNcpNuObBk4VRdKOjew6wbX6rm7ORpgbcj1hHRLqFuDbGVHfeg97E7nHJ2py8AHjk5lmBDrnZN9sHf2IefIBm9Bf2eQzMp3sW1Zc6h1zhihZiJBvZaTSnmbi2mn1sNqutKKQPhCq7hf-u3krRqfGHw/s3516/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(92).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3516" data-original-width="2347" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-VmqRpYXGU4mr382SNxKR4mQDMsO6idcC2PHwNcpNuObBk4VRdKOjew6wbX6rm7ORpgbcj1hHRLqFuDbGVHfeg97E7nHJ2py8AHjk5lmBDrnZN9sHf2IefIBm9Bf2eQzMp3sW1Zc6h1zhihZiJBvZaTSnmbi2mn1sNqutKKQPhCq7hf-u3krRqfGHw/w214-h320/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(92).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqaPr59Ui9ciSWwNkd6FID2Ay0KcG0gsrMu_zcsy1mGNZFRq7He9Oil-u-0H9FcGDVHsADgEnks98hXvTbiFndmlcj_HWIs7wWVudZrgnxMiAQXO9B9u8uUz-p8Yjmvr01M5pBt1VAQZESpH-bJ2Z9Ig9bB_97MYFCcbW81K2mMY0mkRqnrBUltI-CA/s4032/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(93).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSqaPr59Ui9ciSWwNkd6FID2Ay0KcG0gsrMu_zcsy1mGNZFRq7He9Oil-u-0H9FcGDVHsADgEnks98hXvTbiFndmlcj_HWIs7wWVudZrgnxMiAQXO9B9u8uUz-p8Yjmvr01M5pBt1VAQZESpH-bJ2Z9Ig9bB_97MYFCcbW81K2mMY0mkRqnrBUltI-CA/s320/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(93).jpg" width="240" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXpYSoMQGKfURLuekJ-k6sZ898SHv_Da_3dPZ_q7HQ-auJdpapPArYHFIdfqLMLcQKzA2Gxo-ToaYDbbuOgmtqVZNWLCfoJ9nsG6tR0hRkdUt95l9bFgtDkcOkBKd3KBS3YyGeyJ6LxTbOHrJ_igKZubOqr9ifpW7YDPJqVlGF75hjzYF_CvS5we9mg/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(95).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXpYSoMQGKfURLuekJ-k6sZ898SHv_Da_3dPZ_q7HQ-auJdpapPArYHFIdfqLMLcQKzA2Gxo-ToaYDbbuOgmtqVZNWLCfoJ9nsG6tR0hRkdUt95l9bFgtDkcOkBKd3KBS3YyGeyJ6LxTbOHrJ_igKZubOqr9ifpW7YDPJqVlGF75hjzYF_CvS5we9mg/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(95).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii31QhP2MbgKP10n3RDmGjx3ZmLJeU4zaHkB9OKqWmr39vHM75eOTUAD0WXDycIxS0pA5SWniqI3xRI0gUEw1XBTfsx0XGoa8Xe8eXfSZj5U3pFcJ-VQ17RbjQ9YEa1lArh4Dho53OOzoauKhJJ0HFOW3x9MA82Uo6FPiFIQawHgtrtCvdsbA6W6P7wA/s5840/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(97).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5840" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii31QhP2MbgKP10n3RDmGjx3ZmLJeU4zaHkB9OKqWmr39vHM75eOTUAD0WXDycIxS0pA5SWniqI3xRI0gUEw1XBTfsx0XGoa8Xe8eXfSZj5U3pFcJ-VQ17RbjQ9YEa1lArh4Dho53OOzoauKhJJ0HFOW3x9MA82Uo6FPiFIQawHgtrtCvdsbA6W6P7wA/w400-h198/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(97).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYVuk5nyBxpwfipFz-HZz-eVgVkw8k7nji0x9xAudTVV0A-lTD5gTAvW2vqDNzyYXebfn9ay60UyuAF7n4wIqNGtF-74ON6TGlbDT10Q38BAME6hqMh-5gbxlRQmEWT5YlrREeDt-o6obusu42MEyMvn8z6CtHw2AOMMaFXGHGbGSFrwZPT94qfAi3g/s5783/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(99).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3861" data-original-width="5783" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYVuk5nyBxpwfipFz-HZz-eVgVkw8k7nji0x9xAudTVV0A-lTD5gTAvW2vqDNzyYXebfn9ay60UyuAF7n4wIqNGtF-74ON6TGlbDT10Q38BAME6hqMh-5gbxlRQmEWT5YlrREeDt-o6obusu42MEyMvn8z6CtHw2AOMMaFXGHGbGSFrwZPT94qfAi3g/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(99).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJVf6i-OoFyUpIsPqyttKaqBtnGa1rR2zoLkqkXkJKANoTJNsT2LjTVBjik5jRzr8C5idd2YDCIb2RSjBlGBOLsROqNeOEtGnPsPSBz_Jj9b0xJCv53StN5foycDJOhKEGH0uXUTALL0DUKRd-UIYSgJf_2khGL42r0QQX76985y_TU3rb38eRLk9lw/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(101).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTJVf6i-OoFyUpIsPqyttKaqBtnGa1rR2zoLkqkXkJKANoTJNsT2LjTVBjik5jRzr8C5idd2YDCIb2RSjBlGBOLsROqNeOEtGnPsPSBz_Jj9b0xJCv53StN5foycDJOhKEGH0uXUTALL0DUKRd-UIYSgJf_2khGL42r0QQX76985y_TU3rb38eRLk9lw/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(101).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The medieval bridge with its 17 arches was filled with locals, sightseers, and
cyclists as we crossed, several of whom wished us a 'Buen Camino!' as they
passed by. An old Roman bridge used to occupy this site, located on the
road that connected Mérida to Zaragoza. The current bridge was
constructed in the 13th century with different semicircular and pointed arches,
some of which have needed repairs throughout the centuries. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwpLaY31VSOQljCZiRfK1DRvQRYuQtMurc18dXnNCHEgVenKdCRJ76IOJ3Yyr0Ca7Tzwa2QmNKv9AVJtSjrbWvUJusilSrEnfz-lDmD3polvQkokrGH9rGHn6yCq33wO1of0WcDffNGC1tH1Uuexxj3YMLRzwm7Z3e1Pzxu1g-HQ6gv3nqKcrNNWxBg/s4032/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(110).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvwpLaY31VSOQljCZiRfK1DRvQRYuQtMurc18dXnNCHEgVenKdCRJ76IOJ3Yyr0Ca7Tzwa2QmNKv9AVJtSjrbWvUJusilSrEnfz-lDmD3polvQkokrGH9rGHn6yCq33wO1of0WcDffNGC1tH1Uuexxj3YMLRzwm7Z3e1Pzxu1g-HQ6gv3nqKcrNNWxBg/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(110).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77-gPCUbNmfzU1CR0HS_XDfvbpi0S3NXuUKTCXa2VRogX3y9yakcAZ5Mf0Tb72vSmbtW0vDR95VQs63ftnzH5IvZ3vxivoj04b2SrfOxQfsOW09Ld1u0PfRlxkBgiQWwl2ewCbX58Yf4I4ZdmYPeRrMctV8QI74M35NodXQrU4r5Au8Q731uzmRjrrQ/s4032/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(111).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77-gPCUbNmfzU1CR0HS_XDfvbpi0S3NXuUKTCXa2VRogX3y9yakcAZ5Mf0Tb72vSmbtW0vDR95VQs63ftnzH5IvZ3vxivoj04b2SrfOxQfsOW09Ld1u0PfRlxkBgiQWwl2ewCbX58Yf4I4ZdmYPeRrMctV8QI74M35NodXQrU4r5Au8Q731uzmRjrrQ/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(111).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">A grassy park with an inviting looking restaurant was located on the far shore
of the shallow sandy river under the shade of tall trees. The yellows
arrows then pointed us up the very steep, narrow, winding streets of the
town. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Simancas, which was originally the Roman town Septimanica, was built at an
important Roman crossroads. It was an Episcopal See since 927 and an
important defensive site along the Duero River, and now it is a picturesque
hilltop town with a castle and a large church. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpSRpQ-XgTRTF4oALd4TskSw-HdBOUbmqaUtwhFH2baW9y4GCvco5gkCjAEsOMVfhDVzYC_kPVe9We25EUIWS4zgiiD6FjOXHXEfuJMW_jZLGFX3rQdmiI3JDWLJuzjwMcaCHphnJbCgb-SQLnxYBrZNphU_Qd7THkr4EEr2h8x6rL7C6_OaHtp3bhQ/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(112).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdpSRpQ-XgTRTF4oALd4TskSw-HdBOUbmqaUtwhFH2baW9y4GCvco5gkCjAEsOMVfhDVzYC_kPVe9We25EUIWS4zgiiD6FjOXHXEfuJMW_jZLGFX3rQdmiI3JDWLJuzjwMcaCHphnJbCgb-SQLnxYBrZNphU_Qd7THkr4EEr2h8x6rL7C6_OaHtp3bhQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(112).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we huffed and puffed up the steep winding streets we suddenly got our first
glimpse of the light grey stone of the huge, chateau-style castle. It was
originally built by the Moors, but after it was captured by the Christians it
was rebuilt by Alfonso III. In 1545 it was designated as the General
Archive of the Kingdom, which it still is today. It houses over 32
million documents in 52 rooms. Unfortunately it is temporarily closed at
the moment, so we were unable to visit. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5cDVJV8fa0UKvvKF1QGS1SbYg-7BxUovWYd7GOjhKQXfRaqQhd-cRSi6AYvYfGsevF2XjoIBlj_3vEQFw40dy6WLOm9yUpEMffKZDmDU4Yz757bui3oM2V5pR8Uv9rhnTMRdZLN0YfzJVLr9gMz6fVstvJWvdUsDxFS4HhPnBBzXv040493uY5tAnQ/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(115).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz5cDVJV8fa0UKvvKF1QGS1SbYg-7BxUovWYd7GOjhKQXfRaqQhd-cRSi6AYvYfGsevF2XjoIBlj_3vEQFw40dy6WLOm9yUpEMffKZDmDU4Yz757bui3oM2V5pR8Uv9rhnTMRdZLN0YfzJVLr9gMz6fVstvJWvdUsDxFS4HhPnBBzXv040493uY5tAnQ/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(115).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After a short detour to admire the outside of the castle, we continued to climb
up to the Church of El Salvador. Happily the door was open, and we could
hear music coming from within. A very nice priest was preparing for a
later service, and he graciously provided stamps for our pilgrim
passports. He also gave us a personalized tour, explaining the history of
the church, the cloister, and the Italian painting in a humbling mix of
Spanish, French, English, and with a mischievous smile, Latin. We were
grateful for his kindness and consideration after the rudeness of the bus
driver and the unexpected change of plans. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzxPyESD2k44ouL0oXGvguxMCki2QtE6StSBu1tbijAaUBO61AzzRf4O9M_EohaTsB1iGxa0DohmIBKAJjyxZrY3xTacOB6AGwx1uxWXuY1yHnZ-XU1GKrc5Gjkvh0yXz650FCVGDyohPibywL7cZnNXo_LuN4BSBsrKfObPgd6b0lalVkpKCnLSHTg/s6016/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(118).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTzxPyESD2k44ouL0oXGvguxMCki2QtE6StSBu1tbijAaUBO61AzzRf4O9M_EohaTsB1iGxa0DohmIBKAJjyxZrY3xTacOB6AGwx1uxWXuY1yHnZ-XU1GKrc5Gjkvh0yXz650FCVGDyohPibywL7cZnNXo_LuN4BSBsrKfObPgd6b0lalVkpKCnLSHTg/w400-h268/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(118).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcSx6yYOcITq37YGFYSFw53G8urEHkm42eNdkW7yn8XXj6tihT1CE9-9N-ISfABtLzQ8gwndwNNlxb2TkjIUJLYMwIq6zrKN5vqirx9EVUS85moySeIJ70t9xR4W_y3sLng_ep9J_grE546ovtRV0QLQiRZhr4VsZmMlT3_1tM08f-ubQduRG4Sbvxg/s3948/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(122).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3764" data-original-width="3948" height="381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcSx6yYOcITq37YGFYSFw53G8urEHkm42eNdkW7yn8XXj6tihT1CE9-9N-ISfABtLzQ8gwndwNNlxb2TkjIUJLYMwIq6zrKN5vqirx9EVUS85moySeIJ70t9xR4W_y3sLng_ep9J_grE546ovtRV0QLQiRZhr4VsZmMlT3_1tM08f-ubQduRG4Sbvxg/w400-h381/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(122).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We wove our way back down through town to our hotel, took a shower, did our
laundry, and then headed back up to the main square in the hopes of grabbing
something to eat. We sat at a table on the edge of the square, watching
the local boys playing a lively game of soccer among the pillars and arches of
the town hall, and enjoying a cold cerveza. Unfortunately no food was
served until 8 pm, but the bar tender took pity on us and served a very large
and delicious platter of Iberian ham. We sat in the square until the
temperature dropped below our comfort level, and then we made our way back to
our room to prepare for the presentation and get some much needed sleep. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBMPirtZdKEOup1FL70YEoebx_xVTqGT0v2QkITRa4qiBMTxLAqzjc80KUsW3YtFxcBKEhyqvxAzWrY8XoNcSrMpmI5mVbl5z6QVu2BBs-QUPWvyU3GkHjIKZKPiN3rD4IrhTemj733opd7Zuno8kz0Q1AryHtTx1dKK58oqwOsM8FfqYvPfmsI0zKg/s3304/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(119).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2478" data-original-width="3304" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBMPirtZdKEOup1FL70YEoebx_xVTqGT0v2QkITRa4qiBMTxLAqzjc80KUsW3YtFxcBKEhyqvxAzWrY8XoNcSrMpmI5mVbl5z6QVu2BBs-QUPWvyU3GkHjIKZKPiN3rD4IrhTemj733opd7Zuno8kz0Q1AryHtTx1dKK58oqwOsM8FfqYvPfmsI0zKg/w400-h300/Alcazaren%20to%20Simancas%20to%20Blog%20(119).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Things don't always work out the way we plan, but on the Camino it often feels
like they work out the way they should. <br />
<b><br />
Distance: 30.7 km<br />
Accommodations: Hotel Pago del Olivo</b></span><b><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></b></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com047130 Simancas, Valladolid, Spain41.5909697 -4.830029813.280735863821157 -39.9862798 69.901203536178855 30.3262202tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-14257566163097852012022-04-20T20:09:00.001-04:002022-06-25T12:50:09.104-04:00Rain Storms, Provincial Mud, and Snow Storms : Vileguillo to Alcazarén<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After a very quiet and peaceful night in
the albergue we woke up to heavy cloud cover and persistent rain. We
delayed as long as possible, but eventually headed out into the rain and wind,
which made the 3°C temperature feel closer to zero. Little did we know at
that point just how lucky we were! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we headed out across the fields we were filled with optimism by a band of
watery blue and pale yellow sky ahead of us on the horizon. However, we
ended up chasing the sunshine all day, walking in a persistent and at times
heavy rain right up until we reached Alcazarén, our destination for the night. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOoUSbjVeMUFzrrTZZ7GDhmTuTZ7Z9I4YXbwIGLUd7Jq4J8GCBWj9vv_eLg9tSWbbK4SbhTbbJzFEGqXInZIp-3j1lAWN-xcXIBbzyngoYN2r2q04PavLgDuK4ZG_NApxvSgG2sw2HJjOB2N2fmnwEb8SIGfE2zxyvGkBS-a980DfjUaEUR2WeMgVsw/s4680/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3124" data-original-width="4680" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuOoUSbjVeMUFzrrTZZ7GDhmTuTZ7Z9I4YXbwIGLUd7Jq4J8GCBWj9vv_eLg9tSWbbK4SbhTbbJzFEGqXInZIp-3j1lAWN-xcXIBbzyngoYN2r2q04PavLgDuK4ZG_NApxvSgG2sw2HJjOB2N2fmnwEb8SIGfE2zxyvGkBS-a980DfjUaEUR2WeMgVsw/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Pj325DtOUYEsH9MwpTwLEM7Wzj0L6y5mxRuxxN7TAhfpi4GkIdfEh-R4DJ3f1NtZAEiMeK9P6J1xqBlsuVctlt5DMHpCaCLOcOjCLmEiG0kemr9T8adp_Ep9p5LqCO2O3RKo-Oe8lY4Lrg0oDHqAgofzLcMVFMnEwMJQS9CQvUWE9GUg84_SRa7Opg/s4897/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4897" data-original-width="3269" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Pj325DtOUYEsH9MwpTwLEM7Wzj0L6y5mxRuxxN7TAhfpi4GkIdfEh-R4DJ3f1NtZAEiMeK9P6J1xqBlsuVctlt5DMHpCaCLOcOjCLmEiG0kemr9T8adp_Ep9p5LqCO2O3RKo-Oe8lY4Lrg0oDHqAgofzLcMVFMnEwMJQS9CQvUWE9GUg84_SRa7Opg/w268-h400/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(3).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">For the first 4 km we followed a dirt track through fields of fresh bright
green, brilliant yellow canola, and unplanted sandy soil. The wind blew
the rain sideways, thoroughly soaking us, so we kept up a brisk pace and took
few photos. We were glad when we reached the comparative shelter of the
pine trees. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAiQg__jEWzSAmb4KL1dFwqmxW3eKZrbJktf2LGERbD6ybvu1Z2UyES_tZNhmeTQEW0RyNDtIxO7G6fhuw6pHrtRYDG_NLNrIJeB9NHj6A89shm-A0ehp-JMkaNeXYMzUM9QCBPknKPNUEPcufhjiHQSwn4NeUw2oyZLZ3e3i2CIDlZJQflGdnMEYlw/s4032/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAiQg__jEWzSAmb4KL1dFwqmxW3eKZrbJktf2LGERbD6ybvu1Z2UyES_tZNhmeTQEW0RyNDtIxO7G6fhuw6pHrtRYDG_NLNrIJeB9NHj6A89shm-A0ehp-JMkaNeXYMzUM9QCBPknKPNUEPcufhjiHQSwn4NeUw2oyZLZ3e3i2CIDlZJQflGdnMEYlw/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(6).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFU52PwQb2BO4ANep0NvrPCszz6iwzpIlWH1DUPiLMqlw3lSmcOKCAXvItMU-7vbx8KMQRURZyy3DYJJYz0l4n8YVl7c8r4cJbYpf3fDCc8HTWSQMYTQj-jMfXlS5bk7Dfx53fGat9cHrsMV_48xbldRdGw7Jw2euuzMTGwDX7KSO0Ytiwl0moEUMPQ/s4577/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(7).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3055" data-original-width="4577" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOFU52PwQb2BO4ANep0NvrPCszz6iwzpIlWH1DUPiLMqlw3lSmcOKCAXvItMU-7vbx8KMQRURZyy3DYJJYz0l4n8YVl7c8r4cJbYpf3fDCc8HTWSQMYTQj-jMfXlS5bk7Dfx53fGat9cHrsMV_48xbldRdGw7Jw2euuzMTGwDX7KSO0Ytiwl0moEUMPQ/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(7).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52iMSejROKAQ8TBh9ITSieEswRtbd9_EB9EiWQRJZcNK_8TGUBy5s8OgZzt_VSDzUk3KLTyrr9S5vpyxMKdkL0igYcI04C_Wkxkc01uxBFG6mVVZ1Ar2gs1DPpRXfqoQYBWcgRtacv2FXrqCEI9AiVFBxeHCh1QKFjAdOu6ZtqN-rQnlA0qO-TqaJ6w/s5248/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(8).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3503" data-original-width="5248" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi52iMSejROKAQ8TBh9ITSieEswRtbd9_EB9EiWQRJZcNK_8TGUBy5s8OgZzt_VSDzUk3KLTyrr9S5vpyxMKdkL0igYcI04C_Wkxkc01uxBFG6mVVZ1Ar2gs1DPpRXfqoQYBWcgRtacv2FXrqCEI9AiVFBxeHCh1QKFjAdOu6ZtqN-rQnlA0qO-TqaJ6w/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(8).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Just before we reached the trees we passed a Camino marker that indicated we
were crossing out of the autonomous community of Segovia and into the community
of Valladolid. Apparently this marks the third of four provinces we will
pass through on the Camino Madrid. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Today's walk was only 18 km, and about half of it was along white sandy tracks
that snaked through pine forest. The rain that has fallen over the past few
days has turned the tender green grasses on the forest floor to a bright,
fresh, emerald green, and the clumps of lichen and mistletoe that hang from the
pines were also vibrant in the wet cold morning. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlRGeCpt4lG6NRxhUpY8wftG1ywaMVSGcmMvb-U-B6tc5wn9xqV92w2iWBHz2GLEgP_A-TLh8yMHAyOAzi6rr8Dzy1dswL5JZ8H_ArPIWQblEJflsNXLpoLwzz54wssmHSuTqJ7sqhhTuL9crx5hW4Cl7HH2ztn8s2vcrqTaHXsc4i0YTJGCKD_h1rA/s5420/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(11).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3617" data-original-width="5420" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxlRGeCpt4lG6NRxhUpY8wftG1ywaMVSGcmMvb-U-B6tc5wn9xqV92w2iWBHz2GLEgP_A-TLh8yMHAyOAzi6rr8Dzy1dswL5JZ8H_ArPIWQblEJflsNXLpoLwzz54wssmHSuTqJ7sqhhTuL9crx5hW4Cl7HH2ztn8s2vcrqTaHXsc4i0YTJGCKD_h1rA/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(11).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZIrcUlJtuKSISdPiBgkeEi4RQegqglVyEHej7XWin_uJLBMEOlI4WdxtE5S7IHveAOahERy-662cothUm0iR-NE0Oz_Fmf90nxt7BZ_DBL2nCiCo_E-Ooz7jUdy4ELZ_o9AVEeWuq2yM4_SI82tVp78lR9IKcvE8sYnSpLZRkmbXjmPM97JDXjpSOg/s4000/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(12).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEZIrcUlJtuKSISdPiBgkeEi4RQegqglVyEHej7XWin_uJLBMEOlI4WdxtE5S7IHveAOahERy-662cothUm0iR-NE0Oz_Fmf90nxt7BZ_DBL2nCiCo_E-Ooz7jUdy4ELZ_o9AVEeWuq2yM4_SI82tVp78lR9IKcvE8sYnSpLZRkmbXjmPM97JDXjpSOg/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(12).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHsEjE9_XFWL4lBrIIykWoDfDWVPEJSzf-5hbp1VXGuVaQpxtnaYvYoZqIdDcb40BmmDeGF60LaZS4h_HOpa1wD2ERQ8A1EcAuXBRuLPBHUq9b-rH73Pm9io9b9DBwzgscEaiLkRXKPv5XzrHyRYLdcVdJCcrj6V8pbD9gWe26gcDNeW9Mtv15dDeyQ/s4032/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(13).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtHsEjE9_XFWL4lBrIIykWoDfDWVPEJSzf-5hbp1VXGuVaQpxtnaYvYoZqIdDcb40BmmDeGF60LaZS4h_HOpa1wD2ERQ8A1EcAuXBRuLPBHUq9b-rH73Pm9io9b9DBwzgscEaiLkRXKPv5XzrHyRYLdcVdJCcrj6V8pbD9gWe26gcDNeW9Mtv15dDeyQ/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(13).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV4-eZXlAqHoV7VZpUEwM85A0On_hLiVXykA8EIf4WwJT8rUAdM0g_CN-GnDKxn_6wzD-_qXNn2ZYPkt1wnngePt6ABXbepLwUXLfho8hyuRayIrFOfgjq2XIHBmMxlFrPucJ-QX1JryxncnVrZfQ7TJwahL4sahmRtuHtH_eWmzpzglUDryDqieMcg/s5464/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(15).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="5464" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGV4-eZXlAqHoV7VZpUEwM85A0On_hLiVXykA8EIf4WwJT8rUAdM0g_CN-GnDKxn_6wzD-_qXNn2ZYPkt1wnngePt6ABXbepLwUXLfho8hyuRayIrFOfgjq2XIHBmMxlFrPucJ-QX1JryxncnVrZfQ7TJwahL4sahmRtuHtH_eWmzpzglUDryDqieMcg/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(15).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-UG_8JcGq3J_0w6rIQJ104h6JAG6WCPs-yjPSHxnOllQN5zY6IWwbe5oCq1v7bIZND544vZZRJR1A8mocBv_G-aUV0muXWdTwnw-3h9v9LhKiLSdrjzwZVnJQmuhAJE43qPxGxoDf_BOBve967LZQoKNY2F8EfhXvHyte1MdpFah2Xdl-pRD0W82gQ/s3736/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(16).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2493" data-original-width="3736" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-UG_8JcGq3J_0w6rIQJ104h6JAG6WCPs-yjPSHxnOllQN5zY6IWwbe5oCq1v7bIZND544vZZRJR1A8mocBv_G-aUV0muXWdTwnw-3h9v9LhKiLSdrjzwZVnJQmuhAJE43qPxGxoDf_BOBve967LZQoKNY2F8EfhXvHyte1MdpFah2Xdl-pRD0W82gQ/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(16).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV26YTIiPYhy9QxzaYc-IoCRtOcypSpYVgEf1_Ji6caQSN3qnt2Fkgp6rvjgKBV6t5hvbq7TDH1ij2Pm1lmGb3M2up-fLOqyOWi8o0tF4l6hF0BjnpCW-Zh0UzUd9stSlfIaYJerMJcStwmf_1Tvkb6_fUKHH2Gxfzo5Cj8X1YlYGcvxlDkenOeRV5eg/s4032/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(18).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV26YTIiPYhy9QxzaYc-IoCRtOcypSpYVgEf1_Ji6caQSN3qnt2Fkgp6rvjgKBV6t5hvbq7TDH1ij2Pm1lmGb3M2up-fLOqyOWi8o0tF4l6hF0BjnpCW-Zh0UzUd9stSlfIaYJerMJcStwmf_1Tvkb6_fUKHH2Gxfzo5Cj8X1YlYGcvxlDkenOeRV5eg/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(18).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNG5fRj3Z9vmaC7E2ibbmEo6cLlfXKxb7Joqcaedfd7jcqJ1LzVu-TDTBUhxIcHxnCkeFc2cl41USRhxHBEAeA7YSJ4YjuynA31eEEiHU84hZy8o4jFLnV3lkXzdk-cm0d7RO9cl_NZmnKB8q3CtO0Jf5jqv2H3BCiuNEc5i0gLsLQxF1MMLj3yshBvg/s4032/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(19).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNG5fRj3Z9vmaC7E2ibbmEo6cLlfXKxb7Joqcaedfd7jcqJ1LzVu-TDTBUhxIcHxnCkeFc2cl41USRhxHBEAeA7YSJ4YjuynA31eEEiHU84hZy8o4jFLnV3lkXzdk-cm0d7RO9cl_NZmnKB8q3CtO0Jf5jqv2H3BCiuNEc5i0gLsLQxF1MMLj3yshBvg/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(19).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Eventually we emerged from the pines to cross a busy highway. On the far
side of the road we spotted a pair of yellow arrows on the pavement indicating
we should walk right, down the edge of the paved road. The map and our
app indicated we should go down the dirt track straight in front of us, which
seemed like a much safer option. A memorial wreath on the edge of the
roadway confirmed our sense that walking the narrow, shoulder-less highway was
a dangerous proposition. We continued straight ahead, and eventually
spotted another yellow arrow on a small brick structure in the field. We
had chosen wisely! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOJIGHNvwDrEUtHhMxdnZbVZ-sQ7p9y_vHbnByKGmbX2dqTSR4HcdLVe6ngszylrUUWn373jlmtmRxORthT7g_E3nqJOH3RG73qYFgxOTCUd9giixpVy--r8RPcQaDlI8vfwmIErb5a-1FbL1y5Hipz1koahHfJFIt6XbM5VduhtymJMwIgzY2NABXA/s4032/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(20).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOJIGHNvwDrEUtHhMxdnZbVZ-sQ7p9y_vHbnByKGmbX2dqTSR4HcdLVe6ngszylrUUWn373jlmtmRxORthT7g_E3nqJOH3RG73qYFgxOTCUd9giixpVy--r8RPcQaDlI8vfwmIErb5a-1FbL1y5Hipz1koahHfJFIt6XbM5VduhtymJMwIgzY2NABXA/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(20).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCOehhhcdgVSGQqC_qiwNCM42hxhI12sU_UrsX-gvK7vj6AoDnPEgAhiG_8P1RGoleDsWevyyJQ66wpkhFxtVhnc-IyAi3wR_K_LFKBUYHNeh-Lf1LCDBoTFsg53BmfBngLR3DVelB139Ts5u0wFuSiHLCg307siNRuDx-o-cfsliIBMQFPrbDXkN2w/s4128/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(21).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCOehhhcdgVSGQqC_qiwNCM42hxhI12sU_UrsX-gvK7vj6AoDnPEgAhiG_8P1RGoleDsWevyyJQ66wpkhFxtVhnc-IyAi3wR_K_LFKBUYHNeh-Lf1LCDBoTFsg53BmfBngLR3DVelB139Ts5u0wFuSiHLCg307siNRuDx-o-cfsliIBMQFPrbDXkN2w/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(21).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2-fpSfyupWk_0sXB7PvQJ62PI12bV2vEGUQMAdxLV-wfdyBPDWQ53Y3pT8NC1Ae1ER0iFsWwv1hLXNzcEBTpa-sSwzQcpkdHqP5FGwoC4g8gjUX4EwdErPc5ddx7Fwk35T5_24sBREjmK61UZljtPqOafuuDnrBY0cUhkJS9fXxlr8bSyCDAva8vsQ/s4035/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(22).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="4035" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2-fpSfyupWk_0sXB7PvQJ62PI12bV2vEGUQMAdxLV-wfdyBPDWQ53Y3pT8NC1Ae1ER0iFsWwv1hLXNzcEBTpa-sSwzQcpkdHqP5FGwoC4g8gjUX4EwdErPc5ddx7Fwk35T5_24sBREjmK61UZljtPqOafuuDnrBY0cUhkJS9fXxlr8bSyCDAva8vsQ/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(22).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXx4ARa6EujAI0FC7qMk7CLK4tbKf6ottQNGnbnXVxgMa_Fp-nE3nTbntYpfZH5iXpX3OmO88E0HZXMoAQgy0GO2NtSGy3wOCF6r8a1WIYpBPhKNgFVruV4_yNR_KHcTT7o7kPuwFGBb9nxAebMBolpTXmA_11XI0-ysgmtMoo9MXHQAabTZlvF6KBQ/s4035/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(23).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="4035" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXx4ARa6EujAI0FC7qMk7CLK4tbKf6ottQNGnbnXVxgMa_Fp-nE3nTbntYpfZH5iXpX3OmO88E0HZXMoAQgy0GO2NtSGy3wOCF6r8a1WIYpBPhKNgFVruV4_yNR_KHcTT7o7kPuwFGBb9nxAebMBolpTXmA_11XI0-ysgmtMoo9MXHQAabTZlvF6KBQ/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(23).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybxsXltCNgCLWsqG4BGbsCJJdEpgjrtuV-UGS8uqEukNnBS9iAedTDnsLDQEg8KVwD2XPpb-XFnTkBaWL5jFvybH0ou0cg36E1bRAFvA0VgJ8tVwIEBVaSIcLWFnbZEiMwZ8eQ4QebZU3NLS3hoIZHd6AjvlnNxuVxxaAbxSly-P-jn4bCeKgwLcaow/s3881/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(26).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2911" data-original-width="3881" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybxsXltCNgCLWsqG4BGbsCJJdEpgjrtuV-UGS8uqEukNnBS9iAedTDnsLDQEg8KVwD2XPpb-XFnTkBaWL5jFvybH0ou0cg36E1bRAFvA0VgJ8tVwIEBVaSIcLWFnbZEiMwZ8eQ4QebZU3NLS3hoIZHd6AjvlnNxuVxxaAbxSly-P-jn4bCeKgwLcaow/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(26).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We climbed up and over a very exposed hill covered in onion crops and grasses.
It was windy and cold up there, and the track had turned to thick, slippery mud
under out feet. However, we were glad to be off the road and in the
rolling hills. As we walked the track we spotted fresh deer hoof prints
in the mud, indicating we weren't alone in the peaceful agricultural landscape. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJhPacSMhe4TniB0gxSrl33FbUr0zViNrQO-eJi9Lz8cT6OLTpPIyF2Kl3mevzR1iZJBu13dhXs1KNv31c-uq6AnGQ4zShVGdOxTeET9eCODm4gtl56VJ9G12snNUHqJe9kiSxM1E-4XPJtwKYZ9LjnTrOAnBc08uYDfYHLyFFkGB05t2BB-fqDvTUQ/s4128/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(27).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJhPacSMhe4TniB0gxSrl33FbUr0zViNrQO-eJi9Lz8cT6OLTpPIyF2Kl3mevzR1iZJBu13dhXs1KNv31c-uq6AnGQ4zShVGdOxTeET9eCODm4gtl56VJ9G12snNUHqJe9kiSxM1E-4XPJtwKYZ9LjnTrOAnBc08uYDfYHLyFFkGB05t2BB-fqDvTUQ/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(27).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aIEcuL87WMVt3Ql6RHQBpUq14_fdzRcq_QraGVa_fFcm2PEt_1VSblhdbb0Q_fPIlwBM3KdiqdLHX4g-nQNVvOQkAN7-Gpzae1zBc1H5JayQmlkBMhdXR5PNt0_dIO7zOMzS9auxeKpi4W62lHQqjz1or4p-avjjlos_zjCMuUxnVWZ5qvYfoM3GeQ/s4128/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(28).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aIEcuL87WMVt3Ql6RHQBpUq14_fdzRcq_QraGVa_fFcm2PEt_1VSblhdbb0Q_fPIlwBM3KdiqdLHX4g-nQNVvOQkAN7-Gpzae1zBc1H5JayQmlkBMhdXR5PNt0_dIO7zOMzS9auxeKpi4W62lHQqjz1or4p-avjjlos_zjCMuUxnVWZ5qvYfoM3GeQ/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(28).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lvhyCdBAlPqP1UwsaDN0vSASPefKCDyXwhC41xcFedHePRc9N_YW8hzGwV3l1ms5rIY6udYFBw9tBlLD8hkRP4U87OPfuR3d7whAAVl3hQyi5IJjS7aFNxM_vUP2zSSEFX35LYIqFgsQKizyYerEGHhRNiql_Tgn2NvYdlT_MixLvJvKAMhkjVHbZw/s4032/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(29).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lvhyCdBAlPqP1UwsaDN0vSASPefKCDyXwhC41xcFedHePRc9N_YW8hzGwV3l1ms5rIY6udYFBw9tBlLD8hkRP4U87OPfuR3d7whAAVl3hQyi5IJjS7aFNxM_vUP2zSSEFX35LYIqFgsQKizyYerEGHhRNiql_Tgn2NvYdlT_MixLvJvKAMhkjVHbZw/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(29).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgEP4Q_yaWiFvlhgkqZUNTPPZAtMbQcVmyodVXaU7Y9ny93GwWiSx8SkV8t-F1a0c_2Y0YHNE7lAIjSQcm-5khLfpeoKx5XyfSDN6h779fQDiWcDPnHA5VERi3StdAMv_buz-H1W-fTx8csUk89xs7x4GOnLj2jykz2eGtYdsSD1j9cjc7DcHp8DJQw/s4000/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(30).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMgEP4Q_yaWiFvlhgkqZUNTPPZAtMbQcVmyodVXaU7Y9ny93GwWiSx8SkV8t-F1a0c_2Y0YHNE7lAIjSQcm-5khLfpeoKx5XyfSDN6h779fQDiWcDPnHA5VERi3StdAMv_buz-H1W-fTx8csUk89xs7x4GOnLj2jykz2eGtYdsSD1j9cjc7DcHp8DJQw/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(30).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDMPitA1n-q5DItpsijKvoo776yQIPMRKOdGrC6e7If3Yx122o4IqmL8Kdn0j_j9qzAvszxJTAiMhi2X_K6XZ2Tmn9dqLb-Kk1GWGKLa3KE1XhopZbwrGgDb3QUoYFv4cPe4URCeHteZHC6thE2z09T1HOar8xdcnPbO5eKsIpiRPPbZoX20MSR-ZDw/s4128/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(31).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDMPitA1n-q5DItpsijKvoo776yQIPMRKOdGrC6e7If3Yx122o4IqmL8Kdn0j_j9qzAvszxJTAiMhi2X_K6XZ2Tmn9dqLb-Kk1GWGKLa3KE1XhopZbwrGgDb3QUoYFv4cPe4URCeHteZHC6thE2z09T1HOar8xdcnPbO5eKsIpiRPPbZoX20MSR-ZDw/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(31).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Eventually we descended off the exposed ridge, and passed an abandoned looking
farm complex, the terra cotta roofs of the outbuilding collapsing, and trees
growing up at random inside the walls. The trail took us between two huge
stacked squares of hay bales, which reminded us of the Canadian prairies. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifmlZLw0QLrq0Bkb34yaSMX2xg7jLcsWGHKQ8Vnu98-_HeXBfLJPHG5GQkCdYa3vrbGnfDNRuMXku6fMOhFRvkimoX_hSp4Nbxh4-KvcmMqfAvcBN40ow7dQGKQDnxWd7MnrnreQ_apOxsTJxpnGIWkGD_1roRYoc3KAc7HT0C7yKnoL4SHsQiMIr2A/s4128/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(33).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="4128" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjifmlZLw0QLrq0Bkb34yaSMX2xg7jLcsWGHKQ8Vnu98-_HeXBfLJPHG5GQkCdYa3vrbGnfDNRuMXku6fMOhFRvkimoX_hSp4Nbxh4-KvcmMqfAvcBN40ow7dQGKQDnxWd7MnrnreQ_apOxsTJxpnGIWkGD_1roRYoc3KAc7HT0C7yKnoL4SHsQiMIr2A/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(33).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7JnHxtHgpRzRBzqNpXgHw5A_G6dja5CTU9K327x5BS8515AFpnILdB3Nf0EEIMr7rVqhdjdqvfmLWCrG8C8itJWrbTJhTwi4j1nEOaMGK648D6Do5BOOss96ziAL12JZbKicN0YtWurSZec8hXP8e2M2pfjDi6F9xjTzuyOHTQU4n2s3Ed6UNAqItg/s4000/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(34).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7JnHxtHgpRzRBzqNpXgHw5A_G6dja5CTU9K327x5BS8515AFpnILdB3Nf0EEIMr7rVqhdjdqvfmLWCrG8C8itJWrbTJhTwi4j1nEOaMGK648D6Do5BOOss96ziAL12JZbKicN0YtWurSZec8hXP8e2M2pfjDi6F9xjTzuyOHTQU4n2s3Ed6UNAqItg/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(34).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYegU7xqRXEV3tyyRwcuEY78apt7ovJ_YsHOUICn4NqUGQFI8lrXDwvYcgnP-9XDuIouHvXqn3lmhuU_5-sahhQ-w-d9WNX3SPNMTaT-T9Icst9RedL54OSlMBIiSRB-YZw3Yn0Y7xYSqFu0aD5Aw9IF7oE-J9iviYKlU3-xTImbpv5F0lw9J4veJWYw/s2970/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(38).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1983" data-original-width="2970" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYegU7xqRXEV3tyyRwcuEY78apt7ovJ_YsHOUICn4NqUGQFI8lrXDwvYcgnP-9XDuIouHvXqn3lmhuU_5-sahhQ-w-d9WNX3SPNMTaT-T9Icst9RedL54OSlMBIiSRB-YZw3Yn0Y7xYSqFu0aD5Aw9IF7oE-J9iviYKlU3-xTImbpv5F0lw9J4veJWYw/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(38).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We passed another abandoned farmstead, walked through another section of pine
forest, and then found ourselves walking the edge of a very busy highway. Thankfully
there was a small footpath through the grass on the verge, and as we crossed
the Eresma River once again, we had a small pedestrian walkway on the side of
the highway to make the crossing safely. We had hoped that there was a
place to get a warm drink on this stretch of road, but it turned out that the
establishment Google maps suggested was there didn't exist. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyiTwA86XsO7Ms0_gJ54vTuGCjOpp52rf796KN3BC9XItU_EdPcE11m0sDtZ1aX_TaKd7BNVoRQ4MSwVqy4YerfnwqgCTLvu2BN1wrFZvTN_x3XY5kufep6BHrHkuMuS7Hz84XjrVAMLUmj64RAi6pbFXlU83Xc8XL1kXZlhvKT0S-GUzH17B6uXQJw/s5365/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(40).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3581" data-original-width="5365" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyiTwA86XsO7Ms0_gJ54vTuGCjOpp52rf796KN3BC9XItU_EdPcE11m0sDtZ1aX_TaKd7BNVoRQ4MSwVqy4YerfnwqgCTLvu2BN1wrFZvTN_x3XY5kufep6BHrHkuMuS7Hz84XjrVAMLUmj64RAi6pbFXlU83Xc8XL1kXZlhvKT0S-GUzH17B6uXQJw/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(40).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">During the second half of our walk today we found ourselves following the app a
lot, as there was an absence of yellow arrows or markers at junctions in the
trail. Essentially we stayed on the 'main' track through the fields, and
would have guessed correctly most of the time. We did pass the occasional
yellow arrow confirming our choices, but a few more indicators at decision
points and forks in the trail would not have gone amiss. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfBANBEs5elrMBUihj8uzJle2cdyNbdodN1-DEuR6lsI19B3DYDGzpRnRrg48_icgIYwH7n-jSxh2g_Qq_ce9mNm6gotmL0anB0rlFT7k5qr62hBuIYWM2oEOQCf-QKUowHX_eBLvReqiosvNxRdw_HbMzJwo5FGFeWYcS_PQN7RzRTx5EUsAoUKmMQ/s5780/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3858" data-original-width="5780" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfBANBEs5elrMBUihj8uzJle2cdyNbdodN1-DEuR6lsI19B3DYDGzpRnRrg48_icgIYwH7n-jSxh2g_Qq_ce9mNm6gotmL0anB0rlFT7k5qr62hBuIYWM2oEOQCf-QKUowHX_eBLvReqiosvNxRdw_HbMzJwo5FGFeWYcS_PQN7RzRTx5EUsAoUKmMQ/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When we reached Alcazarén we followed the yellow arrows through town, and then
diverted down to the Bar Real, where our guidebook suggested we could pick up
the keys to the pilgrim albergue. We ordered a couple café con leches to
warm up, and then the very friendly bar tender stamped our passports and gave
us the keys to the albergue. When we signed the register we saw that there is a
pilgrim from Holland one day ahead of us, and another who stayed in this albergue
5 days ago. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbz2rHk6G86_X1t52TZ1t7XJWnKz97oUq3ghgAV4qkCmw-PxToZEAbKhC7aZV8kk3u0VHDcARknbYgi4GUkHg6vWj-7FwEHCQAxhTpASR3EQ9Yt76rhqONh1CotajkzDO_XwlFgxFL0CXcKWw93a4Gsfdg7eYXIAQH8MruSnhUhbR-sxkbF6YMY72o-A/s6016/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(45).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbz2rHk6G86_X1t52TZ1t7XJWnKz97oUq3ghgAV4qkCmw-PxToZEAbKhC7aZV8kk3u0VHDcARknbYgi4GUkHg6vWj-7FwEHCQAxhTpASR3EQ9Yt76rhqONh1CotajkzDO_XwlFgxFL0CXcKWw93a4Gsfdg7eYXIAQH8MruSnhUhbR-sxkbF6YMY72o-A/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(45).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AMOWcTRVO8RrRJSzyKdbuPGXgmyK3sROTy-gtMiEK5zkF6PiVwhUBRSymYKZ63Zow6sbHiBBJPUNtmXfgzGm629hhWdfIUgiu1MuGCYHXm5DGlYixCN69bSzLpNEjxPIphfkzR-6-gyQxlYE_mr2JzXVAoIicuHlp26T0gkV0GJMpifMp6V3RxmYbA/s3398/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(46).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2548" data-original-width="3398" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5AMOWcTRVO8RrRJSzyKdbuPGXgmyK3sROTy-gtMiEK5zkF6PiVwhUBRSymYKZ63Zow6sbHiBBJPUNtmXfgzGm629hhWdfIUgiu1MuGCYHXm5DGlYixCN69bSzLpNEjxPIphfkzR-6-gyQxlYE_mr2JzXVAoIicuHlp26T0gkV0GJMpifMp6V3RxmYbA/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(46).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The albergue turned out to be a brand new building with eight bunks, one
bathroom, a tiny kitchen with a sink, a bar fridge, and a microwave, lockers
for our stuff, and a small enclosed courtyard to hang our laundry or sit in
when it is warm. It was extremely clean, and we didn't hesitate to take a
shower and do our laundry. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ0pWbvonuoOkZGPQbM-kyY9lB5Ldpk0VYUaiELJJTgWQG8xZCX29CG20vrQHnGRFZ9ipVJuOXAmUSXj5-PPhS5kM5ATQHiUr580fYfMIxQ5ftJ6wSkRBvT4qfWr3Fmkt2G2w_HvM5aqKo9cS-spVJkBJs4nTx3A3K59jRRu8vwiq-VcSVM1OW86CMQ/s6016/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(48).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJ0pWbvonuoOkZGPQbM-kyY9lB5Ldpk0VYUaiELJJTgWQG8xZCX29CG20vrQHnGRFZ9ipVJuOXAmUSXj5-PPhS5kM5ATQHiUr580fYfMIxQ5ftJ6wSkRBvT4qfWr3Fmkt2G2w_HvM5aqKo9cS-spVJkBJs4nTx3A3K59jRRu8vwiq-VcSVM1OW86CMQ/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(48).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQPWvDehAN7rR7zTRc_WUbLMjAWc_7zG_2RwWsEciOkAnJSZhZh2gV8HaBA8q66Cr2EECNKBZ97yEoLrsn6MSIoIw0nSmmjYdyvB8RXcTl9L4VVI8KUuSqsApRUmkC3iEH58GMZSP51t_wgeRTT6akoy7jLSMX3wgy8lMpbwt9mAFELOnByfP0WDYxw/s4665/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(49).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3114" data-original-width="4665" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQPWvDehAN7rR7zTRc_WUbLMjAWc_7zG_2RwWsEciOkAnJSZhZh2gV8HaBA8q66Cr2EECNKBZ97yEoLrsn6MSIoIw0nSmmjYdyvB8RXcTl9L4VVI8KUuSqsApRUmkC3iEH58GMZSP51t_wgeRTT6akoy7jLSMX3wgy8lMpbwt9mAFELOnByfP0WDYxw/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(49).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAlt5BIjb2DXvEJwFy9EExlSfaze0CRtYtQ9T6X6L0KofSzwQkyJFbWFLfaQM9RLcrOR-4hpPo6zLtSRdo-egnoKm1F1vHVCHVzkbBi1jUAY525oqvdwMqFuOwiduBN7SWUqNbNFKZ-Jf0hEID1icTZwa3nTj9InICgNBEkTbLgzmiMNa9sDlWKDjvQ/s6016/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(52).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioAlt5BIjb2DXvEJwFy9EExlSfaze0CRtYtQ9T6X6L0KofSzwQkyJFbWFLfaQM9RLcrOR-4hpPo6zLtSRdo-egnoKm1F1vHVCHVzkbBi1jUAY525oqvdwMqFuOwiduBN7SWUqNbNFKZ-Jf0hEID1icTZwa3nTj9InICgNBEkTbLgzmiMNa9sDlWKDjvQ/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(52).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After doing chores we set off to explore the small town. The name
Alcazarén is from the Arabic al-qasrayn, meaning 'the two castles', although we
didn't see any evidence of them in our wanderings. We did pass the
remains of the church of San Pedro, which are now used as a cultural
center. The roof of this warm brick Mudéjar Romanesque style building was
gone, but the walls remained. It dates from the mid 13th century, and the
apse had three rows of blind arches in brick, all of which were slightly
misaligned. It was a beautiful building. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL14CjmMGEG7y5zPuYQnKfn-4crTQ5OhM8yFE2ceGRHwlT31W2U_MJUkUIJgoBbEkAazBffIgnQ03GS2j6GCzTl7PONXS9NTBTaRNUM0Rm7nGru10aAbXnN8MZB1TV7fcX6tKiCcANWU5ueINH0-WoDtR2sxkXDtmgDlWrnMzmZwTdruTo0fd7WWkZA/s4103/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(55).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2739" data-original-width="4103" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgL14CjmMGEG7y5zPuYQnKfn-4crTQ5OhM8yFE2ceGRHwlT31W2U_MJUkUIJgoBbEkAazBffIgnQ03GS2j6GCzTl7PONXS9NTBTaRNUM0Rm7nGru10aAbXnN8MZB1TV7fcX6tKiCcANWU5ueINH0-WoDtR2sxkXDtmgDlWrnMzmZwTdruTo0fd7WWkZA/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(55).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCymkGeKIa7QcVuxTNfg62EPTSXNxGEupOa30o6FCjiRvGKPes6NL5R2In23pHTTFHIL9hOmFhOP7jaNskz2MY1p1ZE6FW2U__rqE73rVvqnc6df-yneG1FS8itoEY7iV-32OcU_KOM0Lgs09Mgg9rjqtKuhixkW2-sKTHQPJd7OqOODCyCgGwDQVKrw/s5821/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(56).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5821" data-original-width="3886" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCymkGeKIa7QcVuxTNfg62EPTSXNxGEupOa30o6FCjiRvGKPes6NL5R2In23pHTTFHIL9hOmFhOP7jaNskz2MY1p1ZE6FW2U__rqE73rVvqnc6df-yneG1FS8itoEY7iV-32OcU_KOM0Lgs09Mgg9rjqtKuhixkW2-sKTHQPJd7OqOODCyCgGwDQVKrw/w268-h400/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(56).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkIpfQcaxafiKQwyLj5dWviE-YnJAfkYNFbh6OpOeMscWUvSt82q3iOc4dU6J5UXJr8n642iAibxWih4zUWtyzCL4OwfB1yurEoko-wH9TmpShiXg34J6cO0Don5YBX1Q3XM4SW027MnecoFDrktOhM3A92rGArlagXHUKmZLnDSuKNM9B6pC5TmgKg/s6016/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(57).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigkIpfQcaxafiKQwyLj5dWviE-YnJAfkYNFbh6OpOeMscWUvSt82q3iOc4dU6J5UXJr8n642iAibxWih4zUWtyzCL4OwfB1yurEoko-wH9TmpShiXg34J6cO0Don5YBX1Q3XM4SW027MnecoFDrktOhM3A92rGArlagXHUKmZLnDSuKNM9B6pC5TmgKg/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(57).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We also walked around the outside of the Church of Santiago. It sits on
the Plaza Mayor, and it also retains its Mudejar Romanesque apse from the 13th
or 14th century. It had a tall square tower topped by a belfry, and
decorated with several balls and finishes on the spire, as well as three empty
stork nests. Apparently the inside is quite interesting, but sadly it was
closed. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">At the edge of town we also passed the Shrine of Cristo del Humilladero.
This Baroque stone building from the mid-eighteenth century was surrounded by
six stone crosses that formed part of an old via crucis. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONTwWbBYPwHItewGke-J6heoVTXSpbIvRSu53Z6k7EHQAMIt0VxYaMxLUo4Ar2mua4Lrzxjf5gLngOroDvkhOyW8C_-aoj4xIheY__dvhvUFO02zTZLfqleW9u_SIwI1go90NEDc1v33F9Mh9HT_BQb1bhcEg79zXRWlyHUVF-Jw6Ql5EiATOLaTuOA/s6016/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(60).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgONTwWbBYPwHItewGke-J6heoVTXSpbIvRSu53Z6k7EHQAMIt0VxYaMxLUo4Ar2mua4Lrzxjf5gLngOroDvkhOyW8C_-aoj4xIheY__dvhvUFO02zTZLfqleW9u_SIwI1go90NEDc1v33F9Mh9HT_BQb1bhcEg79zXRWlyHUVF-Jw6Ql5EiATOLaTuOA/w268-h400/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(60).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Perhaps most perplexing of all was a monument in a small park to the Discovery
of North America. There was a list of names on the bottom of the plaque,
making us wonder if some of Christopher Columbus' crew might have come from
this town, but the plaque remains a bit of a mystery to us. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After our explorations we headed back to the Bar Real for a vino tinto and a
snack of olives and to write the blog and wait for the grocery store to
reopen. As we sat there another pilgrim from France entered the bar! It
turned out he has been camping along the way, and hasn't been able to find
either stamps or a pilgrim credential since leaving Madrid, because everything
has been closed. As a result, he hasn't been able to stay in any of the
albergues, even yesterday when it was cold and raining. By chance we have
an extra credential with us, and we were happy to pass it on to him, wishing
him a 'Buen Camino!' Perhaps we will meet again along the way. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb_t6rc4TrnRaq-tjA0RUO4ru02PDsCN08pm1KYBGrABEqqFAKdf_s5IYOYPIEyPeICIs7sygd0fBLKQIme2FKjvdFjgK0bmCbW4t9yBgmSKSmJB_6nTNyrJRNCYwYvZQTGQQHkBexI-FRiWJyHZbTr6OMlpfnw625gmq1Q6Yb_THr8-HD-Bivv0XFA/s4032/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(63).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDb_t6rc4TrnRaq-tjA0RUO4ru02PDsCN08pm1KYBGrABEqqFAKdf_s5IYOYPIEyPeICIs7sygd0fBLKQIme2FKjvdFjgK0bmCbW4t9yBgmSKSmJB_6nTNyrJRNCYwYvZQTGQQHkBexI-FRiWJyHZbTr6OMlpfnw625gmq1Q6Yb_THr8-HD-Bivv0XFA/w400-h300/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(63).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We purchased some bread, cheese, jam, and chocolate for dinner and made our way
back to the albergue. Our laundry had almost completely dried in the wind
and afternoon sun, and although it is a bit chilly inside because we can't
figure out how to get the heater to work, we now know how lucky we are!
When we were in the bar, the news was reporting that many parts of Spain got 8
cm of snow today, which is highly unusual for April! Madrid, Segovia, and
many parts of Asturias got hit, meaning that we are in a small bubble of
'warmth', with snow ahead and behind us on the trail. We give our heartfelt
thanks and praise to Saint Roch for our incredibly great good fortune! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL_hs6GHYTrqUjLMW-BZoIuNCqK06zJyAVuzo1cKpHiIPoBcY9V8PiNnHw44LzZqAakixjwm6ST2BggaOgyddFBc5_yEwwX6O6Vh0RhHw-6e6BFVfKRj94yJAEDhk-XUq6pQZdZP7Naf2l-SyD-zeQnVCos_ESfzHbBkrt3XmUACaUyp0wPhMpp_bdg/s1440/Madrid%20April%202022%20Snow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDL_hs6GHYTrqUjLMW-BZoIuNCqK06zJyAVuzo1cKpHiIPoBcY9V8PiNnHw44LzZqAakixjwm6ST2BggaOgyddFBc5_yEwwX6O6Vh0RhHw-6e6BFVfKRj94yJAEDhk-XUq6pQZdZP7Naf2l-SyD-zeQnVCos_ESfzHbBkrt3XmUACaUyp0wPhMpp_bdg/w400-h225/Madrid%20April%202022%20Snow.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEi_9949r754PLRMzfzL0_CH-glaE1JokAaRiuCS10ZfUsVs-r2b3-zLwI_Q1LszcQzwVB84N9cvXutj3fzZYDxwn1szbD_f5iDux3DcwsOnrpzGk2szpxm1IjNbPU6IgXSgfT6VGTPbgh9jwrdJ4eYgY-uzlvw4Pd7f-78-Qclj65juvhrYx0_Ec_w/s1200/National%20Park%20Snow%20image.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1200" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJEi_9949r754PLRMzfzL0_CH-glaE1JokAaRiuCS10ZfUsVs-r2b3-zLwI_Q1LszcQzwVB84N9cvXutj3fzZYDxwn1szbD_f5iDux3DcwsOnrpzGk2szpxm1IjNbPU6IgXSgfT6VGTPbgh9jwrdJ4eYgY-uzlvw4Pd7f-78-Qclj65juvhrYx0_Ec_w/w400-h268/National%20Park%20Snow%20image.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBLEpPL06jLSHskOyaFkcEsoB3kjdv_NSVvKDwZXqA0f4Xe2TaJz4wM7OBhAsMJVRn0DXq6PaNniQas6E_UyOeRS-jaEpCUgTYbUtRhSe6RtuNp6pD3yneitz6JGWu_ngQ_Z5OaE4Y8VxRo78IFdXl3m_vdS9PHGlybaFB_ioX4VMrDJfJRaS8yDcWQ/s2048/Segovia%20Spain%20Snow%20Image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDBLEpPL06jLSHskOyaFkcEsoB3kjdv_NSVvKDwZXqA0f4Xe2TaJz4wM7OBhAsMJVRn0DXq6PaNniQas6E_UyOeRS-jaEpCUgTYbUtRhSe6RtuNp6pD3yneitz6JGWu_ngQ_Z5OaE4Y8VxRo78IFdXl3m_vdS9PHGlybaFB_ioX4VMrDJfJRaS8yDcWQ/w400-h266/Segovia%20Spain%20Snow%20Image.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Snow storm images are Press pictures</i><span lang="EN-CA"><i> </i><br /></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After dinner we wandered out behind the albergue to watch a brilliant sunset
over the hills. Behind the albergue is a small park with a picnic table
on top of a small hill, under which are located a cluster of bodegas!
There are chimneys sticking up all over the hill, as well as white stucco
shelters over doors leading down into the caves below. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PuiIPRBZgXGUiiwwVCPVwkch87G6gZAo4iHZNjxufqgSLJ68L7a-ENRXCyh7mqqG6qoJ7zuxBulazU7MBRnCobZEiZv-yGBj-xAMJMtrDGETfDVbIcBsegziHUaQ0wgw774RbKvmvaMMk4c8WzyuHUJo_yyh9e7Lcvi68Y3O5sEWWJ4YFwcwe_fZUQ/s6016/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(65).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3PuiIPRBZgXGUiiwwVCPVwkch87G6gZAo4iHZNjxufqgSLJ68L7a-ENRXCyh7mqqG6qoJ7zuxBulazU7MBRnCobZEiZv-yGBj-xAMJMtrDGETfDVbIcBsegziHUaQ0wgw774RbKvmvaMMk4c8WzyuHUJo_yyh9e7Lcvi68Y3O5sEWWJ4YFwcwe_fZUQ/w400-h268/Villeguillo%20to%20Alcazaren%20to%20Blog%20(65).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>As we watched the glorious sunset we were joined by a local lady who came to
take photos with her phone. She was very friendly and spoke
enthusiastically to us in Spanish, ending the conversation by saying 'You
can take photos with the camera, but the best pictures are those in your
mind!' A wonderful piece of wisdom to end the day with. <br />
<br />
<b>Distance: 18 km<br />
Accommodations: Albergue de Peregrinos, Alcazarén</b><p></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com047238 Alcazarén, Valladolid, Spain41.3703066 -4.674747313.060072763821154 -39.8309973 69.680540436178845 30.4815027tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-1722637659390684012022-04-19T19:32:00.121-04:002022-06-25T12:49:48.952-04:00Forests, Fields, and Faith : Santa Maria la Real de Nieva to Vileguillo<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We awoke to an overcast morning that was a
cool 7°C. Unexpectedly, the restaurant we were staying above was open, so
we took the opportunity to have a café con leche and a somewhat uninspired
pre-packaged napolitana before heading back up the highway to the town.
It was lucky we did this, because none of the bars, cafés, or stores were open
when we made our through the quiet, empty streets. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhCy0m5hPzfr8vFCqRuhmjLNtlay0jMh6vHUcHp_JN6H6r5XF6D8FsDWuzVPt-f_kuA6EH3Ds-_CFvhGVeRcsSGU0W-S33uOQWskAXqa0e7OlPtPqdo3QaKOZc76KZbr62nxZ-f7aPOtJu-IJSINSehOEnfP6m4v0OE0gre_8M4jeMcDhR2tt2z9KOg/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(5).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrhCy0m5hPzfr8vFCqRuhmjLNtlay0jMh6vHUcHp_JN6H6r5XF6D8FsDWuzVPt-f_kuA6EH3Ds-_CFvhGVeRcsSGU0W-S33uOQWskAXqa0e7OlPtPqdo3QaKOZc76KZbr62nxZ-f7aPOtJu-IJSINSehOEnfP6m4v0OE0gre_8M4jeMcDhR2tt2z9KOg/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(5).JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We did make a stop at the large Gothic Church of Nuestra Señora de la Soterraña
that dominates the town. Originally it was a Church of the Dominican
Monastery, and it was founded in 1393 by Enrique III and his wife, Catherine of
Lancaster. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZRTsKxaw3CaNWuEaMewM1yQr9BK_6eUWjWwO-PdW97DVeyJUscLaok9MRIBCGDEA6xcF9g4xABIdqmKLEcVoNAnOCvkclUOW01mn5I66ccZ3oRKQxRsowx__kFxU9G7IjBfOM0ZrlxhUuBlrUZvxkGpkk9sTScRA4EKaw1M5vYm5r4mQpcSFP8CUgQ/s4452/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4452" data-original-width="2972" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZRTsKxaw3CaNWuEaMewM1yQr9BK_6eUWjWwO-PdW97DVeyJUscLaok9MRIBCGDEA6xcF9g4xABIdqmKLEcVoNAnOCvkclUOW01mn5I66ccZ3oRKQxRsowx__kFxU9G7IjBfOM0ZrlxhUuBlrUZvxkGpkk9sTScRA4EKaw1M5vYm5r4mQpcSFP8CUgQ/w268-h400/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(1).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuRh0cfWuFvCuO__l4EPSeqOt41mL-sHMNc5KBzHSfCVwwnb4NhkLna88AuK8PD2kipGcmMz8fgOqEPDS-tqA1uWd-k2jEKY0BRabLYKSBvRHxmy-ErWvd4Z989yJBVS0gL1u9bdRub1wHh8vA9sIQe_Seek5sy7oHHjcQkKqmWMxjyFv9NB5FxtqAw/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpuRh0cfWuFvCuO__l4EPSeqOt41mL-sHMNc5KBzHSfCVwwnb4NhkLna88AuK8PD2kipGcmMz8fgOqEPDS-tqA1uWd-k2jEKY0BRabLYKSBvRHxmy-ErWvd4Z989yJBVS0gL1u9bdRub1wHh8vA9sIQe_Seek5sy7oHHjcQkKqmWMxjyFv9NB5FxtqAw/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZhVKyf8anIEsa_-M332g5Rw0LIOUltHfmIUkPA4qj8SYDlE4SRaIYlc_H3xjswVvII2rpAo8wQgn3mgwbE-0DfoEAFiAMaoUFo_5qhom2GmZDI493cOLQFWWK-YGtjO-BC9dYWDh0xEWBvX0_487vL4NuSRkqOUY6MW89SYTITZg-yV1fhZL5QfdLw/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglZhVKyf8anIEsa_-M332g5Rw0LIOUltHfmIUkPA4qj8SYDlE4SRaIYlc_H3xjswVvII2rpAo8wQgn3mgwbE-0DfoEAFiAMaoUFo_5qhom2GmZDI493cOLQFWWK-YGtjO-BC9dYWDh0xEWBvX0_487vL4NuSRkqOUY6MW89SYTITZg-yV1fhZL5QfdLw/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(4).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The door was open, leading into a graceful white limestone
cloister, where work was being done to restore the elaborate Romanesque-Gothic
capitals on the columns supporting the arches. Sadly, I am no good at
interpreting symbols, but some of the scenes carved into the columns looked
very intriguing and slightly naughty. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6Az0LS4cQ2EvpP-TCzqQjMW8HeAeaWo9pTZ0lLwTCgtfnNrs72gI7yOyPkcat9uLkOhWz1C0h2b9Goe4_UYthqoqz29ZS-mh1oN2aTnemCnSi4IEpXd9dkG1ek8LZKi3m-A6kg2kJG3mj-u-5diNND-Timudj1EbXZL_Uu1LWJlgaXBSzsHyFR9ULg/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(16).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-6Az0LS4cQ2EvpP-TCzqQjMW8HeAeaWo9pTZ0lLwTCgtfnNrs72gI7yOyPkcat9uLkOhWz1C0h2b9Goe4_UYthqoqz29ZS-mh1oN2aTnemCnSi4IEpXd9dkG1ek8LZKi3m-A6kg2kJG3mj-u-5diNND-Timudj1EbXZL_Uu1LWJlgaXBSzsHyFR9ULg/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(16).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvCwGkp5mZoSLrbx4tvU2WL_PR8XqlY92ATWrdMLwayqEP12w4eJ3L1nKMaVm7wc6mVV6gWUVlClX6NYhVjkP-17TG2iDYB6nQpNNtawzF-MyX7PK5CroxpzgWz410a1TDVRvWb1EB2EdLcY5k9gMRabGiTCmrTR2AEqXcQAS0qNoVQlzdclkITMMGw/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(15).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh536wYUeGIplbAs9CSQS78Hwn-t6NJTw3SXa_5h6xH4_Ka7ujOyLAL5gYpW-n43rlDUoyIpwG41za9gihGbrG4eICWFeSyEpqclRTdqnI4mg8mI-3GBjE6auR-jw7rwxPDPiS70hvEq7HY5ekGA3gA73gyNicOreuPt0xCSRmBymPaeBWp66k5tIVVjw/s3097/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(18).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3097" data-original-width="2068" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh536wYUeGIplbAs9CSQS78Hwn-t6NJTw3SXa_5h6xH4_Ka7ujOyLAL5gYpW-n43rlDUoyIpwG41za9gihGbrG4eICWFeSyEpqclRTdqnI4mg8mI-3GBjE6auR-jw7rwxPDPiS70hvEq7HY5ekGA3gA73gyNicOreuPt0xCSRmBymPaeBWp66k5tIVVjw/w268-h400/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(18).JPG" width="268" /></a></div></div></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We headed out of town, stepping off the main road onto a small dirt path that
led us past a small circular slate bull fighting ring. As we headed out
across the fresh, emerald green fields it began to drizzle. We could
already see the steeple of the Romanesque-Mujédar church of San Esteban in
Nieva across the expanse of misty grasses. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qLqFF6RBCkefD1Tw9TRTn78Jx7WASN8rtvhui7Naeinq4OVM8eeGfa12MygaWJIE9RCgLKusAOWT-fCFQ7zdwuhe8D2uTrETCo5Tio683l1zyu5_nhC0FyJ1HMFBHYDrzbDsifrakrgEJsRoSNOqlTJV5DI-TtKXkrffVkabDauwz7e63BssqN2JSg/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(19).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qLqFF6RBCkefD1Tw9TRTn78Jx7WASN8rtvhui7Naeinq4OVM8eeGfa12MygaWJIE9RCgLKusAOWT-fCFQ7zdwuhe8D2uTrETCo5Tio683l1zyu5_nhC0FyJ1HMFBHYDrzbDsifrakrgEJsRoSNOqlTJV5DI-TtKXkrffVkabDauwz7e63BssqN2JSg/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(19).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">At the edge of this town we passed a large modern looking bodega (winery) with
a small vineyard adjacent to it. From there we skirted the tiny village
of Nieva, which was a mix of brick and slate homes, their gardens enclosed by
tall slate walls. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhophHEdKaUjFab6bmo_NvgHGcoc4D8-vU98D95a5hv5HmrJ0OtOQlXDN7RvDK7zJ_An_7lewSzGoJP7G4XbErBPCGixSOBKxhSS5W2haIKgJfoWdZdwSb6i7s-ic6WZKkodJB6iB3EFiYPLTwIKRHw0Cw-cnZVygvpEl-kR2aULNMUV2_jRycPuLkQCQ/s4788/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(21).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3197" data-original-width="4788" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhophHEdKaUjFab6bmo_NvgHGcoc4D8-vU98D95a5hv5HmrJ0OtOQlXDN7RvDK7zJ_An_7lewSzGoJP7G4XbErBPCGixSOBKxhSS5W2haIKgJfoWdZdwSb6i7s-ic6WZKkodJB6iB3EFiYPLTwIKRHw0Cw-cnZVygvpEl-kR2aULNMUV2_jRycPuLkQCQ/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(21).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaidjPjGfsLpOQkt5JkynVS3Wpkk7044OEdBKX9Jgfe3pO4dDb3Xis2xo5xvYnr1A14ZaXy4begFhvj2g7Lydu0gORFonymEyUPr8IFJrMUA2OH2HcQbtFooqXkxxNMgQj405Pm1A5y7UU93Ut-umxkOf97ls5uK_YpP0OiPFhZckl_h4mIfdvlY7GBQ/s4497/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(23).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3002" data-original-width="4497" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaidjPjGfsLpOQkt5JkynVS3Wpkk7044OEdBKX9Jgfe3pO4dDb3Xis2xo5xvYnr1A14ZaXy4begFhvj2g7Lydu0gORFonymEyUPr8IFJrMUA2OH2HcQbtFooqXkxxNMgQj405Pm1A5y7UU93Ut-umxkOf97ls5uK_YpP0OiPFhZckl_h4mIfdvlY7GBQ/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(23).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtnbRIK8wi6zixs4Sm50UMBAXbUWQ3OHEVU1Q3tK-Phh2M3AfWDGiOsVVJCFCOCsdDRN2l-TCFmOXXrZe4lhpJpw-kNyI4sC8pBK0xnRplGpyAoq0JwCNO8EKfWOjhpzbssfgrByZERfd7agGchBwqD6lThoI_nYF_cp3MYQiAKH3B6J9kjjF-FKmAw/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(25).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtnbRIK8wi6zixs4Sm50UMBAXbUWQ3OHEVU1Q3tK-Phh2M3AfWDGiOsVVJCFCOCsdDRN2l-TCFmOXXrZe4lhpJpw-kNyI4sC8pBK0xnRplGpyAoq0JwCNO8EKfWOjhpzbssfgrByZERfd7agGchBwqD6lThoI_nYF_cp3MYQiAKH3B6J9kjjF-FKmAw/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(25).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZFtUTQ_ojcuZrnUohW1vw4Goh4aumGL1mYstQoAis4MYI_BaIpxmfdrVBfmGdU2Z2ClPe5j9lDUDs6kt_ecKpi3Lwe8KLUGh-i3udpNKdKA3hbg2D3MEuMKHnqtaiqifFhrzRfEy8_aUlHwrzh_RoOTEwmGQT6wwAm7jXdJSCRHYArObk16aT8zkoA/s3779/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(27).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2523" data-original-width="3779" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZFtUTQ_ojcuZrnUohW1vw4Goh4aumGL1mYstQoAis4MYI_BaIpxmfdrVBfmGdU2Z2ClPe5j9lDUDs6kt_ecKpi3Lwe8KLUGh-i3udpNKdKA3hbg2D3MEuMKHnqtaiqifFhrzRfEy8_aUlHwrzh_RoOTEwmGQT6wwAm7jXdJSCRHYArObk16aT8zkoA/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(27).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Soon we found ourselves entering the Tierra de Pinares. All of the
English guidebooks we've read have described this as an area of dense pine
forest, or endless wilderness, intersected by sandy paths. The
white trail that wound through the trees was indeed soft and sandy like a
beach, but as with many European 'forests,' the area was heavily managed.
The trees were spaced so far apart that they didn't form a continuous canopy,
their lower branches had been trimmed to leave tall, straight trunks, and the
ground had been rolled completely flat and cleared of all debris. To someone
from North America it seemed more like a plantation than a 'wilderness.' </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kDj0Sp2HbTEwtazj3lQ_2Ant1h4BKbyYvXZS8sYZhgjiXKFhXy0v4A1rbGRpEIB5I3oNM1pwqjeNLqdx64xcTzy_O9Y9SQdz5mlMe6bqkxPm6K4pPC6S-WN1G8z95sQie6S2INiPO1u9lw4mVIvTPG-B_z0sTVB3W5qQbwyqrFYB2oB_McTjQw-Syg/s5783/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(28).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5783" data-original-width="3861" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3kDj0Sp2HbTEwtazj3lQ_2Ant1h4BKbyYvXZS8sYZhgjiXKFhXy0v4A1rbGRpEIB5I3oNM1pwqjeNLqdx64xcTzy_O9Y9SQdz5mlMe6bqkxPm6K4pPC6S-WN1G8z95sQie6S2INiPO1u9lw4mVIvTPG-B_z0sTVB3W5qQbwyqrFYB2oB_McTjQw-Syg/w268-h400/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(28).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">This feeling was perhaps compounded by the fact that like yesterday, most of
the trees were being used to harvest resin, with large swatches scraped off the
trunks and small clay pots attached to catch the sap. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Despite the absence of what I would consider wilderness, the first ten
kilometers or so of walking through the pines was incredibly beautiful.
Their tall dark trunks receded into the mist, and clear raindrops hung from the
long needles. We were very impressed by the shear size of the pine cones
scattered on the grassy forest floor. It was pleasant going and the
signage was easy to follow. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eQB3-b7UQAqUuthFl_7RLFdJdC3FhRdMEiUx4B-CJ2NLZyVKbvG30VPDzqM37f1qj3tYx-ro14Q3fby7XxRAsQrwuMI_V7Cbbxc6JNHdYCFHKuShugGWUN_hINCMHgMUywLpJSdvK7wUlm2fDNysrva6Tv1WOYt0TxRJIlC1p5k0MiZP16tKXuVSnQ/s5849/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3905" data-original-width="5849" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8eQB3-b7UQAqUuthFl_7RLFdJdC3FhRdMEiUx4B-CJ2NLZyVKbvG30VPDzqM37f1qj3tYx-ro14Q3fby7XxRAsQrwuMI_V7Cbbxc6JNHdYCFHKuShugGWUN_hINCMHgMUywLpJSdvK7wUlm2fDNysrva6Tv1WOYt0TxRJIlC1p5k0MiZP16tKXuVSnQ/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dHnxyUFZaWuDiJOVek87-6Sz6Tg1ah7K37bUlHXPgDrG39DtcZpUORbHeT01WBiH0z6foCSiaCOWAYNytj8b0oAdMIlJrJUv9P4m1OBxVG_yqRwAvvxT3SxBC4jRy_9eCtqr0qWd9JLbyyrAD-L2FTOzg-zSakjJKhkKOdPEGIySLGxkS7zZ_PEPyw/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(30).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dHnxyUFZaWuDiJOVek87-6Sz6Tg1ah7K37bUlHXPgDrG39DtcZpUORbHeT01WBiH0z6foCSiaCOWAYNytj8b0oAdMIlJrJUv9P4m1OBxVG_yqRwAvvxT3SxBC4jRy_9eCtqr0qWd9JLbyyrAD-L2FTOzg-zSakjJKhkKOdPEGIySLGxkS7zZ_PEPyw/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(30).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RXefst0dtEDMOIKvsa2Qt_wqds3ApJtqc8CILyjYHKbV_lIcE_NEE-KWOjUkwrj939GFpqAqkQX6JRkVVvZAUg7H-Q7fapvDEfZR48u6jNBu18oI3kyexZITV_WxFKpvlaYljKO1nq2Lw2aG63gMdah86gjSjEUl0v6etyVB1kbl8nDu_sQVUMYRQQ/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RXefst0dtEDMOIKvsa2Qt_wqds3ApJtqc8CILyjYHKbV_lIcE_NEE-KWOjUkwrj939GFpqAqkQX6JRkVVvZAUg7H-Q7fapvDEfZR48u6jNBu18oI3kyexZITV_WxFKpvlaYljKO1nq2Lw2aG63gMdah86gjSjEUl0v6etyVB1kbl8nDu_sQVUMYRQQ/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio37_g74yN7GkDrc2w_AYoRiPU_PwjAUlw9UYvngzTvpIB5r-clcaKVRhRzaDEKhZW2DHwKExwPbA4gxpn8QHxoK_9wqU4dllq95eJHSaSp9l70Fnm2TjElIC_CKwI3Fz5Hu5bpFyfWJpPmnq9L8kIW1HfBRekIwJ25R58mWsCoVAe8T4xuDwiamY0iQ/s5689/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(32).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3797" data-original-width="5689" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio37_g74yN7GkDrc2w_AYoRiPU_PwjAUlw9UYvngzTvpIB5r-clcaKVRhRzaDEKhZW2DHwKExwPbA4gxpn8QHxoK_9wqU4dllq95eJHSaSp9l70Fnm2TjElIC_CKwI3Fz5Hu5bpFyfWJpPmnq9L8kIW1HfBRekIwJ25R58mWsCoVAe8T4xuDwiamY0iQ/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(32).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we walked we heard the soft calls and chirps of birds in the tops of the
pines, but it had begun to rain in earnest, and we didn't stop to take any
photos. Otherwise it was mostly quiet, except for the occasional train
zipping past on the nearby railway line, and the odd farm vehicle passing by on
the sandy track. We did pass one logging truck, the smell of pine sap
from the logs in the back strong in the cold damp air. In one stretch we
also heard the sounds of vehicles in a quarry we skirted around.
Otherwise it was a peaceful and solitary walk. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6JP4HbaL1SI4dtzYw5JlztCv6Ef5Vtriv_r9tFEdbYnG38MF40U26bOaFZC9_Brfvr-aCc7-Sll6mxBeNeJTL_yzLiNlLUkKMMp88Y-VvkB45p3hJNTXRvQ-Rci84sL0ognGQ-tPEXyG6HxNFChufaP3VK-kS9mWJNb08OkfjweVPbqcXMLpnZpCRw/s4032/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(34).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6JP4HbaL1SI4dtzYw5JlztCv6Ef5Vtriv_r9tFEdbYnG38MF40U26bOaFZC9_Brfvr-aCc7-Sll6mxBeNeJTL_yzLiNlLUkKMMp88Y-VvkB45p3hJNTXRvQ-Rci84sL0ognGQ-tPEXyG6HxNFChufaP3VK-kS9mWJNb08OkfjweVPbqcXMLpnZpCRw/w300-h400/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(34).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhuDdvaR5dJvQT4kAcLZIty78M6wDHDNEspm4Q_giBvbjTUjaUfIDWG1Qr4sG3zhzOpOmgUxMdjtzM2v4POAl4EDWSOV3Fe4LEB-3LB20YLKVQmcroYStEnXNW9Qz35PYyzhk0u4JFL7-4tF78JkZBEKG62Jg7wsBFVUslagojhPqFSjWLlTbTscjKQ/s3277/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(35).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2458" data-original-width="3277" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilhuDdvaR5dJvQT4kAcLZIty78M6wDHDNEspm4Q_giBvbjTUjaUfIDWG1Qr4sG3zhzOpOmgUxMdjtzM2v4POAl4EDWSOV3Fe4LEB-3LB20YLKVQmcroYStEnXNW9Qz35PYyzhk0u4JFL7-4tF78JkZBEKG62Jg7wsBFVUslagojhPqFSjWLlTbTscjKQ/w400-h300/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(35).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfVlw5O_kApaFhA-baoR-cThvhKXwIYoBGSTLTiBrdfWGTEDPoX3Fuo0YfBQNoC5mtYVvcCYSCNWRWKE1RJ_RHx5aZ3LxLWOcN6V-CZOUlsd-DcaGtud8QOMaCVKsHOTAPJdLGFknkBUihsPm-aRMHoaQOZ_-N6Lbaw5UvZfyHJoNElchsL1UOZN3_w/s4032/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(37).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfVlw5O_kApaFhA-baoR-cThvhKXwIYoBGSTLTiBrdfWGTEDPoX3Fuo0YfBQNoC5mtYVvcCYSCNWRWKE1RJ_RHx5aZ3LxLWOcN6V-CZOUlsd-DcaGtud8QOMaCVKsHOTAPJdLGFknkBUihsPm-aRMHoaQOZ_-N6Lbaw5UvZfyHJoNElchsL1UOZN3_w/w400-h300/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(37).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Eventually we reached the larger town of Nava de la Asunción. This town
had a more modern feel than many we've passed through so far on this Camino,
and it was dominated by the huge Church of La Asuncion de Nuestra Señora, which
was originally late-Mudéjar. The Mudéjares were Muslim artists, artisans,
and craftsmen who worked in Christian governed territories during the Middle
Ages. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6TLiGzm3HQ565asonrAfq1VW3AR_Eo7dzqOrhXOFFV8189VZ3r7AocbJ2nwjskzsg1elxvO-S5gcx5erVnJqhTweRr-lveSH0nbq8oaYh_nTL8hGWjdbQ0Qx6L0unyTKtToKl5WOvOq_mZed01ZfSLNDbsNgE4TX-2zbcfOWASnTfg8CRZLF6xAEjw/s4816/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(39).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3216" data-original-width="4816" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6TLiGzm3HQ565asonrAfq1VW3AR_Eo7dzqOrhXOFFV8189VZ3r7AocbJ2nwjskzsg1elxvO-S5gcx5erVnJqhTweRr-lveSH0nbq8oaYh_nTL8hGWjdbQ0Qx6L0unyTKtToKl5WOvOq_mZed01ZfSLNDbsNgE4TX-2zbcfOWASnTfg8CRZLF6xAEjw/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(39).JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElgBpSnNO2UtP-BTqtcojBdkAaOVVGzCdSbUTqt19wp6_g3GIhqOTxQvZJfTU-nc0rBe39yfOGSDgP6u2ZHWOUX52Cyu-UuvdsXyfjnPSzzP0E92m9DRBVcqiwPbo5xexFKQkjJAIPEh4Vc-ElOQESZAmHjV6AQiInArLDv8q1fGbBTDmklio9CJ1dw/s4032/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(41).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElgBpSnNO2UtP-BTqtcojBdkAaOVVGzCdSbUTqt19wp6_g3GIhqOTxQvZJfTU-nc0rBe39yfOGSDgP6u2ZHWOUX52Cyu-UuvdsXyfjnPSzzP0E92m9DRBVcqiwPbo5xexFKQkjJAIPEh4Vc-ElOQESZAmHjV6AQiInArLDv8q1fGbBTDmklio9CJ1dw/s320/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(41).jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zvlUMxfBDtZ0PYWg1S3HKID45eaWle7P4fNGAT3EOzhuQOjKlgimZ-FbWMuOZZIzvtJVO7u-1nwzMjq4Q8k6th0xHO2N4m7Ha4I3cnIp0AQw4LwD5r_vY-eSPX31wkn080Jvp4vQlJecVy9fcDUR6To5B0vkjhkqDliieeUaeW8HPSX5GRd131AZiw/s3039/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(40).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3039" data-original-width="2029" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2zvlUMxfBDtZ0PYWg1S3HKID45eaWle7P4fNGAT3EOzhuQOjKlgimZ-FbWMuOZZIzvtJVO7u-1nwzMjq4Q8k6th0xHO2N4m7Ha4I3cnIp0AQw4LwD5r_vY-eSPX31wkn080Jvp4vQlJecVy9fcDUR6To5B0vkjhkqDliieeUaeW8HPSX5GRd131AZiw/s320/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(40).JPG" width="214" /></a></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Surprisingly, the route in to town was somewhat circuitous, taking us along the
edges of town, then back to the main church (which was sadly closed), and then
onward, seeming to miss the Plaza Mayor. Unlike the sleepier towns we've
crossed through, this one was alive with people, and we were happy to find an
open tapas bar. We ducked inside out of the rain, and sat for a while to
enjoy hot cups of café con leche and warm tortilla con patatas. As we sat
there the place began to fill up with a lunchtime crowd intent on enjoying the
many delicious-looking tapas, and we seemed to pique the curiosity of a growing
number of people. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_u2_iPinkvGvefSLVahwu01IY8LDftIHBELRgeV6wgbTfNY-18AZrneLPggwGgXAmEsX3Q-Ipqv4SKe22xaWeSAgMUzz-aY5fT2Gyn3S0KL_A9f-PJrIP0KGSJoX6jd4Epz9BXiNJjNfaUOFZQiF2FhED1dVtNvFg1egGK7iPYHMD_avkTp9g_a9xg/s5585/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(43).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3728" data-original-width="5585" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_u2_iPinkvGvefSLVahwu01IY8LDftIHBELRgeV6wgbTfNY-18AZrneLPggwGgXAmEsX3Q-Ipqv4SKe22xaWeSAgMUzz-aY5fT2Gyn3S0KL_A9f-PJrIP0KGSJoX6jd4Epz9BXiNJjNfaUOFZQiF2FhED1dVtNvFg1egGK7iPYHMD_avkTp9g_a9xg/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(43).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvck9Zdwa7FfFV7yLPn0kBcxaD_UrjkR1xnon08YJNIqwKFDbLmFcACWjSV6w46cQbRlZ7Y8V16ZqwKomtsvxdIi2ETcBESLI-iiOVs4mTPmdEde5EBh8pIsPoj3M5O5vrRHWUDaqnYqI9ndqvPOBHBnHvFBvUaiGXug-pVEmlD7jGZ2hgrjQFUskGQ/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(44).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguvck9Zdwa7FfFV7yLPn0kBcxaD_UrjkR1xnon08YJNIqwKFDbLmFcACWjSV6w46cQbRlZ7Y8V16ZqwKomtsvxdIi2ETcBESLI-iiOVs4mTPmdEde5EBh8pIsPoj3M5O5vrRHWUDaqnYqI9ndqvPOBHBnHvFBvUaiGXug-pVEmlD7jGZ2hgrjQFUskGQ/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(44).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrs14DPgPfIKTPi3zA1MLV_LZj0Idl5pR70lymx2W4weX9uhQ4FUQ1jfyC1BkjBNMs2Pkuux8z2TZdCTR81vlb4kgMK3a2qLy7Mb0aZQwhmRCIY_JzRP0hu_bgOR_EOq0Rxf4o5sJNkJZBovhF1Vao3qoO27MJbVh-laPcdDBuFGkxatLNCLU2fYJMg/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(45).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKrs14DPgPfIKTPi3zA1MLV_LZj0Idl5pR70lymx2W4weX9uhQ4FUQ1jfyC1BkjBNMs2Pkuux8z2TZdCTR81vlb4kgMK3a2qLy7Mb0aZQwhmRCIY_JzRP0hu_bgOR_EOq0Rxf4o5sJNkJZBovhF1Vao3qoO27MJbVh-laPcdDBuFGkxatLNCLU2fYJMg/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(45).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Reluctantly we headed back out into the cool and rainy afternoon, making our
way across town to the grocery store. Along the way we saw some
interesting street art depicting senior citizens, and we also enjoyed seeing
the diversity of creative and elaborate doors, door knockers, and fastenings on
the homes along the way. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We stopped to pick up some supplies for dinner in the albergue tonight, because
our guidebook suggests that many things in Villeguillo, which is our
destination for today, may be closed on Tuesdays. After the short
resupply, we headed out of town, passing a cute pilgrim statue marker as we left. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-VO1nDxWnNwIRER74TZTmCMciX6HGjYhKfZT2GrNxf-6eYdTrtSy8NWMlPBrzI4GkBcUKPBtFoUu4SxmBdeI3o1WY7BDWEQ3ZqJRnMaszfU65kDOpb3q5KUHraqa8INTdvOV0XYb1RUznvqTY27rT4-QxKG0q_NDyCKlPNer_hcxjq0FVWClS2-KIA/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(48).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr-VO1nDxWnNwIRER74TZTmCMciX6HGjYhKfZT2GrNxf-6eYdTrtSy8NWMlPBrzI4GkBcUKPBtFoUu4SxmBdeI3o1WY7BDWEQ3ZqJRnMaszfU65kDOpb3q5KUHraqa8INTdvOV0XYb1RUznvqTY27rT4-QxKG0q_NDyCKlPNer_hcxjq0FVWClS2-KIA/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(48).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqbxmghfkOXB_Nx2JajaQB0IlUZ4ZRjPuBlZh2hXvTgYHKscUUBkxobm__c9IplTeqwG_JKbB95VIioI-y-9vywkPrmTPA99RPsPjZWE2q8TJSVKPqt_Ujrvml21CSWzFw8HFNfumu5RIMJCI4Qxe0ucAQ0YuG0o8Yx5caVdXopB3i9Vq5BdttuTuQw/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(49).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQqbxmghfkOXB_Nx2JajaQB0IlUZ4ZRjPuBlZh2hXvTgYHKscUUBkxobm__c9IplTeqwG_JKbB95VIioI-y-9vywkPrmTPA99RPsPjZWE2q8TJSVKPqt_Ujrvml21CSWzFw8HFNfumu5RIMJCI4Qxe0ucAQ0YuG0o8Yx5caVdXopB3i9Vq5BdttuTuQw/w268-h400/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(49).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we crossed a short band of fields around the town a cold wind really picked
up, driving the rain sideways at us. We were grateful for another stretch
of trail that was sheltered by stands of pines. In this section we passed
several walled and heavily guarded farms with large though friendly seeming
dogs. Eventually, our path wound out to the edge of the forest, following the
top of a steep valley at the bottom which flowed the Eresma River. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">By early afternoon we found ourselves approaching the town of Coca in the
pouring rain. We had really been hoping to stay in Coca for the night
because there is a lot to explore in this town, but unfortunately the albergue
was closed, and the hotel didn't have any rooms available. The town
claims to be the birthplace of Emperor Theodosius I, although this honour is
also claimed by an Andalusian town. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4xApkNSvEXX7enQTE-cHrHKOZRCQMund3XKxoCzU5Z48nAFWbC2JtCLhoUXfEmFDXU1eYKeQhb3qTMiEox3aJErnuyK8TeeAGZkYl_e5PuoFe-R5fBfwnQKNXX8P6VtuU4hYbkFA5mx06aunUtOceVIkbWFTObwBWZZ6l6uRABEUO2BnpDS14OLzSg/s6016/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4xApkNSvEXX7enQTE-cHrHKOZRCQMund3XKxoCzU5Z48nAFWbC2JtCLhoUXfEmFDXU1eYKeQhb3qTMiEox3aJErnuyK8TeeAGZkYl_e5PuoFe-R5fBfwnQKNXX8P6VtuU4hYbkFA5mx06aunUtOceVIkbWFTObwBWZZ6l6uRABEUO2BnpDS14OLzSg/w268-h400/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Today, it's main claim to fame is its extraordinary 15th century Gothic-Mudéjar
red-brick castle, which has elaborate, fairy-tale like crenellated towers and
turrets arranged symmetrically around double square walls. This castle
was built by Moors on the orders of Bishop Alonso de Fonseca, and looks quiet
stunning. Unfortunately, from the official Camino route we didn't catch
even a glimpse of this interesting piece of history. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we soon discovered, the marked route skims the edge of town, passing by the
albergue, but missing most of the downtown. In the driving rain we
followed the arrows to the main square, where we took shelter in the large
roofed gazebo outside the church. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHrD7pYmrq1ETzML7gcFqu0KQ3i-KfCoMFxWG5JxBvTbrzfGKhB1o0YI5q6T2x7gLugsH5NsjTp8wLuREyoE3nbfIkJaQCCXOF0pmgjKwk8HwsMaT14dVA8w5mu6CSt8ahrWo1LH7vZ9d9idRusaRPbVpuoUWLTHc8mEob3Vgx0Ag7npTGgqSc1aaQA/s4032/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(57).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHrD7pYmrq1ETzML7gcFqu0KQ3i-KfCoMFxWG5JxBvTbrzfGKhB1o0YI5q6T2x7gLugsH5NsjTp8wLuREyoE3nbfIkJaQCCXOF0pmgjKwk8HwsMaT14dVA8w5mu6CSt8ahrWo1LH7vZ9d9idRusaRPbVpuoUWLTHc8mEob3Vgx0Ag7npTGgqSc1aaQA/w400-h300/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(57).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRGXAwraY31aYMZLdIAaoAvkAR-Vzo7x_2hnvqJl4t4BW29oD05Xpjh9JZ6obmjMu5KhJ3oXM92WmjSQpoPnQq4temMLdycw75c-62brArFXxFNDwow-ddhDycNCiQ3rEogyuRnTSskgKjiTxDqvtyO-cJrmRrsCORRtpRBsiKONQXAP3_lTvjSkV5g/s4032/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(58).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtRGXAwraY31aYMZLdIAaoAvkAR-Vzo7x_2hnvqJl4t4BW29oD05Xpjh9JZ6obmjMu5KhJ3oXM92WmjSQpoPnQq4temMLdycw75c-62brArFXxFNDwow-ddhDycNCiQ3rEogyuRnTSskgKjiTxDqvtyO-cJrmRrsCORRtpRBsiKONQXAP3_lTvjSkV5g/w300-h400/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(58).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The Gothic church of Santa Maria Mayor was an impressive stone and brick building.
It features a statue of Santiago Peregrino with staff, gourd, and scallops, as
well as a stylized version of the sword of the Order of Santiago above the
retablo mayor. Sadly, the church was closed so we were unable to visit,
or to get a stamp for our credentials, which is something we've been finding it
a little challenging to do along this route. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we sat in the gazebo, hoping the rain would abate we again became the object
of local curiosity, with several people walking across the square to pass
within a few feet of us, two or three circling around several times, and one
lady even rolling down her car window to take photos of us. Even now I am
unsure what caused such interest. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvBRPqkpQLGbYTky-TEixKuZl-O_LGz76q0hpu2sbDD3LaHRA_nMg5dlXvp_XLOsQRfrkEkxwYpe1o90l9SA7lQ5Q1PNrfNnWbhLpyK2wirnSgimELkKe2QEu7C4XmPqyxjGq4UbyqCVFXelo_zp6jCZoIKRZmOWiSQdUSxMrtiv7c7kNxGeYlY3-QA/s4032/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(69).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvBRPqkpQLGbYTky-TEixKuZl-O_LGz76q0hpu2sbDD3LaHRA_nMg5dlXvp_XLOsQRfrkEkxwYpe1o90l9SA7lQ5Q1PNrfNnWbhLpyK2wirnSgimELkKe2QEu7C4XmPqyxjGq4UbyqCVFXelo_zp6jCZoIKRZmOWiSQdUSxMrtiv7c7kNxGeYlY3-QA/w400-h300/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(69).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5l4BcI5XahEuJ1SSPGD3VM1w_tb1g-ay2wuDjVm6iFTR_FNeBxAN49sMzxfuZFuyQr5W5iiuMRgaC7KJOubekl2N7Y9KxLY7br5ChblBDkaYTicVhMW2h2s4KWUN3ULLUxpKb0LpGBXxzWvTn3UdyiiV79DfRx_MEUMMXtZPVp8hLjcketONHDgutA/s5232/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(61).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="5232" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik5l4BcI5XahEuJ1SSPGD3VM1w_tb1g-ay2wuDjVm6iFTR_FNeBxAN49sMzxfuZFuyQr5W5iiuMRgaC7KJOubekl2N7Y9KxLY7br5ChblBDkaYTicVhMW2h2s4KWUN3ULLUxpKb0LpGBXxzWvTn3UdyiiV79DfRx_MEUMMXtZPVp8hLjcketONHDgutA/w400-h220/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(61).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div>While sheltering from the pouring rain we decided to call the albergue in Coca
to double check if it was indeed temporarily closed, as our App
suggested. It was. Eventually we resigned ourselves to the fact
that it wasn't going to stop raining, and we reluctantly left the shelter and
continued onward. The downtown looked very beautiful, with tree-lined
streets and colourful houses. Apparently, some of the medieval walls and
the Arco de la Villa can still be seen around Coca, although our route did not
take us past them. We did however pass the Mudéjar Torre de San Nicolas.
This tower is all that remains of the Church Of San Nicolas, and is a
representative example of Gothic-Mudejar architecture. Some of its history
has been lost, but there are records of the tower dating from 1247. It
has served as a clock tower and a dovecote in its time, and it is now
considered a point of cultural interest. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLlr23v3JCzItwiyidQatS_i-TpNLaGXw1r6eRQvBwWQsa2hUI0vh4_WkpW_EFOgtKMiHXrC7dd_FwjHcjaTyzOGJWYa7VCyUA4bF8h6DKrR82Db1BkKcBBoL-8_GjISDu5ErFvkWdtmmNEc0A9NYjdaDs3soNMg3SxMdVC641KNKB5dA6w5cOXjSLg/s5049/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(68).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5049" data-original-width="3371" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLlr23v3JCzItwiyidQatS_i-TpNLaGXw1r6eRQvBwWQsa2hUI0vh4_WkpW_EFOgtKMiHXrC7dd_FwjHcjaTyzOGJWYa7VCyUA4bF8h6DKrR82Db1BkKcBBoL-8_GjISDu5ErFvkWdtmmNEc0A9NYjdaDs3soNMg3SxMdVC641KNKB5dA6w5cOXjSLg/w268-h400/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(68).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we left town we descended steeply on a winding red gravel road under very
picturesque pines. At the bottom of the tall hill we crossed a yet
another bridge over the Eresma River, and climbed steeply back up to the top of
the ridge, where we again followed the river through a peaceful, fresh smelling
pine forest for about 7 km. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rgcGLbzj4KdTMAyfSZCmkXc4RyXXVo-7hVWrRFcplO4ZLX9Hrvc_HLZEOivXggu_LZlpyokmtKpEMTiJb_9nlC1d2HROeNOtuCk-0QfOPyY2n3wyqqsUqkai6mIltzhp7kAcQJbvu0QBVEfIhEqtia_INx5hN6KRHmz2kownLktjIMGdIWT70OEXhA/s4480/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(64).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2990" data-original-width="4480" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rgcGLbzj4KdTMAyfSZCmkXc4RyXXVo-7hVWrRFcplO4ZLX9Hrvc_HLZEOivXggu_LZlpyokmtKpEMTiJb_9nlC1d2HROeNOtuCk-0QfOPyY2n3wyqqsUqkai6mIltzhp7kAcQJbvu0QBVEfIhEqtia_INx5hN6KRHmz2kownLktjIMGdIWT70OEXhA/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(64).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Finally, relatively wet and quite cold from the wind, we emerged from the trees
onto a farm track which took us through strong smelling onion fields. The
farmer was out ploughing, which added a rich earthy smell to the damp
air. He gave us a friendly wave as we trudged down the muddy track,
heading towards the welcome sight of the steeple of the Church of San Pedro
Apostol in Vileguillo. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Here we had no choice but to take a leap of faith. We called the number
for the albergue yesterday to make sure it was open, but most of the
instructions we received we didn't understand because they were in
Spanish. Our guidebook had warned that the bar where we could pick up the
keys to the albergue was closed on Tuesdays, so we were heading to 24 Calle Real,
which was the alternative suggested by the guidebook (it seems to be wrong). </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we made our way down the street a very kind lady came out of her home and
began speaking to us in Spanish. When she realized we didn't understand, but
were looking for the albergue, she kindly pointed us to 8 Calle Real, where we
could pick up the keys. She asked where we were from, and when we said
Canada, she asked if we spoke French, and told us in French that her son and
grandchildren live in Ottawa! She was very kind, and offered us any help
we needed with anything at all. The couple who are in charge of the
albergue were also extremely kind and patient, showing us everything and making
sure we were okay. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC1fng9gDrsBycv4B47GSoDVAwsryvyb5Z_t1VDZ4LhQncwCKzSjOun28slOfkVS-HyHnqteAEZJicOkJawmx0PXOu60THr2X8r7fDjF0DT5cZ_vd-lauEgwFg_o2q92WruS5jlHY6K15m4csw6YerOUvEjOgZ9I2WoyVHpaV467gajgp__lrSe0fJw/s2392/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(62).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1597" data-original-width="2392" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzC1fng9gDrsBycv4B47GSoDVAwsryvyb5Z_t1VDZ4LhQncwCKzSjOun28slOfkVS-HyHnqteAEZJicOkJawmx0PXOu60THr2X8r7fDjF0DT5cZ_vd-lauEgwFg_o2q92WruS5jlHY6K15m4csw6YerOUvEjOgZ9I2WoyVHpaV467gajgp__lrSe0fJw/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(62).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The albergue is very clean, well equipped, and beautifully done up. It
had ten beds, two washrooms, a fridge, stove, lots of dishes, and a large
kitchen area. We were very grateful to be inside and out of the rain, and
for all the kindness we had received. As we sat at the table making a
dinner of baguettes, cheese, and warm coffee the sounds of laughter, Spanish
music, and clapping came through the kitchen door. There was a lively
dance class going on in the community center portion of the building beside
us! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9gacR51ssXjAwqjW_3GhaX7ehIuLq7TDRI0v1ut1jsqb3IgzIDxAI0CsNCsefh6URS-bxkdH2h7PKm5nLilzvBKUY0uXd75uBsDNcgpArQZzWHYdTaW7OHmv0Hr94eGju2D4xLn0QnL0FObnJjRVAMDOyTqMsFV81SMoLygw6up9f_c-M_X5AmfmWg/s1589/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(63).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1589" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf9gacR51ssXjAwqjW_3GhaX7ehIuLq7TDRI0v1ut1jsqb3IgzIDxAI0CsNCsefh6URS-bxkdH2h7PKm5nLilzvBKUY0uXd75uBsDNcgpArQZzWHYdTaW7OHmv0Hr94eGju2D4xLn0QnL0FObnJjRVAMDOyTqMsFV81SMoLygw6up9f_c-M_X5AmfmWg/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(63).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXSS4pcMY-KDhS8wXqjZXDVV_wGFJHfIpXCX5LtlLp4n37NX3MIEUFTSsx3mXkNA2BtqiUAuahDqsEFJ-NSCF9EReViA4du_96zOAeRksXxqiCOn27t7GkOYQuMDCSBM-SGYs5BcyY1f5Ysh9NwLYnYafvsDW3VpyMkxlduv1b_umcv-Mf2ut-YuOcA/s2023/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(66).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1351" data-original-width="2023" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXSS4pcMY-KDhS8wXqjZXDVV_wGFJHfIpXCX5LtlLp4n37NX3MIEUFTSsx3mXkNA2BtqiUAuahDqsEFJ-NSCF9EReViA4du_96zOAeRksXxqiCOn27t7GkOYQuMDCSBM-SGYs5BcyY1f5Ysh9NwLYnYafvsDW3VpyMkxlduv1b_umcv-Mf2ut-YuOcA/w400-h268/Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Villeguillo%20to%20Blog%20(66).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Villeguillo is the last town we will visit in the autonomous community of
Segovia. It is very small and quiet, consisting of little more than a
collection of homes with a church, a single bar, and a town hall clustered in
the midst of fields. It is a quiet spot to rest and take a break without
distractions. Although today was rather wet and cold, it was a beautiful
day of walking, and it had a wonderful ending full of Camino spirit. <br />
<br />
<b>Distance: 28.4 km<br />
Accommodations: Albergue de Peregrinos in Vileguillo</b></span></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com014206 Valsequillo, Spain, Córdoba, Spain38.4064748 -5.350779699999998610.096240963821153 -40.5070297 66.716708636178851 29.805470300000003tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-64988605839905929252022-04-18T18:53:00.166-04:002022-06-25T12:47:10.230-04:00Always Look Back : Segovia to Santa Maria la Real de Nieva<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Today was a long and beautiful walk through
the countryside, which was punctuated with visits to many small rural villages
along the way. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlsRW8ctDOPrZzeiJeGregbe0gOisVmH6b3wLKbWiBL4YlKJftNkt6FbGJnl4vrrdayuzK-UYc6FBIpt1pMPWO7245AQ3VKhE7Y7l9gOH9Cz73thm1bQfjd8bm3smisNejxy_KPNp_fzkTOPElAIJB1ez1OgIfxKZ8AlGebHD6UnVoY_WQFdVE136bQ/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvlsRW8ctDOPrZzeiJeGregbe0gOisVmH6b3wLKbWiBL4YlKJftNkt6FbGJnl4vrrdayuzK-UYc6FBIpt1pMPWO7245AQ3VKhE7Y7l9gOH9Cz73thm1bQfjd8bm3smisNejxy_KPNp_fzkTOPElAIJB1ez1OgIfxKZ8AlGebHD6UnVoY_WQFdVE136bQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">It began with a delicious breakfast of café con leches and croissants in our
favourite panaderia in Segovia. Feeling optimistic, we threaded our way
through the winding, narrow streets of the old city, dodging the morning
commuters and an army of delivery vans making their way into the center of town
to resupply the restaurants, cafés, and bars. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJiO_XkoV4wmQ_1pCjqpv07SDHQfg9Kib1MVWUvxrS_W-VfZhzxdlBeN83kD7HWKI0uuc9H5-FByRWJw2Teh1SDrTsxrc0p_Ru0jWYiQKVZV1IR0zgz5CinPtJFtCKWlPw0npmKqtCySUtpMwb10fhFVmVhqmnIowZTfJHCftPSRCuQHll6uepkQcag/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJiO_XkoV4wmQ_1pCjqpv07SDHQfg9Kib1MVWUvxrS_W-VfZhzxdlBeN83kD7HWKI0uuc9H5-FByRWJw2Teh1SDrTsxrc0p_Ru0jWYiQKVZV1IR0zgz5CinPtJFtCKWlPw0npmKqtCySUtpMwb10fhFVmVhqmnIowZTfJHCftPSRCuQHll6uepkQcag/w268-h400/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(2).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMcp-HpQpNsKUT-jPtylH5ktsTQi3gn3A9GNXNtSK79eBI-xuvBRtHSsud3NJu33YuHJNucv2LANe8lrDfKTut-DDT9wFZgRnlERihpx-gzlO1htBYk2LPh3oewH9EWAmKTF_4QaMfMrEncEO6yWaTfuuX5zV1rJ638qBawIV-D0NzXr6YXvz7LG-gQ/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIMcp-HpQpNsKUT-jPtylH5ktsTQi3gn3A9GNXNtSK79eBI-xuvBRtHSsud3NJu33YuHJNucv2LANe8lrDfKTut-DDT9wFZgRnlERihpx-gzlO1htBYk2LPh3oewH9EWAmKTF_4QaMfMrEncEO6yWaTfuuX5zV1rJ638qBawIV-D0NzXr6YXvz7LG-gQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We passed under the warm yellow stone and red brick arches of the Puerta de
Santiago and descended rapidly into the narrow curving streets at the foot of
the wall. In front of us we had a fabulous view of the castle lit against the
clear blue sky. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVuWFPVihSLso0pTZ-qGlbXZiKgAGIdvpwLTgxw-fMzZHUVRWnSCPyGn-o5iXUnUuzXonP4bzqKV5teN8xbEACwcR-Hq2Bo2PpHXJLPZlabl_PPIrdY-RoMicroOFj_ot_PZ-VqIcMZlRf0Qknnu3JeddXwIrnPA7Q7_x5GDEbevLOTo0xVKSR5Savg/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(7).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguVuWFPVihSLso0pTZ-qGlbXZiKgAGIdvpwLTgxw-fMzZHUVRWnSCPyGn-o5iXUnUuzXonP4bzqKV5teN8xbEACwcR-Hq2Bo2PpHXJLPZlabl_PPIrdY-RoMicroOFj_ot_PZ-VqIcMZlRf0Qknnu3JeddXwIrnPA7Q7_x5GDEbevLOTo0xVKSR5Savg/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(7).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We crossed a paved road that was busy with rush hour traffic, followed a
forested path down to a parking lot, and then crossed the Eresma River on a
small bridge beside a weir. A delicate mist was rising from the still, dark
waters of the river, and several ducks were leaving long wakes as they slowly
paddled below the overhanging branches of trees, disturbing the colourful
reflections. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbYFuMCUojxvAErqugE3u0X4rtraW0umY1WfmhzpaIrYq6iB0mjFDdWlRvTQSW0w6Cj6ugT7NtBdDL71Hjh6Fw4O0BL13eHZALmxyEoquyEjWu253K96-kC7LW0tgsV8b-3zai9Lt22Y0Xr5P9BDigMu__DKUsdVjdneZDBK2T0Lk1DHkMXVn10sHfw/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(8).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbYFuMCUojxvAErqugE3u0X4rtraW0umY1WfmhzpaIrYq6iB0mjFDdWlRvTQSW0w6Cj6ugT7NtBdDL71Hjh6Fw4O0BL13eHZALmxyEoquyEjWu253K96-kC7LW0tgsV8b-3zai9Lt22Y0Xr5P9BDigMu__DKUsdVjdneZDBK2T0Lk1DHkMXVn10sHfw/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(8).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gIn6exoRqqRN-NNLeuGNYalJdjRdyceFNiJGxH8ibzGxTs0hXByBFqoIYyEIo4adgmrgqhFSib9LdTsXRYfAz43wx39o6qTCV8qsH0srmx3kfgFX6oGFQaYvTbO98zKvvPqdvH-xolyhfLUr751iYCBZ-w5ldl9IC5uesNGkD8z2DElYKpz4s6QLRA/s4149/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(9).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2770" data-original-width="4149" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gIn6exoRqqRN-NNLeuGNYalJdjRdyceFNiJGxH8ibzGxTs0hXByBFqoIYyEIo4adgmrgqhFSib9LdTsXRYfAz43wx39o6qTCV8qsH0srmx3kfgFX6oGFQaYvTbO98zKvvPqdvH-xolyhfLUr751iYCBZ-w5ldl9IC5uesNGkD8z2DElYKpz4s6QLRA/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(9).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We left the peaceful and beautiful scene behind, and began climbing up to the
town of Zamarramala on a paved sidewalk. A short distance up the hill we
came to the Iglesia de Vera Cruz. This distinctive 12-sided stone church
was purportedly founded by the Knights Templar in 1204-08 on the site of a
former Roman Temple. The design of the building was based on the Church
of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVXCD1tqOhGuDwiVS1kJ6Mb_OmLhXKZic_GH0LaO-X23c28Zt35i2PfbhcyzqcU2t4t-C5-YUIxaESkKYtNSJ5Id_Yw9fVNZrtVnT4rOxsgSLMp3xHGZR1-nCtDlbB3Ha0DOhyHFwbD4Kcv2w6Ix_nDnHTleb5XIo-JbyUz5L_GFppKv9XuXnWCBbHA/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(13).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVXCD1tqOhGuDwiVS1kJ6Mb_OmLhXKZic_GH0LaO-X23c28Zt35i2PfbhcyzqcU2t4t-C5-YUIxaESkKYtNSJ5Id_Yw9fVNZrtVnT4rOxsgSLMp3xHGZR1-nCtDlbB3Ha0DOhyHFwbD4Kcv2w6Ix_nDnHTleb5XIo-JbyUz5L_GFppKv9XuXnWCBbHA/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(13).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9W4FoUnQaRGbjN4ujOGmDIfHo7RNvCEYz9G5yKT-EPXmKuYVa5_JSA2KQ3LwTMdGXK04wQdFWX2iPC6FMmNs43iG4_pK7Ks_GSyOdKl-gbetgtnDgRRtL7_iDVpGdVj6BHrB8CAGwDEk2RUhHNcY_5tZ8OkYPlDpQ2ntahRjn874WbnsAK4ebpJfaWw/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(17).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9W4FoUnQaRGbjN4ujOGmDIfHo7RNvCEYz9G5yKT-EPXmKuYVa5_JSA2KQ3LwTMdGXK04wQdFWX2iPC6FMmNs43iG4_pK7Ks_GSyOdKl-gbetgtnDgRRtL7_iDVpGdVj6BHrB8CAGwDEk2RUhHNcY_5tZ8OkYPlDpQ2ntahRjn874WbnsAK4ebpJfaWw/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(17).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we continued up the hill in the bright sunshine we watched many cottontail
rabbits bounding through the fields beside us, and we heard the sound of a
rooster crowing below us, which is a something we associate strongly with the
Camino Frances. When we turned around, the view of Segovia set against
the snow covered mountains behind us was stunning! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9-A-AK8exuz1adIpiCoG-a3zLVh5kRTknP5UetEbylAZV-reMFba49HABqquEl2YP9Euf6JY9qxqLBoymv16a4TrCZ-_FAev0u18fjAWVq1WsCFIkuPMNaygjW_YQKkwUQ5WHJIE-FyZdfXkxZI7R3_KwiX98KiGApajoOLalqblASlE0lV_D_J5kw/s4566/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(15).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1841" data-original-width="4566" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis9-A-AK8exuz1adIpiCoG-a3zLVh5kRTknP5UetEbylAZV-reMFba49HABqquEl2YP9Euf6JY9qxqLBoymv16a4TrCZ-_FAev0u18fjAWVq1WsCFIkuPMNaygjW_YQKkwUQ5WHJIE-FyZdfXkxZI7R3_KwiX98KiGApajoOLalqblASlE0lV_D_J5kw/w640-h258/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(15).JPG" width="640" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>At the outskirts of Zamarramala we stopped at the small white Chapel of San
Roque, patron Saint of Pilgrims. We have come to believe that Saint Roch
has been looking out for us on our walks in various parts of the world, and so
we took a moment to give very heartfelt thanks. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHySz_N2gNHAfS-D2f4ZphkNQNLO__wxTUzmlRsrI3HIUAyLtYkiWoV8rY99ckx6KJnJw3dJy7nyvBJXqi4UuC6kFA9ZYjFt2x2yg5Ol-_BIuMKGsRdJBTT2uA8tliHibfeLhGqg9UWqdHg2AuBRq9K1zb7I0_ZkaU7KBfDYy7Mhw1P5sb6y0TcQ4zg/s5849/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(19).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3905" data-original-width="5849" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHySz_N2gNHAfS-D2f4ZphkNQNLO__wxTUzmlRsrI3HIUAyLtYkiWoV8rY99ckx6KJnJw3dJy7nyvBJXqi4UuC6kFA9ZYjFt2x2yg5Ol-_BIuMKGsRdJBTT2uA8tliHibfeLhGqg9UWqdHg2AuBRq9K1zb7I0_ZkaU7KBfDYy7Mhw1P5sb6y0TcQ4zg/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(19).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKKZDbEydLniKXgeReXF23v4G-LTkfyOHB66mvPPAhlY4792k_gDVZlJSLKIjNuV6-FEsROwZ3KvwpGR-mB8NmPP9a1dxJ3-LQrdhdv815uQuTd1nkJFeDm02uGQDTCiOx5RroCaLo0iuanpX1-waRRZ7TBh1bJ-r6y7SOZqzB9fQ6i9BU6Add1dSZA/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(21).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKKZDbEydLniKXgeReXF23v4G-LTkfyOHB66mvPPAhlY4792k_gDVZlJSLKIjNuV6-FEsROwZ3KvwpGR-mB8NmPP9a1dxJ3-LQrdhdv815uQuTd1nkJFeDm02uGQDTCiOx5RroCaLo0iuanpX1-waRRZ7TBh1bJ-r6y7SOZqzB9fQ6i9BU6Add1dSZA/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(21).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">It took only a few minutes to cross the small town and then we walked below a
curved metal underpass and abruptly found ourselves out in the
countryside. The winding white gravel path of the Camino stretched out
before us, bisecting a patchwork of emerald green, light brown, and golden
yellow fields.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1FfXLHSuvSLLab1GnCzg7-9I4LHH49EQaseQMszzgsgpAagoIv0nV2F9PGc1W5WpC0BZ8SsGS4GjinK4Q8prI5-r7U-aYf-82_npDC2d3OFM9r0_UqplLFURdNHcHIBHxTj-PX1y0eU_5WWhpDfgrzN5log2IWDNecI1ZLm2BtDYMvljrILELFujVA/s5847/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(30).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3903" data-original-width="5847" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj1FfXLHSuvSLLab1GnCzg7-9I4LHH49EQaseQMszzgsgpAagoIv0nV2F9PGc1W5WpC0BZ8SsGS4GjinK4Q8prI5-r7U-aYf-82_npDC2d3OFM9r0_UqplLFURdNHcHIBHxTj-PX1y0eU_5WWhpDfgrzN5log2IWDNecI1ZLm2BtDYMvljrILELFujVA/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(30).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82c36NAWlgRLVQcZUvdefxvfEicGjuxcyNr14TTzeLXy68lMQjqlUToZeJfCo5j0sFj_KcrPpEqpgRmKXeIkie1fwtpKfa_3OuUFpEtakqZNeKcZfDgPHNfA9cww0hOGMVGDtFTbvWIbieRKZ9Gm9RyRffnz6KwC3Y0pIEzeiH_bGGFZcu6Rv0inxtQ/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(31).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg82c36NAWlgRLVQcZUvdefxvfEicGjuxcyNr14TTzeLXy68lMQjqlUToZeJfCo5j0sFj_KcrPpEqpgRmKXeIkie1fwtpKfa_3OuUFpEtakqZNeKcZfDgPHNfA9cww0hOGMVGDtFTbvWIbieRKZ9Gm9RyRffnz6KwC3Y0pIEzeiH_bGGFZcu6Rv0inxtQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(31).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG2XT9dZYkzbMPXb1DeqmjBhvtStQIwhxIHWm3gws3C62bB6gb_rKc7MNUm4d1B-U2Q3MNuw-rvtXDDFg93-EmY23qLnjjQlmUoOlmzbhXcMAlHqJ4T2i2OsGU8K_BQOdMg6b2ouvuCH4RmTPY1QQ4U4AHbYoOrTJt19mqn0EFYulbusBRkz82qZfOQ/s1481/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1481" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbG2XT9dZYkzbMPXb1DeqmjBhvtStQIwhxIHWm3gws3C62bB6gb_rKc7MNUm4d1B-U2Q3MNuw-rvtXDDFg93-EmY23qLnjjQlmUoOlmzbhXcMAlHqJ4T2i2OsGU8K_BQOdMg6b2ouvuCH4RmTPY1QQ4U4AHbYoOrTJt19mqn0EFYulbusBRkz82qZfOQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(35).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqg7h8s-T8kGlgn1fEQgy-07_9UDju-W1u0cqUUmCXA9Nqg1u1ZeWrT8oFpRzWw5tlrX4Z9XsB8HhyRhERW4zaf0F-s-JKN2TWA22OlGk3MlaBG_gCoq3cQqFUzLl5YMEp_fP3y9f1CWwB48pw4a9ihtPZcxZC5zAMprWBo2w2fh-WBxW8CUFU38BgQQ/s5022/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(36).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3352" data-original-width="5022" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqg7h8s-T8kGlgn1fEQgy-07_9UDju-W1u0cqUUmCXA9Nqg1u1ZeWrT8oFpRzWw5tlrX4Z9XsB8HhyRhERW4zaf0F-s-JKN2TWA22OlGk3MlaBG_gCoq3cQqFUzLl5YMEp_fP3y9f1CWwB48pw4a9ihtPZcxZC5zAMprWBo2w2fh-WBxW8CUFU38BgQQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(36).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The minimalist landscape of green fields, clear blue sky, red barns, and bright
white path accompanied us for most of the day. Its simplicity was
calming, giving us a reassuring sense of direction and purpose. In that
first stretch we were passed by several cyclists, a handful of cars, and
several farmers on tractors, and we received several cheerful 'Buen Caminos!'
After that we were mostly alone in the peaceful, quiet landscape. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZirGU1Q-HCkn27o3-mTA8m4McdzCYjPbzU3bKTiIdhbYe4O39vubkJ2g5mDMkXV6IWvWmVsh8NtdNPUkKJCDFg3AAzpxkEgwKWLcKbyKlIAdJpEq-stPBPIDEscE2R8i8uFLxX-WuGHkOA73_f1iRBK01Yn1xq3-VMOpK3XUOtcdEIOUuXI8zntMow/s3990/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(41).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2953" data-original-width="3990" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZirGU1Q-HCkn27o3-mTA8m4McdzCYjPbzU3bKTiIdhbYe4O39vubkJ2g5mDMkXV6IWvWmVsh8NtdNPUkKJCDFg3AAzpxkEgwKWLcKbyKlIAdJpEq-stPBPIDEscE2R8i8uFLxX-WuGHkOA73_f1iRBK01Yn1xq3-VMOpK3XUOtcdEIOUuXI8zntMow/w400-h296/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(41).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDlORI0VLeJRhq6ZFCsufGnuOr7G4BE0tSdj80e3tbhwy5P4TT-raIVGep40oZ25ekTzM0A3vf5YboeqdAdJeaBkO3M0YQ1Xxl80QPFF5M353-EmiySJBoF9CYbqXcWnt3uh6kuU-bpx4rAE4rpks-nL29c1lCzKcloGH9sx2IC-D5M0O19DQ6QMFQQ/s5843/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(43).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3900" data-original-width="5843" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDlORI0VLeJRhq6ZFCsufGnuOr7G4BE0tSdj80e3tbhwy5P4TT-raIVGep40oZ25ekTzM0A3vf5YboeqdAdJeaBkO3M0YQ1Xxl80QPFF5M353-EmiySJBoF9CYbqXcWnt3uh6kuU-bpx4rAE4rpks-nL29c1lCzKcloGH9sx2IC-D5M0O19DQ6QMFQQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(43).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHDTFoL4xo68-mqBsV2Ngt31bsrrWdCdAB_G9uwMosy47hY8S_j-x9wfjiNYxkozJbedZPB1tfjYvoW0qXBTyJXvl5sGVIuzVX7_-hzi6YLf4bFAZl23LXcTjgFKnlZ5OKdl8YcT7SPrQpDpXsT7avHs5UlIpmNHC25mL2rBswq6prZkAHBXIWWTJsQ/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(44).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUHDTFoL4xo68-mqBsV2Ngt31bsrrWdCdAB_G9uwMosy47hY8S_j-x9wfjiNYxkozJbedZPB1tfjYvoW0qXBTyJXvl5sGVIuzVX7_-hzi6YLf4bFAZl23LXcTjgFKnlZ5OKdl8YcT7SPrQpDpXsT7avHs5UlIpmNHC25mL2rBswq6prZkAHBXIWWTJsQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(44).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMQwzE0jam_uARLTxOjmWeWY5w13i_CUIyTW9NxpgAV_ZLYRYCiLdxSmUylmSD8ghu2YobDM50kuawkbPF42FONozBnMVTM5OHn4wt5mQ9ErIqhxRvztHcvuEFK5R-enMqhZegIKlK83UHEhSYZdaNaqMj-LWO8-F4_gxcT2M_T-cNF8yp0C49qbccA/s5288/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(47).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3530" data-original-width="5288" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKMQwzE0jam_uARLTxOjmWeWY5w13i_CUIyTW9NxpgAV_ZLYRYCiLdxSmUylmSD8ghu2YobDM50kuawkbPF42FONozBnMVTM5OHn4wt5mQ9ErIqhxRvztHcvuEFK5R-enMqhZegIKlK83UHEhSYZdaNaqMj-LWO8-F4_gxcT2M_T-cNF8yp0C49qbccA/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(47).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23CoJy_fXBt98YkGBPEx80GMATUH336vOZLI5jBJsHTu-JLAp1dqiEuo9MxN4fHBL6Lc_4DptNgZ5Aj99AanWnT6cMHuPrmddr1nR3IvW207IZrqadyQF9IUE8FEiGvig5nzCbiaK6KUAsbEgDr1WXcwA9PRKy4bK9W4zLRLGPFKIzFCfPfgFCbhHcw/s4566/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(48).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4566" data-original-width="3048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23CoJy_fXBt98YkGBPEx80GMATUH336vOZLI5jBJsHTu-JLAp1dqiEuo9MxN4fHBL6Lc_4DptNgZ5Aj99AanWnT6cMHuPrmddr1nR3IvW207IZrqadyQF9IUE8FEiGvig5nzCbiaK6KUAsbEgDr1WXcwA9PRKy4bK9W4zLRLGPFKIzFCfPfgFCbhHcw/w268-h400/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(48).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Not long after leaving Segovia we came to a fork in the road with the option to
walk towards Los Huertos or to take the official route to Valseca. Not
remembering the advice in our guidebook, which suggested taking the more direct
and shorter route to Los Huertos, we took the official route to Valseca. At the
split we looked back and were treated to another fantastic view of
Segovia. At the same time we spotted a lone deer grazing in the field
behind us! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWhZsg_w8tXsFgi15tp6lMAoKJeg1es10E1HPfOzDYDTvMqiR6CIJMs3Ned62jMYQ8bu6cAM-sIvov5qugBdUZdtRHO4yDbfJW29HCuVFC_UTF763D_u6L3IiLSTXVR06cdOvn1jgZB97t9doTQylp1jJjJB7BhfjbfCyhCZjUWhaSwWj1sXC6cY5gA/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(51).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWhZsg_w8tXsFgi15tp6lMAoKJeg1es10E1HPfOzDYDTvMqiR6CIJMs3Ned62jMYQ8bu6cAM-sIvov5qugBdUZdtRHO4yDbfJW29HCuVFC_UTF763D_u6L3IiLSTXVR06cdOvn1jgZB97t9doTQylp1jJjJB7BhfjbfCyhCZjUWhaSwWj1sXC6cY5gA/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(51).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AlIcdibUYBe9A-xD8ka9IUsM_XH1PNo-sHhsWp6I5JcKVZAReZY2CteWf8oQ-P1-cuu0Rc1VZkDoCx9FR06PmeXPCofbUMGV9eIYxms9ZM49cx5RkjKF_KLj0oFTL1WqE9kJBw-CgFzJq9g87KApsMMffmgsM8L_RdYpRQa7cnZ-kgHMUd5km-oWkQ/s3909/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(52).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2611" data-original-width="3909" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AlIcdibUYBe9A-xD8ka9IUsM_XH1PNo-sHhsWp6I5JcKVZAReZY2CteWf8oQ-P1-cuu0Rc1VZkDoCx9FR06PmeXPCofbUMGV9eIYxms9ZM49cx5RkjKF_KLj0oFTL1WqE9kJBw-CgFzJq9g87KApsMMffmgsM8L_RdYpRQa7cnZ-kgHMUd5km-oWkQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(52).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i7xfNUk3eHMqUJKkomccHiVFkbLiP8gh1EcKItBsqmMbb6VVceMhfkIRslRlZduRr8eGigmiT2FsiiVOLe68sPOx2L7y0vw6y3_SdX9XJ7AGoiTmXY60NUPX4Rre2-TIXouMHxf3SJtiJaJ6TJoRpY2rzSvS9SZxGKOJ6P6f11Is_7d7aKwL1NrZ9Q/s5863/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(55).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3915" data-original-width="5863" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6i7xfNUk3eHMqUJKkomccHiVFkbLiP8gh1EcKItBsqmMbb6VVceMhfkIRslRlZduRr8eGigmiT2FsiiVOLe68sPOx2L7y0vw6y3_SdX9XJ7AGoiTmXY60NUPX4Rre2-TIXouMHxf3SJtiJaJ6TJoRpY2rzSvS9SZxGKOJ6P6f11Is_7d7aKwL1NrZ9Q/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(55).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5voFDcs3y2RFM1GG_5sRhF1XxEvX9sWLAUkbYf2bmszUg0nUKp4RUprN6QIxmWROC0HG-f_8ZUJI5kzDT5n-214HXyudb-CY_-dZGCmQbwg62SCJBrk1m4cqnhBlV1iTuX401UNxo1g9oIcCueyebpd_4Kuw35MNdofccazFqjR77YfIoqyF8I0jUg/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(56).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5voFDcs3y2RFM1GG_5sRhF1XxEvX9sWLAUkbYf2bmszUg0nUKp4RUprN6QIxmWROC0HG-f_8ZUJI5kzDT5n-214HXyudb-CY_-dZGCmQbwg62SCJBrk1m4cqnhBlV1iTuX401UNxo1g9oIcCueyebpd_4Kuw35MNdofccazFqjR77YfIoqyF8I0jUg/w268-h400/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(56).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcwcxdmB-2fltS_wLX_vVGzD_hFmm97pOxAi99a9wVQj9ZKMX-kIcOzxqmOGPbvUzyFG8P7i3q0iYz-s6A1yIOi9AvIyZ58ZSakirzS9qOK70ZK_SkUJGiT4Ib-n9FhjOTWqKlaCjMmh8DZ37y7JCyNCAoCs14dHAxZFmT3mYv3K0p41sWWtjV5NH8g/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(57).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcwcxdmB-2fltS_wLX_vVGzD_hFmm97pOxAi99a9wVQj9ZKMX-kIcOzxqmOGPbvUzyFG8P7i3q0iYz-s6A1yIOi9AvIyZ58ZSakirzS9qOK70ZK_SkUJGiT4Ib-n9FhjOTWqKlaCjMmh8DZ37y7JCyNCAoCs14dHAxZFmT3mYv3K0p41sWWtjV5NH8g/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(57).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We passed a farm with two lovely dogs, and soon afterwards crested a hill to
see the tiny town of Valseca hidden in a dip below us. Our first view was
of a red brick water tower and the tall stone church. As we approached we
could hear the noisy and busy chatter of House Sparrows in the roof of the
church, the clicking calls of swallows wheeling and diving overhead, and the
distinctive hoo-HOO-hoo of Rock Doves in the town below. It felt like the
community had its own sound, which was one of nature rather than traffic and
industry. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibwKaJTx41icxAOM-fvhRVncQ76BKCFVzyNJuukAiWTm5iPeXJjrAqy5KmdqVzcsE3ba6rkeILmXRT7pVRn0cV76NEnDXjZ_G5SxhhgrPpFj0bzsALPzO_0YinSrGfLWjl0tPHO1J6X84dxvaFp5aMFeCdRmoj9F7vLdIxdKAjPt_1fpcCR2m7bqxEw/s3790/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(58).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2529" data-original-width="3790" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjibwKaJTx41icxAOM-fvhRVncQ76BKCFVzyNJuukAiWTm5iPeXJjrAqy5KmdqVzcsE3ba6rkeILmXRT7pVRn0cV76NEnDXjZ_G5SxhhgrPpFj0bzsALPzO_0YinSrGfLWjl0tPHO1J6X84dxvaFp5aMFeCdRmoj9F7vLdIxdKAjPt_1fpcCR2m7bqxEw/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(58).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvqucPq5wvqL3pFg96SZZ1UR2DPUQJmZiFAqu96O5egMtnjqJEuCXulRajHeCXhMtM-oCxq2ZXDM7HfOD-irsZk5mG0aCZwxxjM11B6ieWXkAGs1Lq2GlMSuukEzsDpsw5QyE8A7t2PFTWyAtrdEqwn4FTKoHupdx8BJXtp4CE-au15u8fGtrCxDw7Q/s4850/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(59).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3238" data-original-width="4850" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvqucPq5wvqL3pFg96SZZ1UR2DPUQJmZiFAqu96O5egMtnjqJEuCXulRajHeCXhMtM-oCxq2ZXDM7HfOD-irsZk5mG0aCZwxxjM11B6ieWXkAGs1Lq2GlMSuukEzsDpsw5QyE8A7t2PFTWyAtrdEqwn4FTKoHupdx8BJXtp4CE-au15u8fGtrCxDw7Q/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(59).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMwNkF1-myYSuF3pBl534Ax300CST1rExGtnXsq34LwQTZrgAOyktxALm9lAtuja3x4FrHFBGh4cv2YsgfmqnnwdxBQ5TFgrOGOu1cMYtfrunBAwGM4m1c3Kbxmy9chPs3grFGpBJT4cJqsX6I8nTSdeDieTHJbSdfGbK-7s2-r0f_d8Kjo1OkonIAQ/s2262/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(60).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1510" data-original-width="2262" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGMwNkF1-myYSuF3pBl534Ax300CST1rExGtnXsq34LwQTZrgAOyktxALm9lAtuja3x4FrHFBGh4cv2YsgfmqnnwdxBQ5TFgrOGOu1cMYtfrunBAwGM4m1c3Kbxmy9chPs3grFGpBJT4cJqsX6I8nTSdeDieTHJbSdfGbK-7s2-r0f_d8Kjo1OkonIAQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(60).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lKkuwTzctYqjIrKPFwob8w4zkObcvyODXmaqpXJWEGsl2S24WWmz7pwXzM0brTdaVwW7Ukhb7t3gqibdUsMPi2wqI2REsebbVvkuG5pfNqUcrpVmcNlbyqrmnvxdRMn2cuS9y9WXEfNt08yw5OUMtwkSXAdkXDzMGtA0f4jX_-87AP5qsxPKRqAu_A/s5721/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(62).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3819" data-original-width="5721" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lKkuwTzctYqjIrKPFwob8w4zkObcvyODXmaqpXJWEGsl2S24WWmz7pwXzM0brTdaVwW7Ukhb7t3gqibdUsMPi2wqI2REsebbVvkuG5pfNqUcrpVmcNlbyqrmnvxdRMn2cuS9y9WXEfNt08yw5OUMtwkSXAdkXDzMGtA0f4jX_-87AP5qsxPKRqAu_A/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(62).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFpB_pFLVZTobDZ9457-fOVWLqFKVhYb3xNUPfwXtLzvbpVS3uZ4Qyb68ULl9l0x1JQ8PZC33yCJBJun8LwoNBLIvlglc5DRTNAlePO7ZV4UXelA_dPcNJ8xD_miuWYaFNeU9UrFfAOoxkPHdKCJWk2Ryj3bIABbADUyqT9uZ1tkXEDcu7iz70eXN5g/s1711/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(63).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1711" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFpB_pFLVZTobDZ9457-fOVWLqFKVhYb3xNUPfwXtLzvbpVS3uZ4Qyb68ULl9l0x1JQ8PZC33yCJBJun8LwoNBLIvlglc5DRTNAlePO7ZV4UXelA_dPcNJ8xD_miuWYaFNeU9UrFfAOoxkPHdKCJWk2Ryj3bIABbADUyqT9uZ1tkXEDcu7iz70eXN5g/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(63).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXhRKiZjekbB-Bb9jNIYCypqO0cIw7IOu4pPN2uFmGJKmlmQ25IUDsCZKH5wd_EvxkHUtauUH6lrR6Ri21Pg-3UZAxp2WkvBzacyqrFvzIv2LOYvPatJ2HQb-zzRUjT5_iqxpF2ue2Cx_B1OHblvK4jabVanFsLovH5KN4BYIq4dys2IDhkUNSDFk8w/s1700/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(65).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1700" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXhRKiZjekbB-Bb9jNIYCypqO0cIw7IOu4pPN2uFmGJKmlmQ25IUDsCZKH5wd_EvxkHUtauUH6lrR6Ri21Pg-3UZAxp2WkvBzacyqrFvzIv2LOYvPatJ2HQb-zzRUjT5_iqxpF2ue2Cx_B1OHblvK4jabVanFsLovH5KN4BYIq4dys2IDhkUNSDFk8w/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(65).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamS9_Bon0fxyndwL1q3GodETEshrqykyZ4PHWIs8SKI4UWuNF4x1wA6G5KNViv9ldNcefhaKjK11NzcdxHi5XuXNpGauFfhdlEM3g2LZqTVxZ77W4uE6yf7B_rO4O2Zw0RpuNeViwFiX3wS6e5AMLUfnXuEkQ-yIvH7Y8qYkX6xL-u4zz1ypoHskImQ/s3032/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(66).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2025" data-original-width="3032" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjamS9_Bon0fxyndwL1q3GodETEshrqykyZ4PHWIs8SKI4UWuNF4x1wA6G5KNViv9ldNcefhaKjK11NzcdxHi5XuXNpGauFfhdlEM3g2LZqTVxZ77W4uE6yf7B_rO4O2Zw0RpuNeViwFiX3wS6e5AMLUfnXuEkQ-yIvH7Y8qYkX6xL-u4zz1ypoHskImQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(66).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">In the small town of Valseca we came across a geology museum (closed), and
several signs describing the unique geology of the region. Apparently the
Castilian region was once covered by tropical seas, and later covered in sand
brought in by huge rivers. It is rich in minerals and has been mined for
centuries. As we continued out of town we could see evidence of the
mining in the terraced ridges and fields beside us, and of the unique geology
of the region in the golden yellow colour of the soil. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXePU6LOnJmvlpQZBUEpSg99i5g1TMSEtWkSqecxtvj55FE7yzsniGElMsbfWMdQZ4vOyDjiVhpZwYGAjy8ILDVn-BN0b5lLUzlh2hcVXY70l3osQ8SjAmYtHPV9Y9vqDoUOlys6pXmseR6mo0R_Fl-wJ0S30y2HNLtz0ZQvd8MIk_keHwJ-K72Fr7RA/s4032/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(69).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXePU6LOnJmvlpQZBUEpSg99i5g1TMSEtWkSqecxtvj55FE7yzsniGElMsbfWMdQZ4vOyDjiVhpZwYGAjy8ILDVn-BN0b5lLUzlh2hcVXY70l3osQ8SjAmYtHPV9Y9vqDoUOlys6pXmseR6mo0R_Fl-wJ0S30y2HNLtz0ZQvd8MIk_keHwJ-K72Fr7RA/w400-h300/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(69).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QI-TFaj4UGfZf3hqVgtu_AJO1kiwf8gXsNDd91h55SbSR4F-Qm5cLvuEBp9JswuFE2LVqvy2SfTEka7DUGVWFF3_H0qehP1UNvw_B2cP4b_wmWwKMpG0VQxDlBFa3jSa_dbfjSmaywjonOi8W7U403I4BQK6eYQCRn-hYlFOqmenpbEFceor74aJhQ/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(70).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6QI-TFaj4UGfZf3hqVgtu_AJO1kiwf8gXsNDd91h55SbSR4F-Qm5cLvuEBp9JswuFE2LVqvy2SfTEka7DUGVWFF3_H0qehP1UNvw_B2cP4b_wmWwKMpG0VQxDlBFa3jSa_dbfjSmaywjonOi8W7U403I4BQK6eYQCRn-hYlFOqmenpbEFceor74aJhQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(70).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdKZMTY2Ph_feLwBruKTLK81w8xgM9rpXK3oT5SEKFHQFjXKoyQvOim0sMDt8n3trIHRgmkWiUhRR_7jDJeeUhRBL-PMyMFfRG4p-1d2pKCWACXezY3gERsl4pOIHOd2wdmlaOGDIkTpyc5T6soji6Z2Qr9F_LyVmyiq1bINyvNiAKdspOA9tSK5JCw/s3921/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(72).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2618" data-original-width="3921" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYdKZMTY2Ph_feLwBruKTLK81w8xgM9rpXK3oT5SEKFHQFjXKoyQvOim0sMDt8n3trIHRgmkWiUhRR_7jDJeeUhRBL-PMyMFfRG4p-1d2pKCWACXezY3gERsl4pOIHOd2wdmlaOGDIkTpyc5T6soji6Z2Qr9F_LyVmyiq1bINyvNiAKdspOA9tSK5JCw/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(72).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMMVQd0b_R1U8tiUg0poF0mMxroxd3TMzQUBQS8oncmhSThnSpVe5vsOQmJS8MSecGXr36AnFPJtYlwNGihJX6CXPfJRWhH52KkHXrxSoV9aE91M98yHTzU2P-hnc3t_7JEo2qqWxdK7xSm341k-8aF0KU2clVTujHyZah2vtpeKyvtSJHYnq3T0ddw/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(74).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOMMVQd0b_R1U8tiUg0poF0mMxroxd3TMzQUBQS8oncmhSThnSpVe5vsOQmJS8MSecGXr36AnFPJtYlwNGihJX6CXPfJRWhH52KkHXrxSoV9aE91M98yHTzU2P-hnc3t_7JEo2qqWxdK7xSm341k-8aF0KU2clVTujHyZah2vtpeKyvtSJHYnq3T0ddw/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(74).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After climbing back up out of the Valseca we again continued along the bright
white track to the community of Los Huertos. We had been hoping to find a
bar with a cold refreshing zumo to cool us off after the long exposed walk
under the hot sun, but nothing was open. We took a break at one of the
picnic tables in the grassy little park on the banks of a small stream.
It was a welcome rest in the shade!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">
At the far edge of Los Hueros we passed the small, squat, and heavily
buttressed Ermita de Nuestra Señora. At the far end there was a deep
portico with stone benches that provided shelter from the rain and hot sun.
The church wasn't open, but we were able to peek inside through a small double
grate. Looking through the tunnel made the statue of Nuestra Señora on
the shadowy alter within look like a vision. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIOi-LhFd7np8aXj-sYpJ-Fdoj-Uozj1VFCfWb_v4QTyUSKyM_RQig6YbbaoCoe84ITCoKbUn32iRSeYPGVWIQ6VfCW_0nbqA4C2EvcV9ffy1d0hIrPQ0aOI_HzYDhagUVdfHakmo1nmDx05NoQzdhZyUMx-b4Fqx8zrdMpOeNeuCNBzW-yryRMqJCg/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(77).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIOi-LhFd7np8aXj-sYpJ-Fdoj-Uozj1VFCfWb_v4QTyUSKyM_RQig6YbbaoCoe84ITCoKbUn32iRSeYPGVWIQ6VfCW_0nbqA4C2EvcV9ffy1d0hIrPQ0aOI_HzYDhagUVdfHakmo1nmDx05NoQzdhZyUMx-b4Fqx8zrdMpOeNeuCNBzW-yryRMqJCg/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(77).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJuFg0sln4sZfwkfTrcqnSnscC3CAfFkXV3orKzsbzPK5ErxUtqRc708QoDrltyFaVmiIxxreRtsvA3SJjLTpMe971nTpSx9qA8_wresL0M7cpZnRr40Qye8vaYWJBXdc_Lm07f7fmvt_pgsRQr1C24sS3M7nv-kA6um2Auf4Fgxl04q8cID84kXICA/s1916/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(81).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDJuFg0sln4sZfwkfTrcqnSnscC3CAfFkXV3orKzsbzPK5ErxUtqRc708QoDrltyFaVmiIxxreRtsvA3SJjLTpMe971nTpSx9qA8_wresL0M7cpZnRr40Qye8vaYWJBXdc_Lm07f7fmvt_pgsRQr1C24sS3M7nv-kA6um2Auf4Fgxl04q8cID84kXICA/w214-h320/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(81).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IR55zzCEoc2mkBwDp7iFg2_M95kieEOubPR99MpXF1HOe-2wV54bU9HD3mcCTeu4WtIyNV9PpGSlw-6-v5cSHfkmLN7-_8DS3-nEHvC-WaGteOEX2tdJ1nUgD6A-vl-buXTNH25JiGUtY0gRbQTznQqF6iyG-7uzmD76yre4sYtT8kaELsPzbdCElw/s4856/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(82).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4856" data-original-width="3241" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IR55zzCEoc2mkBwDp7iFg2_M95kieEOubPR99MpXF1HOe-2wV54bU9HD3mcCTeu4WtIyNV9PpGSlw-6-v5cSHfkmLN7-_8DS3-nEHvC-WaGteOEX2tdJ1nUgD6A-vl-buXTNH25JiGUtY0gRbQTznQqF6iyG-7uzmD76yre4sYtT8kaELsPzbdCElw/s320/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(82).JPG" width="214" /></a></div></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNOEMrUpIwt01gq1YwsEniIxv7kbP1IsR49a2j5L1XTZN6NS11DNn01IqUkE1dcUkQ0Y3qlkqD7Np0OeTvY4p8cMtHytl2TU51Z1AckG2VISkoWVm1xK-KD5awCP6pzb2rTdFEsDMn6O2FsLaCVjZFxgh3xz7z3wPx8aQuEO_xLW5LCSzPUXtSlzKSA/s5863/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(84).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3915" data-original-width="5863" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHNOEMrUpIwt01gq1YwsEniIxv7kbP1IsR49a2j5L1XTZN6NS11DNn01IqUkE1dcUkQ0Y3qlkqD7Np0OeTvY4p8cMtHytl2TU51Z1AckG2VISkoWVm1xK-KD5awCP6pzb2rTdFEsDMn6O2FsLaCVjZFxgh3xz7z3wPx8aQuEO_xLW5LCSzPUXtSlzKSA/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(84).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After leaving the Ermita we found ourselves walking on a long stretch of
straight rail trail bordered by a poplar plantation. At one end of the
stand of trees the foliage was golden, reminding us of autumn, while at the
other end the delicate foliage was light spring green. The bird song
coming from the trees was loud and varied, and it was clear that nesting season
is here!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQu96lCsjfRNs-kwXe4jXr5GFxYY5PgH-G_pjrv3lerK4NXlDH1pW5G_v71HxY7DSbUopi2I5gdpGwZY3QxwfUIgqly35pJxQvAjpQVLeu6763IWORZwiMmDvUNB9bsCGr99W_zdOZii79tAICkVLoCDsEWwNFpuOjW3tdGmsmB_I1nVYf1zJzNBb2Q/s5295/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(86).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3535" data-original-width="5295" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQu96lCsjfRNs-kwXe4jXr5GFxYY5PgH-G_pjrv3lerK4NXlDH1pW5G_v71HxY7DSbUopi2I5gdpGwZY3QxwfUIgqly35pJxQvAjpQVLeu6763IWORZwiMmDvUNB9bsCGr99W_zdOZii79tAICkVLoCDsEWwNFpuOjW3tdGmsmB_I1nVYf1zJzNBb2Q/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(86).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthayNSUicnu4lyCgWjb1i6sls6Vpr5sX1rrOae5V2zLVZfAW9NuC68Ur_l3VkbdX-L6x7t37Dfk1TUsglWVSsXd9YxKOsmfbu9rOwqivdheCMmi9ZV6Ww8ZTV6geKzjsMXKsB2oLYJwzrnG5f-L3o0d8TwprNOUHaEOwBCBniTUFL50MsmF5NHgNOaQ/s4031/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(87).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2690" data-original-width="4031" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgthayNSUicnu4lyCgWjb1i6sls6Vpr5sX1rrOae5V2zLVZfAW9NuC68Ur_l3VkbdX-L6x7t37Dfk1TUsglWVSsXd9YxKOsmfbu9rOwqivdheCMmi9ZV6Ww8ZTV6geKzjsMXKsB2oLYJwzrnG5f-L3o0d8TwprNOUHaEOwBCBniTUFL50MsmF5NHgNOaQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(87).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Even though we were passed by several cyclists and locals out for their daily
walk, we had another exciting wildlife encounter in this section. A
beautiful snake covered with light spots surrounded by dark rings was sunning
itself on the trail bed! We took a moment to watch until it grew nervous and
elegantly glided away to safety. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH7Uwwb-XEmhzg2M0uLfsgBGuJt6BuIkVntTxZwj6O_EEISWiWQZ3WIPo6QlY2h73iFjuXaMx6DqTY303sO4kqcobl6oiwVBq8b_2dUhk5zDvyMAjZ5MO8FXjC92oyTNuweSL64BaOqt6wxC3Hw_QdVlnTdfrxP76ayDJT02uwORoWtryh8qoxG9YEg/s1814/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(89).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1211" data-original-width="1814" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihH7Uwwb-XEmhzg2M0uLfsgBGuJt6BuIkVntTxZwj6O_EEISWiWQZ3WIPo6QlY2h73iFjuXaMx6DqTY303sO4kqcobl6oiwVBq8b_2dUhk5zDvyMAjZ5MO8FXjC92oyTNuweSL64BaOqt6wxC3Hw_QdVlnTdfrxP76ayDJT02uwORoWtryh8qoxG9YEg/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(89).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2pEjO_ZwWMEhc3IInFH7_peYwtAX2gbMld5p5qcADJoiP-OYA0jQqJhWZSoDKIkS3Tw2ArZN2eYEpkQ8jL8m2Qj996YAULRXnUbw6Q4XzjEbNHhnmxV0lRiioF1afrMSvIKiJd483h6-NoEXTkX6pQ3HmoJRbS2qdajK9rWLDszCPm8jjmCymMug1A/s3690/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(90).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2464" data-original-width="3690" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2pEjO_ZwWMEhc3IInFH7_peYwtAX2gbMld5p5qcADJoiP-OYA0jQqJhWZSoDKIkS3Tw2ArZN2eYEpkQ8jL8m2Qj996YAULRXnUbw6Q4XzjEbNHhnmxV0lRiioF1afrMSvIKiJd483h6-NoEXTkX6pQ3HmoJRbS2qdajK9rWLDszCPm8jjmCymMug1A/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(90).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9gjunJOg4bY1PpROZbcQFD1bl6FsR9kplnjniLPVfcPXQvs258FSzFnZgT4EQ20dM0DfdagLXPW0eAgx3A_5XD0pLT2h9t68ZSyij9tzjd9UUlgu_DovgRV2JEMqMzAtB4q9VfEYSbNDhnnjW82adSpEe1WenEDtR51HTokEn3ORvalsgU5iYOpzlw/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(91).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb9gjunJOg4bY1PpROZbcQFD1bl6FsR9kplnjniLPVfcPXQvs258FSzFnZgT4EQ20dM0DfdagLXPW0eAgx3A_5XD0pLT2h9t68ZSyij9tzjd9UUlgu_DovgRV2JEMqMzAtB4q9VfEYSbNDhnnjW82adSpEe1WenEDtR51HTokEn3ORvalsgU5iYOpzlw/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(91).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtt5DVAKpZghjmrnNhNU67KjrbtrqE7EmJZGiQaMV7a1RZVAMAxpLOyDnTJL47wQ2A_xxJ2CvWBHf6k4psyZxLK63GPhjwALdKW83cu1OpDoxTUGAUZ3f9SYDixnJupHvD9n4R7uIbrKOTti8asaCwxoDR5Vrc-WUdYOqvTi0jG2-lcsq_zXpKZJZQQ/s1259/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(95).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="1259" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtt5DVAKpZghjmrnNhNU67KjrbtrqE7EmJZGiQaMV7a1RZVAMAxpLOyDnTJL47wQ2A_xxJ2CvWBHf6k4psyZxLK63GPhjwALdKW83cu1OpDoxTUGAUZ3f9SYDixnJupHvD9n4R7uIbrKOTti8asaCwxoDR5Vrc-WUdYOqvTi0jG2-lcsq_zXpKZJZQQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(95).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYOpvFQ-4MKvAQ46WaXyz2yehdFXDfIYMEKFDeZbYrQv29UiFETnAAGEA3gyAa4sXwsENCh9XRmEQgH5fY0d2YG1RKQTi_upXfwKpnbRq6Apd3UKv9qZpvqM_Ok2MIV2BbhW9fUAoYJ20PGk7BU_aAESI-M_eD3lxosmc9xRsbFKCBbbIosx2fP5vFA/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(96).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDYOpvFQ-4MKvAQ46WaXyz2yehdFXDfIYMEKFDeZbYrQv29UiFETnAAGEA3gyAa4sXwsENCh9XRmEQgH5fY0d2YG1RKQTi_upXfwKpnbRq6Apd3UKv9qZpvqM_Ok2MIV2BbhW9fUAoYJ20PGk7BU_aAESI-M_eD3lxosmc9xRsbFKCBbbIosx2fP5vFA/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(96).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC8PzGnVWN627ZxM58CVFUYn3X98JAKlmiEXpTIYnGNSWCZnhplI032Bp1X9TRcdzvphvPjihLc0v-bHry_hJulCk6Ph4Q0zreKFCrmARFwb_srCdyI4a2knijk7P-pMMMa5T5JLRt2eFnnPmChffRTcl6zhSqKKVlrKHo1tvbUXQHa2y7V6aTAa91g/s2572/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(97).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1717" data-original-width="2572" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigC8PzGnVWN627ZxM58CVFUYn3X98JAKlmiEXpTIYnGNSWCZnhplI032Bp1X9TRcdzvphvPjihLc0v-bHry_hJulCk6Ph4Q0zreKFCrmARFwb_srCdyI4a2knijk7P-pMMMa5T5JLRt2eFnnPmChffRTcl6zhSqKKVlrKHo1tvbUXQHa2y7V6aTAa91g/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(97).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">After about two kilometers of rail trail we were diverted up and over a paved
road, crossed a bridge over a small river, and then picked up another dirt
track. It was a beautiful but largely uneventful walk until we came to
the small community of Añe. At the edge of town we stopped outside the white
stucco Ermita de Santo Cristo de los Afligidos to rest on a bench in the shade
of a few trees. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbTF3VEqwumyEILUlcsRmsgB5o-KfEMmvBpfqTx7X5ql2sWRVtBOeP6Wd0RkF31VfRkobDhWQWFWi_oumWMGF9K0fh8zKxxinkhI3H_Tj0SmFZw7n5iCZtP5wHuHOzvBbbnUm9rWqBgp1uJwk9_KehOIeNPcINwCKc9hAH7od6RV1koSB6KC3X1ZwQQ/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(103).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbTF3VEqwumyEILUlcsRmsgB5o-KfEMmvBpfqTx7X5ql2sWRVtBOeP6Wd0RkF31VfRkobDhWQWFWi_oumWMGF9K0fh8zKxxinkhI3H_Tj0SmFZw7n5iCZtP5wHuHOzvBbbnUm9rWqBgp1uJwk9_KehOIeNPcINwCKc9hAH7od6RV1koSB6KC3X1ZwQQ/s320/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(103).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKEHZn2priglLe2GDg5q6mSj_FAoQavyoAnXzpUXvSlYXtqgRjdR7WDvRBxWZlRbuTxNmM45SA4T7nFSSKNohSn0xASBh7nVKZHtIIC5kTMIbLCGI2JXrkPp2SolpC1za5TgepXWLYegnit0IParVusMofkXCYH5dQilTKZI-rsN2emETdL94_qKX1w/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(102).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKEHZn2priglLe2GDg5q6mSj_FAoQavyoAnXzpUXvSlYXtqgRjdR7WDvRBxWZlRbuTxNmM45SA4T7nFSSKNohSn0xASBh7nVKZHtIIC5kTMIbLCGI2JXrkPp2SolpC1za5TgepXWLYegnit0IParVusMofkXCYH5dQilTKZI-rsN2emETdL94_qKX1w/w214-h320/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(102).JPG" width="214" /></a></div></div><span lang="EN-CA"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupmi2EYVVkPe-YMSyDmwcGD-AUNbmVTN3LpJkEQy760XBXY7M9hOj9A0mPlzsqFi1vPPXGwxIWN5KY3_fwlyQFz2Bm4-cypuNjY6u8F-ejf-GnaqxbRH24TzWnx57WSgYlen0enqSEhSrqd4LzonAbR0s4gk26iuCW8n_95WvynLQpqhh5G7hIQm8OA/s4032/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(104).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjupmi2EYVVkPe-YMSyDmwcGD-AUNbmVTN3LpJkEQy760XBXY7M9hOj9A0mPlzsqFi1vPPXGwxIWN5KY3_fwlyQFz2Bm4-cypuNjY6u8F-ejf-GnaqxbRH24TzWnx57WSgYlen0enqSEhSrqd4LzonAbR0s4gk26iuCW8n_95WvynLQpqhh5G7hIQm8OA/w400-h300/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(104).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAACxnA1bUu00UG0rWGMYYUxUTB_Sm_iWLAk2GGAq8Lx9J3bBqi-6eLEje9P7ttSe-ft236bKlZLg_AO-ddEGiaGUj0HCmunilReDNNyAccipk2qDh8L4wBN-xCgj8W-eO6fLanaKumpogjN9iJMIet7wUjs9egOeIHcjqfgb0o485_FL4J9ZAn0tYw/s4032/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(105).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAACxnA1bUu00UG0rWGMYYUxUTB_Sm_iWLAk2GGAq8Lx9J3bBqi-6eLEje9P7ttSe-ft236bKlZLg_AO-ddEGiaGUj0HCmunilReDNNyAccipk2qDh8L4wBN-xCgj8W-eO6fLanaKumpogjN9iJMIet7wUjs9egOeIHcjqfgb0o485_FL4J9ZAn0tYw/w400-h300/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(105).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqFP-ELqDSlm8FIAiurpbILsbR_BL7hTlE4w2PRkQsn3Z8vRFeX2OCB1A9N9p0Glah8pgoQyRN9VXDi6OMTVpK2_HJL3-4sAAEP2a7iCEllQnCBenI4K6N9IfnXni2h3hvn2QgaqQu7Nx--YG_-ZPyeRfBnnfNA39AyZqbIM7AbqZy0f-b1MuIn8DYw/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(106).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqFP-ELqDSlm8FIAiurpbILsbR_BL7hTlE4w2PRkQsn3Z8vRFeX2OCB1A9N9p0Glah8pgoQyRN9VXDi6OMTVpK2_HJL3-4sAAEP2a7iCEllQnCBenI4K6N9IfnXni2h3hvn2QgaqQu7Nx--YG_-ZPyeRfBnnfNA39AyZqbIM7AbqZy0f-b1MuIn8DYw/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(106).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtIixboK1DAf9UDTwpsFMfQc-qZokxSbfpjXGYYvkbk874dmYwsN5QjVAP3cg0iiid9nQQI5IXbfcuTL4sRqKeHgZAYh3PzBE1aTK74ccmImQk1LkkowOfSdLCD-su71Bo_n-4arDKIMbMELHmnsSWdxAO6F7WNOcLfjHhG7mu5lusmi4w4w9QF65bg/s2235/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(111).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2235" data-original-width="1675" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGtIixboK1DAf9UDTwpsFMfQc-qZokxSbfpjXGYYvkbk874dmYwsN5QjVAP3cg0iiid9nQQI5IXbfcuTL4sRqKeHgZAYh3PzBE1aTK74ccmImQk1LkkowOfSdLCD-su71Bo_n-4arDKIMbMELHmnsSWdxAO6F7WNOcLfjHhG7mu5lusmi4w4w9QF65bg/w300-h400/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(111).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsduHhOwo1GZ63gg7wxDqw2gAJw6EY3tJ7o44Vu4ZNHTED5hSGwa_FOio0td6dBNeQh9ykSl8KCmf8k7HUhoZ5f-UCjTnyT6nXkqIhpHChPJWIm3tvq2EZDQVG9nREcFw5JKv4ZfhNVtec4tn9nfLGekKcOof59kv1VWD9H-b1mPxH7RCWDfCjDnjxQ/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(112).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXsduHhOwo1GZ63gg7wxDqw2gAJw6EY3tJ7o44Vu4ZNHTED5hSGwa_FOio0td6dBNeQh9ykSl8KCmf8k7HUhoZ5f-UCjTnyT6nXkqIhpHChPJWIm3tvq2EZDQVG9nREcFw5JKv4ZfhNVtec4tn9nfLGekKcOof59kv1VWD9H-b1mPxH7RCWDfCjDnjxQ/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(112).JPG" width="400" /></a></div></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Sadly the Ermita was also closed, so after a short break we stepped back into
the bright sunshine and continued into town on a brand-new looking raised brick
sidewalk. We walked through the tiny community on white concrete streets,
passing the tidy stucco homes with their closed shutters and curtains pulled
across their doors. Coming from Canada, it feels like the Spanish are a
very private people, living colourful lives behind enclosed courtyards, barred
windows, and closed shutters. It is often impossible to tell if there is
anyone home in the villages we pass through, as we see no people or cars on the
streets. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">At the far end of Añe the road descended into a deep river valley and we
crossed a small bridge. As we approached the water we could hear the
unmistakable sound of frogs calling, and we were surprised to see a flock of
White Storks grazing calmly in the wet meadow. There was also a group of
stork nests in the row of trees behind them. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bvqITwHnlNddf_yONHLMJGVyHUwbjyegCYhQU0b5L5XYueJM_NnoCPiCZ3lkA9gZL1ugp3F_fzftKf3lNbYEDjKPTFHjAV7nWXeRWSFeI6-R3G5X1lzNXeWWv8ti7fGvY8b8Fmnlv8MMHEfrGzupz8hsoLdlBl9QcTCbcRRusPdOIm0d2tE3yuc16Q/s1549/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(113).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1549" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7bvqITwHnlNddf_yONHLMJGVyHUwbjyegCYhQU0b5L5XYueJM_NnoCPiCZ3lkA9gZL1ugp3F_fzftKf3lNbYEDjKPTFHjAV7nWXeRWSFeI6-R3G5X1lzNXeWWv8ti7fGvY8b8Fmnlv8MMHEfrGzupz8hsoLdlBl9QcTCbcRRusPdOIm0d2tE3yuc16Q/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(113).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwuNgKEeKoKUlYHhGGg1QPOk3qEVo3Mcai01ZvyzwDpnOiooAqhobUyE5PAHySoM8oRmqTHS5HLoM4-n3ju_ytRI77wV_faSw4sf7IGwOGfWxgliVFal_xMAhlFDVkTiw19Pchh3Gg5eOt5qt0diG4t0XGOyluFjrxRZ7Gk_vUm0G_WrtZw45msC42w/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(114).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwuNgKEeKoKUlYHhGGg1QPOk3qEVo3Mcai01ZvyzwDpnOiooAqhobUyE5PAHySoM8oRmqTHS5HLoM4-n3ju_ytRI77wV_faSw4sf7IGwOGfWxgliVFal_xMAhlFDVkTiw19Pchh3Gg5eOt5qt0diG4t0XGOyluFjrxRZ7Gk_vUm0G_WrtZw45msC42w/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(114).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9MKzMMzFQzNi-0Ciy9M1BGZTRbH0HCRXdMpQKhN0O9PEgRbXjtV3xfq1Ebkhn2dyIslBn9DY7tuFSO6GhY4Nze81YkbB4xtSsl_-xvPpEx56SQi8NjRfyyH5jEWVg8co_pTHi3tujRA15aMnHe0NH1zVwQDOxkAnifZJMMiwOK4Ufuo9LbbQ9I96xA/s3266/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(115).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="3266" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI9MKzMMzFQzNi-0Ciy9M1BGZTRbH0HCRXdMpQKhN0O9PEgRbXjtV3xfq1Ebkhn2dyIslBn9DY7tuFSO6GhY4Nze81YkbB4xtSsl_-xvPpEx56SQi8NjRfyyH5jEWVg8co_pTHi3tujRA15aMnHe0NH1zVwQDOxkAnifZJMMiwOK4Ufuo9LbbQ9I96xA/w640-h152/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(115).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLycKvYPhhOdli0xgeQ5hijVHmqDlWuOdB2YeuvjHArhu9H9KMYw1bnzbvVGHBS8PHuhvBnLafKifBXGfhZkwFc11ucH4slGYv2ltUaqCwuti4Irm5K8BY8RPZ5Ma-YyPHQnlQAcXXf076VFfp_Da-3KPbFrhbZuTelTR1GWTEzoSJNKfH-0Muqm7MiQ/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(116).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLycKvYPhhOdli0xgeQ5hijVHmqDlWuOdB2YeuvjHArhu9H9KMYw1bnzbvVGHBS8PHuhvBnLafKifBXGfhZkwFc11ucH4slGYv2ltUaqCwuti4Irm5K8BY8RPZ5Ma-YyPHQnlQAcXXf076VFfp_Da-3KPbFrhbZuTelTR1GWTEzoSJNKfH-0Muqm7MiQ/w268-h400/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(116).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As the afternoon progressed we began to find it very warm on the exposed
country tracks. As we were making our way parallel to the road we spotted
a farmer ploughing his field, sending up a rich earthy smell into the warm air.
We were delighted to see a flock of twenty storks following behind the plough,
studiously searching the freshly turned earth for grubs, worms, and other tasty
morsels. In Canada we most often see gulls behaving this way! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5ICcJmteExTgnuTuEMciY0EMoY1EHF19Be8iBrHzKgpag68JfV5OnmcIwmG7A459POw4CinCFB6jr_1JGhDX_VBypCLwR9KFLjBX7POM6_G5_ZNXu5McVdJR7rd01mBTWk3F6gK-8wDh-wfbEPwd2F7E6zthhYtps_Hwk8t9NM9k2nOvHQ-bk2m1tA/s5143/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(117).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3434" data-original-width="5143" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5ICcJmteExTgnuTuEMciY0EMoY1EHF19Be8iBrHzKgpag68JfV5OnmcIwmG7A459POw4CinCFB6jr_1JGhDX_VBypCLwR9KFLjBX7POM6_G5_ZNXu5McVdJR7rd01mBTWk3F6gK-8wDh-wfbEPwd2F7E6zthhYtps_Hwk8t9NM9k2nOvHQ-bk2m1tA/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(117).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZXTKBqJHeuykqE4lw_diNMqHjxvCaBc6y6wJmnTmMZ4dPFrmfkBY4b1tkUyv5vODhhP31mKXg7MjSAUjl5yvsxnBVt_ptMsGBGaGBxnD7kQiUSO2Kcgx0DFB0gAsyVSqhs90MUF-KczD_W9wdeoqtK4LypuHphXrCYMM4tDK9HV8mwHgyCUNJv7YYg/s5817/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(118).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3883" data-original-width="5817" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZXTKBqJHeuykqE4lw_diNMqHjxvCaBc6y6wJmnTmMZ4dPFrmfkBY4b1tkUyv5vODhhP31mKXg7MjSAUjl5yvsxnBVt_ptMsGBGaGBxnD7kQiUSO2Kcgx0DFB0gAsyVSqhs90MUF-KczD_W9wdeoqtK4LypuHphXrCYMM4tDK9HV8mwHgyCUNJv7YYg/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(118).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5w5pDKWoHMpzBtUK3gNc-qSSob3Ph2mXrFDbbG_-CPtXx5M3gygdkky0RZxK2pwfggnoF-NTHp8zWkMlPf9tS4-rVJwteScGGRQhOETVdIR7LPcOMW7XBvKdZ0Sdhe50KwSA9xT2c1vwqu_LdbvQEx7h53tNB2yPHaEGtvRsLhHwHayGCPNuTpKhn2A/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(119).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5w5pDKWoHMpzBtUK3gNc-qSSob3Ph2mXrFDbbG_-CPtXx5M3gygdkky0RZxK2pwfggnoF-NTHp8zWkMlPf9tS4-rVJwteScGGRQhOETVdIR7LPcOMW7XBvKdZ0Sdhe50KwSA9xT2c1vwqu_LdbvQEx7h53tNB2yPHaEGtvRsLhHwHayGCPNuTpKhn2A/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(119).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rgSwNEg9TUD6z8ie5u2XIsSJ0075-VEG6mAVrpsyOggRXizSTK8o1Lv-jM02JlwhgvyVPP94iJ-aL2_wMY1_1IUsFh5rpcQAqE0AcqEgeiSBiYc5zqmRlT4uiheacS73-NESVl7wN0BGgGaI_gPH4bm9nJxbtNq3G85cqnQfD9CC4NnXo_s6-B_ksQ/s4000/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(120).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0rgSwNEg9TUD6z8ie5u2XIsSJ0075-VEG6mAVrpsyOggRXizSTK8o1Lv-jM02JlwhgvyVPP94iJ-aL2_wMY1_1IUsFh5rpcQAqE0AcqEgeiSBiYc5zqmRlT4uiheacS73-NESVl7wN0BGgGaI_gPH4bm9nJxbtNq3G85cqnQfD9CC4NnXo_s6-B_ksQ/w400-h300/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(120).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">By the time we had covered the next 6 km to the tiny village of Pinilla-Ambroz
we were very hot, so it seemed fortuitous to find not one but two fountains,
each of which provided ice cold water. There was not much else in the
village, which was little more than a small collection of houses, but we were
very grateful for the refreshment! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">From there we headed back our into the fields for the final 5 km to Santa Maria
la Real de Nieva. We were still following the hard packed white sandy
track through the fields, and eventually we could see the highway beside
us. The albergue in the town was closed, and the only accommodations we
could find were in the Hostal Avanto, which was about 1 km before the town. We
had been hoping there was a shortcut across the fields, but to our dismay there
was a high speed railway line running between the path we were on and the
highway, which prevented us from crossing over. In the end we had to walk
all the way into town and then backtrack down the shoulder of the very busy,
hot highway. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB14P1BmJJQO2zKtAryZcDiHiiNnyN6EszEANg7OSJ_UgBjh6qqmXlkhdy0b9gSOjU2M2MnxghKHX8t2iLJm64Xf6egu259A0nXODfLdfdd2f_yftFaW3I_doO8OIbDVMg5wPxjFiV23PT1VEDxtGPI3n49jcriYIJ7Y-fEoif--3bLjS6d1JaCmH-bw/s1974/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(123).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1974" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB14P1BmJJQO2zKtAryZcDiHiiNnyN6EszEANg7OSJ_UgBjh6qqmXlkhdy0b9gSOjU2M2MnxghKHX8t2iLJm64Xf6egu259A0nXODfLdfdd2f_yftFaW3I_doO8OIbDVMg5wPxjFiV23PT1VEDxtGPI3n49jcriYIJ7Y-fEoif--3bLjS6d1JaCmH-bw/w400-h266/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(123).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div>When we reached the restaurant and hostel we immediately had a cold drink at
the bar, even before heading upstairs to our room, which was incredibly clean
and very nice. We cooled off, took showers, and did our laundry. We then
took the tiny elevator, which gave an alarming thump every time we stepped into
it, back downstairs and headed back down the highway to town to see if anything
was open. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith1p_sAX6G3cIIvjirPV1qWocvgsqnDnW60Uifh_RyO9DjAisaCeMxm_xk54WJzWtH8gpzcTjBZKb-_bLV0c5gFuOQp_h2wNxs8i5RXNjzEbaGXc4TL9M3cfTFiFTIVo_LFRwhSJlUwLGRp0HzvAg80U4h1kG797UcuW7q5rRpjQJYGsSU4vdfOyimw/s6016/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(121).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEith1p_sAX6G3cIIvjirPV1qWocvgsqnDnW60Uifh_RyO9DjAisaCeMxm_xk54WJzWtH8gpzcTjBZKb-_bLV0c5gFuOQp_h2wNxs8i5RXNjzEbaGXc4TL9M3cfTFiFTIVo_LFRwhSJlUwLGRp0HzvAg80U4h1kG797UcuW7q5rRpjQJYGsSU4vdfOyimw/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20%20(121).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Santa Maria la Real de Nieva is an old city dominated by the gigantic Gothic
Church of Nuestra Señora de la Soterraña. We walked around the outside,
but there seemed to be a Mass just finishing, so we left our visit until
tomorrow. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We walked around the arcaded central plaza, which was full of seniors out for
their walk, and we followed the arrows through town. There were several
bars, cafés, and restaurants, as well as a grocery store, but sadly they were
all closed. This left us with the option of buying dinner in the gas
station along the highway, which sold chips and wine. Perhaps not the
most nutritious or filling fare, but with little choice we made the best of it. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Today was a long, hot day in the sunshine. We very much enjoyed seeing
the birds, snakes, lizards and fresh spring colours in the countryside, and
visiting all the small towns in between. Again , it felt like a privilege
to be back out on the Camino! <br />
<br />
<b>Distance: 33.9 km<br />
Accommodations: Hostal Avanto</b></span><b><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></b></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com040440 Santa María la Real de Nieva, Segovia, Spain41.0693348 -4.405992599999999412.759100963821155 -39.5622426 69.379568636178846 30.750257400000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-58984561019601223982022-04-17T17:31:00.210-04:002022-06-25T12:46:57.551-04:00Romulus, Remus, the Devil and Me : Exploring Segovia<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Today we took a rest day in Segovia to
catch up on things, plan our next stages, and explore this walled city, which
has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Segovia became an
important town around 80 BC because of its strategic location at the junction
of two military roads. In a nutshell, it was a bishopric under the
Visigoths, and it was then occupied by the Jews and the Moors until the
Reconquest in 1085. Since then it has been a favourite residence of the
Castilian Monarchs, the meeting place of the Cortes (Spanish Parliament), and
the location where Isabel la Cátolica was crowned Queen of Castile.
Segovia enjoyed its greatest period of prosperity from the mid-15th to 17th
centuries when it was a major producer of wool. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOrLalTJk5X9LcKDpwqUxjvC8ljF-hLqKHWHacj9eHggfEl12ymuxeP_hL6sN2fx0GlwiQfhXiEUpRb7LzkuN-n67atzWO4UOIaEd1KtZiay_2-OhGZPj-j_Y9I0bYhLMcL8f7K8DAClUCyYj4m584IIMiO8qLSHA3w_y7y9RBP0Ra1MOo3CW-_towA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOrLalTJk5X9LcKDpwqUxjvC8ljF-hLqKHWHacj9eHggfEl12ymuxeP_hL6sN2fx0GlwiQfhXiEUpRb7LzkuN-n67atzWO4UOIaEd1KtZiay_2-OhGZPj-j_Y9I0bYhLMcL8f7K8DAClUCyYj4m584IIMiO8qLSHA3w_y7y9RBP0Ra1MOo3CW-_towA/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Our day in this ancient and interesting place began with the sounds of hot air
balloons rising into the sky above our open window, taking people on a sunrise
tour of the region. We soon got up and found an open panaderia along one
of the winding streets of the old town in which to enjoy warm croissants and
café con leches. Little else was open yet, and the streets were mostly
empty as we began exploring in the cool morning air under a clear blue sky. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYiEQbIu06gCdUJ_RW6pUytpvrUgs24SN5elCtuXlqpZcvpSnFU4vxhgLBXcQZYVE3r295fIOi4hTheKyQI1j3BsuDHimYXPBoLZDZ4XkrGrZ_Zpk5EzG6ekzbrDeqn7Mkq86FINcjEp_gGochWomAJlbzUcuhtMo3tmRaOqkLTv7QFDihXRKrwQwTQ/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(8).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEYiEQbIu06gCdUJ_RW6pUytpvrUgs24SN5elCtuXlqpZcvpSnFU4vxhgLBXcQZYVE3r295fIOi4hTheKyQI1j3BsuDHimYXPBoLZDZ4XkrGrZ_Zpk5EzG6ekzbrDeqn7Mkq86FINcjEp_gGochWomAJlbzUcuhtMo3tmRaOqkLTv7QFDihXRKrwQwTQ/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(8).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8_wlY_Scj5qftlQcRxhAeSmcMA6OIY46w052gOV5Jd3pFP1qmxYPPIDsYIhXNChQJOMaOqqchmMxBP9Pup_dHrRayD6ldF_5BtgMKgFzidp-Op3xy86EcOZ50g4YysmTSP-zVr2VwzeqIM4MaSuGyH5HOOMGu5LzFDPwmOtWe9pV5Jk_IG4A8_80SA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(11).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC8_wlY_Scj5qftlQcRxhAeSmcMA6OIY46w052gOV5Jd3pFP1qmxYPPIDsYIhXNChQJOMaOqqchmMxBP9Pup_dHrRayD6ldF_5BtgMKgFzidp-Op3xy86EcOZ50g4YysmTSP-zVr2VwzeqIM4MaSuGyH5HOOMGu5LzFDPwmOtWe9pV5Jk_IG4A8_80SA/w268-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(11).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0DQmi4fw33C-JUWpSN01MYX5KwHT1YtkhjFAdAxjEACu6ejZIh-XIFmChYdOZa5P_ykLDb0MUs1eHYcWSid6YbP4VxSejm5WA5jECGsln70J_6V7XKdG-zFodR6N95eo7gquVZt9Z1aYZ8iZAUjG44EP6NohsNEOBbufwZq5zGFCp-2GoQUZ9Fh5mQ/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(16).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt0DQmi4fw33C-JUWpSN01MYX5KwHT1YtkhjFAdAxjEACu6ejZIh-XIFmChYdOZa5P_ykLDb0MUs1eHYcWSid6YbP4VxSejm5WA5jECGsln70J_6V7XKdG-zFodR6N95eo7gquVZt9Z1aYZ8iZAUjG44EP6NohsNEOBbufwZq5zGFCp-2GoQUZ9Fh5mQ/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(16).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaZdsvuGc3X6DgIKJxv2mp6lSgtDaCtClRrESHd9ZnVkA_qii6FmICtR9hqgEUfwrMmk1fIcJ_MkgbPna4Lab9S7SELa7XsYaVbA6mN94SBSoAtnuli0YxpVVBiZ-O_cd1M_3z80RGFkyjP2tdxS_3fdd-M48RLF3oEH7GlpzIcmeb-XUz5HJEJqW2A/s3441/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(15).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2297" data-original-width="3441" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVaZdsvuGc3X6DgIKJxv2mp6lSgtDaCtClRrESHd9ZnVkA_qii6FmICtR9hqgEUfwrMmk1fIcJ_MkgbPna4Lab9S7SELa7XsYaVbA6mN94SBSoAtnuli0YxpVVBiZ-O_cd1M_3z80RGFkyjP2tdxS_3fdd-M48RLF3oEH7GlpzIcmeb-XUz5HJEJqW2A/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(15).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div></div></div><p><span style="font-size: small;">First, we visited the Roman aqueduct that cuts through and towers above part of
the old city. This very impressive monument dates from around the time of
the Emperor Augustus, although restoration work was done by the Trajans and the
Catholic Kings to repair damage done by the Moors in 1072. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivcGnXOV8ynbJNp7Q24BunJLfCPR_kNYBV2hTWu3SpBMdeF_M81wRag0mE8CLEZECY3MjkbI-WpCtHiZBQXH2PsWfQDN78HMwDFs6Pw61a61WEOze2j3R9-kHIpoo0i-SwNhV9f9HulGeRCzBiIyqMgAFT5QlVE1tXvlKGpclSIhqsiY6PfqfIBjjWw/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(13).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivcGnXOV8ynbJNp7Q24BunJLfCPR_kNYBV2hTWu3SpBMdeF_M81wRag0mE8CLEZECY3MjkbI-WpCtHiZBQXH2PsWfQDN78HMwDFs6Pw61a61WEOze2j3R9-kHIpoo0i-SwNhV9f9HulGeRCzBiIyqMgAFT5QlVE1tXvlKGpclSIhqsiY6PfqfIBjjWw/w268-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(13).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">The aqueduct brought water to the city from the Sierra Guadarrama Mountains,
and it was brilliantly engineered so that its 167 granite arches stand without
the use of mortar, providing water to the city into modern times. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDsKRihx0HYgP5bgv4QZuR4E2mJAyEmeq61Q9s9vEwRxUfO2eedENMNgfxs8MjdJvINXwD7JzC8Nr9-U5h8jyEqhvlxmx7B_bfBiACb9NNCM-uBKBVqpCwEa5VA4CPFqfe0livQk09Pm5k9CwSz5ecpxXMKeOGxaU_3qUogFhA8Kh82_4A4i6qNT6yw/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDsKRihx0HYgP5bgv4QZuR4E2mJAyEmeq61Q9s9vEwRxUfO2eedENMNgfxs8MjdJvINXwD7JzC8Nr9-U5h8jyEqhvlxmx7B_bfBiACb9NNCM-uBKBVqpCwEa5VA4CPFqfe0livQk09Pm5k9CwSz5ecpxXMKeOGxaU_3qUogFhA8Kh82_4A4i6qNT6yw/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(3).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1oNaIe2CY3aTBNCePV64EK990MrCFMI8vMBdGSkG50iPrDzBbrAnSF-Qv2VaLliBkL5vvxXncsR9sQBB-3FqyHUhnC7xATAyVmLschoHuUoPbUG2PHfZaSiNgKIkphziX7EGm7yXVkCpiKo7SrBGH45KYKORdwvMVF4T8T-4JklHOlrDTVh0loUfOw/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(7).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm1oNaIe2CY3aTBNCePV64EK990MrCFMI8vMBdGSkG50iPrDzBbrAnSF-Qv2VaLliBkL5vvxXncsR9sQBB-3FqyHUhnC7xATAyVmLschoHuUoPbUG2PHfZaSiNgKIkphziX7EGm7yXVkCpiKo7SrBGH45KYKORdwvMVF4T8T-4JklHOlrDTVh0loUfOw/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(7).JPG" width="214" /></a></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Apparently, at some point during the Middle Ages people began to believe that
the aqueduct had been built by the Devil, and they placed a statue of Our Lady
on the structure to ward off evil. Much more recently a local artist
placed an irreverent sculpture of a naked Devil taking a selfie in front of the
aqueduct. Interesting how our ideas and loyalties have changed. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvgx12nKjWLqM4RN4ssBzqwa9DnQ6O9DOOT6BKymqGeFGvQjKcRMd6l8OR7gdBh-SnhgSns5LvN01gV3ll2_DPbsrHDUCe_Yr9HU8_lUE-qMirXRob1ILcm1d2EiaxX_5WNkFPDM8uDaCpigubomMBNCj9Mr0XmdrXksol2X2ZQ6RSHe9mcyFRDU_Sg/s640/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(176).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvgx12nKjWLqM4RN4ssBzqwa9DnQ6O9DOOT6BKymqGeFGvQjKcRMd6l8OR7gdBh-SnhgSns5LvN01gV3ll2_DPbsrHDUCe_Yr9HU8_lUE-qMirXRob1ILcm1d2EiaxX_5WNkFPDM8uDaCpigubomMBNCj9Mr0XmdrXksol2X2ZQ6RSHe9mcyFRDU_Sg/w400-h225/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(176).jpg" width="400" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Image from Tourism Segovia </i></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">After taking a few moments to appreciate the ancient monument we made our way
to the imposing Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción y de San Frutos. The
16th century cathedral was apparently the last Gothic cathedral built in Spain,
and at the time of its construction it had the tallest bell tower in
Spain. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymlaEY2aH43YrquOyeDLaYZZqpON33UlL_GmPs9cDWtNyPJhEpB7CJfsw7IvIqwVuB3mkhAbwWcORPcS_I5qlJx5goQw4JTCvYiREe0k20_mNLa38VEWAeMy7G37AmFHMn1KNRx_U-s6xFDZRp1M_znWQhxzr6JYDgzolfua48fDrLZVXW_y2AciTFA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(18).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymlaEY2aH43YrquOyeDLaYZZqpON33UlL_GmPs9cDWtNyPJhEpB7CJfsw7IvIqwVuB3mkhAbwWcORPcS_I5qlJx5goQw4JTCvYiREe0k20_mNLa38VEWAeMy7G37AmFHMn1KNRx_U-s6xFDZRp1M_znWQhxzr6JYDgzolfua48fDrLZVXW_y2AciTFA/w268-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(18).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hc9CMKtrp2m-emC9Cd6Kt-1EoA3AQUUfWHxYwgaYA29sgLGEqDE6ASw7s6ArBSMVx5IL7TNCXqSA0iDCDKChapjoUeMKYOofUTl9QF045CH3AzuZl7RrPHj_WUk2VC0_hnC0TUuPTW-fltwkkAOsDVvIzEnge6yVt_MijE9A_HgkVu7SoxZlulRlAg/s4032/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(22).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hc9CMKtrp2m-emC9Cd6Kt-1EoA3AQUUfWHxYwgaYA29sgLGEqDE6ASw7s6ArBSMVx5IL7TNCXqSA0iDCDKChapjoUeMKYOofUTl9QF045CH3AzuZl7RrPHj_WUk2VC0_hnC0TUuPTW-fltwkkAOsDVvIzEnge6yVt_MijE9A_HgkVu7SoxZlulRlAg/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(22).jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4y2Rkd9GdTXszRqs3PaD_h20Yc_3ACSs2mLPaM64l6c5ZxFE8Q_rmVWCa2AMYRl57uLdC4GioMUy6S_Y0k_22oSi7WtI4USZ9SxZyv_EyzvnBppAn_uqt_7XU9L0Lhkw9biUiMbq3AR8qlwVm-QOS4UOC-Edpmb3X6-vC20uJqGgmcxZjlZNKR_Syg/s4576/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(20).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4576" data-original-width="3055" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4y2Rkd9GdTXszRqs3PaD_h20Yc_3ACSs2mLPaM64l6c5ZxFE8Q_rmVWCa2AMYRl57uLdC4GioMUy6S_Y0k_22oSi7WtI4USZ9SxZyv_EyzvnBppAn_uqt_7XU9L0Lhkw9biUiMbq3AR8qlwVm-QOS4UOC-Edpmb3X6-vC20uJqGgmcxZjlZNKR_Syg/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(20).JPG" width="214" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwAqQJjWzYRo9tZIyj4DUvOY2OYKg2wDleOmpXYL07zjaq5mT-Tlhh27Dxt6BEQv6ESlTwW0IZjMzakn-tImrLF7vHxzQerpuOVdz3n_0q6hquCSvqRO1MCKBmYl53WxD3kEjSurlRrBcGNVfUFm97WRjuQ_vtRTzyi0bpu14-4KrB7OP1Pll9f2t1g/s5913/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(27).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5913" data-original-width="3947" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwAqQJjWzYRo9tZIyj4DUvOY2OYKg2wDleOmpXYL07zjaq5mT-Tlhh27Dxt6BEQv6ESlTwW0IZjMzakn-tImrLF7vHxzQerpuOVdz3n_0q6hquCSvqRO1MCKBmYl53WxD3kEjSurlRrBcGNVfUFm97WRjuQ_vtRTzyi0bpu14-4KrB7OP1Pll9f2t1g/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(27).JPG" width="214" /> </a><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhETwIE48_0oJZfiWz_XHAJ-dAv-MuOQu2H8uj0PVcpRGt91syqnjCPKHXnX4wZGSUJ1csEvrx5WiwOGlWCpg6LPomWCcMqep88gDYSAutenU0dOGrriCajSfNxvg0rF2DpHaD1zNSVHcKhlW1f2Ua-VUrjP9tP00mqhbxsmLZm7HiX2mYZwDplpSiPBA/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(29).jpg" width="240" /></span></p></div></div></div></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">We arrived just after 9:30 am, but because this is Easter Sunday, the Cathedral
wasn't yet open to visitors. However, a very nice man let us in, stamped
our Pilgrim credentials, and even opened the Chapel of Sacred Sacraments to let
us have a few peaceful moments alone inside. We would only fully
appreciate how much of a gift this was when we returned later in the day for a
full tour of the Cathedral amidst the crowds of other tourists and sightseers. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_5XYwELcx3XPb9ohnEKzNgHooLF-C2x3K5cBW4wpx4J-8pDmsWq6k0ekSzJbN7H52Hz0-3f3DXAg60l-zcfYJUH98MRVkSHRkAGL-oVUbYCJujZHMy2boY2HES9cjTMULu6WXiPNQubzEFvjGd77dEg9oK-Vx9n7lpTIweEKzK9Io-yo4eS3Q10wYg/s5513/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(56).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3641" data-original-width="5513" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_5XYwELcx3XPb9ohnEKzNgHooLF-C2x3K5cBW4wpx4J-8pDmsWq6k0ekSzJbN7H52Hz0-3f3DXAg60l-zcfYJUH98MRVkSHRkAGL-oVUbYCJujZHMy2boY2HES9cjTMULu6WXiPNQubzEFvjGd77dEg9oK-Vx9n7lpTIweEKzK9Io-yo4eS3Q10wYg/w400-h264/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(56).JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-ObAVz3toCxIKFUrkeKZNMQGNfKE9urxZNTck8IvV3ruqXg1AKfej1Y5ojMdXOrsRKOVx0vFtlSqAw4OVjbBDaeCQulT0l8N0ntLPMepLNZi-qncPUqPuDjEvG2rH1PiPG1W0tT7TA02fHO7YW4E3CfwfCEm66E3eraxOLLksT-HR4k6U7hPSBzvLg/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(89).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-ObAVz3toCxIKFUrkeKZNMQGNfKE9urxZNTck8IvV3ruqXg1AKfej1Y5ojMdXOrsRKOVx0vFtlSqAw4OVjbBDaeCQulT0l8N0ntLPMepLNZi-qncPUqPuDjEvG2rH1PiPG1W0tT7TA02fHO7YW4E3CfwfCEm66E3eraxOLLksT-HR4k6U7hPSBzvLg/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(89).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNSHmwxs623uGKI5_FcKn2cA20C3A0c2n50Z5lFrL4VyEBDsKTmfd0bQ7ghqSafbv-UvA6zcfoe_dCH4sJE6Uo-2luUNnhkBL6gg3Wu4Cuk9Zgq8ByoioQMISJmwUrhwWY5NiWk4poEOFtTAD8yBFII0U8-SFEoWxxV0OecnzdhMcgEpNwk67Qy9pJQ/s5661/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(57).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5661" data-original-width="3779" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNSHmwxs623uGKI5_FcKn2cA20C3A0c2n50Z5lFrL4VyEBDsKTmfd0bQ7ghqSafbv-UvA6zcfoe_dCH4sJE6Uo-2luUNnhkBL6gg3Wu4Cuk9Zgq8ByoioQMISJmwUrhwWY5NiWk4poEOFtTAD8yBFII0U8-SFEoWxxV0OecnzdhMcgEpNwk67Qy9pJQ/w214-h320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(57).JPG" width="214" /> </a></span></p></div></div><p><span style="font-size: small;">From the Cathedral we made our way across the old town to the Alcazar, the last
of Segovia's 'must-see' historic sites. Originally this impressive
sand-stone castle was a Roman stronghold, and later it was used by the
Moors. After the Reconquest it was used to defend the divide between
Christian and Muslim Spain. In the process, the original fort was
transformed into a Romanesque-Gothic palace. It almost entirely burnt
down in 1862, but has since been restored, and today looks like something out
of a fairy tale. <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNEMIOlIlS1TnzUDt_jleypPtCBf00ZaMekXZwrVy90HWOotThfhMUNqXKIZhfRgC1Chl9JQAAarSr0NM8RtMZ00h5hGCW58YyGvyBlvz8N6IMocRU28pX9TV7kaFLPhmVCaYFufZAQgBrm1FnQwVLxciSp-gXZVFb-eNxvRpp4WN7ez7c9rNfV5RoQ/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(67).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvNEMIOlIlS1TnzUDt_jleypPtCBf00ZaMekXZwrVy90HWOotThfhMUNqXKIZhfRgC1Chl9JQAAarSr0NM8RtMZ00h5hGCW58YyGvyBlvz8N6IMocRU28pX9TV7kaFLPhmVCaYFufZAQgBrm1FnQwVLxciSp-gXZVFb-eNxvRpp4WN7ez7c9rNfV5RoQ/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(67).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni23G96ElVyqLrphfY5KMpau-m6kiAJk0PnCDjsRtGjed93dfqYUfvtl14sVgHkJds7hbyl-DqhS_0BJeN37YyIu2-KXfJTMD19dsPI4owDIXkGEzfSKBjV80UpNlfXO1pImvciQVsteEtSvOQ0roSfUov0i6MDW5ct_QUwnWhVDfSDNqqU-JwhDz1A/s5382/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(64).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5382" data-original-width="3593" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni23G96ElVyqLrphfY5KMpau-m6kiAJk0PnCDjsRtGjed93dfqYUfvtl14sVgHkJds7hbyl-DqhS_0BJeN37YyIu2-KXfJTMD19dsPI4owDIXkGEzfSKBjV80UpNlfXO1pImvciQVsteEtSvOQ0roSfUov0i6MDW5ct_QUwnWhVDfSDNqqU-JwhDz1A/w268-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(64).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFZWu7Fxt0LZd7t_SLvzL5QJO24Y_4qgicLV4CCv2pA7pmDzkhdnf_v6Ccb-JIkI7sxALlANr39uEauI_16bn30W8HiHzqc5d61pK_05yGYWu-5uRERW0dlihadI5dm2kBT0ends2TzMfP9j4-KnEDn7y1EFJSKPucJe2b7IW0P9sU6D_nX6b8Waj4Q/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(63).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFZWu7Fxt0LZd7t_SLvzL5QJO24Y_4qgicLV4CCv2pA7pmDzkhdnf_v6Ccb-JIkI7sxALlANr39uEauI_16bn30W8HiHzqc5d61pK_05yGYWu-5uRERW0dlihadI5dm2kBT0ends2TzMfP9j4-KnEDn7y1EFJSKPucJe2b7IW0P9sU6D_nX6b8Waj4Q/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(63).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjVTjgmaLhkUz0srECEHiesuhhw-1ULQXpufubhu8jjBuFPGdYfvKRErOgRVuN7PmAtwr1f1BiucoJYdTLa5NkxpCgkC45bQ0dHnoS4ujF-l3e3lNz0qrKa63T9LnDoVo0PaEdS0qihWruDv_PUePkDpvgSG3C5oEFpjwPfs41t4B9knx71Uk-iaY_w/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(62).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjVTjgmaLhkUz0srECEHiesuhhw-1ULQXpufubhu8jjBuFPGdYfvKRErOgRVuN7PmAtwr1f1BiucoJYdTLa5NkxpCgkC45bQ0dHnoS4ujF-l3e3lNz0qrKa63T9LnDoVo0PaEdS0qihWruDv_PUePkDpvgSG3C5oEFpjwPfs41t4B9knx71Uk-iaY_w/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(62).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3CrSya3VxkH3UsiYUpAnOpa8jVFafIKlnW1tLzKVVoiBICyy9DTmyuwdmgLPiJLDly_GNlsBmySv6UJwEn76YYKAvBm2eb4t6cnHU9zsu0ADwStOJBCk9L2CKDQ0US3OSTWGErykA05XLk96J2uRzS6UmYrwb_JbHEsN4sXE8UKrrxiOGrG_8D1kRQ/s5847/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(60).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5847" data-original-width="3903" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3CrSya3VxkH3UsiYUpAnOpa8jVFafIKlnW1tLzKVVoiBICyy9DTmyuwdmgLPiJLDly_GNlsBmySv6UJwEn76YYKAvBm2eb4t6cnHU9zsu0ADwStOJBCk9L2CKDQ0US3OSTWGErykA05XLk96J2uRzS6UmYrwb_JbHEsN4sXE8UKrrxiOGrG_8D1kRQ/w268-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(60).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">We arrived just after the castle opened, but there was already a line of people
waiting to pay the 6 Euro admission. We joined the crowd, and slowly made
our way through the Old Palace Room, the Fireplace Room, the Throne Room, the
Gallery Room and many others. The guide suggested there was a Pinecone
Room featuring 392 pine cone carvings which I was curious to see, but somehow I
missed it in the crowded shuffle. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvmBYr69bXJl_hhbyyd4UvO9vrSLXGaGDHmGq-TVl2TpefkupDwjJ-_NjwzYe-IjIurtimQPbkAlRD8g7lWuBat0Y3ssHS5BLzmIf_Ygtsltd47YwJWIa1E3a-rR6aLeFfoZqSYzRN2UcAq5vsfGE8LUYYmPr8F30v_eUVaY2eOsiXTHY0QC9xiJr_A/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(69).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKvmBYr69bXJl_hhbyyd4UvO9vrSLXGaGDHmGq-TVl2TpefkupDwjJ-_NjwzYe-IjIurtimQPbkAlRD8g7lWuBat0Y3ssHS5BLzmIf_Ygtsltd47YwJWIa1E3a-rR6aLeFfoZqSYzRN2UcAq5vsfGE8LUYYmPr8F30v_eUVaY2eOsiXTHY0QC9xiJr_A/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(69).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TX6Q9f0kLpMpWNxKAPoZQ5XJO06w2c87IaYRWQM7K0amgD7pNR1MdBEs9lHUbNAGJpN6UXFY002Z7PSAy5vOzAWyFIS44NZLczV5j7qS0VMj20WpLjepERVNHuIaEhGyYz9kPPIx7au3ymkWiPNKSXwbD2VuMyoF8uHVrOUnrBt8brJ6tt1x-RXThg/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(71).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5TX6Q9f0kLpMpWNxKAPoZQ5XJO06w2c87IaYRWQM7K0amgD7pNR1MdBEs9lHUbNAGJpN6UXFY002Z7PSAy5vOzAWyFIS44NZLczV5j7qS0VMj20WpLjepERVNHuIaEhGyYz9kPPIx7au3ymkWiPNKSXwbD2VuMyoF8uHVrOUnrBt8brJ6tt1x-RXThg/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(71).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTJLKg_CR2BMulsXcgkxlcNfs1bpyd1-VxSBusAbSYClpkzZlESQic6ITrxBukU3wuzYN0-9GEawcl-KKP0av7lrQomFpjuJmxSEJpbyCR5LwypCug_Oy5dIpmyegaX35wJCGH0se1fUSD80nWQI4oxxWb7CnRVOPsk1_kml6yMyaJ2ccVN-aft2V9g/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(73).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTJLKg_CR2BMulsXcgkxlcNfs1bpyd1-VxSBusAbSYClpkzZlESQic6ITrxBukU3wuzYN0-9GEawcl-KKP0av7lrQomFpjuJmxSEJpbyCR5LwypCug_Oy5dIpmyegaX35wJCGH0se1fUSD80nWQI4oxxWb7CnRVOPsk1_kml6yMyaJ2ccVN-aft2V9g/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(73).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsjkhhh66yhZ03arrhjMvw2FWQ41aMrozYW8eDU1jQVzKxbNL8HY4R8b6scQvRAMUyTeOeHJNrdzDYHaEgc4qWxqLnwkBgaOLieaRl_zQKL5StXcEP3ZQkEG4Jq8pcSWVPwuwVHsGFwjmBoRr5qCMUgw0szDuyEK_1HhLc719icA_ciCqZxKwPfbkvA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(76).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsjkhhh66yhZ03arrhjMvw2FWQ41aMrozYW8eDU1jQVzKxbNL8HY4R8b6scQvRAMUyTeOeHJNrdzDYHaEgc4qWxqLnwkBgaOLieaRl_zQKL5StXcEP3ZQkEG4Jq8pcSWVPwuwVHsGFwjmBoRr5qCMUgw0szDuyEK_1HhLc719icA_ciCqZxKwPfbkvA/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(76).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7DwWL19IfGJsBF8Jsm6AjcC-5tcVsuNfiDpfZ2NntMQl4szq7cG9T5TRL_qwJWsASOdYPYGMzGfSd85q5EXvPsQw5MSUDDzeW5wj2Y4Bc9ldXgqIrkDf2Ct1hPubLo46TbH6EewjM2XMQXWQWTnAm-wVLkNOi_oeafhBrOLC9yT4DnL-n0q9atTH4A/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(79).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh7DwWL19IfGJsBF8Jsm6AjcC-5tcVsuNfiDpfZ2NntMQl4szq7cG9T5TRL_qwJWsASOdYPYGMzGfSd85q5EXvPsQw5MSUDDzeW5wj2Y4Bc9ldXgqIrkDf2Ct1hPubLo46TbH6EewjM2XMQXWQWTnAm-wVLkNOi_oeafhBrOLC9yT4DnL-n0q9atTH4A/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(79).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Xx9j960jMWo59jEj6-9xeACD0YpYa0dBchj2e5YDHhnlwA4ROauR0vm2OCYF0M3S06z6vw1q2WSf8cHIpjvASw9x6_FE2yLJtwd1upp8_8sSdVxEN8CZ0TG_GzWpcBScfglWDqKcqCnCZRPZad809EcoyRP2N6lSxBqqzy6x9bxJzqne9qyd1vDZ7A/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(80).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Xx9j960jMWo59jEj6-9xeACD0YpYa0dBchj2e5YDHhnlwA4ROauR0vm2OCYF0M3S06z6vw1q2WSf8cHIpjvASw9x6_FE2yLJtwd1upp8_8sSdVxEN8CZ0TG_GzWpcBScfglWDqKcqCnCZRPZad809EcoyRP2N6lSxBqqzy6x9bxJzqne9qyd1vDZ7A/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(80).JPG" width="214" /></a></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Many of the rooms had very ornately painted and carved ceilings, and walls
completely covered with elaborate tapestries. A display upstairs in the
Cathedral which we would visit later explained how these tapestries were created,
from ideas, to drawings, to cartoons which the weavers had to interpret, to the
final product. Apparently it could take the weavers several months to
complete a few centimetres of a tapestry, and great skill was needed to
accurately translate the drawings. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGIFvYi3xqw7lvkP2CfOaBShi3JiSkcthDY-j_sI8LNSP3Dlfq1KoFUV7JrwEu1c69es8GwP6l8WMo_fpBiF6f3hBwYqL3X6S3RBOWNHuj1ULjQdp7Ft81vDW20ljS7aMGw6p0AeH55Pa58EMRzQ_kU7mCC6i7IhIy0dxqF9CYHFFOnG-hVLfNf3hLQ/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(83).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGIFvYi3xqw7lvkP2CfOaBShi3JiSkcthDY-j_sI8LNSP3Dlfq1KoFUV7JrwEu1c69es8GwP6l8WMo_fpBiF6f3hBwYqL3X6S3RBOWNHuj1ULjQdp7Ft81vDW20ljS7aMGw6p0AeH55Pa58EMRzQ_kU7mCC6i7IhIy0dxqF9CYHFFOnG-hVLfNf3hLQ/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(83).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3Whs17aozrVcthQQGZT8dydC1iSQR9fyurU7sp1EPQ8gvo0fEttvlgy_6YbKTR9hOvN2LeWN8p991CMNu8OQUu0XpjTAaZw2yV9egG_JkKkz4CYogvGmHo8zSlgEbPTi2w7tagLmHwIMxyqXuil8IIyhANIryRTx3_vVVVK9odehllC0ag4k9GKqxQ/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(86).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb3Whs17aozrVcthQQGZT8dydC1iSQR9fyurU7sp1EPQ8gvo0fEttvlgy_6YbKTR9hOvN2LeWN8p991CMNu8OQUu0XpjTAaZw2yV9egG_JkKkz4CYogvGmHo8zSlgEbPTi2w7tagLmHwIMxyqXuil8IIyhANIryRTx3_vVVVK9odehllC0ag4k9GKqxQ/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(86).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">The tour also allowed us to explore the Royal Chemistry Lab, where explosives
and other compounds were discovered and created, and to walk through an armoury
museum which contained everything from bows and arrows, to swords, to cannon
balls. We ended by walking around on the parapets, looking out at
the city below us and the surrounding countryside. From this vantage
point we could see the castle's strategic position at the junction of the
Clamores and Eresma Rivers. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKpV4NTrl205HC5vg4Xv4-mpwKbJEI4F19287bkMyjZdhiD5V-oBB7v2ta5nZ-5VRUPt3pvzqt-48dcQr2pHyB05FTJgVRZn3iXadSeXl1b5diwpnndwn4k8LwLRUNBeeAfho9MWi4YiAOul7wApHF5A8ZznzxY4zHg2Y9iaH1ZkIAxOeh5l5uIqPwA/s4522/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(130).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3018" data-original-width="4522" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKpV4NTrl205HC5vg4Xv4-mpwKbJEI4F19287bkMyjZdhiD5V-oBB7v2ta5nZ-5VRUPt3pvzqt-48dcQr2pHyB05FTJgVRZn3iXadSeXl1b5diwpnndwn4k8LwLRUNBeeAfho9MWi4YiAOul7wApHF5A8ZznzxY4zHg2Y9iaH1ZkIAxOeh5l5uIqPwA/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(130).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-JJZ3NL8sTH7vpF0w1H4UINUBZkWS2rSNEbNOJMFpLId3kmelRPtp1PTGHUIrhaFfX7dBYZLHmJ4oWDV8Gg1vz4mLOFL7JYTNR4tgGIaW-avjqSFSd7hzEAhHyXH22h10nm5O85ehxciCN1S4AckrYGkZJT-r7HPhGVuHjPg9j-j9xdmkIITCFpFVQ/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(131).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja-JJZ3NL8sTH7vpF0w1H4UINUBZkWS2rSNEbNOJMFpLId3kmelRPtp1PTGHUIrhaFfX7dBYZLHmJ4oWDV8Gg1vz4mLOFL7JYTNR4tgGIaW-avjqSFSd7hzEAhHyXH22h10nm5O85ehxciCN1S4AckrYGkZJT-r7HPhGVuHjPg9j-j9xdmkIITCFpFVQ/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(131).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">After visiting the Alcazar we made our way back up to the Cathedral. As
we approached the Plaza Mayor we were surprised to hear the steady beat of
drums and to see a large crowd gathered. It was the Easter procession, in
which a statue of Jesus on the Crucifix was carried through the streets, met by
a statue of Mary, and then carried into the main cathedral. It was quite
impressive to see the huge statue of Mary, which must have been supported by
over half a dozen bearers, manoeuvre towards Jesus, bow, turn slowly, and then
move away amidst a long procession of musicians and Church officials carrying
ceremonial objects and colourful banners. What fortuitous timing! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lzwU52mpG6HWaqCVB76rb2vKAVvtK-l68SkNCk-Lje3Xi8Mi7zMCgIj0r9eZCdvMa6Iz4yb08oWg_lDny24NKldcIdF3m0Qip2wAny2qm3VSpNPeo5OwBVzBud3fvz9x-CZTJpv4GTZsivCpJEn98vVSCa5cRiaTqSxQFoB6vLzhBEIXDP7Q7ci8HQ/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(34).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1lzwU52mpG6HWaqCVB76rb2vKAVvtK-l68SkNCk-Lje3Xi8Mi7zMCgIj0r9eZCdvMa6Iz4yb08oWg_lDny24NKldcIdF3m0Qip2wAny2qm3VSpNPeo5OwBVzBud3fvz9x-CZTJpv4GTZsivCpJEn98vVSCa5cRiaTqSxQFoB6vLzhBEIXDP7Q7ci8HQ/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(34).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeoFnHcqoFtNPvt2KU50wxkptnr-i3db9A57lqddAscipB5aRZgbi_MNmqq7I5M5G-uURqdVJlWErIj-9e9WPVjjKmHi6W3n4_1oyBDWcaDL5CSMvbsSOmJNt_vfXLfZzmZFphPeN0Dls1im-ltaOh7HAsQfxMN6DhkCH673Rw2GMmIS7cQtgmb2LiA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAeoFnHcqoFtNPvt2KU50wxkptnr-i3db9A57lqddAscipB5aRZgbi_MNmqq7I5M5G-uURqdVJlWErIj-9e9WPVjjKmHi6W3n4_1oyBDWcaDL5CSMvbsSOmJNt_vfXLfZzmZFphPeN0Dls1im-ltaOh7HAsQfxMN6DhkCH673Rw2GMmIS7cQtgmb2LiA/w214-h320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifprm9F0IzAllyFtdmW9evyuotbthCvsfP0FevhNStAwSCTS7B2FSpaQ_GHR8Ib1sEjjQI5E5BYVOONa9QBHAIx02YDKBlGuCcUdrsdsd9TR7iEPO8j2aJ5cMOgDzBiQDbM4vGSt4ce5bTdgQzmUamn4xqNfIIqpP0Bbl5_tLojGgQMH7XRDqrTEGRXw/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(36).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifprm9F0IzAllyFtdmW9evyuotbthCvsfP0FevhNStAwSCTS7B2FSpaQ_GHR8Ib1sEjjQI5E5BYVOONa9QBHAIx02YDKBlGuCcUdrsdsd9TR7iEPO8j2aJ5cMOgDzBiQDbM4vGSt4ce5bTdgQzmUamn4xqNfIIqpP0Bbl5_tLojGgQMH7XRDqrTEGRXw/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(36).JPG" width="214" /></a></span></p></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmQliI4f4BZL45yRiZNBm4qqv9lyp0kbUSsJc3jAV_LThnrFTt_uspXwwIzSjsOvqTCef5AdwT0MiwbXCGCjYqmaInhxq0HBB3NpG9AzAfI5UWgFCOBPzi41sGWwUOKgaptMReVRJ-4ReMhEiPSeW88bNi1cLeIlEu2uD3NjTD1w09QYj6TcGJ0SBeA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(37).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjmQliI4f4BZL45yRiZNBm4qqv9lyp0kbUSsJc3jAV_LThnrFTt_uspXwwIzSjsOvqTCef5AdwT0MiwbXCGCjYqmaInhxq0HBB3NpG9AzAfI5UWgFCOBPzi41sGWwUOKgaptMReVRJ-4ReMhEiPSeW88bNi1cLeIlEu2uD3NjTD1w09QYj6TcGJ0SBeA/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(37).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Feeling a little overwhelmed by the crowds in the main tourist areas we
wandered towards the edge of town. As we went we recognized three
separate sets of brass markers on the pavement. There were the familiar
scallop shells directing pilgrims along the Camino Madrid. There were
also aqueduct symbols, presumably directing visitors towards the famous Roman
structure. Finally, there were intriguing symbols we couldn't at first
identify, but which turned out to be markers for the Jewish Quarter of the
city. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKyJH1293hpi5xL3QllfG6NpCQ1lrXXj1lVV6rHRyrCUg84xl8fKous33RkZ_6HxAO1qLHkb119wEyD2fXigG3qaw_VdoR6rZ6Oqfz8U7eo8oDLJ7ElaAhzW32iC1ArN-tV9HcCRPmYx8rOVHq52C2725DsZba2bEEUnl7wfviwVuWvtAsOLlqYhx-Q/s2959/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Blog%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="2959" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKyJH1293hpi5xL3QllfG6NpCQ1lrXXj1lVV6rHRyrCUg84xl8fKous33RkZ_6HxAO1qLHkb119wEyD2fXigG3qaw_VdoR6rZ6Oqfz8U7eo8oDLJ7ElaAhzW32iC1ArN-tV9HcCRPmYx8rOVHq52C2725DsZba2bEEUnl7wfviwVuWvtAsOLlqYhx-Q/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Blog%20(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIhUQN55ZyJ5YA1emMp4XgJN27y7AxnFnyawvr1tSfOSJfJe65qeiH168gVqcl0Az5R_U0A-fOXzoK9Jjrht2_vCEXIyDRGG_gt4pL7YZSQFsEl7mzomi_WqpbECzIJzqy1WRjE_R7CApAQ7C2BYQgM9ayhp3h7SvJRp59naScz4IElJJRK16jNcdUA/s3030/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Blog%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2023" data-original-width="3030" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIhUQN55ZyJ5YA1emMp4XgJN27y7AxnFnyawvr1tSfOSJfJe65qeiH168gVqcl0Az5R_U0A-fOXzoK9Jjrht2_vCEXIyDRGG_gt4pL7YZSQFsEl7mzomi_WqpbECzIJzqy1WRjE_R7CApAQ7C2BYQgM9ayhp3h7SvJRp59naScz4IElJJRK16jNcdUA/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Blog%20(4).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX7IuYMClDfaYvi76QSaRoyvHVEWJwCFq5hQjdciKtqP4G5DyyMUy52lxhKEtJJQlnxoU2NKW0PnX2LD6sVp3D-SxI02PruXZlWqW4hlicDUpWYAlLRNCsz8A6qD9AsylQvBIJxU5atYAS0Phxv7V7vBGsPuMbf9BMpDr-W-WGDY4oKNozHoC_wDV1A/s2628/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Blog%20(5).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="2628" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEX7IuYMClDfaYvi76QSaRoyvHVEWJwCFq5hQjdciKtqP4G5DyyMUy52lxhKEtJJQlnxoU2NKW0PnX2LD6sVp3D-SxI02PruXZlWqW4hlicDUpWYAlLRNCsz8A6qD9AsylQvBIJxU5atYAS0Phxv7V7vBGsPuMbf9BMpDr-W-WGDY4oKNozHoC_wDV1A/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20to%20Blog%20(5).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Almost by accident we found ourselves at the Puerta de Santiago - the warm
yellow sandstone gate that we will pass through on our way out of the walled
city tomorrow. It is possible for pilgrims to get their credentials
stamped at the gate, and since they don't typically open until after 10 am, and
tomorrow is Easter Monday on top of it, we decided to get our passports stamped
while we had the chance.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkUtGtPKtd3QknVkiWoMrIoqh39ioAmTBq4VRiWc6UnxCL8TBaGRH_H31ksFtSYo3FWninMKwDQJGLVD2Wdl0Bn6g2jmf6QKvoX_pw2wiem3keLeKlOwY60YZMYQsKz51LQZRdccnUCNFMTzUpBPjMMaFWuGeQfNyLLJn7934PAwN--Fe6-elatBXww/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(90.5).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkUtGtPKtd3QknVkiWoMrIoqh39ioAmTBq4VRiWc6UnxCL8TBaGRH_H31ksFtSYo3FWninMKwDQJGLVD2Wdl0Bn6g2jmf6QKvoX_pw2wiem3keLeKlOwY60YZMYQsKz51LQZRdccnUCNFMTzUpBPjMMaFWuGeQfNyLLJn7934PAwN--Fe6-elatBXww/w268-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(90.5).JPG" width="268" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKctWx-kWKuP5sYoWJQdDFwC-yE6CzX6OlqZ6rPtOPYGNJLRgojJbTOtECEx-RDs0PAZ37si5D1rYH4gMvDyi1u6BZv5Orivc0jy700lD5SkJ1dQbYW9MKgDhF3bN-oj9NDTPeXxptGfWS6uLnp-lhmqbupjl2gaxRPc33wCSakVxKFp_2y7NiizjrA/s4032/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(91).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfKctWx-kWKuP5sYoWJQdDFwC-yE6CzX6OlqZ6rPtOPYGNJLRgojJbTOtECEx-RDs0PAZ37si5D1rYH4gMvDyi1u6BZv5Orivc0jy700lD5SkJ1dQbYW9MKgDhF3bN-oj9NDTPeXxptGfWS6uLnp-lhmqbupjl2gaxRPc33wCSakVxKFp_2y7NiizjrA/w400-h300/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(91).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsvuR6f3C3-GQdnr6cbrt4mqBd9RjjUQD27JSZqAZMVHALk9QOFqdesD6YoJ4uL-wMSUdHSCcJiTPkBAbxhJg-mOLE4GO972iNUs6-8dIG1lTkV-J1PFN8dU2mYlLeDUqsUJAzyXePcch9iwWm56DtfNW4pCSvmvTzfZbGscIJwwrGbvyd6gFIsGmDQ/s4032/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(92).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidsvuR6f3C3-GQdnr6cbrt4mqBd9RjjUQD27JSZqAZMVHALk9QOFqdesD6YoJ4uL-wMSUdHSCcJiTPkBAbxhJg-mOLE4GO972iNUs6-8dIG1lTkV-J1PFN8dU2mYlLeDUqsUJAzyXePcch9iwWm56DtfNW4pCSvmvTzfZbGscIJwwrGbvyd6gFIsGmDQ/w400-h300/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(92).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR3tr7V5vfIqhoTKH6GtFfZmjmJ-151miXd_ioO4XdSCP7ibHB9_hSyeTsqIFQlsTxdZaAaYeBY0Ch6FqcchF_ZUrbpl8HOClT8pdFRvY4hZamKWVAsi61aM6734fvI2XkdQoHkgsQpF8fDL3r79awtZwQuuo4_EJr7_xTEiIIFDKxkbB88gdjyBD1Q/s4032/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(96).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQR3tr7V5vfIqhoTKH6GtFfZmjmJ-151miXd_ioO4XdSCP7ibHB9_hSyeTsqIFQlsTxdZaAaYeBY0Ch6FqcchF_ZUrbpl8HOClT8pdFRvY4hZamKWVAsi61aM6734fvI2XkdQoHkgsQpF8fDL3r79awtZwQuuo4_EJr7_xTEiIIFDKxkbB88gdjyBD1Q/w400-h300/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(96).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: small;">Inside the tower above the gate we also discovered a very cool puppet, or
marionette museum. Glass cases displayed colourful and creative puppets, as
well as the incredibly complicated mechanisms that were used to operate
them. A video display showed a man manipulating some of them,
demonstrating great skill in making them come to life. I hope the art and
craft of creating and operating puppets is not lost in our modern world! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtIosIXAo8g7y5RPO_0wSEPkUrrzErx9QZGWoPPL9Yk-1Z-S7qp7I7cn1H92-34NXafCC8DAGzdDpG30SgUFLhb5YCFIXWcJHTqXQQiAhz7I1gfPK9tET0W6FgsoZZdZ84urFeznWWKjqO5mqcon4IuWFBkUh_renog8AKe5rNAy_09P6eLjYrWOvjQ/s4032/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(110).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMtIosIXAo8g7y5RPO_0wSEPkUrrzErx9QZGWoPPL9Yk-1Z-S7qp7I7cn1H92-34NXafCC8DAGzdDpG30SgUFLhb5YCFIXWcJHTqXQQiAhz7I1gfPK9tET0W6FgsoZZdZ84urFeznWWKjqO5mqcon4IuWFBkUh_renog8AKe5rNAy_09P6eLjYrWOvjQ/w300-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(110).jpg" width="300" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRsltM8Ml9VbSXIZOjQJsP4aM9QRZnFo2TzPFh-mwP_m5xJ7ZjQv7YxdJaEZBTBfriDhAzg59krZWHYyZ0eI6qcYNpJ_K6HjsOnc-LmbX0KFAw7stlom6VNVzAvNwtiT4ZTetXMHAZH6HkipN2C_uTYp8yqoJ90qd8iDfHKTiI8Wqh52f0CXpoFX906Q/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(120).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJieC06F5xPdiEbtQF1cdxnH9dWoXB4gxxyox9vBPJUzXYxd5CTeTHOv36q_82FS-J4HfdnbNbIw5YzdMD62A1NSIm897IZcfjc1t3WFy4f7X90_6Nt1AoUh923OIlnph-RhPX5FWFyKPhuLxaScPyeDOfBE-BtfQ7G_I76JCOUiKsn9ZmNpkCkhKNQ/s2257/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(123).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2257" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQJieC06F5xPdiEbtQF1cdxnH9dWoXB4gxxyox9vBPJUzXYxd5CTeTHOv36q_82FS-J4HfdnbNbIw5YzdMD62A1NSIm897IZcfjc1t3WFy4f7X90_6Nt1AoUh923OIlnph-RhPX5FWFyKPhuLxaScPyeDOfBE-BtfQ7G_I76JCOUiKsn9ZmNpkCkhKNQ/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(123).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHZLW8XLR9BnBzKZF3dmocdhZ7igYfKB6pb1JdPm98C3feTQjvO2YSM4XfPNzrQNQ7YkQODfn60wtux7qh7tM51ddAkCQxrXcFcwLq-AZXLNBQP3ir2QKAmoIEkgCeqe5Fu4Eo4RFiDGM94KOnRBC3ETKJW7ZHXa-YTjO77a2XzZdyswpbp0G6S3QQw/s2598/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(124).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1734" data-original-width="2598" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHZLW8XLR9BnBzKZF3dmocdhZ7igYfKB6pb1JdPm98C3feTQjvO2YSM4XfPNzrQNQ7YkQODfn60wtux7qh7tM51ddAkCQxrXcFcwLq-AZXLNBQP3ir2QKAmoIEkgCeqe5Fu4Eo4RFiDGM94KOnRBC3ETKJW7ZHXa-YTjO77a2XzZdyswpbp0G6S3QQw/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(124).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNcEW4uFfQBZ-Ph8tN1WxoydWywghU-BOYx-TTw5Pc8wczfmbDxzPErktzSCmMAotlU6Bw7SXMtrIhydzEznPMhLbCNOKhPz4s772KgVEeWJ2AFYwxH4ugaNUSsfFHiZHwLAsFuhBieUN4eeocL39h2cl9LhZ6p2s3lEcRfWi4EKsuxoaYLEa5p0f8w/s2621/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(125).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1749" data-original-width="2621" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNcEW4uFfQBZ-Ph8tN1WxoydWywghU-BOYx-TTw5Pc8wczfmbDxzPErktzSCmMAotlU6Bw7SXMtrIhydzEznPMhLbCNOKhPz4s772KgVEeWJ2AFYwxH4ugaNUSsfFHiZHwLAsFuhBieUN4eeocL39h2cl9LhZ6p2s3lEcRfWi4EKsuxoaYLEa5p0f8w/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(125).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVBP3K-PQPPd4RLT02ipO38zlyZnlt2u3RDi4DDWDmaKPPufPqAmpqiBVGNRDaSq89SyVE4RLO2N2G5maQwTG0-ZPVsUBe_8kIJXie-_mcOOiLsd_eGBg-Ye4l6weDGFwnZ7XA2o-xpNK1oDnirdVZ8xXkYrmyUkKy3bIQLnBbpher906U-94_SP5gw/s4032/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(126).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVBP3K-PQPPd4RLT02ipO38zlyZnlt2u3RDi4DDWDmaKPPufPqAmpqiBVGNRDaSq89SyVE4RLO2N2G5maQwTG0-ZPVsUBe_8kIJXie-_mcOOiLsd_eGBg-Ye4l6weDGFwnZ7XA2o-xpNK1oDnirdVZ8xXkYrmyUkKy3bIQLnBbpher906U-94_SP5gw/w300-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(126).jpg" width="300" /></a></span></p></div></div></div><p><span style="font-size: small;">Outside the Puerta de Santiago was a small walled courtyard, with flowering
trees, a quiet grassy area, and a stone wall for sitting on. There was a
lot of bird activity in the trees inside the Jardin de los Poetos, and we spent
some time enjoying the solitude and watching the birds and lizards on the sun
washed stone walls. Looking over their tops we could see a monastery and
a convent outside the city walls below us, an octagonal church out in the
countryside, and a white path snaking away across the fields beyond it, which
we will probably find ourselves travelling tomorrow. We greatly enjoyed
the peacefulness and solitude of this quiet sanctuary within the bustling city. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESIDfiGJmYU_jrwKMy4OLmuuVJ2YAQ35eKGLNjKtvuJVoO2Twlb1921NLyW7MCyOzH1sBNuhqvIo83ApBYbxqil7C1AWUOBUMqY3mwIC2gQkBn7bze8jzjRtN4KXNQaHPRCCCoYbGgXG-A5xJpMYvcr51QPAH1hqsFDjRUgA0OvRX2dK1kLXlwsQxyA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(82).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESIDfiGJmYU_jrwKMy4OLmuuVJ2YAQ35eKGLNjKtvuJVoO2Twlb1921NLyW7MCyOzH1sBNuhqvIo83ApBYbxqil7C1AWUOBUMqY3mwIC2gQkBn7bze8jzjRtN4KXNQaHPRCCCoYbGgXG-A5xJpMYvcr51QPAH1hqsFDjRUgA0OvRX2dK1kLXlwsQxyA/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(82).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Since it was nearly 2 pm we headed back across the town to take a tour of the
Cathedral. Inside the cool interior was an elegant space with many light
coloured stone arches, stained glass windows high above our heads, and
elaborate chapels around the edges. Of course we were drawn to the
Capella of Santiago, which had a retablo depicting scenes from the Saint's life
and martyrdom, including The Life of Santiago, Santiago Matamoros, the Calling
of the Apostle by Christ, the Martyrdom of Santiago, and the Translation of the
body from Palestine to Galicia. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJGV9Jx2JQLJsTJtncDWcgIPMjVl5XJQ96x2m5hw7CL7H5_A4obnO5ZSPlToB7dksfd-52W7fjH8xainYvg2HQyS4XFwc3XSSLEEN_K7axrt2YX4qbODuCAwO0kwT7q68LVEGrSYxGJOVnGKR8epknTPqitI2-uywB9ANs9URaOvq0cXDJpYHqcSyNQ/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(135).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJGV9Jx2JQLJsTJtncDWcgIPMjVl5XJQ96x2m5hw7CL7H5_A4obnO5ZSPlToB7dksfd-52W7fjH8xainYvg2HQyS4XFwc3XSSLEEN_K7axrt2YX4qbODuCAwO0kwT7q68LVEGrSYxGJOVnGKR8epknTPqitI2-uywB9ANs9URaOvq0cXDJpYHqcSyNQ/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(135).JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAAreUhycXzmrCsowSJY5-pmduFSK-CCdzgMn7FNumqTd3jCe9GOxYLIlajIadoQ0oANUTahlJQyvVGwCT44ePPdF6bD8oh_fGDGvqnM2Ppzmwa9DbykLGJY0_KvCAHXjfXr1FPCYXFZv-Qsb_cKOZdXpxy8dhVZoDaMSsj0_E6HL4zpL1nCEEreFaw/s5863/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(138).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5863" data-original-width="3915" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIAAreUhycXzmrCsowSJY5-pmduFSK-CCdzgMn7FNumqTd3jCe9GOxYLIlajIadoQ0oANUTahlJQyvVGwCT44ePPdF6bD8oh_fGDGvqnM2Ppzmwa9DbykLGJY0_KvCAHXjfXr1FPCYXFZv-Qsb_cKOZdXpxy8dhVZoDaMSsj0_E6HL4zpL1nCEEreFaw/w268-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(138).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-4G7PwOhiaEfrNvTYVTfvc_CM7TR1zFxkmeeXv7DyILWm4muiLRIWuYXAcbSm-ZRB-MU-4CVmm1RScvkMBTyVMhiflt9hAgi0J_I_8Xt_fb0a41FD4eziZAW7ZC4Mxpe6QNQVUoS6mgJYcWB_YEvtsx0k9SSIxiMW7gaojmIRuxZkPJi-N-h53A2pA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(139).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-4G7PwOhiaEfrNvTYVTfvc_CM7TR1zFxkmeeXv7DyILWm4muiLRIWuYXAcbSm-ZRB-MU-4CVmm1RScvkMBTyVMhiflt9hAgi0J_I_8Xt_fb0a41FD4eziZAW7ZC4Mxpe6QNQVUoS6mgJYcWB_YEvtsx0k9SSIxiMW7gaojmIRuxZkPJi-N-h53A2pA/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(139).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3bBgUodgSuxZ8PnD6zSKMEB-VTLck_rQ-JeGRwkM34PAKfV72xt_jJvIMTIBy20etHePdoLOIOtZ5ExGZUsx2IUCNL3ezlK-bBXo_ENfVvUvidzKBdyJLwtpEQ1YleGTQkYXuejElGwFxfn_A6XnH0hxMSrF77uruElXjr8cpAS7-1epgwY9BKlqsw/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(141).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS3bBgUodgSuxZ8PnD6zSKMEB-VTLck_rQ-JeGRwkM34PAKfV72xt_jJvIMTIBy20etHePdoLOIOtZ5ExGZUsx2IUCNL3ezlK-bBXo_ENfVvUvidzKBdyJLwtpEQ1YleGTQkYXuejElGwFxfn_A6XnH0hxMSrF77uruElXjr8cpAS7-1epgwY9BKlqsw/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(141).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4r9ERb39_Cg_8xJmB_e9X2iJNyeydIQ8nXciKfcCU77uyFzLuBmXnh_SK62V1PzkMCg7ZYUv2avLMlC4lBZUvjJLThWHkxJ_-sq1fcLlTtrQITiUxlpA8e4-LIAwJTx6ADTFRZuM4fRCOAYRedDP3l9EZiZZ8USxmm3Ts6yg9O5t6mY7ZSyCWp4Hmg/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(143).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh4r9ERb39_Cg_8xJmB_e9X2iJNyeydIQ8nXciKfcCU77uyFzLuBmXnh_SK62V1PzkMCg7ZYUv2avLMlC4lBZUvjJLThWHkxJ_-sq1fcLlTtrQITiUxlpA8e4-LIAwJTx6ADTFRZuM4fRCOAYRedDP3l9EZiZZ8USxmm3Ts6yg9O5t6mY7ZSyCWp4Hmg/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(143).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9bZlMGFWtxVOXa81rwGmMcZ_0FdTjeN15K9ym8S_E49HiGgoHy_0w7mJqM5KoAU1I-RmoIlbwtOndDbLQlnNrf8KDn9JrSQbIL0eQPZgfrU-ApFIeMMBI3EMdnzrSnlUDC3sIh5pimR-ul2Y_h47b8fAcLGLLOmzPdNiMdnAyH4HK7i8ekUodzskXA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(145).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9bZlMGFWtxVOXa81rwGmMcZ_0FdTjeN15K9ym8S_E49HiGgoHy_0w7mJqM5KoAU1I-RmoIlbwtOndDbLQlnNrf8KDn9JrSQbIL0eQPZgfrU-ApFIeMMBI3EMdnzrSnlUDC3sIh5pimR-ul2Y_h47b8fAcLGLLOmzPdNiMdnAyH4HK7i8ekUodzskXA/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(145).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W3_i9r0iTxr9Auml9zCuGUD6oJq6gT51CVCHfa9gAnNEczgNbv311Nksq-D3cQx-lDUQkW_ktHs-B-sLvisalIwDXR-PMxgd2P-3Sxy6R69uvRB5UDUhdELkAXOYnkhB4fLLjZWwPwMt_gnDtkRupbjmRQ4iu69f5S9iLNgV0wTf1vjHtAh_dzeaDg/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(151).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6W3_i9r0iTxr9Auml9zCuGUD6oJq6gT51CVCHfa9gAnNEczgNbv311Nksq-D3cQx-lDUQkW_ktHs-B-sLvisalIwDXR-PMxgd2P-3Sxy6R69uvRB5UDUhdELkAXOYnkhB4fLLjZWwPwMt_gnDtkRupbjmRQ4iu69f5S9iLNgV0wTf1vjHtAh_dzeaDg/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(151).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">
<br />
We were also drawn to the cloister, with its graceful stone arches and carved
columns that threw elegant shadows in the afternoon sunshine. It was yet
another quiet, cool sanctuary surrounding a small landscaped green space. </span></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKappx0f1yUCf6UQoB4w3VfJGm42P5CS-EVQWCWfnizLP9QcZ3x2bfHpTNOACkMQu_UUgMvCAS0AB3VifPIcyXXL7DKXIiBsfNJ1HkjVmr-ysQsk_IL6IS28yEfv0BPl_8G0BZsqovyQjS_Rppg_eo4isoq8yRsNcSTfpj7qOITBdJ5CCzi9w2w5-Kg/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(153).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHKappx0f1yUCf6UQoB4w3VfJGm42P5CS-EVQWCWfnizLP9QcZ3x2bfHpTNOACkMQu_UUgMvCAS0AB3VifPIcyXXL7DKXIiBsfNJ1HkjVmr-ysQsk_IL6IS28yEfv0BPl_8G0BZsqovyQjS_Rppg_eo4isoq8yRsNcSTfpj7qOITBdJ5CCzi9w2w5-Kg/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(153).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO71sXK7z4GRTiYnQzxhd3HvoUHI7KtHG6nYYZROumYToGMSbEhJluJvTFAUiSLl44FaGC4sVyvHnPExHGtCpLsK8JgRmdZgg08l6BmurYUSVh_XLbkQEaCssELuoC6-nbZjJhQJ6Al4MvKnQEriB0egF6UxhEIL1JBZUotlg6ul3YBa2syqIEw6n4Zg/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(149).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO71sXK7z4GRTiYnQzxhd3HvoUHI7KtHG6nYYZROumYToGMSbEhJluJvTFAUiSLl44FaGC4sVyvHnPExHGtCpLsK8JgRmdZgg08l6BmurYUSVh_XLbkQEaCssELuoC6-nbZjJhQJ6Al4MvKnQEriB0egF6UxhEIL1JBZUotlg6ul3YBa2syqIEw6n4Zg/s320/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(149).JPG" width="214" /></a></span></p></div></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtciMOhIZ9q1t-NFHizxCtzLKs9lD8__tOfn-gIET8cRQcfz4IO33j41lYfDlZFGYtufbiWrs5Ov4yTUgK2l5JheKMWlZD9b-g7M40plYICqZoOL7Brul18D5VMeQvrLgFobLLqjkGr7LGOOhSCDbNHLshP3qwyj-phltp_6OehQJcTJX_RWLgctl3rg/s5455/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(155).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3641" data-original-width="5455" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtciMOhIZ9q1t-NFHizxCtzLKs9lD8__tOfn-gIET8cRQcfz4IO33j41lYfDlZFGYtufbiWrs5Ov4yTUgK2l5JheKMWlZD9b-g7M40plYICqZoOL7Brul18D5VMeQvrLgFobLLqjkGr7LGOOhSCDbNHLshP3qwyj-phltp_6OehQJcTJX_RWLgctl3rg/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(155).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Before leaving we also visited the museum below the cloister, which houses
famous Flemish paintings and triptishes. It was interesting to see the
colourful depictions of Christian scenes, and to see how many birds, flowers,
and other animals were present in the paintings. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX14vAWvuuqzZZcN94v5ziaKVKuiqzVLihSX3Hn63k2y7iOLUts-ZrC5yQlYD0T0Iocpmwjrj28kkhaJMx-gF3lakgLZpB816Jm-9w4DY_7Ku-2A6k7fKE4wytJ9xfdi1At-zwqIdXeLRH3rqXner3oDv5hGLajE7KLpGJ5n17ulBvJWD2NbyoByEew/s4032/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(163).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKX14vAWvuuqzZZcN94v5ziaKVKuiqzVLihSX3Hn63k2y7iOLUts-ZrC5yQlYD0T0Iocpmwjrj28kkhaJMx-gF3lakgLZpB816Jm-9w4DY_7Ku-2A6k7fKE4wytJ9xfdi1At-zwqIdXeLRH3rqXner3oDv5hGLajE7KLpGJ5n17ulBvJWD2NbyoByEew/w400-h300/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(163).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8NRRJ63sDES6isfdNfSb5g6SmPDGKqGnEGpUfF4GDiSJSLIXEoIJpPp2R2CP-Aw3I6QdHb2oepcEMDTeLsi42xMEcqIk4CGO6DO0cpzNDL68HBlgOdAfx6vMlvxt6Wp_Rs_fBvTOVS9rppEd8r1uYmHESDrlyfUM4b3SULU5Nd-fu_HbiHPIb_8E3A/s4032/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(164).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR8NRRJ63sDES6isfdNfSb5g6SmPDGKqGnEGpUfF4GDiSJSLIXEoIJpPp2R2CP-Aw3I6QdHb2oepcEMDTeLsi42xMEcqIk4CGO6DO0cpzNDL68HBlgOdAfx6vMlvxt6Wp_Rs_fBvTOVS9rppEd8r1uYmHESDrlyfUM4b3SULU5Nd-fu_HbiHPIb_8E3A/w400-h300/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(164).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">In the late afternoon we did a final bit exploring. Looking in the shops
and restaurants along the main tourist streets we gathered that this region is
famous for its white beans, as well as a selection of local pastries, one of
which we tried. The region is also apparently famous for its roast
suckling pig, which tradition demands can be cut by a ceramic plate if it is
done correctly. The plate is then smashed on the floor. Although
the local dishes sounded tempting, prices on the main run and during Easter
weekend were beyond our pilgrim budget. As a result, we contented
ourselves with a simple and inexpensive meal on an outdoor patio slightly off
the main thoroughfare. </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseCwtYwqXpZ6TUvaw4Tl1tkmqR4N7z-KhhegRQMvWPbdvdKD-IwPmuuHzlsVOyKHU9C48DLXQ79z1-TT3EKCkrgoB_7vR2_Tkwzpdzfj-9GDHN49KNFCwxS9Do9tmk-NA_JwOdmmHZW5JjeTtRBqi3FJ6oz5RWT9hjhfuGf7nDv3lYBMTaVo8jwdlHQ/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(172).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgseCwtYwqXpZ6TUvaw4Tl1tkmqR4N7z-KhhegRQMvWPbdvdKD-IwPmuuHzlsVOyKHU9C48DLXQ79z1-TT3EKCkrgoB_7vR2_Tkwzpdzfj-9GDHN49KNFCwxS9Do9tmk-NA_JwOdmmHZW5JjeTtRBqi3FJ6oz5RWT9hjhfuGf7nDv3lYBMTaVo8jwdlHQ/w400-h268/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(172).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">As it grew dark we took one last walk around the old city, taking a moment to
look at the Cathedral and aqueduct lit up and shining like beacons in the
dark. We were intrigued to see small bats flying around looking for
insects in the courtyards of several churches. We also wandered the quiet
streets off the main drag, listening to lively conversations and soft music
drifting out of open windows and restaurants tucked into back alleyways.
We enjoy strolling these quiet streets in the cool night air, listening to the
sounds of a city a night. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDJtgwvTmkKe__5qW3BPBTjD90tAtjDC2eh053JXsCH3qtVMHUHdZqUjMxoRPH8kR1V1Lhu07BR_xZUEQA3-qYrLrcLJRlI-1RJtVyH7L33g7pk7V9RwNqurtE4frHbFbT3sG-qFrGMVdgp-Kx8rFZyvnqPzYRvtG-rutlZNwUQWmQgwmQ2jeQY_QWA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(154).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRDJtgwvTmkKe__5qW3BPBTjD90tAtjDC2eh053JXsCH3qtVMHUHdZqUjMxoRPH8kR1V1Lhu07BR_xZUEQA3-qYrLrcLJRlI-1RJtVyH7L33g7pk7V9RwNqurtE4frHbFbT3sG-qFrGMVdgp-Kx8rFZyvnqPzYRvtG-rutlZNwUQWmQgwmQ2jeQY_QWA/w268-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(154).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">It has been a wonderful day of exploring this old town, and we would highly
recommend spending some time here if you have it. There is an interesting mix
of cultures and influences, including Celtic, Roman, Romanesque, Jewish, and
Muslim which is wonderful to experience. However, we will be glad to regain the
relative solitude of the countryside once again.</span><b><span lang="EN-CA"></span></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i5BoVjK5qz0DAdSufHg42fRK7TGNeHuMpJebNaMbVmTARRd-sPUFbcCpeh4rR9dbhPNuwAY7HZBQbpeTzuMHL6PtUWtQU8iV_7MAjngrS4L9lA7KRypg4dIr2TwRBCPcP8qkDUXMv_FoAqMMYmQ_B1P_dMpxFTXx2B_U2_-Mia_SmSC7SpqbbWDegA/s6016/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(166).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2i5BoVjK5qz0DAdSufHg42fRK7TGNeHuMpJebNaMbVmTARRd-sPUFbcCpeh4rR9dbhPNuwAY7HZBQbpeTzuMHL6PtUWtQU8iV_7MAjngrS4L9lA7KRypg4dIr2TwRBCPcP8qkDUXMv_FoAqMMYmQ_B1P_dMpxFTXx2B_U2_-Mia_SmSC7SpqbbWDegA/w268-h400/Exploring%20Segovia%20%20to%20Blog%20(166).JPG" width="268" /></a></b></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><b><b><span lang="EN-CA"></span></b><br /><b><span lang="EN-CA"></span></b></b></span></p></div><span style="font-size: small;">
</span>Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com0Segovia, Spain40.9429032 -4.108806899999999412.632669363821158 -39.2650569 69.253137036178856 31.047443100000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-38441538672009480902022-04-16T16:53:00.136-04:002022-06-25T12:46:43.407-04:00Roman Roads Through the Mountains : Las Dehesas to Segovia<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">There really is no way to adequately
describe the beauty and perfection of today's hike from the Guaderrama
Mountains down into the UNESCO World Heritage city of Segovia. The weather was
perfect, the scenery was stunning, and the trails were amazing. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8e-dw6wPasHtaJ8wx0_E9ZRCNsV4k4VzOY72WVyEkONkrEtePfmHQNpZylyD2PI-wKTCG7JFK3hyygB3otO_QwhXUgokkh9LvXU5CiuVnPv6ahtUwTQLih0Q3wPi97_Ei3wyUxa-Ix7trOINP2xChWlRyarkQhvlaYMdnN8eXcVUziLjxQg1cCNuNEg/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8e-dw6wPasHtaJ8wx0_E9ZRCNsV4k4VzOY72WVyEkONkrEtePfmHQNpZylyD2PI-wKTCG7JFK3hyygB3otO_QwhXUgokkh9LvXU5CiuVnPv6ahtUwTQLih0Q3wPi97_Ei3wyUxa-Ix7trOINP2xChWlRyarkQhvlaYMdnN8eXcVUziLjxQg1cCNuNEg/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We were woken by the first tentative notes of a bird singing in the tall pines
outside our open window. As it grew brighter those first notes were
joined by a full chorus of birds welcoming the day, their songs familiar yet
different than those at home. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When we headed out into the deliciously cool and fresh morning the drumming of
a woodpecker echoed through the pine forest around us. We made our way
down the pavement, back to the rocky Via Romana that would lead us up to the
pass at Fuenfría, and the highest point on any of the Caminos in Spain.
The sky above us was clear and bright, but its rays had not yet crested the
surrounding peaks. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrBd1NuaUpZ696Qx4EPCnHsXVvaVCcWMJJ7QyHSC96jrTehMsHyaAszboU6aULpaqTAITo2_ADP8gVUtcBXLK2rT0VTMgnT2bqwRDSiKVGkruLMWAc9WB9ocKBKVONioF3pOcx7yrMhJPy71Y0Ny870U6_6x30aceE0En-ryBu0nhRgW3SvPU4s2wWQ/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(12).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDrBd1NuaUpZ696Qx4EPCnHsXVvaVCcWMJJ7QyHSC96jrTehMsHyaAszboU6aULpaqTAITo2_ADP8gVUtcBXLK2rT0VTMgnT2bqwRDSiKVGkruLMWAc9WB9ocKBKVONioF3pOcx7yrMhJPy71Y0Ny870U6_6x30aceE0En-ryBu0nhRgW3SvPU4s2wWQ/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(12).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7hxf6yhDhJghpvLMEat7UiS_EBDOgewOKBjW64FhHoJR7LwzWLKsHQqXG2-G4Aa2iCUn7GfFRXwhO_wT5vGlEwt6mO8sqKbgNiwCrjCeZ9pe62e0mWh4w9l5gDALMuI99snKx-WlhwZBOI2ojttTIsXd_aB6cVR0GeOMyuESPb5-uaRdAxMTSC9bFA/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7hxf6yhDhJghpvLMEat7UiS_EBDOgewOKBjW64FhHoJR7LwzWLKsHQqXG2-G4Aa2iCUn7GfFRXwhO_wT5vGlEwt6mO8sqKbgNiwCrjCeZ9pe62e0mWh4w9l5gDALMuI99snKx-WlhwZBOI2ojttTIsXd_aB6cVR0GeOMyuESPb5-uaRdAxMTSC9bFA/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(4).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGm90hwHlPBINYr_Yb44ugsnKNMJsFDBas6-L86IP8r7uUHHTi4YyQco4YwYr139IAxxrABHWb0VltPsez6hhxQO0IuwnRuJrUVL6sYeBc6lD5Ak0xjwZkM0nHSC5zMwtd9rYG7qQzCOLqyCI_H_O1JBJaAb40kfvdehHwzx3TkjiQMyIZ9IRu9jLVg/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(5.5).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGm90hwHlPBINYr_Yb44ugsnKNMJsFDBas6-L86IP8r7uUHHTi4YyQco4YwYr139IAxxrABHWb0VltPsez6hhxQO0IuwnRuJrUVL6sYeBc6lD5Ak0xjwZkM0nHSC5zMwtd9rYG7qQzCOLqyCI_H_O1JBJaAb40kfvdehHwzx3TkjiQMyIZ9IRu9jLVg/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(5.5).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjpna4rHvqmdDkFv0GW_UdoYwIyfLkkn9fMuBRYWuulel6dZkoU0nIjL9mtmVWehw9pDEXns3IerlyC88Zpom2ngfe0EkSPAwltSuqPa8DY-QmxyA4t05dSE8aCRntNWPpA9fK4L8tsR7IGAYVQE6FTC6kKpgWz_s-lzFjjWNV_PiaRSXfTEcepCl5g/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(6).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYjpna4rHvqmdDkFv0GW_UdoYwIyfLkkn9fMuBRYWuulel6dZkoU0nIjL9mtmVWehw9pDEXns3IerlyC88Zpom2ngfe0EkSPAwltSuqPa8DY-QmxyA4t05dSE8aCRntNWPpA9fK4L8tsR7IGAYVQE6FTC6kKpgWz_s-lzFjjWNV_PiaRSXfTEcepCl5g/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(6).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">A single hiker passed us as we set off into the National Park, and then we were
alone. The only sounds were the singing of the birds and the rushing of a
small stream below us on the steep slope. As we crossed a tall, curving
Roman bridge, the gentle snap of a twig behind us revealed a small dark
brown horse moving among the tree trunks in the mossy banks like a shadow in
the still, dim light. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we climbed steadily and steeply up the rocky path through the trees the sun
began to turn the mountain peaks around us to gold and the soft sky to a
brilliant blue. We paused frequently, not just to catch our breath on the
long, steep climb but also to appreciate the beauty that surrounded us on every
side in the quiet morning. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4p4z8fi2Oox5vWmpgbc81xw4JCdxQw_RBOnmMxnNHmB6ZPc1lfIhQAHxFkzFtT4h1B1-nkOrTxWr2_XQVQnuNTm6PRtbR6cRy_OG9rCaFHRyqvgLlGYmkMx9LyoQis3NHWYSvdpWKfhA9ylyvl2NVodDs__yBXhTa21b5pPXy1TSgIuvQJj7NJKalw/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(20).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV4p4z8fi2Oox5vWmpgbc81xw4JCdxQw_RBOnmMxnNHmB6ZPc1lfIhQAHxFkzFtT4h1B1-nkOrTxWr2_XQVQnuNTm6PRtbR6cRy_OG9rCaFHRyqvgLlGYmkMx9LyoQis3NHWYSvdpWKfhA9ylyvl2NVodDs__yBXhTa21b5pPXy1TSgIuvQJj7NJKalw/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(20).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Bl3yGBVj_x_u-cgbT4ERmdj__GnS5wrZOlru8SI_oQSfmzzK7e584SVoL99oPF4-Z-B7HseK4haUerlp_K5T3Ct8KK_jJk56idLKGHLIaKytgY1IKzlTeVl0A_UQW7QnBKvruUpd8OiecL6k3-HYnd1zLvSgKQC08MkTus84WpwfZ_jJzspb4ZUhAw/s4000/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(25).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Bl3yGBVj_x_u-cgbT4ERmdj__GnS5wrZOlru8SI_oQSfmzzK7e584SVoL99oPF4-Z-B7HseK4haUerlp_K5T3Ct8KK_jJk56idLKGHLIaKytgY1IKzlTeVl0A_UQW7QnBKvruUpd8OiecL6k3-HYnd1zLvSgKQC08MkTus84WpwfZ_jJzspb4ZUhAw/w300-h400/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(25).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftNLbVFB5bEa3R0jDW9Zqq52nA5HgKZvBOy8YG-0G7FGoEq_oLkM6Vd_ugFVMaIxFiJAmGyICu6i5beall8MCm_ZlCLbQGrrhb4CnSd1nzlyD6e29-ubiHLWIRSOYaqtn81_TkkZabf9gbxt6-76I5NtjMjYKyX2JSMJ3BW54WSfP08OStJd0hBorzQ/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(28).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftNLbVFB5bEa3R0jDW9Zqq52nA5HgKZvBOy8YG-0G7FGoEq_oLkM6Vd_ugFVMaIxFiJAmGyICu6i5beall8MCm_ZlCLbQGrrhb4CnSd1nzlyD6e29-ubiHLWIRSOYaqtn81_TkkZabf9gbxt6-76I5NtjMjYKyX2JSMJ3BW54WSfP08OStJd0hBorzQ/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(28).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXv12jPI138QJmKZd5jegHrMBoTIKciNneycULubdCu8s11HOEEusqiE3yhhdfITW8vs-3_io6kohCuEEL13_WYbCSAvtqAPVKJtGycquK3Nnxv3MXlON883sVe3zpQ706rai5kS8XvSZg-_4UJl78dsYLau7uBXwu4YfAo-yW-ayzu_Rn4QUWz7fxQ/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghXv12jPI138QJmKZd5jegHrMBoTIKciNneycULubdCu8s11HOEEusqiE3yhhdfITW8vs-3_io6kohCuEEL13_WYbCSAvtqAPVKJtGycquK3Nnxv3MXlON883sVe3zpQ706rai5kS8XvSZg-_4UJl78dsYLau7uBXwu4YfAo-yW-ayzu_Rn4QUWz7fxQ/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Although there are several trails meandering through the park, and at a few points
we weren't 100% sure of which direction to take, overall the trail was easy to
follow and well marked. There were a few yellow arrows painted on rocks
along the way, but mostly we followed green or white circular blazes, which
clearly marked the trail to the pass. There was also quite a bit of
informational signage along the way, complete with maps. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we approached the top we came to a switchback that seemed to be hopping with
birds of all kinds. We paused to watch and photograph them, marvelling at
the ability of one of them to seemingly pick fresh pine-cones and fly a short
distance with them in their beaks! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMEegR6RHGQot8hX7oltdN29BYoGyI2RHD5k5bI2_HWFisxJdIqZb_rkpBdEL9w5zxxR7j3WIODVO5cP8cVzB5OGjmYMwiPXU0bU81Y2dycuQSq1y63YScItKg4HjIHy-hu_nT6EAO9K_xHLt1uaP1lkYVInr04OUyX9zdmifwM9eXoGBHHAiBCZ6OA/s2822/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1884" data-original-width="2822" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcMEegR6RHGQot8hX7oltdN29BYoGyI2RHD5k5bI2_HWFisxJdIqZb_rkpBdEL9w5zxxR7j3WIODVO5cP8cVzB5OGjmYMwiPXU0bU81Y2dycuQSq1y63YScItKg4HjIHy-hu_nT6EAO9K_xHLt1uaP1lkYVInr04OUyX9zdmifwM9eXoGBHHAiBCZ6OA/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaEifCaFFN2GNyTK0ynUv9j8Li0MzdcByiam_jfQWs764Eyjb2LN0eVbGy0fwFrZ2xtfF3XajTBtMnM8S2pGjt5_Y9vxpniejVmRjmtXPoZWDMmtotiOpm12RJiLce-gAs3qW6Hy3Sr8tzHh3fxnGt3XsRhNw0eqEJrT4Tph0qN67oZoq2hcVCbjN5A/s2595/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(32).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1732" data-original-width="2595" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaEifCaFFN2GNyTK0ynUv9j8Li0MzdcByiam_jfQWs764Eyjb2LN0eVbGy0fwFrZ2xtfF3XajTBtMnM8S2pGjt5_Y9vxpniejVmRjmtXPoZWDMmtotiOpm12RJiLce-gAs3qW6Hy3Sr8tzHh3fxnGt3XsRhNw0eqEJrT4Tph0qN67oZoq2hcVCbjN5A/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(32).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSA7X8h_zE5ZMHf3M6C-LgW8yGQYKfzhBkOCr9xeQTjPWXXNEa2u6C-8ld1KYHLTY5XYl_bmnPKfcRoHlT02n3Gj78Bmo2EIlagmi26pkbtn1qMoS_E4lfvNcv5ZEoLOg7xTTm4BfvtnWZFvfr3jla2Ga7HPTjF0lwoszCAxFlqXQxXiStKvPvJFf4Q/s3697/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(34).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2468" data-original-width="3697" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTSA7X8h_zE5ZMHf3M6C-LgW8yGQYKfzhBkOCr9xeQTjPWXXNEa2u6C-8ld1KYHLTY5XYl_bmnPKfcRoHlT02n3Gj78Bmo2EIlagmi26pkbtn1qMoS_E4lfvNcv5ZEoLOg7xTTm4BfvtnWZFvfr3jla2Ga7HPTjF0lwoszCAxFlqXQxXiStKvPvJFf4Q/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(34).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnE0tSY6fWDF6p5LYw4AI7KhG2MZbgCHuRUkM5sY4Et-I_AGyFrPHeJZp0rVSZUCj2SvZAe0yXcWf8a9vaWxNIIfWhrc8nv-frV4xigEnLBLjxcpQ6e0QIdvm2xcfygh8xKdcz4738Rb3SqAAdUiofaMksBlGOW7Uzhh80_xhWLW0axvcRJ51sD0ztUw/s2149/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="2149" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnE0tSY6fWDF6p5LYw4AI7KhG2MZbgCHuRUkM5sY4Et-I_AGyFrPHeJZp0rVSZUCj2SvZAe0yXcWf8a9vaWxNIIfWhrc8nv-frV4xigEnLBLjxcpQ6e0QIdvm2xcfygh8xKdcz4738Rb3SqAAdUiofaMksBlGOW7Uzhh80_xhWLW0axvcRJ51sD0ztUw/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tQRgkGKLKewf3mL6xoU5ENiV6pvoEWS86zgVZV15jk851L5Jp7zYfAcDwtKtQCL48R7-nZV5wJP7XUa-6SzRZFqEHOx9ImEFjtEN5spAL-B8Sz17lxFw0-u2NsOdBIbxLq4g4BEOo_c7VC4RJtAQMv0FiTP4j2e_y6Ha6DUtdQQvYxvad_IsgGYViQ/s3922/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(38).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2619" data-original-width="3922" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9tQRgkGKLKewf3mL6xoU5ENiV6pvoEWS86zgVZV15jk851L5Jp7zYfAcDwtKtQCL48R7-nZV5wJP7XUa-6SzRZFqEHOx9ImEFjtEN5spAL-B8Sz17lxFw0-u2NsOdBIbxLq4g4BEOo_c7VC4RJtAQMv0FiTP4j2e_y6Ha6DUtdQQvYxvad_IsgGYViQ/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(38).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We reached the pass just before 10 am, having taken our time on the walk
up. There were a few other hikers and cyclists up there, also marvelling
at the snow covered peaks around us, and taking a moment to enjoy the
scenery. We checked out the signage, which included a plaque honouring
José Antonio Cimadevila Covel, who was the founder of the Friends of the Camino
Madrid Association, and was responsable for revitalizing this route along the
Roman road. Thank you Carlos! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When we began to make our way down from the pass we discovered there were two
routes down. We followed the first yellow arrow we came to, which took us
along a wide, level, grassy track that was very pleasant to walk on. When
we looked down the slope, we could see a second gravel path winding along below
us, which also seemed to have periodic yellow arrows on it. Both paths
arrived at the same place, so either one is a viable option. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq8M0k3en1SjmPqT6Wcm_bP5kM0kH6EzMCH_alMWvyuZQw-iraLJ3IjqnXl9cRERzgDo7DtgiE7C23XalU6rFyxK95tsjG5gBmpC96RppJFFQGpxDWQUUDUF1VstcDZwoY52PvcnIOy4l6JwhZT0fQcjXRXX9x7pEEzUCyKJ4p-Sf8q_n5wCqftVoVg/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(43).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDq8M0k3en1SjmPqT6Wcm_bP5kM0kH6EzMCH_alMWvyuZQw-iraLJ3IjqnXl9cRERzgDo7DtgiE7C23XalU6rFyxK95tsjG5gBmpC96RppJFFQGpxDWQUUDUF1VstcDZwoY52PvcnIOy4l6JwhZT0fQcjXRXX9x7pEEzUCyKJ4p-Sf8q_n5wCqftVoVg/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(43).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmukIOXens1u10RmiNOmXVlHX5x4kevoHt7KRmqfa3ScnseT3H1EVD_T-4nsLXf51-Q3MyeSl8Uf8RtO70PKlismpSw29OTTOYOr7lzQ9TcsduW8MaT3Hx206Vv-4I0LapcftAb85wCRMH0qoiKA8iNb9jy5d7RSKklFIgwyQC281rgX3jbeYRE8vAQQ/s5890/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(58).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3931" data-original-width="5890" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmukIOXens1u10RmiNOmXVlHX5x4kevoHt7KRmqfa3ScnseT3H1EVD_T-4nsLXf51-Q3MyeSl8Uf8RtO70PKlismpSw29OTTOYOr7lzQ9TcsduW8MaT3Hx206Vv-4I0LapcftAb85wCRMH0qoiKA8iNb9jy5d7RSKklFIgwyQC281rgX3jbeYRE8vAQQ/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(58).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdtyLZSrvbdFpF80xjWCJS0LB7ZZPy0cFlERbj1U7qEDlECG_U6NpxZhlKlcjTKeLqfkqemIjHeDyK7DPEkyLTYLc1No1M6Mt81DPPeENGXYPJdEAW3ZCi-oIa-ex8iwplGsb4Ym6j35zvLY_vsUCb7U_SwMRnr2Lo6UH2_r43UrnZYZpfvfXuRqXig/s4032/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(60).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRdtyLZSrvbdFpF80xjWCJS0LB7ZZPy0cFlERbj1U7qEDlECG_U6NpxZhlKlcjTKeLqfkqemIjHeDyK7DPEkyLTYLc1No1M6Mt81DPPeENGXYPJdEAW3ZCi-oIa-ex8iwplGsb4Ym6j35zvLY_vsUCb7U_SwMRnr2Lo6UH2_r43UrnZYZpfvfXuRqXig/w400-h300/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(60).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMLb_QWrfhqisR1KC8MCoF3ZDSK3zFXg1mnNz0ds9IQFwCGIhTg-oE13h4dtWkD6bGDCuuOD7NlviD8dkPfUGWSx4CON8IUQeuT4q8XfSFilrlLCRuj2H7eH5-I55Rb-E428bvKs0BOC4pjwfjP7jYLulS4eOvVfATOVLs2n4zHLvs7fuH19fWhewVQ/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(66).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMLb_QWrfhqisR1KC8MCoF3ZDSK3zFXg1mnNz0ds9IQFwCGIhTg-oE13h4dtWkD6bGDCuuOD7NlviD8dkPfUGWSx4CON8IUQeuT4q8XfSFilrlLCRuj2H7eH5-I55Rb-E428bvKs0BOC4pjwfjP7jYLulS4eOvVfATOVLs2n4zHLvs7fuH19fWhewVQ/w268-h400/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(66).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we wound our way down the mountain the sun filtered through the tall pines, dappling the forest floor with dancing light. To one side the forested
slope rose up high above us, to the other we had stunning views of the
surrounding peaks. On one of these snow covered peaks we could see ski
runs and chair lifts, but they seemed to be closed for the season. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The winding forest path took us past several small streams tumbling actively
down the mountainside. Small stone walls had been built to contain and
direct the flow, and a line of stepping stones had been laid across the trail
to allow hikers to pass without getting wet. Apparently these were places
where shepherds could bring their sheep to drink. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSz1D4Jem0FJgAfJaHv-V3ple5EMWBln7-_u-7UkZuFLDe89lVf3-X91-bjU2h7-1UQm_B9kshjD-hRs-xg2J0QUHCA-doqb6QEEDDiaXiYxNEQtOwYZfth1uxCNSic4Mr-t7RgYdYj6jhzGTkXtglUl_64yu4wRFG-amnhKus1zfu825szesrrhLAGw/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(63).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSz1D4Jem0FJgAfJaHv-V3ple5EMWBln7-_u-7UkZuFLDe89lVf3-X91-bjU2h7-1UQm_B9kshjD-hRs-xg2J0QUHCA-doqb6QEEDDiaXiYxNEQtOwYZfth1uxCNSic4Mr-t7RgYdYj6jhzGTkXtglUl_64yu4wRFG-amnhKus1zfu825szesrrhLAGw/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(63).JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3Y6I86A50WGuiuT3yp5_7AhFP3zp2sclxld2LF5rtloyojeWjComq2BAAJIZnlBFfXmKSrq02ivHgKvwVEQYY3qWb_8cEvgNbY9khVqLRTmGgqH-PY4cVV5hKozOyELqklUN4mhQ56-0jF9gBhL-GqK8J-BWboQ-gYZtf1cBv_0mK08njOvWVUI9FQ/s4032/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(72).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3Y6I86A50WGuiuT3yp5_7AhFP3zp2sclxld2LF5rtloyojeWjComq2BAAJIZnlBFfXmKSrq02ivHgKvwVEQYY3qWb_8cEvgNbY9khVqLRTmGgqH-PY4cVV5hKozOyELqklUN4mhQ56-0jF9gBhL-GqK8J-BWboQ-gYZtf1cBv_0mK08njOvWVUI9FQ/w300-h400/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(72).jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNLD_T4ZCRg13NM8GjORT_99S0dZsttvg04dkeO1uMLhWYYyUJOUTVCYEkE1dL5E0YHjfbVOb0rvmOObm63S7qUJyzRn5BsT6LZEmW4cmAp15H-G7VO_JYS92lZQRTxm44CjIBd7V84ihvj3Q7pyYUBuQ1P8N7cn2FxiSZkzRYuHv0opo48S6d3fjDyQ/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(74).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBjZuV9R4kKvOT4ueN19lK-NQ-23YHwLvBK1zUuZ4as1R-9yeykeeuShyVVs6HLHZK6QwSGfIY21dNpS8wVIfAP_QNrbvTds6wxgkAViUjB1sB9-pGp2XfLGFR4uhgs_PT1jVaA8iojs9fPfExZtzW2khkZh6IA18iKDacpcQEhmh91ZMZHNC8tMEMRw/w400-h300/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(73).jpg" width="400" /> <br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW02xlMxTv__O6upa8lSDvSgOwsLhFBVhZFknErF73ltNsUccqlW_4s7iN_IUcaalhUJylacZynQoofTagfhu-oS75519dRWFYwKvINlGq88qlkVqUZPz-WkJEpKikBKLhbG_m0QFvEqcP1hMikBoFrYxEEGzM1T2KBfRIree-bBZ-5E6nYPtuBP_4Fg/s2172/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(69).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="2172" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW02xlMxTv__O6upa8lSDvSgOwsLhFBVhZFknErF73ltNsUccqlW_4s7iN_IUcaalhUJylacZynQoofTagfhu-oS75519dRWFYwKvINlGq88qlkVqUZPz-WkJEpKikBKLhbG_m0QFvEqcP1hMikBoFrYxEEGzM1T2KBfRIree-bBZ-5E6nYPtuBP_4Fg/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(69).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div></div>We paused for a break at one of the picturesque waterfalls, enjoying the ham
and cheese sandwiches and apples the kind owners of the Casa Cirilio had packed
for us last night. As we sat there, enjoying the sunshine and sounds of
water, a tiny rusty brown wren hopped up out of the brambles at the stream's
edge, and made its way through the underbrush. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">A highlight of the descent was coming across the stone ruins of the Casa Eraso. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcShIC3LWcxnQ309fIepGENhyXotS11uctqee1-uOAKU2IFDGSWAY0r82KSBM-hxfccFOpL5jjnoEjkfgCJa4LMyUGSNfQM7ikkaZrAauMNCjpLpaghd3uK-rl32NV0GiV64G-7wArqZhJOj0i3Cm6rEwR-v4wegRidjprC3dgsYzRazuxD0q5BJYnA/s2424/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(76).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="2424" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjcShIC3LWcxnQ309fIepGENhyXotS11uctqee1-uOAKU2IFDGSWAY0r82KSBM-hxfccFOpL5jjnoEjkfgCJa4LMyUGSNfQM7ikkaZrAauMNCjpLpaghd3uK-rl32NV0GiV64G-7wArqZhJOj0i3Cm6rEwR-v4wegRidjprC3dgsYzRazuxD0q5BJYnA/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(76).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjJnlZjYz420bgO4jhggA1f5KQQaA9qQZSufGkYu_k6nJFDRr2mTTP22CwI_dBhFJnGHePedEYoU-wsoa4IcuXb4baaeA674U0N46CgObYhMjwrfrETAuElPkDzZa5xU-U73DGcPgW4ZvZZlkecB_YO8TrIkTIdNZhyroK68bdhgnGNyi_-pvoR6mzQ/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(80).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTjJnlZjYz420bgO4jhggA1f5KQQaA9qQZSufGkYu_k6nJFDRr2mTTP22CwI_dBhFJnGHePedEYoU-wsoa4IcuXb4baaeA674U0N46CgObYhMjwrfrETAuElPkDzZa5xU-U73DGcPgW4ZvZZlkecB_YO8TrIkTIdNZhyroK68bdhgnGNyi_-pvoR6mzQ/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(80).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21hgZJiJCHu5D0Gvt_8Vhn7Lk2bIqeTF6KbNl4Dmlc-F4YiQA61tQPO9kv4Fswwcp7Cu8Sw93bHp_-Mol1uJRWlfN6sk14L3UjV74EXuFoJdnGaVIjJG5NPViNciwgQ4pyGOnfcOLLy1SPUVTbHPNAg-J7GSvAljuHXMy17Lp3EE5kCZ_2tzYvXDJTA/s4032/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(82).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Yb6XSHe32cSB7CHDTE5HzSiT3t3OKoaYgZHzarzbA1Cj3EuOtfo2V_KJTu0ZKpq94GKYNmqZSd_sQJQefMjYyqRrUweKS4188d01lpGHbRG6nZEAlB0JGht2H22-gxAM_f9wGt3dp66RzSixLFG53ZtaVadd2zNZqXqkM16aDrDI2UfgsApPYvOv5w/s4032/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(81).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3Yb6XSHe32cSB7CHDTE5HzSiT3t3OKoaYgZHzarzbA1Cj3EuOtfo2V_KJTu0ZKpq94GKYNmqZSd_sQJQefMjYyqRrUweKS4188d01lpGHbRG6nZEAlB0JGht2H22-gxAM_f9wGt3dp66RzSixLFG53ZtaVadd2zNZqXqkM16aDrDI2UfgsApPYvOv5w/w240-h320/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(81).jpg" width="240" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21hgZJiJCHu5D0Gvt_8Vhn7Lk2bIqeTF6KbNl4Dmlc-F4YiQA61tQPO9kv4Fswwcp7Cu8Sw93bHp_-Mol1uJRWlfN6sk14L3UjV74EXuFoJdnGaVIjJG5NPViNciwgQ4pyGOnfcOLLy1SPUVTbHPNAg-J7GSvAljuHXMy17Lp3EE5kCZ_2tzYvXDJTA/s320/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(82).jpg" width="240" /></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Apparently it is one of several holiday homes located in the pine forests of
Valsain that were used by the Kings of Segovia. We could still make ou
tthe individual rooms among the sun soaked stone walls that werecbeginning to
disappear below the grassy slopes and trees, and there was still a magnificent
gate with intricate metalwork present. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we continued down the mountainside, passing the Queen's fountain along the
way, we began to see more hikers and cyclists, most of them headed up the
slope. Eventually we came to a logged area, and then through the trees we
got our first glimpse of the red roofs of Segovia and the seemingly endless
fields beyond stretching out below us. What an amazing view! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbd7QwfpxhOxffjgTFRvAmDPH5UbOnrnGLTr3kP9Kl72fYSrqiCDrh-cl0d-fFc1QOhogh_nRH07ewh4yYLKmHqEyGyDhflkoIA7PnTECvaOzQZGfuZKj7wH_dTgcqHk7bC44Qy_jo3XPHGibakujApci5ZdzZDL1V4r8KcGUdRFkczVTmTiplFaqEw/s4032/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(88).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbbd7QwfpxhOxffjgTFRvAmDPH5UbOnrnGLTr3kP9Kl72fYSrqiCDrh-cl0d-fFc1QOhogh_nRH07ewh4yYLKmHqEyGyDhflkoIA7PnTECvaOzQZGfuZKj7wH_dTgcqHk7bC44Qy_jo3XPHGibakujApci5ZdzZDL1V4r8KcGUdRFkczVTmTiplFaqEw/w400-h300/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(88).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjagIYhpNQhKVDSOScllWLaJGNw6eMZ2L1UPfXxuYPlt1c5p_y2LwUKlhoeGOxWgTizqoZxMT7E09JeWneQ5314ldg-GQ1Vf9sI8ukJ0E5k52MZiMJmaWVkKP-hJOFh3S0v7qP-lu5rFXsFRHquqz4_ZAY3zgu6agSFIloIAzCVwHMt_sEprIJAXxCog/s2375/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(99).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1585" data-original-width="2375" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjagIYhpNQhKVDSOScllWLaJGNw6eMZ2L1UPfXxuYPlt1c5p_y2LwUKlhoeGOxWgTizqoZxMT7E09JeWneQ5314ldg-GQ1Vf9sI8ukJ0E5k52MZiMJmaWVkKP-hJOFh3S0v7qP-lu5rFXsFRHquqz4_ZAY3zgu6agSFIloIAzCVwHMt_sEprIJAXxCog/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(99).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuflFfmElt5dJt_rqSKHXHGXMJhjwqjSeKiJWGcX1vR40hv93wtHbDP4k39GHHvGkGEZJRZg_FT6A-Sk8h6pqTkaTtJHAOSIBKskAVy51LJW5QEI13umZPnnrtOpt40yYttUV4uq7oVENmyhaIcicjc4A9GHtekhPNpmfTofdoVedL00UtjuBBtWg-LQ/s1610/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(100).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1610" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuflFfmElt5dJt_rqSKHXHGXMJhjwqjSeKiJWGcX1vR40hv93wtHbDP4k39GHHvGkGEZJRZg_FT6A-Sk8h6pqTkaTtJHAOSIBKskAVy51LJW5QEI13umZPnnrtOpt40yYttUV4uq7oVENmyhaIcicjc4A9GHtekhPNpmfTofdoVedL00UtjuBBtWg-LQ/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(100).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbug8Z1Vjy1_9oXw5KKuVqgUy3uxXES7mNHNT6VS2Q2Qme5qt6c2IrWfdrA-o7mp2wNKT5Wvk0qHj72X4RWoOyNxqXD8ovtYIiK8yHRkGQs0spi2UjGrY8k2kWuQQOGvVcf04LEjwlPZNzsNnPB0oR2kpnXNjQ7oCKgnkEE8UYt8V-OKepbCsG9opB1A/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(103).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbug8Z1Vjy1_9oXw5KKuVqgUy3uxXES7mNHNT6VS2Q2Qme5qt6c2IrWfdrA-o7mp2wNKT5Wvk0qHj72X4RWoOyNxqXD8ovtYIiK8yHRkGQs0spi2UjGrY8k2kWuQQOGvVcf04LEjwlPZNzsNnPB0oR2kpnXNjQ7oCKgnkEE8UYt8V-OKepbCsG9opB1A/w268-h400/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(103).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz31wG_90ecCXZDrHBPqZT-CIe-qDxljJvZj0ILK03Ad1jhMvQkkKTolwT-snWJz5bGRw5KbZUkUG97ApMlT_ab3Lm2LwXX9BdWW-lq4sKbbFzjLxTh9Tf_bLQd41IkaRfeZbePar_ZHuFl5V2WM7GZktlhXUGGVGB6Sw-MW3J66cj9fu6GGc0vBolg/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(105).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitz31wG_90ecCXZDrHBPqZT-CIe-qDxljJvZj0ILK03Ad1jhMvQkkKTolwT-snWJz5bGRw5KbZUkUG97ApMlT_ab3Lm2LwXX9BdWW-lq4sKbbFzjLxTh9Tf_bLQd41IkaRfeZbePar_ZHuFl5V2WM7GZktlhXUGGVGB6Sw-MW3J66cj9fu6GGc0vBolg/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(105).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">When we neared the bottom of the mountain the trees gave way to open
fields. From a distance we spotted a kettle of vultures circling in the
clear blue sky, and we realized they were soaring above an enclosure with many
bleached white bones, and the carcasses of several cows scattered throughout
the field. We can only guess this was part of a research project.
Simultaneously gross and cool! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s-S1GmXMTfXskasM-gfomb25guM7fsVjHmFyLUw16cW35PfDwr2413pktAgyohBZqCJ8Vf7pYSHyssVnkX8mIDukKcMebQqt4kFX-bliJskXILlXegD-odfBtqRcXQ0dONiLv2sUxmZAz_43uZEeMZoqJTsIB5dPPO6gvsvA8TMbvN26jJwIYRgveg/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(108).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2s-S1GmXMTfXskasM-gfomb25guM7fsVjHmFyLUw16cW35PfDwr2413pktAgyohBZqCJ8Vf7pYSHyssVnkX8mIDukKcMebQqt4kFX-bliJskXILlXegD-odfBtqRcXQ0dONiLv2sUxmZAz_43uZEeMZoqJTsIB5dPPO6gvsvA8TMbvN26jJwIYRgveg/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(108).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmKajHj2b62soy2lu-vuOlwZ2b5CH4rphVPjkkAxouzKavpyIv2i0EixD5qsn03_oG0MhPdYvQ1EajVXj06XnuqtG7GEmCasrdwx_vLy3tmCJErFw_YBmIQ_wju3XfHQR5SuUTw_4Z1WOjQ_yAuMYOUx-iMPydJl-qCR1DmRw6NSy8OI0b2wSTWBebA/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(109).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnmKajHj2b62soy2lu-vuOlwZ2b5CH4rphVPjkkAxouzKavpyIv2i0EixD5qsn03_oG0MhPdYvQ1EajVXj06XnuqtG7GEmCasrdwx_vLy3tmCJErFw_YBmIQ_wju3XfHQR5SuUTw_4Z1WOjQ_yAuMYOUx-iMPydJl-qCR1DmRw6NSy8OI0b2wSTWBebA/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(109).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJOEHsvTcd3ju-e_ZvxexBQNbjJlbzN9DvJQbyMX7dYhxkLaAhLcgwwN3ixgQpNitFtvmhSwcqzvGMbxshQlWtbdLw2zRzoND7e_bmtUXZbsmQaGGrPKGxQZ-oAj3nItCNlsj4zET7kzY6aUbroiChas5wFpURqG27ZOPWF_FfUgwOxvKv21QWeak8Q/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(116).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJOEHsvTcd3ju-e_ZvxexBQNbjJlbzN9DvJQbyMX7dYhxkLaAhLcgwwN3ixgQpNitFtvmhSwcqzvGMbxshQlWtbdLw2zRzoND7e_bmtUXZbsmQaGGrPKGxQZ-oAj3nItCNlsj4zET7kzY6aUbroiChas5wFpURqG27ZOPWF_FfUgwOxvKv21QWeak8Q/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(116).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rsra71nVkd1W4FtYZDtkqCkuKhLk1gDbuNaimG5CprVcj89mrf2SjRNOZDcsLuoxXfOtKHRSX8e79VO5ChjWxtbuSfGrJ2GOIRApkkdNzAGUVtZ3_WKaWl3GthKHtSrybuO9yCbFjldTBAxK4yBak78-IdV_jqCZuTTAU1pqF7Ms0Z4fugDdHDwtoA/s6736/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(117).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2768" data-original-width="6736" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rsra71nVkd1W4FtYZDtkqCkuKhLk1gDbuNaimG5CprVcj89mrf2SjRNOZDcsLuoxXfOtKHRSX8e79VO5ChjWxtbuSfGrJ2GOIRApkkdNzAGUVtZ3_WKaWl3GthKHtSrybuO9yCbFjldTBAxK4yBak78-IdV_jqCZuTTAU1pqF7Ms0Z4fugDdHDwtoA/w640-h262/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(117).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">As we continued down the slope we heard some loud calls coming from across the
grassy valley. It took us a minute before Sean realized they were
frogs! There was a tiny pond protected by a wooden fence down below us,
and when we diverted over to it, sure enough, it was filled with large, green
frogs! </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU1HZgtXOsu_dm7qVx65yTklDh4lfaPGItmEoui5lkI1YyhkWuFr6wa1t4mBoeJ4uKuBTbqdF0fpRvusSpjRTdEP8-ngASQj14LXA1S8ddJ13hQmYajn0djtZc9LztrmC-04qwrjZpGc6i6_fyU_-Le6KdaepEJcWpltdaoBwPqxBXyCu40mUp7HjBw/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(123).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU1HZgtXOsu_dm7qVx65yTklDh4lfaPGItmEoui5lkI1YyhkWuFr6wa1t4mBoeJ4uKuBTbqdF0fpRvusSpjRTdEP8-ngASQj14LXA1S8ddJ13hQmYajn0djtZc9LztrmC-04qwrjZpGc6i6_fyU_-Le6KdaepEJcWpltdaoBwPqxBXyCu40mUp7HjBw/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(123).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Kgmu4EWp-Xyt9amzRRGU4FvkllVBl0e85IFT03InPzkuUryIUaLICB27HGs4q_xIjuv9vl8i9GZc-1mfhiWhpXGHmBphED2bP98Vnh2VYh6FxP5utB3hqGBDuO8wpo8mKYG7Yr4gUnR1ssIgBdud-jIrUVzyGnbF37G6uMeTQEyBWghe48zNuLwmEw/s2389/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(119).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="2389" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3Kgmu4EWp-Xyt9amzRRGU4FvkllVBl0e85IFT03InPzkuUryIUaLICB27HGs4q_xIjuv9vl8i9GZc-1mfhiWhpXGHmBphED2bP98Vnh2VYh6FxP5utB3hqGBDuO8wpo8mKYG7Yr4gUnR1ssIgBdud-jIrUVzyGnbF37G6uMeTQEyBWghe48zNuLwmEw/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(119).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oNhHJa0Xk7Th47wli8j6AoMH9zD_0B7sz2EtCyLgyXwpz8O771LYzGilf_pKurfZKQCMVbYMBuH1EBXTWE33R4xFzLxOr0X2QpaAlDn2B7es_S-CY3kF2ZG-dqXEw5bVB-q96oJWHNHaQOuBSb1ykFrWIBouCJA5eJj6UfSK0Rw8OE4lXS99LR1s2w/s2211/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(120).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1476" data-original-width="2211" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oNhHJa0Xk7Th47wli8j6AoMH9zD_0B7sz2EtCyLgyXwpz8O771LYzGilf_pKurfZKQCMVbYMBuH1EBXTWE33R4xFzLxOr0X2QpaAlDn2B7es_S-CY3kF2ZG-dqXEw5bVB-q96oJWHNHaQOuBSb1ykFrWIBouCJA5eJj6UfSK0Rw8OE4lXS99LR1s2w/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(120).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ4yS7uPPv8EGWxqPVQi3acNOK3c6Ac7C5v7GejtCH8L35XE65-RiEaro4Ue1NP_k0haB4WqT-tpsSfaJp66VQbDjcdhu0RQXmhG3LhP0ahTRurbUK9YAXOSHzd6FRq1AeN4Fv-uv3e2gw-mD6tjXBIa3ekp_cEEe-69CfSF4J5ew7H6JrN4rH8MydQ/s1903/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(121).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1271" data-original-width="1903" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkJ4yS7uPPv8EGWxqPVQi3acNOK3c6Ac7C5v7GejtCH8L35XE65-RiEaro4Ue1NP_k0haB4WqT-tpsSfaJp66VQbDjcdhu0RQXmhG3LhP0ahTRurbUK9YAXOSHzd6FRq1AeN4Fv-uv3e2gw-mD6tjXBIa3ekp_cEEe-69CfSF4J5ew7H6JrN4rH8MydQ/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(121).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA"> </span></div>We made our way back to the Camino, which was a narrow dirt footpath that
threaded through the grassy fields. We descended on this path for quite a
long time, watching as the town of Segovia grew slowly closer. This
section also took us a long time to walk, because we were constantly distracted
by the amazing views of the mountains behind us, and the beautiful cityscape
below us. <p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuaU2w6EVlO7eL-1BAVmgUsaRrWnLi16dWl3PEqXO9SF6Lg4RDykNcH4yWHtUBDwJiughm1nbY99jccVCe2JxwCX0ZstlR6pElYIU5SX5_718u7tFCw2sbAJZzvaXqqBPanOsD7BA9bOZ7ElxpcnlOMpXjgh62cP1e05hdfCuYid8Gm1yq9i3rCYPZw/s4032/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(128).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuaU2w6EVlO7eL-1BAVmgUsaRrWnLi16dWl3PEqXO9SF6Lg4RDykNcH4yWHtUBDwJiughm1nbY99jccVCe2JxwCX0ZstlR6pElYIU5SX5_718u7tFCw2sbAJZzvaXqqBPanOsD7BA9bOZ7ElxpcnlOMpXjgh62cP1e05hdfCuYid8Gm1yq9i3rCYPZw/w400-h300/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(128).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCckHxN4dbB0f9Enj1cyMPlX4AnXe0YTX80GkPtQ6NupTUmzDpuEeP6qvr-PZ2sUjoA2pynNMDMkSL3YwLJUIq0Uy3uhfSQJuOfh5TrRYTabZn5rgyNhuBaiiycBWYgP1U_C6ifTieba3Lx04kJAXrN1hEpye0TRKYWf0EWhCqy0I4DueOUNwmplpnkg/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(129).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCckHxN4dbB0f9Enj1cyMPlX4AnXe0YTX80GkPtQ6NupTUmzDpuEeP6qvr-PZ2sUjoA2pynNMDMkSL3YwLJUIq0Uy3uhfSQJuOfh5TrRYTabZn5rgyNhuBaiiycBWYgP1U_C6ifTieba3Lx04kJAXrN1hEpye0TRKYWf0EWhCqy0I4DueOUNwmplpnkg/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(129).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGza9-UUVKPHTxd6hZrsp_aNuVhqOM5i8-Bu9iJQcoqLV16InC5QP0YtIscTJ-nQVWkrOk2IobJ29yfSyRvyjVMfbORm4m1UX7pH_VChU_sCSaBk_Oe_jaHEVfxhR3sah-_u6FG7PklJgLPUEBAltpLF8Gbp1LL1OpKv4L9rQFLuaXe-3AjZNHq3nZ2A/s5038/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(132).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5038" data-original-width="3364" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGza9-UUVKPHTxd6hZrsp_aNuVhqOM5i8-Bu9iJQcoqLV16InC5QP0YtIscTJ-nQVWkrOk2IobJ29yfSyRvyjVMfbORm4m1UX7pH_VChU_sCSaBk_Oe_jaHEVfxhR3sah-_u6FG7PklJgLPUEBAltpLF8Gbp1LL1OpKv4L9rQFLuaXe-3AjZNHq3nZ2A/w268-h400/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(132).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8SGmxGVjUKMVLILx6_flboQssHJWUGSaM68rXX_-iJGonhMVByfdjXibYRzlMVnf6xbfSLewIxsE8aEZ13rQmULVOwqijBZQY4u1DI_eKZVn_Zivp-0-UWJ6Vj0IlZ-ecM0IsNSdMHf5GkJ-A4kozcsnCwba38x9EfR-CLYEORDNfqdQJjyXufdaLg/s4032/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(135).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr8SGmxGVjUKMVLILx6_flboQssHJWUGSaM68rXX_-iJGonhMVByfdjXibYRzlMVnf6xbfSLewIxsE8aEZ13rQmULVOwqijBZQY4u1DI_eKZVn_Zivp-0-UWJ6Vj0IlZ-ecM0IsNSdMHf5GkJ-A4kozcsnCwba38x9EfR-CLYEORDNfqdQJjyXufdaLg/w400-h300/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(135).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-CRTlXFMc7eUmV71aZmTRFDnURtBBnQOd-6UtwMWFfALive8MJ__RES3a4FM-ob4WlEgsb1s5xpvYLKljviz3JFKMaANxEH1PV2oFm-2SrZ6lP3FujUmSTjuoaacgDFdfVhSn9LVHQVHYwMPJUzKeVgGE7C-OPbXdjvPFmeZPLF07z6_hziA-1uQZw/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(141).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-CRTlXFMc7eUmV71aZmTRFDnURtBBnQOd-6UtwMWFfALive8MJ__RES3a4FM-ob4WlEgsb1s5xpvYLKljviz3JFKMaANxEH1PV2oFm-2SrZ6lP3FujUmSTjuoaacgDFdfVhSn9LVHQVHYwMPJUzKeVgGE7C-OPbXdjvPFmeZPLF07z6_hziA-1uQZw/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(141).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Eventually the trail levelled off and we found ourselves following the dirt
track past a military zone, across a road, through farmers' fields, under the
highway, and through more fields. A farmer was moving a flock of sheep from one
pasture to another while the sheepdog rolled on its back in the grass, looking
decidedly like it was shirking its duties. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLKtFuZSEQyhDUYe4t-vbR6T_Y0fDe27mEaDCZHO98D_8A5bTRYinFm5S58xQ6up_nEIQ1PRqQBdCxRLguJLoOE39R8fmXjHsrPxYQOax2CVDvjjQqA1esQXvDU0IvwGKgkP20PIi2OO4B4mqanXKVn_5w68-Uff9Bf5yaF2NZbdVpigQVUdASAtt8A/s3422/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(144).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2285" data-original-width="3422" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLKtFuZSEQyhDUYe4t-vbR6T_Y0fDe27mEaDCZHO98D_8A5bTRYinFm5S58xQ6up_nEIQ1PRqQBdCxRLguJLoOE39R8fmXjHsrPxYQOax2CVDvjjQqA1esQXvDU0IvwGKgkP20PIi2OO4B4mqanXKVn_5w68-Uff9Bf5yaF2NZbdVpigQVUdASAtt8A/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(144).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRU8uuPJGwTWmX52oSu_szSvGmJ37FPRZQ_Jp8K2zx501xFeuxrvVDBQYYOIY-FrVV9peXbMZ9RJsu9Y7dvKQyLA1X4mLg8RSDFTQMoDHVjkbYJoixg2jNGmSzku3irWWE8Vp8lTmexnuTZthcejWWsYJZuPElEOTNH5R1TmWyFDmXa0Yt4LUTvc86g/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(145).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2148" data-original-width="3218" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJsNjTxCnr-OmjKyxVSaAu2AORu_lfLYUwBJVoNxigJVmJjri0fp0QAYtvmdt9EJ1wzzz9rpEj8DbmCbMFpjNXPPPTw6gNSKJB5CWmVjrMyNJKhbeOCUrdTkLA8f9O2Pv23u9-8P3yyqyO5K5f5J-G0uF1slXhbSdBdWRVu7y7h4indVCsB1VWuuE4Dg/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(153).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOyGaq7SM26If8pN5_oi1LbvXXlFIhMo8BCrXeAspSmakXHm0fOd09ZHAa1cPepNbsMM5nituSmDib9ddZDy36PCdkte6qjHGExvrJF-8nRqilGy6rUG81xCcMxFlyQefzxoseepMAhaZgJXatN6HfU9h1XhSUvU9HWRulWOkFrEet0wFmOPxzhQ10w/s1297/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(154).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="867" data-original-width="1297" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOyGaq7SM26If8pN5_oi1LbvXXlFIhMo8BCrXeAspSmakXHm0fOd09ZHAa1cPepNbsMM5nituSmDib9ddZDy36PCdkte6qjHGExvrJF-8nRqilGy6rUG81xCcMxFlyQefzxoseepMAhaZgJXatN6HfU9h1XhSUvU9HWRulWOkFrEet0wFmOPxzhQ10w/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(154).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">A group of three horses and a
foal came up to the fence to see if we had any treats to offer them. The
sun was very bright and hot, but the fields were full of birds once
again. It seemed like the day never stopped providing new and interesting
distractions. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">Finally we arrived at the outskirts of Segovia, and followed the signs into
town. Since this is Easter weekend almost everything was booked solid, at
special Easter prices, so we ended up at a hotel in the newer part of town,
about 10 minutes from the famous aqueduct. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dJgl8VQMuE-7JpuNzkf8NRN9bAyLYUhOzppTY5ftxNafEHbTfhOrkRbDMfnjPKCTfkDSbYQ8E9KlD9pmchn7O7U_z-2uKvZPzl4MdbW35W6HBGJYK-1qwAd48auDoRUELmXzfNYiu6GriwImVhNFuW_9nbKYLWuDHsW_1v_2YWsZ-B3Mid9TVka8OA/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(156).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5dJgl8VQMuE-7JpuNzkf8NRN9bAyLYUhOzppTY5ftxNafEHbTfhOrkRbDMfnjPKCTfkDSbYQ8E9KlD9pmchn7O7U_z-2uKvZPzl4MdbW35W6HBGJYK-1qwAd48auDoRUELmXzfNYiu6GriwImVhNFuW_9nbKYLWuDHsW_1v_2YWsZ-B3Mid9TVka8OA/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(156).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc7VebY9vMg09GG3p5KIyGM8dDl8yqDaJfby_J5aFCTOtnvB5RGeeuRtoi5mw73L8VLAfgPgtDJ1SWJODyX9pwt_OKmm6jQnU10ERlzBZ5y9VHEGCRJiUHhExGVme30Zy623y0TylTcnl6c1JITgm13YRDHNasQQjYm5P2jcmGL4efh0XQ_daqgArrCQ/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(159).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF171wrUE4OU3g5qOrPYJS6xtevYyde2-tUtlCS1GDQb6gzVLNst9-_0Ku3_dIaYYQHdCpVvJSVceiRXp8gqfElCcfePvzJgQhxfY-AkJKZnM4SZ3LZJN4etyzRmTzWannyaFENEAziUnEHv5HB5EZ3ClaRQoghoyuZGP0rMS3S6hhJD5vX9goexFTrA/s2755/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(163).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1840" data-original-width="2755" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF171wrUE4OU3g5qOrPYJS6xtevYyde2-tUtlCS1GDQb6gzVLNst9-_0Ku3_dIaYYQHdCpVvJSVceiRXp8gqfElCcfePvzJgQhxfY-AkJKZnM4SZ3LZJN4etyzRmTzWannyaFENEAziUnEHv5HB5EZ3ClaRQoghoyuZGP0rMS3S6hhJD5vX9goexFTrA/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(163).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkj8uvsEdgyuwuNGGOX3_aEp2LaGwIp9nuerpd0zjgNJsUqxxbaQStilApqy80izH7OLW6T_ZtcePLf64Xf5flY2JB_CfVv0zjh6GZ-5AX8XzQ1Zv5iW8mmPrSJhdiHVpdIC9tksNXe7Ssy65JcyLNHxKTrCfjn4tC59vGenJRHFWf5qJyKwxF55Uciw/s3703/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(164).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXaIu29RdcCHkOsBudZK7q4gs9ETKrmvkheyHBYoeSsU_MfPhYGxaBF2GHlT2rrYEL7CRQp_7fwuxNF8gh9fM__WXTar5EFsglsuNNcwVc9IsaQF2VZteTFlnrCpOvPwkwvtgs4uvR3Ht71cw59-P6khwl9umJYb-MfQPchRHfhsWY1TLlYDpaBhYxg/s6016/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(171).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2541" data-original-width="6016" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXaIu29RdcCHkOsBudZK7q4gs9ETKrmvkheyHBYoeSsU_MfPhYGxaBF2GHlT2rrYEL7CRQp_7fwuxNF8gh9fM__WXTar5EFsglsuNNcwVc9IsaQF2VZteTFlnrCpOvPwkwvtgs4uvR3Ht71cw59-P6khwl9umJYb-MfQPchRHfhsWY1TLlYDpaBhYxg/w640-h270/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(171).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wDJzG--8seCnqAPEKD_UpJ0RbWdaG3LyP0AiFDiGmCHMYKchkot1fDUwnCsQ1T9x3OTogh8pUdVejzU2rtwigq0Dwi_oUJJW-oPv9TngDvj78scz8sweUEJEYdYm-3XbjyUkn02CvD2AB7ua8_9yZrDzfBW-GKfvrtoqjkqcjiUev9pYCVlxbZZ2lA/s2880/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(175).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1923" data-original-width="2880" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wDJzG--8seCnqAPEKD_UpJ0RbWdaG3LyP0AiFDiGmCHMYKchkot1fDUwnCsQ1T9x3OTogh8pUdVejzU2rtwigq0Dwi_oUJJW-oPv9TngDvj78scz8sweUEJEYdYm-3XbjyUkn02CvD2AB7ua8_9yZrDzfBW-GKfvrtoqjkqcjiUev9pYCVlxbZZ2lA/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(175).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tuGrWo1VOxNV4QAVZAwTPQEo6FlVtPELVmTmV7r6u8JufZQ9JIgAskgI3hlAm51aTIJR_pEFxZMtAmKALX0-ELTHhdNhR4aKGaY9YObId6evFvE95PKprPRiauOSx5VmK619Rblcbej6lGcz5sEmREdTmw_pMtv0I3uFjje8OIjbahhiddFWaWIpmw/s1715/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(177).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1715" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5tuGrWo1VOxNV4QAVZAwTPQEo6FlVtPELVmTmV7r6u8JufZQ9JIgAskgI3hlAm51aTIJR_pEFxZMtAmKALX0-ELTHhdNhR4aKGaY9YObId6evFvE95PKprPRiauOSx5VmK619Rblcbej6lGcz5sEmREdTmw_pMtv0I3uFjje8OIjbahhiddFWaWIpmw/w400-h268/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(177).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">We were hot, extremely sun burned, and hungry so we decided to leave our
explorations of this ancient city until tomorrow, and settled for taking
showers and heading to the grocery store across the street to purchase some
salads, baguettes, cheese, and avocados for dinner. <br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">It is now midnight, and we are still working hard on editing photos and writing
the blog, as the cathedral bells ring out, calling everyone out to midnight
mass. It has been a long day, but one filled with many blessings here
on the Camino. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX1C8QTgad1bzkrirAvX9UFc88gVfjIKY-DqG2pv-4FAHKxBKFzco8Cudc1Q4etub0QEomG69UT4YGtSKKFD2UF2Zm0H_8hr6tHc16BttZURRMtNr977Pl1KsyH17E5B5iHW4kttLPvglOb5KSM3hI9BiVeBdTQNXa2zEh_kQaeuB0oW5qkDWYn1x9w/s4608/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(178).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3076" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUX1C8QTgad1bzkrirAvX9UFc88gVfjIKY-DqG2pv-4FAHKxBKFzco8Cudc1Q4etub0QEomG69UT4YGtSKKFD2UF2Zm0H_8hr6tHc16BttZURRMtNr977Pl1KsyH17E5B5iHW4kttLPvglOb5KSM3hI9BiVeBdTQNXa2zEh_kQaeuB0oW5qkDWYn1x9w/w268-h400/Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Segovia%20to%20Blog%20(178).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><span lang="EN-CA">
<b><br />
Distance: 30.1 km<br />
Accommodations: Los Arcos Hotel</b></span><br /><b><span lang="EN-CA"><br /></span></b><p></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com0Segovia, Spain40.9429032 -4.108806899999999412.632669363821158 -39.2650569 69.253137036178856 31.047443100000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-29398936979940451922022-04-15T16:23:00.126-04:002022-06-25T12:46:32.691-04:00Blessings of the Camino : Manzanares el Real to Las Dehesas<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">We woke up to the sounds of a large flock
of swallows outside our open window shortly after it got light outside.
The other inhabitants of our dorm soon began to stir, and by around 7:30 am we
were packed up and ready to head out. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUnWUVk4qjhOcD-t13ntB9rU1SG6VbwX8mebek279HG8G6YmPEpjq6lcUdSPRXkXq8s_ERDK7WFDphDpsCYiX7p1XQEC6aQC-Ne7C91tgQ3pmptgOude76_Ud0J9q0F2wU6QWV_fBnEgQoNu4Z1kkS21gNpDeYvLIJp4D5L8FavUSBC0Sq-PwVai5Hg/s4032/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiUnWUVk4qjhOcD-t13ntB9rU1SG6VbwX8mebek279HG8G6YmPEpjq6lcUdSPRXkXq8s_ERDK7WFDphDpsCYiX7p1XQEC6aQC-Ne7C91tgQ3pmptgOude76_Ud0J9q0F2wU6QWV_fBnEgQoNu4Z1kkS21gNpDeYvLIJp4D5L8FavUSBC0Sq-PwVai5Hg/w400-h300/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(4).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Leaving our full packs behind, we
walked towards the church and the center of town, following the delicious
smells coming from the local panaderia. We were soon sitting at a wooden
table in a warm brick bakery, enjoying café con leches and napolitanas with the
locals and a few climbers. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6EGDGsXw1jv_p7nWg9avgAgIRuWil7mhCTYIbJbViOePLqdArI4_FweR_6QvaMtdiEwyyRliNQyvZFPCisD8BK_-lGUH2B3FLBxDsilmaLcM2Myk-NDuJKUXvf5lcfeDbzWM4eYCzrIYX6S1cF14mDUXut_iiop3fczCo_5JEBXIr5oUlouPEbFyUA/s4032/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(8).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6EGDGsXw1jv_p7nWg9avgAgIRuWil7mhCTYIbJbViOePLqdArI4_FweR_6QvaMtdiEwyyRliNQyvZFPCisD8BK_-lGUH2B3FLBxDsilmaLcM2Myk-NDuJKUXvf5lcfeDbzWM4eYCzrIYX6S1cF14mDUXut_iiop3fczCo_5JEBXIr5oUlouPEbFyUA/w400-h300/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(8).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuJz9N5x5fJCxtGWb-GmjP4Ytym7Ta4VfSlZGiDz1zt73sZI_ou7tR5uHQCMgMspN6lBjJwDRZ9mhmGtI4-Y5r2N_iEUtELo8kfXKrOngHt8FgzLx3PL86ueqAzka06Zq_PE8KWjd-zl14qljWR9tjQ5DvW8_DBk6YOdIfcBfEkekhShMAR2fJ_GdwQ/s3662/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2747" data-original-width="3662" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuJz9N5x5fJCxtGWb-GmjP4Ytym7Ta4VfSlZGiDz1zt73sZI_ou7tR5uHQCMgMspN6lBjJwDRZ9mhmGtI4-Y5r2N_iEUtELo8kfXKrOngHt8FgzLx3PL86ueqAzka06Zq_PE8KWjd-zl14qljWR9tjQ5DvW8_DBk6YOdIfcBfEkekhShMAR2fJ_GdwQ/w400-h300/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(1).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Thus fortified for the first stage of our walk, we took a short tour through
town, circling around the base of the castle, with its tall rounded turrets of
striped brick, and its fences made of woven branches and sturdy sticks.
It was a beautiful sight, lit by the early morning sun. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJi0ysaMm29dcFaXHryUP3TQhltjhGGeQF1idR_XOJgqWaFRBEkaqxoOhnpK0hUFhMwJwL8rXb8UDQX8w-k21xJkcGVfu2v9bnTqH_EaU-d04UcJzP2yWbTQ0UI48cFcj8j80kiEUu6rIlgRLvLJzwsod7LMy61_uwe-q7PP1-3mWiU6l7es7tz4Xs2Q/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(12).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJi0ysaMm29dcFaXHryUP3TQhltjhGGeQF1idR_XOJgqWaFRBEkaqxoOhnpK0hUFhMwJwL8rXb8UDQX8w-k21xJkcGVfu2v9bnTqH_EaU-d04UcJzP2yWbTQ0UI48cFcj8j80kiEUu6rIlgRLvLJzwsod7LMy61_uwe-q7PP1-3mWiU6l7es7tz4Xs2Q/s320/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(12).JPG" width="214" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="3056" data-original-width="2260" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgbAjvVPjujzvSmS443gGTr2B6bkC6TK6liGBZaF0NGNXUF7MvyecGUqZtqyAvgPMkmTxRO7T80KPsTrWvtZfi3HGgEWIjxZ5FHJVEnqTm5KDZXVCG5Ui4F-S19Djed7j3Szo6cINjxQNWgBwlEmttnkuAwaVGT7NBbqOdMyk77prF2lLo8OIaFQJ3Q/s320/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(7).jpg" width="237" /></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxpPsEekNjgA1CJG6TOxNYr363J4QIJ4qDQpL4p1GZFTu3lflFzQPilLqCdoKvDVsXu92kr1lmqeSSqf_1bj-MOxXXcRrXbFAB3VOYz7ag9Y7SezcKtNytNm4SisHzaJnJLy2OtLafdmNB6AB_CFBa2GUfXNComtAMtR8oxWWohpXPa4UOWMN4jhN-w/s3823/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(9).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2552" data-original-width="3823" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxpPsEekNjgA1CJG6TOxNYr363J4QIJ4qDQpL4p1GZFTu3lflFzQPilLqCdoKvDVsXu92kr1lmqeSSqf_1bj-MOxXXcRrXbFAB3VOYz7ag9Y7SezcKtNytNm4SisHzaJnJLy2OtLafdmNB6AB_CFBa2GUfXNComtAMtR8oxWWohpXPa4UOWMN4jhN-w/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(9).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqwWG_Vh2RLqTH2hh5ZMyVBxyxfv_grcePkxDXcF0NzLfrBgglUfPh5LJ36SSd2WdOXfTT-MX9dhNzRNeDsn2pIvuopNbuuoPB8cXgl4ie2kpFYI1ekwnprSoBnBrCb6An9qtxUAtcJeLM9WuMJX1FDfxIzKDUDU_32eu_6ffY8kQNiQEC8yl5AgW0w/s4032/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(13).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnqwWG_Vh2RLqTH2hh5ZMyVBxyxfv_grcePkxDXcF0NzLfrBgglUfPh5LJ36SSd2WdOXfTT-MX9dhNzRNeDsn2pIvuopNbuuoPB8cXgl4ie2kpFYI1ekwnprSoBnBrCb6An9qtxUAtcJeLM9WuMJX1FDfxIzKDUDU_32eu_6ffY8kQNiQEC8yl5AgW0w/w300-h400/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(13).jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">As we made our way back through town we stopped to admire the abundance of
stork nests on the roof of the church. There must have been nearly a dozen
nests which ranged from small, messy piles of sticks to established nests that
were 3-4 feet tall. A large flock of White Storks circled the roof, clacking to
each other, scuffling, and soaring through the warm morning air. It was
quite the sight to behold. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKHDM6B_7JtNTlsbhyfkSu2YCW36SSOJwztv_4kLhY6CXi7osATxAa4HC1YZWvMKQ8Wir3b5CTwJc6qQvG7zlUjZ6Vle64AGzV7nxeORiyGUo9pZA_R19yQnBDauBfaWHg_MSbKeJWzAOwUw9dqfkjYm6_Sgc347aZFakspaUi2esGpolbbzp612nxg/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(14).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcKHDM6B_7JtNTlsbhyfkSu2YCW36SSOJwztv_4kLhY6CXi7osATxAa4HC1YZWvMKQ8Wir3b5CTwJc6qQvG7zlUjZ6Vle64AGzV7nxeORiyGUo9pZA_R19yQnBDauBfaWHg_MSbKeJWzAOwUw9dqfkjYm6_Sgc347aZFakspaUi2esGpolbbzp612nxg/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(14).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgg1R-adV7E3nBun5MObHXk_OrUfgBCotFVm5cV2TbvkN29xvxr8H9yU3YBXA6SDqaZx5yV1Et8W2QXm-WuGE7b2FQoMY0yVs9qyHIfh6SGpJfYmY3Dz4vEf-Z60QtvhhGpBQ5RKfZatPPzt0H5ENt39bAnyOUGIPsjS8YIxdOeGx2b5XdQYlR5Opcaw/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(15).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgg1R-adV7E3nBun5MObHXk_OrUfgBCotFVm5cV2TbvkN29xvxr8H9yU3YBXA6SDqaZx5yV1Et8W2QXm-WuGE7b2FQoMY0yVs9qyHIfh6SGpJfYmY3Dz4vEf-Z60QtvhhGpBQ5RKfZatPPzt0H5ENt39bAnyOUGIPsjS8YIxdOeGx2b5XdQYlR5Opcaw/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(15).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">We navigated out of town through a quiet residential neighborhood, and then
followed a short dirt track to the entrance of the Sierra de Guadarrama
National Park. The line-up of cars waiting to get into the park stretched
down the highway on this gorgeous Good Friday, and the parking lot was already
full. Tucked below a dense canopy of pines was a wood panelled and glass
Visitor's Center that could have belonged in one of Canada's National Parks,
except for the red tile roof. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvz3XGAO5TASjYu0kgnnzGSkFGr7nq_clRWULJwb2vdga5Ujosr_W_c7Ix0PQ3QFCPH__nPuRtPkcdtVSzqQ_7naQ4bZd2IhWrmyJvTUCwvzY50GABOBqtqxpDbpg_davrstKj1lucvohBWpS9lLVtnhJW3iAgSGBENKNGZJ4-U6gIkNIbW2mREpNOtg/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(17).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvz3XGAO5TASjYu0kgnnzGSkFGr7nq_clRWULJwb2vdga5Ujosr_W_c7Ix0PQ3QFCPH__nPuRtPkcdtVSzqQ_7naQ4bZd2IhWrmyJvTUCwvzY50GABOBqtqxpDbpg_davrstKj1lucvohBWpS9lLVtnhJW3iAgSGBENKNGZJ4-U6gIkNIbW2mREpNOtg/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(17).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrD6rTxDyJVLIgGm7XH8OJmtfc5y53VfOC6yJEjYWeWPxq-Keco7fAT7fTfO8zE-yLw8LJCcLjCZFyzNcj0KexFMwZ4HdE1UVx5tdVywEh6BxpOZuP4v_6BGxlWxPbGQ79K17myoKBek5qthjRbAsYXW3VpIuUDIivBL44R64pdl1FKwJRsHoh7_vqQ/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(18).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQrD6rTxDyJVLIgGm7XH8OJmtfc5y53VfOC6yJEjYWeWPxq-Keco7fAT7fTfO8zE-yLw8LJCcLjCZFyzNcj0KexFMwZ4HdE1UVx5tdVywEh6BxpOZuP4v_6BGxlWxPbGQ79K17myoKBek5qthjRbAsYXW3VpIuUDIivBL44R64pdl1FKwJRsHoh7_vqQ/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(18).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAKI3t1jgbTKqGhsxIlZEVFo1LMqnGdLVrYJBIx7AgaA_sKnNRbCqV48BpsdaMWJYU-HzMSdcsuPjBmPo1awvbRf74R2W2TBfN5I8D-6O_GkNdQhmLpsGp_K4z76wryoQi7Qkb17R07HO9BkgyeZXCOtHZEqcN192z7lJSzH2CKkCIFKwItM81OyOgA/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(20).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigAKI3t1jgbTKqGhsxIlZEVFo1LMqnGdLVrYJBIx7AgaA_sKnNRbCqV48BpsdaMWJYU-HzMSdcsuPjBmPo1awvbRf74R2W2TBfN5I8D-6O_GkNdQhmLpsGp_K4z76wryoQi7Qkb17R07HO9BkgyeZXCOtHZEqcN192z7lJSzH2CKkCIFKwItM81OyOgA/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(20).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8Q_8qdDT40r8B1mBiaEWdLOVdHx2RIYBMeUsPZh-2repO9jvZee24F2z9UPJeukOIB5XohCd7EqxOeb1QsJ8vqapLoie_Lf0sE00pG_e73y7j31NwWwWje8LSsOtatpg7eulWfj9T3FeCcmF5EFBxN_SzbmVrgedNhJp4G_O-OFA651cJsRt_1xYSg/s5783/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(21).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3861" data-original-width="5783" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv8Q_8qdDT40r8B1mBiaEWdLOVdHx2RIYBMeUsPZh-2repO9jvZee24F2z9UPJeukOIB5XohCd7EqxOeb1QsJ8vqapLoie_Lf0sE00pG_e73y7j31NwWwWje8LSsOtatpg7eulWfj9T3FeCcmF5EFBxN_SzbmVrgedNhJp4G_O-OFA651cJsRt_1xYSg/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(21).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmv65B59GLrkLa2_KNdo4tjXU65_nJEqpyOxaYBnwHQAqDdFTfqjfNxrI210tamjEx3fkw2uRPTRCyFMmdYG30CnUgqsAAR3KsHlS1ei4vIDgPn86dxluKum4vjyVosrjUMwD1_jQDUdcHCmuVGJkrkBir0tK9LDClAkH18QpWg10b0myA5AaRAGXLw/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(24).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmv65B59GLrkLa2_KNdo4tjXU65_nJEqpyOxaYBnwHQAqDdFTfqjfNxrI210tamjEx3fkw2uRPTRCyFMmdYG30CnUgqsAAR3KsHlS1ei4vIDgPn86dxluKum4vjyVosrjUMwD1_jQDUdcHCmuVGJkrkBir0tK9LDClAkH18QpWg10b0myA5AaRAGXLw/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(24).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Our footsteps crunched along the wide gravel path as we began a gentle climb,
following the edge of the national park. The scenery in this section was
absolutely stunning. A rough stone wall bordered the path, beyond which were
green fields and pastures, some inhabited by cows and horses. Rugged, rocky
mountains provided a stunning backdrop, glowing in the morning sunshine. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix86rQFlrJStdxDm79vPPqFWfpD0y-9PPTyq-VFnpjH0wR1a0BmPt9hPZerneT8dPDmbZYIjeN8oIEDH_oJZOZO9J3zkYTFy-4PiGhN9qre1juZCqukwvrIUho5pqlEMHFnRIDMtGaFPfjrG197Ug3cN1G7FKARwp2HVNMSceykgbspVzM-zdCrputXA/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(28).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix86rQFlrJStdxDm79vPPqFWfpD0y-9PPTyq-VFnpjH0wR1a0BmPt9hPZerneT8dPDmbZYIjeN8oIEDH_oJZOZO9J3zkYTFy-4PiGhN9qre1juZCqukwvrIUho5pqlEMHFnRIDMtGaFPfjrG197Ug3cN1G7FKARwp2HVNMSceykgbspVzM-zdCrputXA/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(28).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7RVZO14rBPqgcfxWkByq8ycG8j10VQ60BvM4bk3umir9X1eon3ugLk0Yq5xW6UFKxqC_1Rw13x2nugX366Q9rTEmLqIua2jSXZZ3N9PZDpimPSVdGpq86N3CfRmzW82V5AkoGDoyLFa_MHq7qNU0ht3Igl_euCwIkkyI0g7QLRBO4wYz8ftk8w8jww/s4032/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(27).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT7RVZO14rBPqgcfxWkByq8ycG8j10VQ60BvM4bk3umir9X1eon3ugLk0Yq5xW6UFKxqC_1Rw13x2nugX366Q9rTEmLqIua2jSXZZ3N9PZDpimPSVdGpq86N3CfRmzW82V5AkoGDoyLFa_MHq7qNU0ht3Igl_euCwIkkyI0g7QLRBO4wYz8ftk8w8jww/w300-h400/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(27).jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8evX1xMVcZRKsSgytWvVpkDQVF50h0wANF4O_mJtbKAQMmwtGnfYnI8xlK5ysh2pf3VNDf2LK3rT7vgMXHQdacAL8J3TemJKTp5phRAfifi69-fRCA4zyrS9c14V-cXQuuBvTeY6QAazlMB4F2-dO9J3nc9o2U2qsAxB1f0maTwwZDLKtlZK9WS3iA/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB8evX1xMVcZRKsSgytWvVpkDQVF50h0wANF4O_mJtbKAQMmwtGnfYnI8xlK5ysh2pf3VNDf2LK3rT7vgMXHQdacAL8J3TemJKTp5phRAfifi69-fRCA4zyrS9c14V-cXQuuBvTeY6QAazlMB4F2-dO9J3nc9o2U2qsAxB1f0maTwwZDLKtlZK9WS3iA/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(29).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BTfa9C6ALQpD25CjZ_B8p4QucFPQ6Ov2v_Dk7Bz53fNXJpFy2TyclKHZCULOpXWXWw6utYfcGx4eAZN3d_oVdsgsp-UAqQTquqmR5vy156nlXNGsh6QDnuG7HXLab6_GzkAzn-Bblvv7A5Gtq2MuhEWJdth6eW1OK6rV5z2mvMCId86-ItZPGRJL9g/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BTfa9C6ALQpD25CjZ_B8p4QucFPQ6Ov2v_Dk7Bz53fNXJpFy2TyclKHZCULOpXWXWw6utYfcGx4eAZN3d_oVdsgsp-UAqQTquqmR5vy156nlXNGsh6QDnuG7HXLab6_GzkAzn-Bblvv7A5Gtq2MuhEWJdth6eW1OK6rV5z2mvMCId86-ItZPGRJL9g/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(31).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Large square boulders with rounded corners and edges were piled and scattered
across the landscape, and they crowned the ridges and mountains like fingers
pointing upwards into the sky. The tallest peaks were covered in snow,
which stood out against the bright blue sky. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZQ8Nez8wTfQhZBYSJRw5cBRofN8NMv1TFX5dpg4RbLfjOVw9yK01ape8dIHf68ihhS2LXg3DIiKOlHZqALPnONhLkGrmXQPXmZiKcKwdOuMc4X7gq3vFBPkH01LLhcUzE1aOEVUUaxhKcnGOMDFfq4iw3WOzHn_1KE5EINce2Dx5PAPwCTA6NvrMQg/s5684/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3794" data-original-width="5684" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZQ8Nez8wTfQhZBYSJRw5cBRofN8NMv1TFX5dpg4RbLfjOVw9yK01ape8dIHf68ihhS2LXg3DIiKOlHZqALPnONhLkGrmXQPXmZiKcKwdOuMc4X7gq3vFBPkH01LLhcUzE1aOEVUUaxhKcnGOMDFfq4iw3WOzHn_1KE5EINce2Dx5PAPwCTA6NvrMQg/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(35).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFn3onFSiyST78HW7u6e2Xc9YB5Bo1dzhGKtwKtpWAUcvPNKNNHPRCd5RvwaVruN4gn_rhUfkN5LB1D3V80NoRTJobVUN5CEIHJui5ZLKrb5XwdUR3k5kZXOcdW2FF5VyjNDaK3P5cSn78Kd0hO9fmsA8DNUc8XHcM-OPnMlIQaKrzNA723UbQkJkSQ/s3096/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(36).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3096" data-original-width="2067" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFn3onFSiyST78HW7u6e2Xc9YB5Bo1dzhGKtwKtpWAUcvPNKNNHPRCd5RvwaVruN4gn_rhUfkN5LB1D3V80NoRTJobVUN5CEIHJui5ZLKrb5XwdUR3k5kZXOcdW2FF5VyjNDaK3P5cSn78Kd0hO9fmsA8DNUc8XHcM-OPnMlIQaKrzNA723UbQkJkSQ/w268-h400/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(36).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">A highlight was passing the hermitage of San Isidro. The small stone
building was tucked into the base of the mountain, and it had beautiful stained
glass windows, a tile mural, and a cross created from horseshoes. It felt
like a sanctuary, perhaps from storms crossing the mountains. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBCf5pYALg1UMODn3NpyAVQuz-uhtwwoPGEm4UR2LjZ1JtSm-caH8o4qwuABkOMGLHhWVxWN79TfEEmOvdSe4ywRQ4D0Wxobz5ua8IZ9_4qq8msZX7HNiviDriAoIyuC-xQtHURR_7QmoJzZNDKQ3WAgqUXW6PzZUoY22A46t_k8gbBSYI_qibEBMHA/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(39).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsBCf5pYALg1UMODn3NpyAVQuz-uhtwwoPGEm4UR2LjZ1JtSm-caH8o4qwuABkOMGLHhWVxWN79TfEEmOvdSe4ywRQ4D0Wxobz5ua8IZ9_4qq8msZX7HNiviDriAoIyuC-xQtHURR_7QmoJzZNDKQ3WAgqUXW6PzZUoY22A46t_k8gbBSYI_qibEBMHA/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(39).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYowIHU8KKtW7zLmRP5sB460KKBoNSorHRCA6l50cUKfyrDvQ0KKVc0Nc_EbxKPaB-5t3r6g_uIyXgzOoib_bMxKBfGE4E338NIQZTxrHwA-bLe47HLOsn6DATMCxxDEkVAqMBFbGjZpf1zkDeLGc2EEI8vt-1Lyk7vH2KgYPf6LllH9gamgR89R-TXA/s4000/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(41).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYowIHU8KKtW7zLmRP5sB460KKBoNSorHRCA6l50cUKfyrDvQ0KKVc0Nc_EbxKPaB-5t3r6g_uIyXgzOoib_bMxKBfGE4E338NIQZTxrHwA-bLe47HLOsn6DATMCxxDEkVAqMBFbGjZpf1zkDeLGc2EEI8vt-1Lyk7vH2KgYPf6LllH9gamgR89R-TXA/w400-h300/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(41).jpg" width="400" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;">We made our way through the landscape slowly, taking many breaks to admire and
photograph the scenery. Before we knew it we were entering the small
village of Mataelpino. Many people were out enjoying the sunshine in the
small community, but the town itself was just beginning to open up for the
day. </span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rmR_eJbNktgzH-FNLgKoXh2FtFUAVekcNRbUVFfVa8TIGtw4bXCzBmUM1aJeQSSpUu2_AakUU2WpN5vAMdLGijmO5Uz2n45xaLW0F512MjlH1aHSYPw3Z51_F73v6SkKO0cIvqXQbAoL_qC9J7n-NsL-TJ0tkL7RpX9PkcCYMuuC1vxvJ4QAWXWuNQ/s4903/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(44).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4903" data-original-width="3273" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_rmR_eJbNktgzH-FNLgKoXh2FtFUAVekcNRbUVFfVa8TIGtw4bXCzBmUM1aJeQSSpUu2_AakUU2WpN5vAMdLGijmO5Uz2n45xaLW0F512MjlH1aHSYPw3Z51_F73v6SkKO0cIvqXQbAoL_qC9J7n-NsL-TJ0tkL7RpX9PkcCYMuuC1vxvJ4QAWXWuNQ/w268-h400/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(44).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqOxXABFBak5tH_oeDeIYkS6B2aEpf5CWpdApCa6ZpfV87bxhzf4XcyHCT9owCn3DCC14syxfLHeT3Ig47O53i6ABvy39J0Blka7bvrkpNz9KpejALUdvJ8mfmmLRT3rKk1zNp25T887e11lUm3A517kW7qjGhBptB5-Swp-awuLs2wcDGkkdrX26eg/s4000/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(45).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZqOxXABFBak5tH_oeDeIYkS6B2aEpf5CWpdApCa6ZpfV87bxhzf4XcyHCT9owCn3DCC14syxfLHeT3Ig47O53i6ABvy39J0Blka7bvrkpNz9KpejALUdvJ8mfmmLRT3rKk1zNp25T887e11lUm3A517kW7qjGhBptB5-Swp-awuLs2wcDGkkdrX26eg/w400-h300/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(45).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">We made a slight detour off the Camino to the El Valle Panaderia and
Cafeteria, where we indulged in glasses of fresh, cold zuma and croissants that
were still warm. Delicious! Sitting on the sidewalk patio, looking
at the stunning scenery, it was difficult to imagine a better place to be at that
moment. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrb7gCqL11xShDVX2sYPyODMts7jp8qIGlTgBqShW-nC8W736-VmqG4yLCxl0Ixrj-t6XicgRFuwUPLlW9GFdK-_K2WQVNcmFUrbu9e-o0lZi2dh0Y32BpVFzrhKF_peTqHQN5AJjK-thO_1djEfCsiAKnfAmznuMU6CKtoK8_wcz7F7Jidwe1Way2w/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(47).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrb7gCqL11xShDVX2sYPyODMts7jp8qIGlTgBqShW-nC8W736-VmqG4yLCxl0Ixrj-t6XicgRFuwUPLlW9GFdK-_K2WQVNcmFUrbu9e-o0lZi2dh0Y32BpVFzrhKF_peTqHQN5AJjK-thO_1djEfCsiAKnfAmznuMU6CKtoK8_wcz7F7Jidwe1Way2w/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(47).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpu_hFxO8HBSeo5euPbHtpZyjb0GJ9XlnRpwMW16XP4BPRIUia2JpomL1GvmCljh5wuxQDbL2Nw_NjPdYz8DP_cVV5KCjbVwt2StrsySRZLtlmOja6wnCpFyLlcyKaVZ_Atx_aU1zMGP0Gm5y1Z5y9iOonRFfH8ih0as7HvggSuQfAiyFzniBnYL6hQ/s4905/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(48).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3274" data-original-width="4905" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWpu_hFxO8HBSeo5euPbHtpZyjb0GJ9XlnRpwMW16XP4BPRIUia2JpomL1GvmCljh5wuxQDbL2Nw_NjPdYz8DP_cVV5KCjbVwt2StrsySRZLtlmOja6wnCpFyLlcyKaVZ_Atx_aU1zMGP0Gm5y1Z5y9iOonRFfH8ih0as7HvggSuQfAiyFzniBnYL6hQ/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(48).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYq7sWnIrO5KfMOaACeTrP-9yNNGJop0TTywHQKo4mJLHqgDVKLmvAWu4vJ0yIqe9ckFRGE4Ea_AlwDL_vCAvBSIbgN1HneITpd1PIsAAw1Nov-2_j9344KtHptV3LL0pJmbOWUqIcg7uwLqbZ8mHD_wvOKGKcKLxK7iWqMYvY986lc3jDdr54sAx_Jg/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(50).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYq7sWnIrO5KfMOaACeTrP-9yNNGJop0TTywHQKo4mJLHqgDVKLmvAWu4vJ0yIqe9ckFRGE4Ea_AlwDL_vCAvBSIbgN1HneITpd1PIsAAw1Nov-2_j9344KtHptV3LL0pJmbOWUqIcg7uwLqbZ8mHD_wvOKGKcKLxK7iWqMYvY986lc3jDdr54sAx_Jg/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(50).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1gFFr6fcHzgrZkUjZzIllkTp9jkCOrRkOn5ZlwQp2ZHEaUf96VH0G8Zcd1OcaxU7cF9h-eb8n_lqskC82pE5oHebErk2VPMv3kdDsLr94UgKO6_RRVoKNzLkdVgVWTIbHrrLhUle8tRzIhB6OBlgfxASykYYeWhBA_MH-MeGL1dmQ_PslgpuXySlNA/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1gFFr6fcHzgrZkUjZzIllkTp9jkCOrRkOn5ZlwQp2ZHEaUf96VH0G8Zcd1OcaxU7cF9h-eb8n_lqskC82pE5oHebErk2VPMv3kdDsLr94UgKO6_RRVoKNzLkdVgVWTIbHrrLhUle8tRzIhB6OBlgfxASykYYeWhBA_MH-MeGL1dmQ_PslgpuXySlNA/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(54).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1fa-7TNqMqTEEweB6xr-uqyx5bQdwKFpUeeg6wFcfjzEuPV3-bcl2uuiexoqLF1EJIHRsBTY6RWBmBBPty1g5k40TNGm0KTb1ODzPwDfhlnQ43V_CnRCrSsACis-ae24UFAJdNYAnwAIf8hMVL3DyDSoG-xqFiqHeCHC_Dho4a2P6JjWo8xlOLYdWA/s1999/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(55).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1999" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ1fa-7TNqMqTEEweB6xr-uqyx5bQdwKFpUeeg6wFcfjzEuPV3-bcl2uuiexoqLF1EJIHRsBTY6RWBmBBPty1g5k40TNGm0KTb1ODzPwDfhlnQ43V_CnRCrSsACis-ae24UFAJdNYAnwAIf8hMVL3DyDSoG-xqFiqHeCHC_Dho4a2P6JjWo8xlOLYdWA/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(55).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">When we left Mataelpino behind we found ourselves following a narrow dirt track
that wove along above the highway and below the magnificent mountains. We
were surrounded by fragrant lavender and leathery shrubs that were filled with
plump blossoms. In a few weeks these hills will be covered in a riot of
colour! It was very bright and sunny as we crunched across the dry, sandy,
landscape, listening to lizards scurrying into the underbrush, and watching as
delicate yellow, light green, and orange butterflies flitted through the air. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6s4kaiyJnWcEYpF2knJaoLcpN3cZ0pZSUT_v3_WTqhZg7HuLivX5HTMNtKxZtSkuG49Ud5FfPvCrn22TfbiHcSae0stD2AqvmpV2fy2e7WUGfvm98ibNbHf3QBU4QjrW2X0clNJyC2BtmnbAu_sfSxK6NTO-ykXo7ahz9Sq8eNtoNtdDRmhTjTKWWw/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(57).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB6s4kaiyJnWcEYpF2knJaoLcpN3cZ0pZSUT_v3_WTqhZg7HuLivX5HTMNtKxZtSkuG49Ud5FfPvCrn22TfbiHcSae0stD2AqvmpV2fy2e7WUGfvm98ibNbHf3QBU4QjrW2X0clNJyC2BtmnbAu_sfSxK6NTO-ykXo7ahz9Sq8eNtoNtdDRmhTjTKWWw/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(57).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhVepZLcPTNv4MH4tLx0P8JqDu5k-yENB8CZ09HZm3lAM5Txc20eLqgS97pCGurzRmDugKaPpmde3qeHFDaB9kbP8n-OHuyaAXIMHtIn0JgDlc1e8i3dpGgJWj_YTkAi9i67af7FWlq4irfHdNGuZXaQ8K7FtR4jCiuJ4YeeFlB3zMch7h4Q6ascD9A/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(66).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNhVepZLcPTNv4MH4tLx0P8JqDu5k-yENB8CZ09HZm3lAM5Txc20eLqgS97pCGurzRmDugKaPpmde3qeHFDaB9kbP8n-OHuyaAXIMHtIn0JgDlc1e8i3dpGgJWj_YTkAi9i67af7FWlq4irfHdNGuZXaQ8K7FtR4jCiuJ4YeeFlB3zMch7h4Q6ascD9A/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(66).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinUFfAw5mRMHAUgiH0p_1pQwUqzBzjmbRvimubL2GCSuCrMf_dozjphcqwU5l74GPdxAyCh2UcbrmEdkCy5KWFRn5IRuBDVdpfYiD-Pmj2qKddzD5bUv36SVgdgWAI4jKUg20wk95mofqWTuoeQLuUBYi00sZMQX6mD3S95yGIKX0AEKi77l2GgtRtQ/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(69).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinUFfAw5mRMHAUgiH0p_1pQwUqzBzjmbRvimubL2GCSuCrMf_dozjphcqwU5l74GPdxAyCh2UcbrmEdkCy5KWFRn5IRuBDVdpfYiD-Pmj2qKddzD5bUv36SVgdgWAI4jKUg20wk95mofqWTuoeQLuUBYi00sZMQX6mD3S95yGIKX0AEKi77l2GgtRtQ/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(69).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">After eventually crossing the highway, which was extremely busy with holiday
traffic, we found ourselves following a dirt path below the highway, which ran
parallel to a clear, fast-flowing stream. The waters rushed and gurgled
as they tumbled down the slope, drowning out the sounds of the traffic above
us. The grass was soft and lush along the stream banks, and a sign
indicated it was an important habitat for amphibians. Although we kept a
sharp eye out, we didn't manage to spot any frogs, but we certainly enjoyed the
abundance and diversity of birds!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25vv-Tj4bzOj6zVaR4_BOFO3fQ3gPVTIy5YN9-6USbsTrKJ_7EdvQ0yBcJg9yWCiYpT6qsffdIHpFi8oQPVJiMQpzV-T6y79MKrRgzWZ48MWoQo-5ZogeUs4GMxL6zs7RB_Qtsk3JJxGOWO0BK31SFGYxQjvcSJ1iHXAs1MnXdlxGH0GHXx-M6T7-0g/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(71).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg25vv-Tj4bzOj6zVaR4_BOFO3fQ3gPVTIy5YN9-6USbsTrKJ_7EdvQ0yBcJg9yWCiYpT6qsffdIHpFi8oQPVJiMQpzV-T6y79MKrRgzWZ48MWoQo-5ZogeUs4GMxL6zs7RB_Qtsk3JJxGOWO0BK31SFGYxQjvcSJ1iHXAs1MnXdlxGH0GHXx-M6T7-0g/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(71).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fpB4Zp8r6uGlCDotfJy8EgLlZN10H7IHi5ZwXsoQtskdmM8f6JxeE6I4cyLiXlAloaK5AuvlxC7PbDoovGFKQmSQuYTBFupNUFR4zg7ZJoCOBdmK42GT_8bMcS4SwM-nEXPzg9zKubTAbcpV0UAO4D89w2LQsM6aCSmoyDPMfbjFLNbwp-UhnWLmhA/s3374/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(72).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2253" data-original-width="3374" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3fpB4Zp8r6uGlCDotfJy8EgLlZN10H7IHi5ZwXsoQtskdmM8f6JxeE6I4cyLiXlAloaK5AuvlxC7PbDoovGFKQmSQuYTBFupNUFR4zg7ZJoCOBdmK42GT_8bMcS4SwM-nEXPzg9zKubTAbcpV0UAO4D89w2LQsM6aCSmoyDPMfbjFLNbwp-UhnWLmhA/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(72).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYxPpKKRApyAMPN5x-4XTeOmEYalpkgT7FBkZYcphVywMlVRhUb2NucK5mLSVlTivVQPsQQzI1n1M22fMACqWKH_ToPYsfoUewMXbMFHwcP3b6_VfZRgAE5cB-0VhPdQsfVZFc1yS_fssIIxOcED9JM3ix8wwpq5e7-db_WPDaEX2yAOY2qFyKkre-g/s2241/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(73).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1496" data-original-width="2241" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXYxPpKKRApyAMPN5x-4XTeOmEYalpkgT7FBkZYcphVywMlVRhUb2NucK5mLSVlTivVQPsQQzI1n1M22fMACqWKH_ToPYsfoUewMXbMFHwcP3b6_VfZRgAE5cB-0VhPdQsfVZFc1yS_fssIIxOcED9JM3ix8wwpq5e7-db_WPDaEX2yAOY2qFyKkre-g/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(73).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW80ssnfGD2f2ty-Pesf30gBI3q1_DnkS6CuWMvHZwsnbEC91GQ0uytDI6-N2VdcSRJ9EeROATGbUEgwSKaovf3J9_s6hiGfqualVhvB34m8j5VrDHnkwIXjw10U6AClUwr18qgqbx80JLIVuE-TAbzMpwkt7u-eT9S3jNGl5vI3AJjo9jw9mpjqw_cQ/s3299/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(76).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2202" data-original-width="3299" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW80ssnfGD2f2ty-Pesf30gBI3q1_DnkS6CuWMvHZwsnbEC91GQ0uytDI6-N2VdcSRJ9EeROATGbUEgwSKaovf3J9_s6hiGfqualVhvB34m8j5VrDHnkwIXjw10U6AClUwr18qgqbx80JLIVuE-TAbzMpwkt7u-eT9S3jNGl5vI3AJjo9jw9mpjqw_cQ/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(76).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">After crossing the highway a second time we followed the muddy and slightly wet
track through a treed corridor between fields. Just before we reached the
outskirts of Navacerrada, we stopped to photograph and watch a flock of mixed
birds. A retired Spanish couple who had been walking down the path behind
us stopped to see what Sean was photographing, and then began animatedly
talking about the little European Robin we were watching. When we caught
up to them again a few blocks later they were searching the shrubs for signs of
bird life! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9EX3YpWMOGktKzpUdFm_Ftz6ZMd4m563uGsHILoAAe_XUhPUm5h92_6M9Qk48ixkD6eo91SqWuFoFjqef3w9kP1WFrqEivL5Hpyt4SeMM20vfbus7sMG5n1RgE5XKqJqtwr_uQIZwe54SNwnhmu0phoEK6pgfjPTb0cEsAKLBFPNlXlIiv8K_nVkjA/s4000/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(77).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9EX3YpWMOGktKzpUdFm_Ftz6ZMd4m563uGsHILoAAe_XUhPUm5h92_6M9Qk48ixkD6eo91SqWuFoFjqef3w9kP1WFrqEivL5Hpyt4SeMM20vfbus7sMG5n1RgE5XKqJqtwr_uQIZwe54SNwnhmu0phoEK6pgfjPTb0cEsAKLBFPNlXlIiv8K_nVkjA/w300-h400/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(77).jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">The town of Navacerrada looked like a mix of holiday villas and condos that
somewhat resembled the ski chalets found in mountain towns across Canada. Many
modern and up-scale hotels, bars, and restaurants filled the center of the
town. After the climb from Mataelpino we were hot and thirsty, but all
the patios seemed to already be entirely full. We navigated the crowded
sidewalks until finally we spotted a small bar with two stools available.
We soon discovered it was more of a bar than a café, so we ordered two small
cervezas. As is customary in Spain, our drinks came with 'a little
something.' In many cases this is mixed nuts, chips, or tortilla, but
this time it was a delicious dish that seemed to be mashed potato, apples, and
chorizo. It had a smoky flavour and a bit of spice that was entirely
delicious! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFwW6jmuRUVwnec3HzL7JrDDZV-ZP_a8Q7MjmOfyM3WlUkpDzqup1Qmpfg7bz9AvDnXWFZnwKL7Eru2cbJxhBOMRIdaYbu5BxgIOtrc7c0hPqRL4hCcvDA5gxVAiZDN3WCwfmQ_6zeGGhefyLfrr7tSg85CcR-hkkfgiLBVG9HCN0pD206CfAJDIUkA/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(78).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRFwW6jmuRUVwnec3HzL7JrDDZV-ZP_a8Q7MjmOfyM3WlUkpDzqup1Qmpfg7bz9AvDnXWFZnwKL7Eru2cbJxhBOMRIdaYbu5BxgIOtrc7c0hPqRL4hCcvDA5gxVAiZDN3WCwfmQ_6zeGGhefyLfrr7tSg85CcR-hkkfgiLBVG9HCN0pD206CfAJDIUkA/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(78).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU8Cn2Zm2pM02m0IWVJCz4SWi8mgcCEHeJDhDXGAKNKcv4s71Q6zNW44FuBQdOgfLAb4GwVbob5iBL1yOkwFu9LE3eooLSbj2BxQocWR8mFdJWI2682uIFD27V9PX6_yw3lcx8LqVB1BghVm5kWT_NOlHvsgr7NCQV-TtofeoO5bGE0i353m9pL86ag/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(79).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSU8Cn2Zm2pM02m0IWVJCz4SWi8mgcCEHeJDhDXGAKNKcv4s71Q6zNW44FuBQdOgfLAb4GwVbob5iBL1yOkwFu9LE3eooLSbj2BxQocWR8mFdJWI2682uIFD27V9PX6_yw3lcx8LqVB1BghVm5kWT_NOlHvsgr7NCQV-TtofeoO5bGE0i353m9pL86ag/w268-h400/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(79).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">With this additional fuel we set off out of town, preparing for the big climb
of the day. We dove up an extremely steep, partially washed out track
beside a graffiti covered abandoned building, but then found ourselves on a
lovely dirt footpath that wound through a peaceful pine forest. The warm
sun filtered down through the delicate pine needles, filling the air with the
fresh, tangy smell of pine. The pine cones were truly enormous, highly
polished looking, and unexpectedly heavy. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6W709CcUwvcwh6sRO12c1lP_hPcyTOFz8jotWEyrm07lu1BAPZiWG7_HLS8ucPk3chvpacgS1enPs0Z9EUGeyDoheGSf077HW0oxv_ZgcWQjJaN4NFlXIEoLm8yUMGjAeU7ACM4QWbgrqVI3kWsDRjo6MLp0HWz405FpG8oM2QnyQNEXoDpfYXqABA/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(83).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6W709CcUwvcwh6sRO12c1lP_hPcyTOFz8jotWEyrm07lu1BAPZiWG7_HLS8ucPk3chvpacgS1enPs0Z9EUGeyDoheGSf077HW0oxv_ZgcWQjJaN4NFlXIEoLm8yUMGjAeU7ACM4QWbgrqVI3kWsDRjo6MLp0HWz405FpG8oM2QnyQNEXoDpfYXqABA/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(83).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCC0XqADOuH9ZLxLTcTtQ7hgkCuZA36LPsP9xAzhptEQrHT7-LghLAYVLl26dHuxYdje84A6dw76hDi8CgBj5Ohp2UnPj5a5CSgfVbwBkKbxPJCfh378iRDsQk24wNQIYqGRrVjePX5N9mXlNUrvTLztL3i0UmBRb3rl5mnS7AafR62ny1PUS_hI71sw/s5387/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(82).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3597" data-original-width="5387" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCC0XqADOuH9ZLxLTcTtQ7hgkCuZA36LPsP9xAzhptEQrHT7-LghLAYVLl26dHuxYdje84A6dw76hDi8CgBj5Ohp2UnPj5a5CSgfVbwBkKbxPJCfh378iRDsQk24wNQIYqGRrVjePX5N9mXlNUrvTLztL3i0UmBRb3rl5mnS7AafR62ny1PUS_hI71sw/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(82).JPG" width="400" /></a><br /></span></div></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">We enjoyed the walk through the forest and managed not to get lost, even though
there were several forks and branches in the trail where the yellow arrows
could have used a touching up of paint, or perhaps been made more visible (we
failed to them). In any case, we successfully descended towards
Cercedilla, passing a herd of colourful and character-filled cows along the
path, and then encountering a small group of colourful sheep with very cute
faces. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">When we finally reached Cercedilla we found that it too was full of holiday
makers. As in the previous town, all the bars and restaurants were full,
and the sidewalks were crowded. When we stepped inside the church we saw
that the icons of Jesus and Mary were ready to be carried through the streets,
and we realized there must be a celebration planned in the town tonight. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bIrJPZK973BXDbqAYf9P_j99VMt3kqMl21EaJaw8HwK9YpUep3KxgOZ7Dee0z4KuCiE_UX9ur10zhgeMmK1sXIywclRFhSaEnUdDKwDFU0NUnn7xtC64M_1uAK6-yX_etCCCb22m3ujiMzOhaPYYsFGSv_DXanVXf-0U8dKaBSAkXkUNHnuMWPfBkA/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(85).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5bIrJPZK973BXDbqAYf9P_j99VMt3kqMl21EaJaw8HwK9YpUep3KxgOZ7Dee0z4KuCiE_UX9ur10zhgeMmK1sXIywclRFhSaEnUdDKwDFU0NUnn7xtC64M_1uAK6-yX_etCCCb22m3ujiMzOhaPYYsFGSv_DXanVXf-0U8dKaBSAkXkUNHnuMWPfBkA/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(85).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincYRPtzhMsm9Zd0g5ZxaFXluaxTHseoB9I8Q0mp2pLYmEM5clmTNn3LveXsTyho9MD2zxgtKA77haSm6V9qU6Be8oB2TpSFKpZxdAkHG79bc9RBOsRlqpd3AkD8XXfeADKkyr26X7PRvBQm1m0l_1Gwik8G07zLJLt1ikMwJpRkMaPRlnDugznvvbcQ/s4032/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(88).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEincYRPtzhMsm9Zd0g5ZxaFXluaxTHseoB9I8Q0mp2pLYmEM5clmTNn3LveXsTyho9MD2zxgtKA77haSm6V9qU6Be8oB2TpSFKpZxdAkHG79bc9RBOsRlqpd3AkD8XXfeADKkyr26X7PRvBQm1m0l_1Gwik8G07zLJLt1ikMwJpRkMaPRlnDugznvvbcQ/w400-h300/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(88).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">The suspicion that a fiesta is being held tonight was confirmed when we reached
the far side of the town and began to climb more steeply. The road up the
mountain was lined with a long procession of parked cars, and and a steady
stream of well-dressed people was walking down the path beside the pavement.
Couples, teenagers, and families spanning 3-4 generations were making their way
down to the town. We felt like fish swimming up stream! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Our destination for tonight was about 4 km beyond Cercedilla, up a steep and
unrelenting climb. The slopes on either side of the road were covered in
fragrant pines, and the scenery was beautiful! Along the way we passed
two youth hostels that are typically open to pilgrims, but are currently
housing Ukrainian refugees. Apparently the larger hostels in the
Comunidad de Madrid are all currently being used this way, which is a truly
noble humanitarian gesture. Although it has made finding pilgrim
accommodations along the way a little more difficult, we are truly glad to know
these resources are being used to provide much needed assistance and support
for Ukrainian refugees. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkq1lFtP5lRVNS9CvpXdYp6ENWyqRFTw8c0Y2RNLLEii-HVU6Erwi-jIct-vf4uxYeWdWD1zVFfQFdG5-u3mJgEhjWEEk16CkJ1haq_7rVRHy8ze5IsZcSnwchi38eXKgrfUGbTdZShQJYBisCACRJBLVvkZL5gxBjMFEb_TLeGoN6LgiXzgH-1a8ig/s1106/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(89).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1106" data-original-width="739" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKkq1lFtP5lRVNS9CvpXdYp6ENWyqRFTw8c0Y2RNLLEii-HVU6Erwi-jIct-vf4uxYeWdWD1zVFfQFdG5-u3mJgEhjWEEk16CkJ1haq_7rVRHy8ze5IsZcSnwchi38eXKgrfUGbTdZShQJYBisCACRJBLVvkZL5gxBjMFEb_TLeGoN6LgiXzgH-1a8ig/w268-h400/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(89).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">We also passed many of the other hostels and hotels we contacted to ask about
accommodations. When we decided to change our plans at the last minute
and head to Spain a month early, we didn't fully realize we were beginning during
Holy Week. This is a huge celebration across Spain, and since we are in a
region offering several national parks, cycling and hiking trails, rock
climbing, lakes, stunning mountain scenery, and many holiday villas and hotels,
almost everything in this area was booked solid this weekend. All the
places we passed along the winding mountain road were indeed full! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHliJFelZi8HTovSe2GVHW4d2SAO0A1-EzarMmI85P-DcLPKDtCv-_Y45zt0WfmvH-YEtrpnOlxGscDzMER85bzjIckQdYm7eMiPpmhYUusk1YkkFpUWuftGVi0QsKR7ByrwI1LyGQAg5dEHA4vFsiiC7AQuDr8BOevx-d2rmkJw0vlTaBGWfiIkYUKQ/s6016/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(91).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHliJFelZi8HTovSe2GVHW4d2SAO0A1-EzarMmI85P-DcLPKDtCv-_Y45zt0WfmvH-YEtrpnOlxGscDzMER85bzjIckQdYm7eMiPpmhYUusk1YkkFpUWuftGVi0QsKR7ByrwI1LyGQAg5dEHA4vFsiiC7AQuDr8BOevx-d2rmkJw0vlTaBGWfiIkYUKQ/s320/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(91).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofdD6QlKUOf5RRIUrYkKOJWdA5avckIf29FYp3N0KekdanoVP9RYZ-hi00rjfGymTm1mS78s3fASPRT2Qoj0BfXXNHtbDDn7y0WrAxF22N3qCzT21DJsmGU3Khu5EqQ_TjMrAm3nUHKHyTqrdubOs2b2zvKZLwCY_7F64koVtno6QpKDGjhmdK5wfUA/s4581/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(92).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4581" data-original-width="3058" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofdD6QlKUOf5RRIUrYkKOJWdA5avckIf29FYp3N0KekdanoVP9RYZ-hi00rjfGymTm1mS78s3fASPRT2Qoj0BfXXNHtbDDn7y0WrAxF22N3qCzT21DJsmGU3Khu5EqQ_TjMrAm3nUHKHyTqrdubOs2b2zvKZLwCY_7F64koVtno6QpKDGjhmdK5wfUA/s320/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(92).JPG" width="214" /></a></span></div></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">After passing a Visitor's Welcome Center for the National Park and surrounding
region we joined the throngs of people walking through the pine forest on the
uneven cobble stones of the old Roman Road. This Via Romana dates from
the time of Emperor Vespasian (69 - 79 AD), and was used to connect Titulcia to
Segovia, crossing the Sierra Guadarramas through Fuenfría. It was quite
an amazing feeling to walk such an ancient route, and imagine what it must have
been like, and what the people who walked it at various times throughout its
history must have looked like. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2dKJhW51e7G8JsaZCoYFHM66ripcqrTrYNhDtPBpx9KNfWJeBYSmHo2njcax6lDK4uaNWBsrwHtaQcSftMAzparTBzczrGnBmeigfUVoAkc8untfEehAQiPUOoLfs6JDMX6DDskDBc7_pg23gNsskOeMjX4BfgipNOOccuqkweTR2h4oWH1HjSQajA/s4000/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(93).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2dKJhW51e7G8JsaZCoYFHM66ripcqrTrYNhDtPBpx9KNfWJeBYSmHo2njcax6lDK4uaNWBsrwHtaQcSftMAzparTBzczrGnBmeigfUVoAkc8untfEehAQiPUOoLfs6JDMX6DDskDBc7_pg23gNsskOeMjX4BfgipNOOccuqkweTR2h4oWH1HjSQajA/w400-h300/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(93).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DdvylSbz4h5qe64HLkRgGnT8yF0BHcka_WEFNYPNaPZBBm2UdJ5qupQkw_WLQhSbPPhFnYlKGeiQlqPXZ23JT-BSuQ9p9eijCoenLYmUElp-34YBza3Ppac0pEWHwmRXdwOrDhWItyi99o3fzUzsSx-qzg4uFCDTxw-ia0Vmy4ZHeI5Td5dDtKi4pQ/s4000/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(96).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9DdvylSbz4h5qe64HLkRgGnT8yF0BHcka_WEFNYPNaPZBBm2UdJ5qupQkw_WLQhSbPPhFnYlKGeiQlqPXZ23JT-BSuQ9p9eijCoenLYmUElp-34YBza3Ppac0pEWHwmRXdwOrDhWItyi99o3fzUzsSx-qzg4uFCDTxw-ia0Vmy4ZHeI5Td5dDtKi4pQ/w400-h300/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(96).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">We followed this road, which ran more or less parallel to the paved highway for
a few kilometers. We weren't sure if we'd be able to access our accommodations
from the forested track, so eventually we made our way back up the steep slope
to the road, where the yellow arrows of the Caminos were painted on the crash
barriers. One of the highlights of this section was passing a man who was
headed downhill with a huge raptor perched on his forearm.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjwRE_ukwLgjy_nlXU4vqk9oWX4fJllFelaJSqnkoBSIPcOzDJg3kvjfjvK9Q1DnEySN2zaxKVYhhStd1TOV6pIL-taGBM9DQQ3FVVVHpFGvJR9QLRClfCUwuomuYxOXD7tC-VEve5-eRit-ZizLTcS6Q5nwGvVzq9gJEpfPCYgDLGoweA1SKf8-FqA/s4032/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(99).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSjwRE_ukwLgjy_nlXU4vqk9oWX4fJllFelaJSqnkoBSIPcOzDJg3kvjfjvK9Q1DnEySN2zaxKVYhhStd1TOV6pIL-taGBM9DQQ3FVVVHpFGvJR9QLRClfCUwuomuYxOXD7tC-VEve5-eRit-ZizLTcS6Q5nwGvVzq9gJEpfPCYgDLGoweA1SKf8-FqA/w300-h400/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(99).jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">Shortly afterwards we came to Casa Cirilo, the restaurant and Casa Rural where
we had found one of the very few available rooms for the night. It was
tucked away among the very tall pines at the edge of the road, and the large
patio out front was absolutely full of people. It took a little while to
find someone who could speak English so we could explain that we had a
reservation for a room. Even though the place was bursting at the seams,
the staff was incredibly kind and patient. We checked into a lovely room,
did our laundry and had a shower, and moved back down to the restaurant for a
couple cervezas and boccadillos con queso. They were delicious, and the
English speaking staff seemed to adopt us, giving us extra snacks and making
sure we were okay and had everything we needed.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqHK-uTt7qw4IY9oLkxewVagAiqLtlxdDnSBHJ1aviyZDUaLrk76_Bp-KR45gAtrD7wqhXCndtiWzcRmK54F15sbAMl07stX_lP2ArlaTN-KrCSbOgIX6GLB_t75bB6cAH7sQZwAEHPpHMe89tJaaYMaGv8A1ZPiwJpFWgKnbLnuiO3v5JcfGF4su9g/s1744/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(97).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1744" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAqHK-uTt7qw4IY9oLkxewVagAiqLtlxdDnSBHJ1aviyZDUaLrk76_Bp-KR45gAtrD7wqhXCndtiWzcRmK54F15sbAMl07stX_lP2ArlaTN-KrCSbOgIX6GLB_t75bB6cAH7sQZwAEHPpHMe89tJaaYMaGv8A1ZPiwJpFWgKnbLnuiO3v5JcfGF4su9g/w400-h268/Manzanares%20to%20Las%20Dehesas%20to%20Blog%20(97).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="EN-CA">It was a gorgeous day on the Camino, which ended with a long hot climb up to
around 1,300 m elevation, but we couldn't have asked for more. <br />
<br />
<b>Distance: 25 km<br />
Accommodations: Casa Cirilo</b></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;">
</span>Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com0Las Dehesas, Madrid, Spain40.7558335 -4.070790312.445599663821156 -39.2270403 69.066067336178847 31.0854597tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-38934985447491589822022-04-14T15:26:00.175-04:002022-06-25T12:46:14.406-04:00Birding the Camino : Tres Cantos to Manzanares el Real<p style="text-align: left;"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<![endif]--><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">When we set out around 8:30 am it was already
another bright, warm, sunny day. As we crossed back over the busy highway
the Guadarrama Mountains stood out in sharp relief against the cloudless blue
sky, looking much more three-dimensional than they did yesterday evening.
We made our way through the roundabout, and began our walk down the wide, sandy
dirt pathway which follows what are known as the Cañadas or Via
Pecuarius. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotl7Mgorwz0aSoEZHYfr8kKK9vErGqU0R9NSxf4tDZIKdsOdg2qhG7OeafkijAplUOP7UE2rlWF-yxq_R2xynBgumHvUDLrW2oE8hxpKecFimB9vGpVtab4PLVk3qr8j-hZQGE0ARy-DnQQMw6IRnuOvy112N1g9iZT9FDTpCt3ozD96iQDRXpNrUOQ/s5543/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(30).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3701" data-original-width="5543" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjotl7Mgorwz0aSoEZHYfr8kKK9vErGqU0R9NSxf4tDZIKdsOdg2qhG7OeafkijAplUOP7UE2rlWF-yxq_R2xynBgumHvUDLrW2oE8hxpKecFimB9vGpVtab4PLVk3qr8j-hZQGE0ARy-DnQQMw6IRnuOvy112N1g9iZT9FDTpCt3ozD96iQDRXpNrUOQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(30).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBvsgg96UspIUoKdlW1axlZrnfJRUkpfegMzLq44uplitfozflLeE8VqHOHq1q7dY6piJ8spgfv3ngtIxFFxgMIG9KOAsr8t6szM3ze_ase8ugkOCFSMJgoDUI-RO6pQgk-LBuVKsuMBRraiByEV8JOAuKJodjILUsHilFAMKAKmk_Sn5LITUV9zffA/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSBvsgg96UspIUoKdlW1axlZrnfJRUkpfegMzLq44uplitfozflLeE8VqHOHq1q7dY6piJ8spgfv3ngtIxFFxgMIG9KOAsr8t6szM3ze_ase8ugkOCFSMJgoDUI-RO6pQgk-LBuVKsuMBRraiByEV8JOAuKJodjILUsHilFAMKAKmk_Sn5LITUV9zffA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(3).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">These ancient drove roads and tracks were marked with small concrete cubes with
a picture of a cow and the letters VP. In some places these tracks were
enclosed or bordered by field-stone walls or wire fences, but the cañadas, or
cane fences after which they are known are no longer used for enclosing cattle. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Even in the early morning the white gravel of the track was almost blinding in
the hot sun, leaving us wishing we'd brought sunglasses, and making us grateful
it wasn't a hot summer day. The track wound up and down through grassy
hills that were dotted with exposed pieces of granite, loose boulders, patches
of small trees, and clumps of gorse, broom, lavender, and sweet-smelling
sage. Yellow, pink, and white wildflowers added colour to the green
hillsides, and many shrubs and plants bore plump buds, promising a explosion of
colour in the coming weeks. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjn8n75P6G5rehTaEVmUBoMD3iBXefnBW937vB4kCdYiez01DIsrZqaNp69WzrrfZKlQP_Iw0IcPQip6zPOqsAL897D11JpOK8QzKXAwJSO9Braxexjq_Bt2BBu2abAFm1NA5elpEeKs2mYf9Ppi1JmMDu1LaTVDkSsd3sMUkROAu-2WUhQzfAwIAU3Q/s2887/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1927" data-original-width="2887" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjn8n75P6G5rehTaEVmUBoMD3iBXefnBW937vB4kCdYiez01DIsrZqaNp69WzrrfZKlQP_Iw0IcPQip6zPOqsAL897D11JpOK8QzKXAwJSO9Braxexjq_Bt2BBu2abAFm1NA5elpEeKs2mYf9Ppi1JmMDu1LaTVDkSsd3sMUkROAu-2WUhQzfAwIAU3Q/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(4).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybyfgK9DJlfzQCQR8GZ8dlVbcafDa1uNBNldIyXKEeQJLUHJaPOlBYDqnsP-X1SO5n2ySVglP9oyduLeFXG17bw3rw6qnLlDvguk5bQzELsH2W50KGzezJLwxDHHoikFNkhfeiXYWU4AGQxN6Ll6a81DkAq_rc-ivbkm90YbxdoaMlU8WB27LywUUVA/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(6).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiybyfgK9DJlfzQCQR8GZ8dlVbcafDa1uNBNldIyXKEeQJLUHJaPOlBYDqnsP-X1SO5n2ySVglP9oyduLeFXG17bw3rw6qnLlDvguk5bQzELsH2W50KGzezJLwxDHHoikFNkhfeiXYWU4AGQxN6Ll6a81DkAq_rc-ivbkm90YbxdoaMlU8WB27LywUUVA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(6).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeau3IXTl04OxEOpbbjDtOGs_Ntp4aCDBYoLNJMKkstEtpZZtVf8eX8ipjSpdf7n6XahIPMuwdMW7JS1RDdT5u_jS5au0HbXq0xtHLNxmIEfanIELsQNSmxuKVux2eyNpiL33b-qusOH4-5l5hZxZPhSN2Jkepwns4CAHXiXBUPwEqGdseDn3D5NchQ/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(7).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeau3IXTl04OxEOpbbjDtOGs_Ntp4aCDBYoLNJMKkstEtpZZtVf8eX8ipjSpdf7n6XahIPMuwdMW7JS1RDdT5u_jS5au0HbXq0xtHLNxmIEfanIELsQNSmxuKVux2eyNpiL33b-qusOH4-5l5hZxZPhSN2Jkepwns4CAHXiXBUPwEqGdseDn3D5NchQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(7).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HdsIYmLVjkBJr57ZxFJGDBxoskWwKb-6ij4uVs6sDHU-fPpgfOgsFojW9EidaXZbUd6ETMQ5pBPA2hBdB-jrYK2l8t6JK0waTs8ocKhmAM7ez51zurnXjZu3YKShS66XYi4qvakvHjvBGvrJ9KxmKl8KbFZpFfwC8cClc9whtIWbKU7GcG5raC0l6A/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(8).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8HdsIYmLVjkBJr57ZxFJGDBxoskWwKb-6ij4uVs6sDHU-fPpgfOgsFojW9EidaXZbUd6ETMQ5pBPA2hBdB-jrYK2l8t6JK0waTs8ocKhmAM7ez51zurnXjZu3YKShS66XYi4qvakvHjvBGvrJ9KxmKl8KbFZpFfwC8cClc9whtIWbKU7GcG5raC0l6A/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(8).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Although we could see the highway in the distance, and hear the occasional
sounds of airplanes flying overhead, the fields around us were filled with the
sounds of birdsong. The hedgerows, pines, and shrubs were hopping with
birds, and overhead hawks and kites soared in the bright blue sky. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9p22NtLsj33MFkRMmr3ofBIw_OUSS-gmqC7kQu7zY_tPaWuSfYX0TxHCwuk3JOk1GukC1pTB_X2Y2Pca89qVe_iOH0IcsmvX-2zcwIwxBLCdbnkc07YnIB2m5EQa4t69_V9nkGVy6RZRRs6-0tdVxlpELmGBNm8D9j9YYy-OkgypYGAr4-i_00kw6-A/s3007/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(14).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2007" data-original-width="3007" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9p22NtLsj33MFkRMmr3ofBIw_OUSS-gmqC7kQu7zY_tPaWuSfYX0TxHCwuk3JOk1GukC1pTB_X2Y2Pca89qVe_iOH0IcsmvX-2zcwIwxBLCdbnkc07YnIB2m5EQa4t69_V9nkGVy6RZRRs6-0tdVxlpELmGBNm8D9j9YYy-OkgypYGAr4-i_00kw6-A/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(14).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oeXmHe_hNV8wE4knV86_UT2dGE_Ll3FA8pidkLo0a_YwyYXJJmNzU8Dh0qsQaycPWZQm3x9AliTvPxfNFRH33_9lQwu6fuoxq1egfMuOLKeOymnnYOkafjFopvBWCehgoQo6CBloyJ33Pz3X8vVP_9qZu3o_23RcXZioJQs4woLPjLGo12-OHRN2GQ/s4032/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(17).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oeXmHe_hNV8wE4knV86_UT2dGE_Ll3FA8pidkLo0a_YwyYXJJmNzU8Dh0qsQaycPWZQm3x9AliTvPxfNFRH33_9lQwu6fuoxq1egfMuOLKeOymnnYOkafjFopvBWCehgoQo6CBloyJ33Pz3X8vVP_9qZu3o_23RcXZioJQs4woLPjLGo12-OHRN2GQ/w400-h300/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(17).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvcTZKPhhTvIvU6lWJmoQAJL0-Ya-7i4stY4K9KodHsxv2Ya22YKzQhtXF4JQK7cakyeug2KbWbgcVMGjbHZkwTg1uvqsy3Z-dfkqZhkwzMomZNnR87TICXnaQnHHQUrQMuPDsJNi0j5GLa59cIX88YBWbHZj5MZogXNbts2VC2TX9Mswm4LOEm8kDw/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(18).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggvcTZKPhhTvIvU6lWJmoQAJL0-Ya-7i4stY4K9KodHsxv2Ya22YKzQhtXF4JQK7cakyeug2KbWbgcVMGjbHZkwTg1uvqsy3Z-dfkqZhkwzMomZNnR87TICXnaQnHHQUrQMuPDsJNi0j5GLa59cIX88YBWbHZj5MZogXNbts2VC2TX9Mswm4LOEm8kDw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(18).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">As we continued through the mostly flat grassy pastures and small farms the
trail followed a stream, which we criss-crossed eleven times over the course of
the morning. The water was only a few inches deep, and at each crossing a
line of tall square granite stones had been placed across the stream bed for us
to step across. In some cases the stepping stones were rather far apart and
slightly slippery, lending some excitement to the endeavour. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_CgXcEZ3j088RaRwDQsY8vundXCi8N1zTbA5zl0alu4-0nCJJtdeQNkPbX0d4H8OovES22MUMfFSfvlS5ziRRy6Fiodmd_V8rcH9TJaLCtySVfua2cZu4ifsiChWZ7efbkd6IKDp6XzOB3XBiFOgy9ynWcStwVx0ulajjYbNGn5Nq6EnXem-orE2QQ/s2871/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(12).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1916" data-original-width="2871" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_CgXcEZ3j088RaRwDQsY8vundXCi8N1zTbA5zl0alu4-0nCJJtdeQNkPbX0d4H8OovES22MUMfFSfvlS5ziRRy6Fiodmd_V8rcH9TJaLCtySVfua2cZu4ifsiChWZ7efbkd6IKDp6XzOB3XBiFOgy9ynWcStwVx0ulajjYbNGn5Nq6EnXem-orE2QQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(12).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hxuCUcOOAsvtntqUoNyRZqL8A1r8874y-y7mdKpbsNpuW-8hlx5_7kf82Xsmpu97jrTeY-bBt_ljDqFiqKKNFd8v7DzG3QtyOBhI8KQct3E7Nmszz_g8gUUsXrr8zqPNS-VToiLrjBJflOPv7sEG0qs_SiL6bqkq5bdffTEc7gN_PuDYvXwUAiU0AA/s1294/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(15).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1294" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hxuCUcOOAsvtntqUoNyRZqL8A1r8874y-y7mdKpbsNpuW-8hlx5_7kf82Xsmpu97jrTeY-bBt_ljDqFiqKKNFd8v7DzG3QtyOBhI8KQct3E7Nmszz_g8gUUsXrr8zqPNS-VToiLrjBJflOPv7sEG0qs_SiL6bqkq5bdffTEc7gN_PuDYvXwUAiU0AA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(15).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_2xDqDJbls0ZwoEhttee1x-PAx6IfktmQeTgXJreo6I0Fff9psulxO2qn1Tr5qoyoDQsHOD3CCuSFG7mm4jvrrgVJq-ylPtMdLGvCxTFP4NQsnPfEAI4dCTiElMaKY8TMdiFl4GWGb1vhkoo9Yrkh_3LigGNlfFjd0NevKLISXQnBrb136dREHmNsA/s1881/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(19).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1256" data-original-width="1881" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_2xDqDJbls0ZwoEhttee1x-PAx6IfktmQeTgXJreo6I0Fff9psulxO2qn1Tr5qoyoDQsHOD3CCuSFG7mm4jvrrgVJq-ylPtMdLGvCxTFP4NQsnPfEAI4dCTiElMaKY8TMdiFl4GWGb1vhkoo9Yrkh_3LigGNlfFjd0NevKLISXQnBrb136dREHmNsA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(19).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HI_rLguPoZzcpFkgrxrja_PzEQab77ne9UXBdz45v7IMvdWb7h0RtKktuEUNj0Fr6Urd_mJB70ppzLfJl8Ii9cT8N8mJ6UraFLwX70leS2qnYGgAvOoL_zzybFQAQvrAvMiRtDQAYOAbNgJVVZGuR4h7VQiYnu9wg08lYfEbP5sSA_syrOPuMaOmiw/s1707/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(22).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1707" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6HI_rLguPoZzcpFkgrxrja_PzEQab77ne9UXBdz45v7IMvdWb7h0RtKktuEUNj0Fr6Urd_mJB70ppzLfJl8Ii9cT8N8mJ6UraFLwX70leS2qnYGgAvOoL_zzybFQAQvrAvMiRtDQAYOAbNgJVVZGuR4h7VQiYnu9wg08lYfEbP5sSA_syrOPuMaOmiw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(22).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsxoYnpdh5X9VNldOilsEwcP88XDLi-ZPRnNRv5XjZx0NMoIA-yATc9pdYV762BfVdJ5lgsfYJ8z559zLaxS6nlPRKi3aL9k3kssO99nl4UXiydrt5QfJDL8SzkvXXliKoUi2RVL5j8bgd98JsXyeSOCWeXzihoSw0_27DYZV_19zBgS0lemaQpj3oQ/s1602/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(25).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1602" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzsxoYnpdh5X9VNldOilsEwcP88XDLi-ZPRnNRv5XjZx0NMoIA-yATc9pdYV762BfVdJ5lgsfYJ8z559zLaxS6nlPRKi3aL9k3kssO99nl4UXiydrt5QfJDL8SzkvXXliKoUi2RVL5j8bgd98JsXyeSOCWeXzihoSw0_27DYZV_19zBgS0lemaQpj3oQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(25).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJFzieYP08QQBKayaSnm1FtkLO4-uqFWvCX6Sd62o-Y8Wyk9dfGtCSYZTVNu_3GB2OwmvGi6ON7EGl4jsk76Is09kM6Azn06a2u19Jvj_0dg_kwqXEwUWllJiGloPWNgPbkPToI06T7vCi7-k2ojwMRFXl4lT2TqC9CC-usurFc7yEjIBPHWUTjCLfA/s1558/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(26).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1558" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDJFzieYP08QQBKayaSnm1FtkLO4-uqFWvCX6Sd62o-Y8Wyk9dfGtCSYZTVNu_3GB2OwmvGi6ON7EGl4jsk76Is09kM6Azn06a2u19Jvj_0dg_kwqXEwUWllJiGloPWNgPbkPToI06T7vCi7-k2ojwMRFXl4lT2TqC9CC-usurFc7yEjIBPHWUTjCLfA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(26).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iZ9cVqgB3iupiisPds1-IYhu6G__3lM3CBdzApF9QNDS46tTrJvTdpBvyMeUQOwdOhqtLRPbZBgKivLstge7oidBL7KNWywrE-0k-WxSUZxlV-afGy1mJmOVPV1CwNY7a1kECjtrxEHSENIijz5rYVVKj2JdJW4oyKoEwpLEpkThoy3A_1CzcyYKew/s1575/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(27).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1051" data-original-width="1575" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2iZ9cVqgB3iupiisPds1-IYhu6G__3lM3CBdzApF9QNDS46tTrJvTdpBvyMeUQOwdOhqtLRPbZBgKivLstge7oidBL7KNWywrE-0k-WxSUZxlV-afGy1mJmOVPV1CwNY7a1kECjtrxEHSENIijz5rYVVKj2JdJW4oyKoEwpLEpkThoy3A_1CzcyYKew/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(27).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbQ300VRGrdZID7j2lf_78fQ0U0yVvKabMwNOeGHW78ZhJFxG5mpNbpjcjDSx9pzfpu7_GlH6vVcrAfLNR4J9ZmRXOrSJL0HUuvk58lzLt9NdbyQUQN5s-9T3-QQmJ2WTph-qDVRSUrhO33q6xXLF3Jei5mWXxLVJX5m8fCKUPBXAJV2PGLNb1e7AEw/s1208/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(28).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1208" data-original-width="806" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbQ300VRGrdZID7j2lf_78fQ0U0yVvKabMwNOeGHW78ZhJFxG5mpNbpjcjDSx9pzfpu7_GlH6vVcrAfLNR4J9ZmRXOrSJL0HUuvk58lzLt9NdbyQUQN5s-9T3-QQmJ2WTph-qDVRSUrhO33q6xXLF3Jei5mWXxLVJX5m8fCKUPBXAJV2PGLNb1e7AEw/w268-h400/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(28).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzzBGGzDiGTKj_6fyYs5ITjhsXjUXeuSu-RLbQn7uiMQaIBqBeF24VdaVhUd_hZz7baiHnxvLAJnLdTczwfTOUzo7ijCZ59bCkZ9QFo7Wp157rsg42IWHg77Qort8VJdNgZ8-DEAfYQ6YsrK_cYgBrXUOaRzToutO8sdV1ggdicftwBy9zaiiQ2vD1g/s2339/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(31).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1562" data-original-width="2339" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzzBGGzDiGTKj_6fyYs5ITjhsXjUXeuSu-RLbQn7uiMQaIBqBeF24VdaVhUd_hZz7baiHnxvLAJnLdTczwfTOUzo7ijCZ59bCkZ9QFo7Wp157rsg42IWHg77Qort8VJdNgZ8-DEAfYQ6YsrK_cYgBrXUOaRzToutO8sdV1ggdicftwBy9zaiiQ2vD1g/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(31).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaJC277zHwBVx0kXmgkqBPiL1toH44mdfUYxHQrnHpNigfddbQXpwtkIQAtNiFVb8CkFGAaYd5tbGXomqjRimLAngN43zcds2lILrDOBsV2xnKyH9BPatKxJ9TfUBiQ4RWlQCf9hNpoTzVI219X-N92dBOdn9tOcbNG9bAWjpPng8nAYofIZI2ZUOlg/s1776/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(36).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="1776" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaJC277zHwBVx0kXmgkqBPiL1toH44mdfUYxHQrnHpNigfddbQXpwtkIQAtNiFVb8CkFGAaYd5tbGXomqjRimLAngN43zcds2lILrDOBsV2xnKyH9BPatKxJ9TfUBiQ4RWlQCf9hNpoTzVI219X-N92dBOdn9tOcbNG9bAWjpPng8nAYofIZI2ZUOlg/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(36).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">We spent a long time covering the 12 km stretch of trail between Tres Cantos
and Colmenar Viejo, because there were so many birds along the waterway, each
one new and exciting. Some were incredibly colourful, while others
boasted exotic sounding songs. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5kEOe7V0GVzgHQfxX2EdzjJxN-qFwLAvqzahF07ACghtOt8JeQaN4IFKnFkNyQi2u1hgDjFxCEoH8hTkODBfEUQqSSmVrI87tV2bwtTWSatVe6snehjidNMak21-Kz7wwQsJERexJyJ7Q2en0PPVyNHoucQ2OklBtjVN6HWzYWm9kxzetb6box2ZmQ/s4032/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(24).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ5kEOe7V0GVzgHQfxX2EdzjJxN-qFwLAvqzahF07ACghtOt8JeQaN4IFKnFkNyQi2u1hgDjFxCEoH8hTkODBfEUQqSSmVrI87tV2bwtTWSatVe6snehjidNMak21-Kz7wwQsJERexJyJ7Q2en0PPVyNHoucQ2OklBtjVN6HWzYWm9kxzetb6box2ZmQ/w400-h300/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(24).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">While we were distracted by the hubbub of bird activity another pilgrim passed
us on the trail! He was from Poland and spoke neither Spanish nor
English, but managed to ask if we were headed to Santiago, and exchange a
friendly 'Buen Camino!' Although he was an older gentlemen and moving quite
slowly, he still managed to pass us, and over the course of the day we
leap-frogged quite a few times, smiling and nodding at each encounter. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNmbmlBCEIMYupRtsWU5X-7tj7LisqQFXARW5Xdeq1JPLMh_YpjKRhRGJBWZlzasdU42ialRk2VBoZD3xKYY3XTDWS4LxupgpkDLCVGW27U3816TCuTQFmY0QCDWMRgM1FFr73pRSojLEHPpQjL7m1i82ncGPwCuJu0Wez1Qcaq2-7BwzG-MsnHXzxg/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(34).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNmbmlBCEIMYupRtsWU5X-7tj7LisqQFXARW5Xdeq1JPLMh_YpjKRhRGJBWZlzasdU42ialRk2VBoZD3xKYY3XTDWS4LxupgpkDLCVGW27U3816TCuTQFmY0QCDWMRgM1FFr73pRSojLEHPpQjL7m1i82ncGPwCuJu0Wez1Qcaq2-7BwzG-MsnHXzxg/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(34).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb1HqHsbBT8lZJyjEosMbiigZQwFpkgqvlIlFlI9T-rRL8VflvsZ6KeSiFxwTQVC0b-vGeTMZ6LZUVuubSlifTP0UQ1Kl1W2pmWwy5VPjqviPkRu3KS2F4_z2Sx8XzwtwlryZukGLiQLm0iPYlGBOBPEook4EJPKVPlHUUsYokS7cvnYcffZgAHrLEA/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb1HqHsbBT8lZJyjEosMbiigZQwFpkgqvlIlFlI9T-rRL8VflvsZ6KeSiFxwTQVC0b-vGeTMZ6LZUVuubSlifTP0UQ1Kl1W2pmWwy5VPjqviPkRu3KS2F4_z2Sx8XzwtwlryZukGLiQLm0iPYlGBOBPEook4EJPKVPlHUUsYokS7cvnYcffZgAHrLEA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(35).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK1j16RhXJVETFuuHoBYxqINEQXXBRKQLmlO7T8Gbum2EbMkB58O2lcxH8IG5Gab5MJ4984ZvkOnz5ymaqEsab-ApU5Q4b8x4DuLgk91AXgJ6kVO3oi9l1ECXSCCCWxJyniOrVDalCbLj3ISTTsxgVAb8QsROGUeEa293PMhS1m32f_fSNyBFMralmQ/s3707/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(38).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2475" data-original-width="3707" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilK1j16RhXJVETFuuHoBYxqINEQXXBRKQLmlO7T8Gbum2EbMkB58O2lcxH8IG5Gab5MJ4984ZvkOnz5ymaqEsab-ApU5Q4b8x4DuLgk91AXgJ6kVO3oi9l1ECXSCCCWxJyniOrVDalCbLj3ISTTsxgVAb8QsROGUeEa293PMhS1m32f_fSNyBFMralmQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(38).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXoxLSOyTJsTh2Z-Y9FFEHd5m_RRvrfN_FimD8NzBz9YoreYldFLYGhyJSbYzb7IUq8TOnhIng1QxlpI0lE8Hf6A4XFek1kfhvHN0h4BKRxIq0ZvqBlAFZbxIkAPIwGyxm034OGZF5q_I0TjGKClFHJ9bKInX_B_eT7VotyU9wHOohHsVD5XvAgcoXw/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(39).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXoxLSOyTJsTh2Z-Y9FFEHd5m_RRvrfN_FimD8NzBz9YoreYldFLYGhyJSbYzb7IUq8TOnhIng1QxlpI0lE8Hf6A4XFek1kfhvHN0h4BKRxIq0ZvqBlAFZbxIkAPIwGyxm034OGZF5q_I0TjGKClFHJ9bKInX_B_eT7VotyU9wHOohHsVD5XvAgcoXw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(39).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /> As we slowly progressed through the farmland, we were passed by several
cyclists, a family out for a morning stroll, and a small flock of sheep being
steered by three enthusiastic sheepdogs! </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvenzRxhPvjnc8iUwMAN_ZXOI9G1iaZcoZGjqnDkY0k1ZMll17ADDfnaqEwaRkA3Dj9sFOLW0q2QVehLf08kr2thvMqMI2Mv2kZAKZufLlQeKnyXccFSGt_b-rsn2iSSFsuKBZG4PbL4grfDdVKUp_aDcnfX-KeUQIhgN6mDDZMuDTyj3Fh8_lOnn81w/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(13).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1917" data-original-width="6016" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvenzRxhPvjnc8iUwMAN_ZXOI9G1iaZcoZGjqnDkY0k1ZMll17ADDfnaqEwaRkA3Dj9sFOLW0q2QVehLf08kr2thvMqMI2Mv2kZAKZufLlQeKnyXccFSGt_b-rsn2iSSFsuKBZG4PbL4grfDdVKUp_aDcnfX-KeUQIhgN6mDDZMuDTyj3Fh8_lOnn81w/w640-h204/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(13).JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Eventually we came over a hill with a pair of lovely horses and saw the red
roofs of the town of Colmenar Viejo stretching out ahead of us in front of the
tall, craggy, snow covered Guaderrama Mountain Range. It was a long
steady climb up to the hill-top town, and as we huffed and puffed up the slope
we enjoyed watching the hawks, kites, and storks soaring and circling along the
ridge on either side of us.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh786e476VH0zU4_GDt7QOkyZfUkHy9IXxdVx3iaOSts2ZRBdi4yHLJ5mneejef5q2tKSbptIatTSumYB7QxFL9I5pdDa3tv90n5dCRtn-6C4SW8Czc7CNzpyaMgIPZlxKg4lF3q2_UPe3IkHuS8wjI4KhFAKnIduh8z9xjiDqT5C-wnIlXtPe0a963zg/s4164/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(40).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2780" data-original-width="4164" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh786e476VH0zU4_GDt7QOkyZfUkHy9IXxdVx3iaOSts2ZRBdi4yHLJ5mneejef5q2tKSbptIatTSumYB7QxFL9I5pdDa3tv90n5dCRtn-6C4SW8Czc7CNzpyaMgIPZlxKg4lF3q2_UPe3IkHuS8wjI4KhFAKnIduh8z9xjiDqT5C-wnIlXtPe0a963zg/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(40).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil495de2HCPaMmS_NTSV3tT8-hqjLZzaL0ygH6MIIxCiPIl45Ru-JOl6VTj42f5uCK-eM063FAavS6YpMHK0N6XGTWiRhcRauJBEaQ4FwezljSNYCQQUChCYuoJSEEJfjdEE1WdI6WiBEkgRXPG9bbdv2KufonkmUIFIQEyO5la5jBZTKTUGKCy5MBNQ/s2302/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(42).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2302" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil495de2HCPaMmS_NTSV3tT8-hqjLZzaL0ygH6MIIxCiPIl45Ru-JOl6VTj42f5uCK-eM063FAavS6YpMHK0N6XGTWiRhcRauJBEaQ4FwezljSNYCQQUChCYuoJSEEJfjdEE1WdI6WiBEkgRXPG9bbdv2KufonkmUIFIQEyO5la5jBZTKTUGKCy5MBNQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(42).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s0u3bOkbL60i3P0Rh7GLs1w0kddLK8_LDd7RxbaWWGugZoPa7fEqTz752nDY3UiXX8yjcIZnZ6v-DptE8Rg9mTEWnzpoVdkU6L5BDD9iekU4W63ICkckMMnIbd2iYbDtfT5PfxSwYXeggbBhMfAhekumqnSieuX34bsd13AVhLIM6PGXKu5nxB_iQw/s1798/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(43).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1798" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0s0u3bOkbL60i3P0Rh7GLs1w0kddLK8_LDd7RxbaWWGugZoPa7fEqTz752nDY3UiXX8yjcIZnZ6v-DptE8Rg9mTEWnzpoVdkU6L5BDD9iekU4W63ICkckMMnIbd2iYbDtfT5PfxSwYXeggbBhMfAhekumqnSieuX34bsd13AVhLIM6PGXKu5nxB_iQw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(43).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW7NCwgXNAmpvMfW_MxFYWLbZYnf3CVZYfRR-4BCgsj39IrRD3P-gUrtbqdI70ndAMBPySGaZE9XX-VvfO34mrTrEm1fK-uy_Xhq7UFWtQZbca6mn8YT_6Hq7iwNhQMuSjqA8XnkUKwWq_EudnxLC45jKGi4kjscfFpI2L8kVNMyC6TDNVtwI_Qou-A/s2497/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(46).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1667" data-original-width="2497" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqW7NCwgXNAmpvMfW_MxFYWLbZYnf3CVZYfRR-4BCgsj39IrRD3P-gUrtbqdI70ndAMBPySGaZE9XX-VvfO34mrTrEm1fK-uy_Xhq7UFWtQZbca6mn8YT_6Hq7iwNhQMuSjqA8XnkUKwWq_EudnxLC45jKGi4kjscfFpI2L8kVNMyC6TDNVtwI_Qou-A/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(46).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhd8alETZJX21e6XDj6sMUYlQ92lt-cSC-tJIhoPIhax4WG6OTbjUoUOwGNEm7Mf9AT3eZeofARw0UxJ2pgR1YqCccmNwfBStgU4X1iaGwHnCd8F-pl3q7cZGb-TVXwEoVJvAenNb-F5AuziFqrPVo_QaVqT2-sByNcr_-x36r-Akna4hPInyTRIhqzA/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(47).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhd8alETZJX21e6XDj6sMUYlQ92lt-cSC-tJIhoPIhax4WG6OTbjUoUOwGNEm7Mf9AT3eZeofARw0UxJ2pgR1YqCccmNwfBStgU4X1iaGwHnCd8F-pl3q7cZGb-TVXwEoVJvAenNb-F5AuziFqrPVo_QaVqT2-sByNcr_-x36r-Akna4hPInyTRIhqzA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(47).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWZr_pQq_T1HLrlATejUyhbLjcSBmDgU46qG39tA2ANFIn1slljrv4VAM5Taap9mAlz1evOe6w2HQsdhmnHSKnyE6wPl5e8s5HICGdtmSb4BXD9g_FlDzTkR0Lnze378QbKMF-AGrvgtwCfTzVjXtNnKivL6OCrkuqeoqMKWRczGshJ5jQtDq2JOLCw/s1959/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(50).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1308" data-original-width="1959" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWZr_pQq_T1HLrlATejUyhbLjcSBmDgU46qG39tA2ANFIn1slljrv4VAM5Taap9mAlz1evOe6w2HQsdhmnHSKnyE6wPl5e8s5HICGdtmSb4BXD9g_FlDzTkR0Lnze378QbKMF-AGrvgtwCfTzVjXtNnKivL6OCrkuqeoqMKWRczGshJ5jQtDq2JOLCw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(50).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">At the edge of town we came to a large cemetery which was bustling with
pre-Easter activity, and then a small white chapel with a stone cross out
front. There were a lot of locals out walking their dogs, jogging,
cycling, and getting some exercise along the edge of the steeply sloping road
we were following into town. We couldn't blame them - it was a gorgeous
day and the view was spectacular! Across the rolling green hills we could
still see the towers of Madrid rising up in the distance. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Apparently Colmenar Viejo has a population of 50,000 people, and serves as a
bedroom community for Madrid. However, as we walked through the steep,
winding, streets it felt more like a small village. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YeMkX7vBtQhQVDX6VRL0ROCdhS5BP0vMr_kb_Ruti8jn-AKV8hfMKd_Ih4q5xS3vTshjh4f5EEKp2EG_6SVjeZC5qvk9mmzCr_1hkAxIpIpyT0HdvMzlivt3cBsFhFqu3_XHxjYjaxrZYQp-AbKcWpOE2F5UbKQOIHVUvXplGD7QeT83VkycRj-MFg/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(51).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3384" data-original-width="6016" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YeMkX7vBtQhQVDX6VRL0ROCdhS5BP0vMr_kb_Ruti8jn-AKV8hfMKd_Ih4q5xS3vTshjh4f5EEKp2EG_6SVjeZC5qvk9mmzCr_1hkAxIpIpyT0HdvMzlivt3cBsFhFqu3_XHxjYjaxrZYQp-AbKcWpOE2F5UbKQOIHVUvXplGD7QeT83VkycRj-MFg/w400-h225/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(51).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u2tF7bfJBFv4sgrh524XElxxQPUEMtTyXTc1z3CImT7DeRKoG1y85e_3PgEAG3oYVuosLefR4JyYK9nPnXBl6HviuH9eND57byWjDmaZrhtP89TOiPLMYYo-bXp0xb6rmI94s8xxTdJ42cGHfTJQfCjgHqZAlV_NMsKF8IU3asaRiUMTUUIkraKEGw/s2376/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(54).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1586" data-original-width="2376" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u2tF7bfJBFv4sgrh524XElxxQPUEMtTyXTc1z3CImT7DeRKoG1y85e_3PgEAG3oYVuosLefR4JyYK9nPnXBl6HviuH9eND57byWjDmaZrhtP89TOiPLMYYo-bXp0xb6rmI94s8xxTdJ42cGHfTJQfCjgHqZAlV_NMsKF8IU3asaRiUMTUUIkraKEGw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(54).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XiyCLvxH3pLltQw_3QAhH546dJQs-ZEFaQfNT9sqT40sRXZuW9Fr1l1-Iody8ko0CJMa99l-MjuEbPyhiPithPsFX54kT19CFosY0v11kc3pAhwFOGMSxh3hcQXy24OZBWQbRLzebtoU3rYCMvZ97D85VYXji-u01nQ0tvemW6JzfYa-eTky3HWGbQ/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(56).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XiyCLvxH3pLltQw_3QAhH546dJQs-ZEFaQfNT9sqT40sRXZuW9Fr1l1-Iody8ko0CJMa99l-MjuEbPyhiPithPsFX54kT19CFosY0v11kc3pAhwFOGMSxh3hcQXy24OZBWQbRLzebtoU3rYCMvZ97D85VYXji-u01nQ0tvemW6JzfYa-eTky3HWGbQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(56).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6AM30URh7BoAVMUD4hztk22XGIAr27yRdsWlJiO0S0aEj4XW8qdbVSUZA2BX5-8mnWrYD7idbCx83_FTRkM-bL6Nh7OAWm4jndakG900S0MVwrpgNx5K4UXnBXEXpCWFrv3ZlqHteaiuvtx37LDkbkxSo-1fWdS9OxNh0XuUzlWaK_bGV4Z_IuKI6g/s2915/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(58).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1946" data-original-width="2915" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU6AM30URh7BoAVMUD4hztk22XGIAr27yRdsWlJiO0S0aEj4XW8qdbVSUZA2BX5-8mnWrYD7idbCx83_FTRkM-bL6Nh7OAWm4jndakG900S0MVwrpgNx5K4UXnBXEXpCWFrv3ZlqHteaiuvtx37LDkbkxSo-1fWdS9OxNh0XuUzlWaK_bGV4Z_IuKI6g/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(58).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlQZ0FPtgowP75DjCzYddwcVvHVJUN3G2-p7OWFcFd1q7CN5QnzG8teK-E2IDgRfCOm2rIvE0z36wiB_H2vPO4HBBPy2HpJKq95eUEaBv14cryHSOoJzMO69kymfWzzaafDWCfybyTseoK3nn4bLEqqSRNPBW_GfLYFdb5jjerLN6yZq5zZjQt8thdw/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(60).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdlQZ0FPtgowP75DjCzYddwcVvHVJUN3G2-p7OWFcFd1q7CN5QnzG8teK-E2IDgRfCOm2rIvE0z36wiB_H2vPO4HBBPy2HpJKq95eUEaBv14cryHSOoJzMO69kymfWzzaafDWCfybyTseoK3nn4bLEqqSRNPBW_GfLYFdb5jjerLN6yZq5zZjQt8thdw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(60).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DLS7HFC45xannEO0QRjXvoIHQPzG-HaCS94eSSUm7c_NmYXFtJzhlmQRhppvvCbruLCtImjZQzeF8K9vvtvwcot3s7W7i7cMT5fwQLk1PPu1Py--FNf7Q05yJ-4yBanLcaBcEGKpENInS-y7BN3i9oeOr9uZVQ7kEYj_5a5dR5bUfj0zKxtYMovwoQ/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(61).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DLS7HFC45xannEO0QRjXvoIHQPzG-HaCS94eSSUm7c_NmYXFtJzhlmQRhppvvCbruLCtImjZQzeF8K9vvtvwcot3s7W7i7cMT5fwQLk1PPu1Py--FNf7Q05yJ-4yBanLcaBcEGKpENInS-y7BN3i9oeOr9uZVQ7kEYj_5a5dR5bUfj0zKxtYMovwoQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(61).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXfHql2CU3nEYabnLO594VVgpf4IL4DmvtH1vxX-VZCIlBgd2hm8bKvsL9Nd_An8wQYEvFEMXrD556ytZJhLHlpnVlhWs6dCzmFi4BqG0QbFlSRi1Q8RdZLwoy1XJg9gvCObp0so5bGnbDWzjy3ebHWhBDHsUULl9LsrxeyQ1uUjhk9x2Gi75kC9TQg/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(62).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXfHql2CU3nEYabnLO594VVgpf4IL4DmvtH1vxX-VZCIlBgd2hm8bKvsL9Nd_An8wQYEvFEMXrD556ytZJhLHlpnVlhWs6dCzmFi4BqG0QbFlSRi1Q8RdZLwoy1XJg9gvCObp0so5bGnbDWzjy3ebHWhBDHsUULl9LsrxeyQ1uUjhk9x2Gi75kC9TQg/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(62).JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsaaM738ZgAPdSx0LOdCExW2OnA7xZ4DGdaVgzF9xcZqeufauN6BTSAHe_IXlDrafYdfmCXjPdXMUULEMgSMkWtsbE6hlADr9sY_O3-WUlYLjpEBPy1ia93yC4lJ6OdmrueucGvg2RpPp2FnzuRMOeSnalvT7yujU5KqYedidgZI5LKUFKnNvbDxZUg/s1477/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(66).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="986" data-original-width="1477" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsaaM738ZgAPdSx0LOdCExW2OnA7xZ4DGdaVgzF9xcZqeufauN6BTSAHe_IXlDrafYdfmCXjPdXMUULEMgSMkWtsbE6hlADr9sY_O3-WUlYLjpEBPy1ia93yC4lJ6OdmrueucGvg2RpPp2FnzuRMOeSnalvT7yujU5KqYedidgZI5LKUFKnNvbDxZUg/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(66).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;">We made our way up to the old part of town and the splendid Gothic Church of
the Asunción de Nuestra Señora. The church was founded by the powerful
Mendoza family, who were once lords over much of the land in this area. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">To our delight, the bell towers and roofs of the magnificent church hosted a
whole colony of White Stork nests. The storks were very busy, delivering
sticks for nest reconstruction and renovation, clacking their beaks loudly in
courtship, and launching themselves off the roof in majestic arcs. They
seemed entirely unconcerned by the ringing of the church bells, which must have
been very loud so close to their nests. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNYsYPkTHi3yFjmKGU41We7InKrtX7CErHrIU7OUgetUU785XBVbduvFz8VfLvuZSFAQ7xxi-pRSd2KXUGIu4d05yJ33kmGh4kPkTgOwFTngDzdrqnHNQjtIFWs9iMnm78LWTEcoZS6rc2Z49XcKPaZXZsmiuA_LVgugm1DfMGDc45Llg1k0LjtH5ig/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(67).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfNYsYPkTHi3yFjmKGU41We7InKrtX7CErHrIU7OUgetUU785XBVbduvFz8VfLvuZSFAQ7xxi-pRSd2KXUGIu4d05yJ33kmGh4kPkTgOwFTngDzdrqnHNQjtIFWs9iMnm78LWTEcoZS6rc2Z49XcKPaZXZsmiuA_LVgugm1DfMGDc45Llg1k0LjtH5ig/w268-h400/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(67).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihF76KT9KRorud6fk7PNgfxN5XJstzkUewxUsQhuE7LLdnuwNP3UUsk0tRCpNd8NJC2pJTkZjwcLMj5JFBegFLsVWY0ZBdyVMM7hMGZWg30DZaLR5UoyxSjavPUNIy6wHiXyeQQ2wKmmp9lS7FgKuOMOzydvrkbl55pNgvOPz3qVbKlcbiCKzIGqM2w/s5863/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(68).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3915" data-original-width="5863" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjihF76KT9KRorud6fk7PNgfxN5XJstzkUewxUsQhuE7LLdnuwNP3UUsk0tRCpNd8NJC2pJTkZjwcLMj5JFBegFLsVWY0ZBdyVMM7hMGZWg30DZaLR5UoyxSjavPUNIy6wHiXyeQQ2wKmmp9lS7FgKuOMOzydvrkbl55pNgvOPz3qVbKlcbiCKzIGqM2w/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(68).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uxCu5dTvn-LeEHSIynE1cayE1bCOQqyss4MQh1ZbURdhPcnjrai4026w7BTC2UvVeXmvC64HqehvEQZLc4vZf4O1NYNyJwhHq-2dzCnQ8_VqQfDK7WoIaewW2MqZW6GQ35R7SVfVotyM2t25yz-_HtTOOfeAM2sCK4lQvKO1AtLV1uqxQ6lN0dTKUw/s4095/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(69).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2734" data-original-width="4095" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1uxCu5dTvn-LeEHSIynE1cayE1bCOQqyss4MQh1ZbURdhPcnjrai4026w7BTC2UvVeXmvC64HqehvEQZLc4vZf4O1NYNyJwhHq-2dzCnQ8_VqQfDK7WoIaewW2MqZW6GQ35R7SVfVotyM2t25yz-_HtTOOfeAM2sCK4lQvKO1AtLV1uqxQ6lN0dTKUw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(69).JPG" width="400" /></a><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"> <br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimByMDws_vNl87FD5-sP_RoU07_mSpZ26W7FaGL1FtPqdwezuyZCSppqu9vb0nRwf5Sdzpbeuk--t1RnEq5cQyw4XVMSL7VqVmse6KFLiBIbDxJnuR4fTA5WVV6E7FtUPIssGKG6LpT7YZMXDwyOueQbT9MyPrYyFElrnbrZgRMqrqbxOLyvmLAuUD3A/s4517/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(72).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3015" data-original-width="4517" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimByMDws_vNl87FD5-sP_RoU07_mSpZ26W7FaGL1FtPqdwezuyZCSppqu9vb0nRwf5Sdzpbeuk--t1RnEq5cQyw4XVMSL7VqVmse6KFLiBIbDxJnuR4fTA5WVV6E7FtUPIssGKG6LpT7YZMXDwyOueQbT9MyPrYyFElrnbrZgRMqrqbxOLyvmLAuUD3A/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(72).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">The doors to the large and impressive church were open, so we stepped inside to
get our credentials stamped. The volunteers inside were extremely nice,
and spoke to us very kindly, although we couldn't understand the Spanish. We
spent a few moments in the church, and watched as a group of men practised
carrying and carefully setting down a large and very heavy looking wooden
crucifix for the upcoming Easter procession. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">After heading out of the church we made our way into the square with its water
fountain and the statue of a man looking up at the church, apparently
positioned so as to have the best view of it. We then made our way
through town, which had all the amenities of a modern suburb, including banks,
restaurants, bars, and a museum. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NmaVxXFjLuia1N_xIgmisiR2joNVyFWRKEFqy8KGsU9MTIA9xKycmpQcZF-moXPqA0oUD-ijoLqu0d5g4uvj5_X4ILY9ywZ_MHrq2vMSh5mijXYIedODbbCy__Rbo3H8je4Ob1aCcsI0DPdGx-Gjxq4oCULpihgWmm9JlqAxURz9QrBS8zqHzD7CTQ/s4032/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(74).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NmaVxXFjLuia1N_xIgmisiR2joNVyFWRKEFqy8KGsU9MTIA9xKycmpQcZF-moXPqA0oUD-ijoLqu0d5g4uvj5_X4ILY9ywZ_MHrq2vMSh5mijXYIedODbbCy__Rbo3H8je4Ob1aCcsI0DPdGx-Gjxq4oCULpihgWmm9JlqAxURz9QrBS8zqHzD7CTQ/w400-h300/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(74).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvzN4jtn6VP_CZA_zyRhWF0fKOmHMbUPISdJo6kJKnWGtYEdtBfQ13MSHn8ONZKGmFDNTCnB6DI7SWD1lpyAolFdxED5eh85UMIqSEgrMk2X6o_zaBVJeCCN0cG7ySAegzFmDZGBySeZUdUnJ1Z89bMNgvd95HI-doYR7Q9nTkYikukcz0Xelew0RDQ/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(75).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvzN4jtn6VP_CZA_zyRhWF0fKOmHMbUPISdJo6kJKnWGtYEdtBfQ13MSHn8ONZKGmFDNTCnB6DI7SWD1lpyAolFdxED5eh85UMIqSEgrMk2X6o_zaBVJeCCN0cG7ySAegzFmDZGBySeZUdUnJ1Z89bMNgvd95HI-doYR7Q9nTkYikukcz0Xelew0RDQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(75).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGo_WDGMwLjlOm4IDcv0lQEXjiLlSmdyVcZo3jke5mLx7wUtDSxxhF3R98tFQHjw4j-w7anRKCgN8kWp-w2KPwMcSb8v2ftQD8ygK2n2NCHvnZjneiPnQm6Kl7vcyJKOWt5YUqtdi8Tu8fmRbqBlP0wwM3PSENnzB1GkBulVYOeurL8GTVdmkN24UgLQ/s4110/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(76).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2744" data-original-width="4110" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGo_WDGMwLjlOm4IDcv0lQEXjiLlSmdyVcZo3jke5mLx7wUtDSxxhF3R98tFQHjw4j-w7anRKCgN8kWp-w2KPwMcSb8v2ftQD8ygK2n2NCHvnZjneiPnQm6Kl7vcyJKOWt5YUqtdi8Tu8fmRbqBlP0wwM3PSENnzB1GkBulVYOeurL8GTVdmkN24UgLQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(76).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">We were hoping to find a cold drink and something to eat, and to our delight we
discovered a truly delicious smelling panaderia, and stopped in for two cold
Aquarius and a couple almond cookies. The wonderfully kind baker gifted
us a lovely bit of trail magic in the form of exquisite chocolate covered Easter pastries. What a lovely surprise! </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">We stopped on a bench in the central park to enjoy our snack under the welcome
shade of the trees. After a refreshing break we continued through town on
a wide, beautifully landscaped pedestrian pathway that wound between upscale
red brick three story condos or apartment buildings. The wide white path
was lined with red sandcherries, tall conical conifers, lime green cedars, and
tall heathers and heaths, making for a very colourful walk. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3H6QMcoZpKc-V9H2NqBiIw7_YrPLtuvRoZ1H7l8AJjUGOKDKSjM8YJCLl9AZ3p-Ek7mlb74zPcXcSJWDnsdhGCOJCGS6c3YaMrUAtR0ZszDxbTBmlh-LhcNCkAGMXcCOg8Mgx-gGYrVmFCU73XRNZeDmkmWQLJIFLrZWMtpYIceTOIXktTFakdP_Rw/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(77).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3H6QMcoZpKc-V9H2NqBiIw7_YrPLtuvRoZ1H7l8AJjUGOKDKSjM8YJCLl9AZ3p-Ek7mlb74zPcXcSJWDnsdhGCOJCGS6c3YaMrUAtR0ZszDxbTBmlh-LhcNCkAGMXcCOg8Mgx-gGYrVmFCU73XRNZeDmkmWQLJIFLrZWMtpYIceTOIXktTFakdP_Rw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(77).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYAE6-j_horOvDpzDXQpRv3BbB-5J9Wo8Bq8VuHYl5m_UjqXXizd3XyYs16bw0ne_g1xWzWn_fq_pO1et5KwDpYBa_kUQo4Xixr-JYQzLjmD60bpM0G_yhgwTKOsv8Rr7aN6xWICbk4iC96YiwX43QfRNVZ-RdXt50ijQ1WEYqO-2N3LoW2PyJL-0HA/s2855/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(79).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1906" data-original-width="2855" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGYAE6-j_horOvDpzDXQpRv3BbB-5J9Wo8Bq8VuHYl5m_UjqXXizd3XyYs16bw0ne_g1xWzWn_fq_pO1et5KwDpYBa_kUQo4Xixr-JYQzLjmD60bpM0G_yhgwTKOsv8Rr7aN6xWICbk4iC96YiwX43QfRNVZ-RdXt50ijQ1WEYqO-2N3LoW2PyJL-0HA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(79).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DNwRGrq2EjWXOdq-GrfqRl5bAS96V_B7P-x7ybyr17_nI1-NB60QisuqVatQoDjJKrILOFyjkwrIQrh4qnHkcxUiyncXT5AXAhI2OYtQnmilmEV3HNgAaLXXmOju6aTaSKSgDOw-Qyiwy_XGElUxoknU_NRCA7RlkDlwx3iwK_0XRzwV9F0wb_CcWw/s5987/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(81).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2258" data-original-width="5987" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DNwRGrq2EjWXOdq-GrfqRl5bAS96V_B7P-x7ybyr17_nI1-NB60QisuqVatQoDjJKrILOFyjkwrIQrh4qnHkcxUiyncXT5AXAhI2OYtQnmilmEV3HNgAaLXXmOju6aTaSKSgDOw-Qyiwy_XGElUxoknU_NRCA7RlkDlwx3iwK_0XRzwV9F0wb_CcWw/w640-h242/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(81).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGJ276kmky2NdjFwSOrAOx_IZGC-ICFDJBRw9puNcalZQ7rAE4iYvHT8lrVG8JqOXjIQF-9s2-lrmvRrW3bkHfgMRvNV-JpBbwX2B8FM8KZ9L9XCBF6zuo3wswTxA_gqcqFdaAaPfWjS8VVZ9gG76X4sxq_y0OSH_XBtMdgzHCytinyYgqJr98xHsGw/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(82).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGJ276kmky2NdjFwSOrAOx_IZGC-ICFDJBRw9puNcalZQ7rAE4iYvHT8lrVG8JqOXjIQF-9s2-lrmvRrW3bkHfgMRvNV-JpBbwX2B8FM8KZ9L9XCBF6zuo3wswTxA_gqcqFdaAaPfWjS8VVZ9gG76X4sxq_y0OSH_XBtMdgzHCytinyYgqJr98xHsGw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(82).JPG" width="400" /></a></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">At the far edge of town we again came to a dirt pathway that took us under the
highway and then over the uneven, curved arch of the medieval Puente del
Batán. The 'New Bridge' spans the Manzanares River, and was built
sometime before 1578. It was an important link in the road between Madrid
and Segovia, and has now been restored because it is a necessary link on the
Camino. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">After crossing the uneven stone bridge the path then lead us up again into the
hills, following beside a low stone wall. There were lots of people out
walking and cycling the trail, enjoying the sunshine and the stunning scenery.
The landscape felt wild and rugged - the rolling treed hills set against a
backdrop of mountains. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPsF9GrTbKNrtirNxDtMzO-LC9i-qctKfIb-VZPglOf-GIIwEL0o-eu91rbDN0nuimSAn2IQtCPNw1miB3AXXa3wJ90rvNDkhe_jtZwNH99iPWBDKaAU6zioqbY8aK_Uw7_jkGVpF493b2EOunRkoGE-BZs8V-lKA-ridUxwhuNITql_PP5poY6PpCQ/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(84).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPPsF9GrTbKNrtirNxDtMzO-LC9i-qctKfIb-VZPglOf-GIIwEL0o-eu91rbDN0nuimSAn2IQtCPNw1miB3AXXa3wJ90rvNDkhe_jtZwNH99iPWBDKaAU6zioqbY8aK_Uw7_jkGVpF493b2EOunRkoGE-BZs8V-lKA-ridUxwhuNITql_PP5poY6PpCQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(84).JPG" width="400" /></a><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"> <br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_UP_JuIt5ox-NpDAXpaQp276zqgP_EcvQDUUTDc1rXe25z9zm4J5tXdQZmcQQv6ZX2a2gg-bKApv-pEC4efVZaiSE_yeNZO0pqvDect_-TnCXewz7bTZ_6r17fBeCsAzebGR1n6BL11jEMgjtyYSgysWiZFZaonOyZFHVdP07SzRsdEXYty3JFY34w/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(88).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_UP_JuIt5ox-NpDAXpaQp276zqgP_EcvQDUUTDc1rXe25z9zm4J5tXdQZmcQQv6ZX2a2gg-bKApv-pEC4efVZaiSE_yeNZO0pqvDect_-TnCXewz7bTZ_6r17fBeCsAzebGR1n6BL11jEMgjtyYSgysWiZFZaonOyZFHVdP07SzRsdEXYty3JFY34w/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(88).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBujsq_Ht2853ikqZKy6y2ickAC7x4NWPMd09RaEoHOXEWhFLmCntUAhRwowJr2Je39FU1_O96yEnngIjzAgXwk12KDpbcsDh0ahHg1NTfC2FQakkSGFB-CdyRFwXOp50dgo8nG4M3P7U2faO3iH_XlxTp7v1sHupqKRE0NnSoEignHLy7HKTKk_3Og/s2074/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(90).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="2074" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBujsq_Ht2853ikqZKy6y2ickAC7x4NWPMd09RaEoHOXEWhFLmCntUAhRwowJr2Je39FU1_O96yEnngIjzAgXwk12KDpbcsDh0ahHg1NTfC2FQakkSGFB-CdyRFwXOp50dgo8nG4M3P7U2faO3iH_XlxTp7v1sHupqKRE0NnSoEignHLy7HKTKk_3Og/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(90).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AW3Zba7lHXwh9D-N9OBRgrZhvZPIPXC2IeB1gDWFFaryndPRrzA6SP23GmsvmRFCcy0h91uMu7ky7S4cWS9qbpj9vcnsjYneKL1Cc3w042dVb_7nsbXlvryuxkIO5_Gwr07sGcVRuNS8hicLIEPx2EizmW2FIugdkKtpDQeA64dzYmuh4oJz75o0RA/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(94).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AW3Zba7lHXwh9D-N9OBRgrZhvZPIPXC2IeB1gDWFFaryndPRrzA6SP23GmsvmRFCcy0h91uMu7ky7S4cWS9qbpj9vcnsjYneKL1Cc3w042dVb_7nsbXlvryuxkIO5_Gwr07sGcVRuNS8hicLIEPx2EizmW2FIugdkKtpDQeA64dzYmuh4oJz75o0RA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(94).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXXF8U0lATmjONyZOGIMMjIZmTBIGpKkzTd8pp5l9emmzSQmf1SCO3vobTEIdzCUKqMKbOLtsRTOnvuFemCnZ0GNT0Wdb4_vzx_hiuJMGJUJS8YCrbWGI8PUjlpdLdRgURdBGxPR79sg4kHaYoezqFMKSKcmDPMSCxULX58itfT_FA5QRW-WQafQ0dw/s2122/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(95).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="2122" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXXF8U0lATmjONyZOGIMMjIZmTBIGpKkzTd8pp5l9emmzSQmf1SCO3vobTEIdzCUKqMKbOLtsRTOnvuFemCnZ0GNT0Wdb4_vzx_hiuJMGJUJS8YCrbWGI8PUjlpdLdRgURdBGxPR79sg4kHaYoezqFMKSKcmDPMSCxULX58itfT_FA5QRW-WQafQ0dw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(95).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTiNO7UGVANuUHZNJs975zdrCB77tY6bgnMx9W7CJgzvVO-9RAfrflJtkIWxVyAgHxfQA-Y72Ix2j7U7QUhTNATIpyfuhuTuChnPpYx1apguuis7z1Xvq83gKtJxF0mb3EvJ1ojNtKccmHBkiX_h7QlhM4_TIPyuYHmOMeaOGDLqPzg_dP_kL_zPR1g/s3459/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(100).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2309" data-original-width="3459" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTiNO7UGVANuUHZNJs975zdrCB77tY6bgnMx9W7CJgzvVO-9RAfrflJtkIWxVyAgHxfQA-Y72Ix2j7U7QUhTNATIpyfuhuTuChnPpYx1apguuis7z1Xvq83gKtJxF0mb3EvJ1ojNtKccmHBkiX_h7QlhM4_TIPyuYHmOMeaOGDLqPzg_dP_kL_zPR1g/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(100).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">We couldn’t have asked for a nicer second day on the Camino, but by the late
afternoon our legs were beginning to feel the constant climbing that they
weren't yet used to. We kept going, enjoying the birds and the lizards
until eventually the trail turned sharply and began to descend steeply. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Suddenly we spotted the town of Manzanares el Real stretched out below us at
the end of a large reservoir of blue water. We could see the impressive
spire of the cathedral, and the unmistakable outline of the castle against the
skyline. Even from a distance we could see that the beach along the lake
and the entrance to the castle were bustling with people. Indeed this
holiday town was full of people enjoying the Semana Santa break.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3PIdpTVVp4LY5Lgv0oEv1EpUV4gPjfyNBh-_KVkD1kqDGZqN9bTqYBZpJARyYo1C7-5BbPPCSARTwpBMj4kj8cIMAxEA06aW-5c2ExgbcULJnKhfJBez23z2AcI363o2XuESqXXAMbnNUoBNU52cFN0KDX8uEwBGQgszVrkt1kSVMiyQwEZnl_1Ukw/s5783/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(101).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3861" data-original-width="5783" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3PIdpTVVp4LY5Lgv0oEv1EpUV4gPjfyNBh-_KVkD1kqDGZqN9bTqYBZpJARyYo1C7-5BbPPCSARTwpBMj4kj8cIMAxEA06aW-5c2ExgbcULJnKhfJBez23z2AcI363o2XuESqXXAMbnNUoBNU52cFN0KDX8uEwBGQgszVrkt1kSVMiyQwEZnl_1Ukw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(101).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33JA6FkHuLLKgXkUujrVhXRoljH0ml_2ZP6T4i9E8rN0W3lerUUkM8iS3PZtJARpQ10PzOeBspyggg-vtbvlSr_iomVPS0vpVfXtN9bITMnaJPiwndje0mxhQAOygFTZXOjf_T9t8vBQx91jWb2BvN6WWWX0s57dMTnvyZ4bodukFLgbx2hLGugCSxw/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(103).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh33JA6FkHuLLKgXkUujrVhXRoljH0ml_2ZP6T4i9E8rN0W3lerUUkM8iS3PZtJARpQ10PzOeBspyggg-vtbvlSr_iomVPS0vpVfXtN9bITMnaJPiwndje0mxhQAOygFTZXOjf_T9t8vBQx91jWb2BvN6WWWX0s57dMTnvyZ4bodukFLgbx2hLGugCSxw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(103).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixY1imuID-5tTXnlFO5hohAy-iOpkG0qwYfMsN2VdP55FC8ZfaPnjTBFztpuq6UbzDZhWGqCllLC0ZF36itTE8C_t6Ym0lPj4LbQH4yH6v-aWL7l1B8e4sxUun_bojBZQ82AOejSHnCTtHGrSSsMUN_X0skBQ4AwNDABIY0cZP_enbCplOT-2iN7qiig/s1748/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(104).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; 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text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzJXovtmyVArNRESLJl44KQ2yqlJGM9PHZ_WEvwACufdAwBHfnFTgRjORwgNaYCKjKbbHPF8B6JshG2KYeEJESCMeDeLdG_56h6aGuhP3rbP5UZhpsl7j0f_7Ru2Dx8L7RAVU7Zwi2MWbRy88YGBIMhZE4T1DUCG47onZmDTwg6Gbp29UywK6AFiyRQ/s2359/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(106).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1574" data-original-width="2359" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvzJXovtmyVArNRESLJl44KQ2yqlJGM9PHZ_WEvwACufdAwBHfnFTgRjORwgNaYCKjKbbHPF8B6JshG2KYeEJESCMeDeLdG_56h6aGuhP3rbP5UZhpsl7j0f_7Ru2Dx8L7RAVU7Zwi2MWbRy88YGBIMhZE4T1DUCG47onZmDTwg6Gbp29UywK6AFiyRQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(106).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6pG1KNha5hf1ZH1AtPMFgHo5xuLjkiI9KYZvlMUGO6XEKc0Jkez9S_okZAc5BTcJjI9QHJG5fvg6A-abFXqGE2ZVHWwFeWrQAUrsA4LVxArPZ-_5VFw2J8tD2qJlQFT6IVIIwp1xq0nZEPtOKfUMj9vTnK9f2wHp_SmMj_Zb8or5xeIpdCXGLU6xJw/s2277/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(108).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1520" data-original-width="2277" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb6pG1KNha5hf1ZH1AtPMFgHo5xuLjkiI9KYZvlMUGO6XEKc0Jkez9S_okZAc5BTcJjI9QHJG5fvg6A-abFXqGE2ZVHWwFeWrQAUrsA4LVxArPZ-_5VFw2J8tD2qJlQFT6IVIIwp1xq0nZEPtOKfUMj9vTnK9f2wHp_SmMj_Zb8or5xeIpdCXGLU6xJw/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(108).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAWq1WBlXO-MmRiEqiBobwcCmHFU5amSaFDY5vNxgkYzqLUhNY7PzI3f9W99FdgQ_rv7gNEFpqC7W7nNMx6RIGpZhOLX7pRKhwA4OvdNQ0p6wIyMh_-1pNMi29FoeQbse2xx5ZflQfHEg9hM3wmcgzbdNvpM1B-eVB-ydVwO6wEkh3ha5hGGemuPhtA/s3918/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(109).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2616" data-original-width="3918" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAWq1WBlXO-MmRiEqiBobwcCmHFU5amSaFDY5vNxgkYzqLUhNY7PzI3f9W99FdgQ_rv7gNEFpqC7W7nNMx6RIGpZhOLX7pRKhwA4OvdNQ0p6wIyMh_-1pNMi29FoeQbse2xx5ZflQfHEg9hM3wmcgzbdNvpM1B-eVB-ydVwO6wEkh3ha5hGGemuPhtA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(109).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWzcR1iwjly8z5vqLCOyk8JnbTsWEUI-XB-OFn5hSAXAqeT-JdIhGetuhCMmpgN2HCCPNaqERVKaOA4RSXoilZFTLp8GQ1vbfyqj3GyG1-Cu_dGwKvyv8WDhmtV0l9BrQhZfmdP1FYX0pHZteQgb1ZuIx-GfF6jObeORYJav48DE_UdJrV73aDkm5Yg/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(110).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWzcR1iwjly8z5vqLCOyk8JnbTsWEUI-XB-OFn5hSAXAqeT-JdIhGetuhCMmpgN2HCCPNaqERVKaOA4RSXoilZFTLp8GQ1vbfyqj3GyG1-Cu_dGwKvyv8WDhmtV0l9BrQhZfmdP1FYX0pHZteQgb1ZuIx-GfF6jObeORYJav48DE_UdJrV73aDkm5Yg/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(110).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFewv4QTvIa6Sr9VqX203G4IJ2YvXqxIqvNY_mrZowpEeCE5zJ0Me_nOKJCN_UCw2rBbuYIX_PNxJWetkTfGqZYM2k9wMwewNVo5b5ZIuw1kKVXZobu7ERYaKvm_O-v6Un3Vj_ENcJpkxBudRQbmHpJnoW3vwH_ohG88CWnFj6Lil193Tx1zftwXgkHQ/s4590/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(111).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3065" data-original-width="4590" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFewv4QTvIa6Sr9VqX203G4IJ2YvXqxIqvNY_mrZowpEeCE5zJ0Me_nOKJCN_UCw2rBbuYIX_PNxJWetkTfGqZYM2k9wMwewNVo5b5ZIuw1kKVXZobu7ERYaKvm_O-v6Un3Vj_ENcJpkxBudRQbmHpJnoW3vwH_ohG88CWnFj6Lil193Tx1zftwXgkHQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(111).JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Manzanares el Real is a famous spot for mountain climbers who explore the peaks
of the huge granite range of La Pedriza, which is just north of town. The
town is also used as a base for people visiting the Guadarrama National Park,
and it offers opportunities to visit the 15th century castle of Los Mendoza and
the church of Nuestra Señora de las Nieves. </span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">When we arrived in the town we found its beach and its streets to be overwhelmingly
full of visitors. We made our way to the Hostel La Pedriza, where we had
managed to reserve the last two bunks in an 8 bed dormitory. We had our
showers, washed our clothes and hung them on our bunks to dry, and made our way
downstairs to the bar. As we enjoyed a pint and a plate of hummus it
began to rain heavily outside. Good timing! </span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Yrlo0LNNpefjY8vBcfjZOkzOAc78MBGTEUKQtPmE_9KhnDnrv-xetcUOliRRn4jkSCjmw5Zj0Ovjz-QsRrZwKnInUcypErxaGciIbV2q8j1IUnIM8s9pcPVr0yrX6eJXlJATTBiUvCvDmv5SpEseL801jzaiOFcPOWujVJTqHhrMKuoOTeYLgFQFBA/s5373/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(114).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3587" data-original-width="5373" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Yrlo0LNNpefjY8vBcfjZOkzOAc78MBGTEUKQtPmE_9KhnDnrv-xetcUOliRRn4jkSCjmw5Zj0Ovjz-QsRrZwKnInUcypErxaGciIbV2q8j1IUnIM8s9pcPVr0yrX6eJXlJATTBiUvCvDmv5SpEseL801jzaiOFcPOWujVJTqHhrMKuoOTeYLgFQFBA/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(114).JPG" width="400" /></a><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCUIu9N7N76mgWLhw26qlBpKUKtiH2rSCGDOy16EsJms4ieuFUBwBFCtUKIO_431DtPiBRXBpnA25ET-VzLNc2G2kqZIX9pAK4-kEDhH_9brdWIOlshfqzqpXYnpNIl_GKisWSi_fpYRN_2SokgFuHOuLlEcMPbNlLb7PM4e0QRS8297Ul0ii7EfJzA/s4000/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(115).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCUIu9N7N76mgWLhw26qlBpKUKtiH2rSCGDOy16EsJms4ieuFUBwBFCtUKIO_431DtPiBRXBpnA25ET-VzLNc2G2kqZIX9pAK4-kEDhH_9brdWIOlshfqzqpXYnpNIl_GKisWSi_fpYRN_2SokgFuHOuLlEcMPbNlLb7PM4e0QRS8297Ul0ii7EfJzA/w300-h400/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(115).jpg" width="300" /></a></span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">As we sat there the older pilgrim we'd seen earlier in the day came in, clearly
exhausted. He didn't have a reservation, and he was told everywhere in
town was full. This is what we had discovered as well. We would
happily have slept on the floor of the common room and let him have a bunk, but
language barriers and regulations ruled out this option. It is possible
to take a train back to Madrid from here, but our walking companion seemed to
reject this idea. We spent the night worried about him, but I guess we
just have to trust that the Camino provides, for everyone. Hopefully our
paths will cross again, and we will know things turned out okay. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg2FyOgaruz-RcL8nVDgbQFqQX7gOhm0YLszSzOrZ4DE362eobPCR-2Mi4a6u-Biq4fhUe92AGzKw-YWTwEmbwn7A57snzsARkxsY66rwFPYxLlTU5MlzDdA9gCMYGL-QXeGZ_YgD0EqQzshZJPWpyI-mqwwYjlN7E3tJRcOO0diDHJdWoquxnfRRhQ/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(113).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkg2FyOgaruz-RcL8nVDgbQFqQX7gOhm0YLszSzOrZ4DE362eobPCR-2Mi4a6u-Biq4fhUe92AGzKw-YWTwEmbwn7A57snzsARkxsY66rwFPYxLlTU5MlzDdA9gCMYGL-QXeGZ_YgD0EqQzshZJPWpyI-mqwwYjlN7E3tJRcOO0diDHJdWoquxnfRRhQ/w400-h268/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20(113).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">After our snack we walked back down to the beach, and did a short circuit
around town before crawling into our bunk beds. We are fairly sure we are the
only pilgrims in the hostel, with most of the others being climbers, hikers, or
students. Today has been another long and beautiful day on the Camino. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b><span face=""Calibri", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-CA" style="line-height: 107%;">Distance: 27 km<br />
Accommodations: Hostel La Pedriza</span></b></span></p>Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com028410 Manzanares el Real, Madrid, Spain40.7262858 -3.864689312.416051963821154 -39.0209393 69.036519636178838 31.291560699999998tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-44929571264456408882022-04-13T12:35:00.149-04:002022-06-25T08:33:38.113-04:00Camino Begins : Madrid to Tres Cantos<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Since our flight arrived in Madrid
relatively late yesterday evening, we had a few errands to run this
morning. We got up early and headed out through the cool morning, down
narrow, winding streets that were just beginning to fill with morning
commuters. We stopped at a bustling little cafe on the edge of the Puerta
de Sol, the main square in the old town, for a delicious breakfast of café con
leche and napolitanas. There is no better way to begin any Camino than
with a warm, strong, comforting cup of café con leche!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxI5nfbAvEpxM0y9UClJUVj9qofYLnSP6-oRdT54W0_XOXNvbIy3rJUql_bXqFOmQPjZK9gKE-JmEj9nTI1lDq9n9w7I7zeZV1hXcwdN0WYGC8jDxar4eMPskCURM7KDKgqzr0pOw9yQ_EQ4d2WuFa88nWKOK6ZMMPWCBCGX5gAjFmLT8HabKfiDqVA/s3501/20220413_090246.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2625" data-original-width="3501" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxI5nfbAvEpxM0y9UClJUVj9qofYLnSP6-oRdT54W0_XOXNvbIy3rJUql_bXqFOmQPjZK9gKE-JmEj9nTI1lDq9n9w7I7zeZV1hXcwdN0WYGC8jDxar4eMPskCURM7KDKgqzr0pOw9yQ_EQ4d2WuFa88nWKOK6ZMMPWCBCGX5gAjFmLT8HabKfiDqVA/w400-h300/20220413_090246.jpg" width="400" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr-BEwVeTbTiXMDfaSf5aqMR3hE5OJ7eprQCmIbvQndrzRno-79K5Gkyr-t0wE_j2wGCPfCLMnkeLD3B7s98aUFdc8FkEzGUBJuIepb3v_sV2_3nY-oxsdvV6sq6KB9EIln5o9AHV6HoI0GZMQxtpfcm3TpLop7JCcdEzp0YxIF9WuQTnSXzW2aoXpQ/s3377/20220413_103039.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3377" data-original-width="2533" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigr-BEwVeTbTiXMDfaSf5aqMR3hE5OJ7eprQCmIbvQndrzRno-79K5Gkyr-t0wE_j2wGCPfCLMnkeLD3B7s98aUFdc8FkEzGUBJuIepb3v_sV2_3nY-oxsdvV6sq6KB9EIln5o9AHV6HoI0GZMQxtpfcm3TpLop7JCcdEzp0YxIF9WuQTnSXzW2aoXpQ/w300-h400/20220413_103039.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">The warmth of the sun could already be felt as we made our way past the Plaza
Mayor, going towards the Palacio Real de Madrid. This impressive, three
story tall white marble building sits on the edge of a huge white stone
courtyard that is protected by an ornate metal fence. The Palace is the
official home of the Spanish Royal Family, and with 3,418 rooms it is the
largest functioning Royal Palace in Europe, with a floor space of 1,450,000 sq
ft. Today it is only used during ceremonial functions, and is open to the
public the rest of the year. A lineup for the paid tours was already
forming as we made our way across the square, stopping to admire the carved
statue of the Archangel Michael at the side of the plaza that was lit by the
morning sun. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpChp9IABr9sgaU9tUtWrHHi0XfPldZtW7IcJDo1DmBKfno3hCpVaCLD7KvadljrF-9KDR9jxn5MLErGfu-6IOfQMmN1JV66JIeI83366bvPUX-nWXGCNcJ2JimFiZZ_4KXRrose1t23GquNStNKwyXk-lkmEPPBT9hp5WfR3OFsFXoq6XbynasVU7Q/s4685/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3128" data-original-width="4685" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjpChp9IABr9sgaU9tUtWrHHi0XfPldZtW7IcJDo1DmBKfno3hCpVaCLD7KvadljrF-9KDR9jxn5MLErGfu-6IOfQMmN1JV66JIeI83366bvPUX-nWXGCNcJ2JimFiZZ_4KXRrose1t23GquNStNKwyXk-lkmEPPBT9hp5WfR3OFsFXoq6XbynasVU7Q/w400-h268/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(4).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sE8o-XHD0-7sFafs3c1R-do69eEQ9zp7GzUF0wsW7alQ0O0_FLLJlIne-VGqddaQBJx5kDupxM8kdrADX3RtTL8FLD8JlfP2y7HMbWRcoFPs1KKAVTtPO0hKfGtk8S3XJNhO7YyEnncUF8nqrulysDXKzi6uPc-FTuKapDN16_dYCuKbYDdKgA_7JQ/s6016/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(31).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2sE8o-XHD0-7sFafs3c1R-do69eEQ9zp7GzUF0wsW7alQ0O0_FLLJlIne-VGqddaQBJx5kDupxM8kdrADX3RtTL8FLD8JlfP2y7HMbWRcoFPs1KKAVTtPO0hKfGtk8S3XJNhO7YyEnncUF8nqrulysDXKzi6uPc-FTuKapDN16_dYCuKbYDdKgA_7JQ/w268-h400/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(31).JPG" width="268" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxFmTLbc-KeSvekzxy0ayt52TUzcymJJjP9C5JKLWIZX_vpq2f5Tv6s7RX9mVBFUCcmKCicuJmD5PK3naWa8I7No-anHH676XXeGXDc1oPi-gTZvq6EiqlvyMl-AkmV68Gn0TLKfna3STmmPOaqNIF5qU48HiY8lUBXiUopV4btVTV3Id7hx_RaO9cQ/s4389/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(11.5).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2930" data-original-width="4389" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnxFmTLbc-KeSvekzxy0ayt52TUzcymJJjP9C5JKLWIZX_vpq2f5Tv6s7RX9mVBFUCcmKCicuJmD5PK3naWa8I7No-anHH676XXeGXDc1oPi-gTZvq6EiqlvyMl-AkmV68Gn0TLKfna3STmmPOaqNIF5qU48HiY8lUBXiUopV4btVTV3Id7hx_RaO9cQ/w400-h268/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(11.5).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;"> </span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the far end of the courtyard we were treated to a stunning view out over the
forested hills and snow covered mountains that surround the city. As we
admired the layers of blue peaks disappearing into the clouds it occurred to us
that in a few days we will be attempting to walk over those very same snowy
peaks! </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU8pDY3otxGFx9TM1ugXNhtdMSgi95JhE8Y-sYN0FRl2nxz1RJNHBpZHlsJdAwvATiQPrN8spT9RSYLYbP3SU9MXz1qSNw5Nblog6Ey10aSq93gJikrugOTvnOWSdclEbssy7w5Ot6GJ_jcONxdOck0Fdcmq0T8WqUNuoi7sjGcl-tmmJxf1gd5S7_g/s6016/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(32).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEU8pDY3otxGFx9TM1ugXNhtdMSgi95JhE8Y-sYN0FRl2nxz1RJNHBpZHlsJdAwvATiQPrN8spT9RSYLYbP3SU9MXz1qSNw5Nblog6Ey10aSq93gJikrugOTvnOWSdclEbssy7w5Ot6GJ_jcONxdOck0Fdcmq0T8WqUNuoi7sjGcl-tmmJxf1gd5S7_g/w400-h268/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(32).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLru6d0UNAeN4AoIw5fudRDwVaoMJMedi6bL22G21ZqNKOfgrkIYzucGBRfOuD2aF53_ORRmg4Cn2YoeJayQd4OiFMxCpEf7p_mgvMSMoiHba8Recbj2ccUW4cCdSXN_3_vBL6LOz6iFwsv0U3HBWxKTRUqqDLNW7P5zcXw5yUaF_wjqtrwXpS_2aaQ/s6016/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(15).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLru6d0UNAeN4AoIw5fudRDwVaoMJMedi6bL22G21ZqNKOfgrkIYzucGBRfOuD2aF53_ORRmg4Cn2YoeJayQd4OiFMxCpEf7p_mgvMSMoiHba8Recbj2ccUW4cCdSXN_3_vBL6LOz6iFwsv0U3HBWxKTRUqqDLNW7P5zcXw5yUaF_wjqtrwXpS_2aaQ/w400-h268/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(15).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZwYAACEm1fsfAogqWkLFkccmpWXo0o1VC8C7dXi077xo2F4OgS-bdAf10XTcREqzGcygM4QXsalAXYuYQgTUXgzyBXcX3PYJsPlMl7a_wLXCHrB2eZ6_FuP9-nQ8bm1JTFYSSv0Rv8q9xcQzg5fB2Yl5ECyo7gopWZGaWBMTdnWMJmivhew_SbnkEA/s6016/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(16).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRZwYAACEm1fsfAogqWkLFkccmpWXo0o1VC8C7dXi077xo2F4OgS-bdAf10XTcREqzGcygM4QXsalAXYuYQgTUXgzyBXcX3PYJsPlMl7a_wLXCHrB2eZ6_FuP9-nQ8bm1JTFYSSv0Rv8q9xcQzg5fB2Yl5ECyo7gopWZGaWBMTdnWMJmivhew_SbnkEA/w400-h268/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(16).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsNMGnqY1dqoeTB50lnkC55g0f5uh4hn3pMaf1SB3EmQW-J4PtY78qWlPqjmmPztFN7pb4wF_SzxD6v0GwPRfNi3hVLCB6rzD9PflBdE6DdOIY4N-6Kq_kLTCZGwLx0RhGE-6Y4KuXaL4ZTpCqglTHCLS-4Q6bwPaLkFxkwWPODOpeCO9YgOvrsizHw/s4287/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(34).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4287" data-original-width="2862" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsNMGnqY1dqoeTB50lnkC55g0f5uh4hn3pMaf1SB3EmQW-J4PtY78qWlPqjmmPztFN7pb4wF_SzxD6v0GwPRfNi3hVLCB6rzD9PflBdE6DdOIY4N-6Kq_kLTCZGwLx0RhGE-6Y4KuXaL4ZTpCqglTHCLS-4Q6bwPaLkFxkwWPODOpeCO9YgOvrsizHw/s320/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(34).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0L0lcUUR7iPNJjLhJ9gRa0hVBf7fVVgGB1VeTStpXmuVYuum4sBLqVh6bAifpWEqpjW_3tTz8FsY3xQsiKGYFVgmAWCpgkCu9jWKN9UU5Jy9vY1MmxoHUbM2lt72ZbFNnf6NK2ibX5qLbsWowq39XZfTiyKVWu7hfN3JWuGmWOJwtkIau80QdPdC3FQ/s2754/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2754" data-original-width="1838" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0L0lcUUR7iPNJjLhJ9gRa0hVBf7fVVgGB1VeTStpXmuVYuum4sBLqVh6bAifpWEqpjW_3tTz8FsY3xQsiKGYFVgmAWCpgkCu9jWKN9UU5Jy9vY1MmxoHUbM2lt72ZbFNnf6NK2ibX5qLbsWowq39XZfTiyKVWu7hfN3JWuGmWOJwtkIau80QdPdC3FQ/s320/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(35).JPG" width="214" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0fSf7tNWcoFA5MoZqJuOHXDlMLc9mIepSB7pgMTRfZdo-Bf0e96aU2WlSAbrL54TPDsq4c1IMEoGyqje4Tt2Wn2aVMfufvnhjQ5YeLsM1XZlpwOqqZiZBPGLtNVFPkJIWNNM7DcXchGBTWCigd36Hk2_0jv0W1fW57rBo4ejBhXyM2FdFUAXyp4Cjw/s5591/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(19).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5591" data-original-width="3733" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0fSf7tNWcoFA5MoZqJuOHXDlMLc9mIepSB7pgMTRfZdo-Bf0e96aU2WlSAbrL54TPDsq4c1IMEoGyqje4Tt2Wn2aVMfufvnhjQ5YeLsM1XZlpwOqqZiZBPGLtNVFPkJIWNNM7DcXchGBTWCigd36Hk2_0jv0W1fW57rBo4ejBhXyM2FdFUAXyp4Cjw/w268-h400/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(19).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></p></div><p><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoDnptmGkltr0fJk1wQtWJbfpFVpy4dYdWjMh0iXE_CE2zerAoy8KCbKRMChwGOUlUYCDV9-x0zGm_1P8fWTIl0CoqSwGFyyH6Y-ksG1-vAac8JP_1n3FHLauHj_mBxMOw76-Zl64m23utxgLY5BIbf5RIpdraCBRywztT7bNb1O78z78ly4o0jpVKw/s5771/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(25).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1971" data-original-width="5771" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGoDnptmGkltr0fJk1wQtWJbfpFVpy4dYdWjMh0iXE_CE2zerAoy8KCbKRMChwGOUlUYCDV9-x0zGm_1P8fWTIl0CoqSwGFyyH6Y-ksG1-vAac8JP_1n3FHLauHj_mBxMOw76-Zl64m23utxgLY5BIbf5RIpdraCBRywztT7bNb1O78z78ly4o0jpVKw/w640-h218/Revised%20around%20Madrid%20(25).JPG" width="640" /></a></span></p></div><p><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;"> </span></p></div></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">Filled with a sense of purpose we made our way back through the city streets,
passing the picturesque Mercado de San Miguel. The tall iron and glass
structure was originally built in 1916, and now houses over 30 vendors offering
a tempting looking selection of freshly prepared tapas, cheeses, cured meats,
olives, baked goods, and other delicious looking foods. If we had more
time in Madrid we would definitely spend more time exploring. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbHa_oAjIXfARN-czunHWcW000Z9iMbrTabpIqmQguQg_-pOJQkRZ2fPLE5-ZQspod8KrB-arzJgziTuqBsQJpV8LBgjsCUoibT4xLpRJGH0qeEwyO5Eslm4-DcM6-jlGKpPfnxDlUWtrPObmx42Xrd_vVP6PhYtnam525J8v_cNXlXt0ojKvbbuYVw/s4523/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4523" data-original-width="3019" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAbHa_oAjIXfARN-czunHWcW000Z9iMbrTabpIqmQguQg_-pOJQkRZ2fPLE5-ZQspod8KrB-arzJgziTuqBsQJpV8LBgjsCUoibT4xLpRJGH0qeEwyO5Eslm4-DcM6-jlGKpPfnxDlUWtrPObmx42Xrd_vVP6PhYtnam525J8v_cNXlXt0ojKvbbuYVw/s320/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(2).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUfU5NvK2Wdu6zrXXMVxnLTJh4kMjUxgSE-Lkg-E4c3wfON44z7XsBp-OggF4rUjwVgS98YOnRL456F32PeQ8l1ofOijVhYyF9AbQBU4rDCdr2l_7Xtl10JApKxrfVnXdDN76K1aaVJb7hAxVuZMpa7kBFlQioBp43Wl7SYG5rF4ofEtGfzu5Tl2g4A/s3661/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(4).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3661" data-original-width="2444" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUfU5NvK2Wdu6zrXXMVxnLTJh4kMjUxgSE-Lkg-E4c3wfON44z7XsBp-OggF4rUjwVgS98YOnRL456F32PeQ8l1ofOijVhYyF9AbQBU4rDCdr2l_7Xtl10JApKxrfVnXdDN76K1aaVJb7hAxVuZMpa7kBFlQioBp43Wl7SYG5rF4ofEtGfzu5Tl2g4A/s320/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(4).JPG" width="214" /></a></span></p></div></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">As we looked for Calle Santiago, we got slightly turned around, taking a few
minutes to wander the quiet neighborhoods off the main drag. Colourful
walls rose up on either side of us, many balconies decorated with flowers
and colourful banners for Semana Santa. Seeing the quieter parts of towns
and cities, off the main tourist and pilgrim thoroughfares is a part of the
Camino that we really enjoy. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIz0WirNxx5AAeeZRVM3IUyBWE031K2nO5KjrTZ-swkkca5f3hR9W6G2nLvd2qYjlP2ngkPj7oXsHlBHtPm8wmUMbJHQVrYjsNHdVHedUybkqTLFBUDG1_JgoE_7BrLoVY1laUUxkTaIcovPOV61H4VEe1Nu06c1dNU5zxrXcQwU-UMAUcHKweuPqlw/s4000/20220413_101615.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIz0WirNxx5AAeeZRVM3IUyBWE031K2nO5KjrTZ-swkkca5f3hR9W6G2nLvd2qYjlP2ngkPj7oXsHlBHtPm8wmUMbJHQVrYjsNHdVHedUybkqTLFBUDG1_JgoE_7BrLoVY1laUUxkTaIcovPOV61H4VEe1Nu06c1dNU5zxrXcQwU-UMAUcHKweuPqlw/w400-h300/20220413_101615.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;"> </span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">We soon found the Church of Santiago, which is considered to be the main
starting point of the Camino Madrid. The medieval church of
Santiago, which was built over a former Moorish mezquita (mosque) was
demolished by Joseph Bonaparte (Napoleon's brother) to increase the space
around the Palacio Real. The present church of Santiago, which was built
in 1811, is on the Calle de Santiago, very close to where the older church was
once located. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3pZCn_6iLcH1o9de3d84VNrRbUnU4oqEOW5WgkOEC9FLFDYI4VxT5uqQTpE1jIWVVOypvzijr9Y833xp8A9xH9eZ-LxPiYMlffz_V6f9BCcH7HulPvcOZP8WUu38k3Sk7pl8ScE7iqkdA1nyr4uL0kwjV_kUhrwucpSEsWJ7HmAEnmVLHIay9JtqiQ/s3935/20220413_101353.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2951" data-original-width="3935" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3pZCn_6iLcH1o9de3d84VNrRbUnU4oqEOW5WgkOEC9FLFDYI4VxT5uqQTpE1jIWVVOypvzijr9Y833xp8A9xH9eZ-LxPiYMlffz_V6f9BCcH7HulPvcOZP8WUu38k3Sk7pl8ScE7iqkdA1nyr4uL0kwjV_kUhrwucpSEsWJ7HmAEnmVLHIay9JtqiQ/w400-h300/20220413_101353.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">We arrived around 9:45 am, fifteen minutes before the church opened its doors,
so we took the opportunity to stop at a tiny cafe opposite to enjoy a second
café con leche. Sitting outside in the sunshine we watched as small white
vans stopped along the street and crates of fresh vegetables, wine, and other
produce was delivered to the shops and bars along the treed street. A children's
bookstore opened its doors as we waited, a group of adults laughed as they
learned to operate rented segweys, and a large class of high school students
gathered outside the church to listen to their teacher talk about its history. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcHXNfGx6ge-UySyFot3J1OeySaB5nu3rrg00yaJprD9TI-6DpTjLFs03hes--MlmSapKJFuMq8mQ0eySwEvOqBsteRxrtiJXuHV6Xp5V-Qll53CUZcmmJ8kv7_0RX_OwLb_P1PQ-3hcR2hrMkOLV56bIrIl74OHK3DxBvktSuHMizeNdbcAsU6JN5Q/s3294/20220413_101407.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3294" data-original-width="2471" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcHXNfGx6ge-UySyFot3J1OeySaB5nu3rrg00yaJprD9TI-6DpTjLFs03hes--MlmSapKJFuMq8mQ0eySwEvOqBsteRxrtiJXuHV6Xp5V-Qll53CUZcmmJ8kv7_0RX_OwLb_P1PQ-3hcR2hrMkOLV56bIrIl74OHK3DxBvktSuHMizeNdbcAsU6JN5Q/w300-h400/20220413_101407.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">When we entered the church of Santiago to receive the first stamp of our
pilgrimage we were greeted by a very friendly lady who gladly stamped out
passports and wished us well. We were surprised to see that most of the
images of Santiago in the church were of Santiago Matamoros, the Moor
slayer. Apparently many of the portrayals of Santiago along this route
are of him as a Moor slayer, and not as a pilgrim, which I can only guess is a
product of the history of this part of Spain. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2Oz3gm8WitDkdozPliOibTLhtN57J7U6SNGBgaWkQWaP-FNkoYJCVH5NYZjfbBw-nPX58N_OA_qe0ZSnDI-fiCvubiG0el98BtAgdHs3ImRCjeM0SXv5iUGJLnwX9hO6CJIa9c07b03Yq9--P47fjTaUU4kijm1zcVXVm8JhMRlcjHYK9IFV0bul0A/s3116/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2337" data-original-width="3116" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2Oz3gm8WitDkdozPliOibTLhtN57J7U6SNGBgaWkQWaP-FNkoYJCVH5NYZjfbBw-nPX58N_OA_qe0ZSnDI-fiCvubiG0el98BtAgdHs3ImRCjeM0SXv5iUGJLnwX9hO6CJIa9c07b03Yq9--P47fjTaUU4kijm1zcVXVm8JhMRlcjHYK9IFV0bul0A/w400-h300/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(5).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">After visiting the church we headed back towards our hostel to pick up our
backpacks. Before finally starting down the Camino we stopped at a
Vodafone store to pick up a Spanish SIM card. While waiting for the
extremely efficient and helpful lady to patiently walk us through this process
in Spanish, we ran into a couple from England who recognized us as
pilgrims. It turned out they had walked the Camino Madrid, as well as the
San Salvador, the Primitivo, and several other routes. They offered us
some good advice and well wishes, saying they had enjoyed the quieter routes
themselves. Apparently a few of their friends are currently attempting to
walk the Camino Norte and the Camino Frances, and they are finding it too
overcrowded to continue. Along the Norte it seems that many albergues
have not survived the pandemic, and there are now fewer beds than pilgrims in
many towns, and prices are charged accordingly. So far we are grateful
for our choice to walk the less-travelled routes, although we are wondering if
the Primitivo will also be busy. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">After sorting out the phone we at last began walking out of Madrid. Our
destination for the night was Tres Cantos, a suburb around 23 km from downtown
Madrid. To reach it, today's walk essentially had three parts. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">During the first part we walked through the old quarter of Madrid, which has
been occupied since pre-historic times. In medieval times, Madrid was a
medium-sized settlement clustered around a Moorish Alcázar constructed in 854
by the Emir of Toledo as a defence against Christian attack. In 1083
Alfonso VI of Léon captured the settlement, bringing it under Christian control
at the beginning of the Reconquest, and the re-population of the town
contributed to its growth as an agricultural and economic center. The first
part of our walk was through the old section of this town. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Today Madrid is a city of 3.5 million people. The second part of our walk
was through the more modern outskirts of the city. As far as city walking
goes, it was a relatively nice trek, mostly down a treed boulevard which hosted
a surprising diversity of different tree species, including palm trees, holly,
oaks, and blooming fruit trees. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGW-HhsTBy-ZVaNv4d62R2HBqUOXB97o4YfbfKhEBs_YKwfGb22qzuiXcazeqIyiMl7ruUNchoZsC9OHsxKh5MIwxSkn7d-33baMX4nuQVCr5GTQgeb7x5UMCrKTHHZlLUFvEpz_Pk3v4FkP-DAHoL9ENj_4gicmMZLSiScCf-Mzs0N-YRDvn9QXwQog/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(8).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGW-HhsTBy-ZVaNv4d62R2HBqUOXB97o4YfbfKhEBs_YKwfGb22qzuiXcazeqIyiMl7ruUNchoZsC9OHsxKh5MIwxSkn7d-33baMX4nuQVCr5GTQgeb7x5UMCrKTHHZlLUFvEpz_Pk3v4FkP-DAHoL9ENj_4gicmMZLSiScCf-Mzs0N-YRDvn9QXwQog/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(8).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">We began this section by walking past the impressive white marble Spanish
Parliament to the Plaza de Cánovas del Castillo, which is also known as the
Fountain of Neptune. Here, a large marble fountain stands in the middle
of a round about, and marks the spot where soccer fans of the Atletico de
Madrid team go to celebrate their victories. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7QkUH9p7ppGLSwa_qem7HmKRJkh406jK2Zxq1kFkBJVZ7ifughhqP5kduNtJX7_45zUqqgX-JUUwEQjO5QCkQHBfejgklk5VO0AkZM6qAS_XPHIzk1AxXLG-InG5cGknKm3Rq8pGh4j50KavO6lBMq2CNtbJr6JQIavMMbCuoO7xErQES5dacnTbDQ/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(10).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje7QkUH9p7ppGLSwa_qem7HmKRJkh406jK2Zxq1kFkBJVZ7ifughhqP5kduNtJX7_45zUqqgX-JUUwEQjO5QCkQHBfejgklk5VO0AkZM6qAS_XPHIzk1AxXLG-InG5cGknKm3Rq8pGh4j50KavO6lBMq2CNtbJr6JQIavMMbCuoO7xErQES5dacnTbDQ/w268-h400/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(10).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfnKF5HwumnhKXbq-dbf5HfpbH6mhEvqtZKfGV9luc4CErZ1470wMLkI4TktetFvvh_x_7NjFYbEvy_HD3K0YIdcMRiKaH3feyrRIGAjc63XKqM7J8_u2m2MJGVf76QD79_nm-lkcnbVK2WQv-E5K2Cnr-g22y6OJANl0ZPp2TyCau6x_JgGWP-0Eeg/s5476/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(14).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3656" data-original-width="5476" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfnKF5HwumnhKXbq-dbf5HfpbH6mhEvqtZKfGV9luc4CErZ1470wMLkI4TktetFvvh_x_7NjFYbEvy_HD3K0YIdcMRiKaH3feyrRIGAjc63XKqM7J8_u2m2MJGVf76QD79_nm-lkcnbVK2WQv-E5K2Cnr-g22y6OJANl0ZPp2TyCau6x_JgGWP-0Eeg/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(14).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1S-RFWlJcrtuboCbVHiOZjzyb8g3Q-BgsQ-cVwBDUCP_BF6kDbzLKP4-aRwaSqm0mahs4d96w-M3Oxk90k1oP_dymq3o4Vuflvbnrlwp4XCUWABPWnaw__QNHdNNCqVIQMotaEOVGQMsSugzdQo2q1hu0fh_L5ewkPfTN4QD61Rln4UHaYGyTZAL0g/s3500/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(15).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2336" data-original-width="3500" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1S-RFWlJcrtuboCbVHiOZjzyb8g3Q-BgsQ-cVwBDUCP_BF6kDbzLKP4-aRwaSqm0mahs4d96w-M3Oxk90k1oP_dymq3o4Vuflvbnrlwp4XCUWABPWnaw__QNHdNNCqVIQMotaEOVGQMsSugzdQo2q1hu0fh_L5ewkPfTN4QD61Rln4UHaYGyTZAL0g/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(15).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GvHLxt1rfo5DStDlSqvpBsrJ-O0lH94pSeNbGdv7UMgsHJePRyYe3jNwESp96DIDoVBC-RMGYUU-LJhGMURF4bzPMm4hzp8_-vqP4xb4eQ-0cjDrAinb8MK0M16gl47E4zlbDzcDvXQb80kv6_f2VbzcvpFklSZuDjh7qk66TD0-aYFOhz_4TGqWPg/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(17).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4GvHLxt1rfo5DStDlSqvpBsrJ-O0lH94pSeNbGdv7UMgsHJePRyYe3jNwESp96DIDoVBC-RMGYUU-LJhGMURF4bzPMm4hzp8_-vqP4xb4eQ-0cjDrAinb8MK0M16gl47E4zlbDzcDvXQb80kv6_f2VbzcvpFklSZuDjh7qk66TD0-aYFOhz_4TGqWPg/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(17).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">From the fountain we followed the treed boulevard to the Plaza de Castilla,
which is marked by two leaning office towers. It was a long but pleasant enough
walk in the sunshine. Shortly after this point we spotted the first
yellow arrow of our pilgrimage! This was a high point, and also a saving
grace, as the arrows led us along a confusing route through slightly sketchy
looking neighborhoods, past high rises, under bridges, across highways, and
around a large hospital complex. As long as we paid attention, the route
was clearly marked. The one downside was that we managed to leave town
without stopping for a snack. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJhbdnxkEPN2tMvWG6pAbv9oLZU2PuFZq6tV5bSsGF8-fasNSIqOXLl6iWhIyO1gADEnJZAo3uA1TGCPVYIBEq7fFzdkwU9BAb7b4WBYHXtM_Y1PBnZVfeaJ0D4t_FtoHb-Ofb5EkKDY3JUEDXqS52rY6mHIP2GCv8kLXbtcGS4w5bYIfY9E-3tuVvg/s5847/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(19).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3903" data-original-width="5847" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJhbdnxkEPN2tMvWG6pAbv9oLZU2PuFZq6tV5bSsGF8-fasNSIqOXLl6iWhIyO1gADEnJZAo3uA1TGCPVYIBEq7fFzdkwU9BAb7b4WBYHXtM_Y1PBnZVfeaJ0D4t_FtoHb-Ofb5EkKDY3JUEDXqS52rY6mHIP2GCv8kLXbtcGS4w5bYIfY9E-3tuVvg/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(19).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NeIFC1hM9YVoZzvqs7BbLPbj0U4w9fXkeDryTA1LVvLz-6EAAx6xFmZzpVccAbO88FEJWuvEjGF97LTZ7ejrWZzfnQ42o0cLk9CcGTvo4MHIJS-jvK40TGvaGv7Zm8Z_Wv50CvXAhBfMbOqZw62UZuyUQ6MKco0ml8LRAyWa-WfKttXtEF_9jsIOdw/s3774/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(22).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3774" data-original-width="2519" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NeIFC1hM9YVoZzvqs7BbLPbj0U4w9fXkeDryTA1LVvLz-6EAAx6xFmZzpVccAbO88FEJWuvEjGF97LTZ7ejrWZzfnQ42o0cLk9CcGTvo4MHIJS-jvK40TGvaGv7Zm8Z_Wv50CvXAhBfMbOqZw62UZuyUQ6MKco0ml8LRAyWa-WfKttXtEF_9jsIOdw/s320/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(22).JPG" width="214" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="1657" data-original-width="1107" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh029UO2FQi613L9hBrIF20yAufCOcuUwSFCUbnQUWM859uSnPy8ck6-R-6Ig9DUuCy_T-Pli9WzMFi-G1N5p7Ig1YJ-93qrULh_jN5oXcKtT26WSGHQM3ZbKc2DWlPaNc5peDeGsmKLWUKP3uW3odIKpp5Oo2D5fmr6oRFA-IdaGLF2l9APPw4ftYq2g/s320/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(23).JPG" width="214" /></span></p></div></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SanLdsutvHQqKQfDczpqDpNQBNu2U101Gx3Kj9LIPpMMEF5dixqfTg-zwqQ-M4VT7zsAaKp4G4-wwfyHUELOotbDj0zzFYUI7iK8b_4HorUGGBWpqum5ywlYLwiBCTiUk5G6owUEMR_7ibTVBdwYYzqXO5vfqxT0NbD_knpO0KNWRsPlA66vHFIj1w/s5815/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(25).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3883" data-original-width="5815" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-SanLdsutvHQqKQfDczpqDpNQBNu2U101Gx3Kj9LIPpMMEF5dixqfTg-zwqQ-M4VT7zsAaKp4G4-wwfyHUELOotbDj0zzFYUI7iK8b_4HorUGGBWpqum5ywlYLwiBCTiUk5G6owUEMR_7ibTVBdwYYzqXO5vfqxT0NbD_knpO0KNWRsPlA66vHFIj1w/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(25).JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">The final stage of today's walk began as we left town. As we crossed a
busy road to pick up a gravel pathway someone from a passing car shouted a
cheerful 'Buen Camino!' out their window, which really made our day. The
beginning of the wide gravel path was marked with a cairn, and from that point
we followed this dirt path through fields and gorgeous rolling countryside,
with beautiful views of the snow covered mountains in the background. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRf_60ojemnQGC0GUVXbmGwmAtQNXuON8j_EcQUJrxjCPaqxkS9AqRUjZKRwyo6pDjjBfMGdS3c8gA_ZSMB60ip1l5UVCfiQPPwfqbszMLMtzzgu8qlZXXzuwNhPSekn4lo2e9FzjPguU-72JlI8TtROcFjd_gkyvq4I8IV15kH5xnFpntIsol4RoImA/s4016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(28).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2681" data-original-width="4016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRf_60ojemnQGC0GUVXbmGwmAtQNXuON8j_EcQUJrxjCPaqxkS9AqRUjZKRwyo6pDjjBfMGdS3c8gA_ZSMB60ip1l5UVCfiQPPwfqbszMLMtzzgu8qlZXXzuwNhPSekn4lo2e9FzjPguU-72JlI8TtROcFjd_gkyvq4I8IV15kH5xnFpntIsol4RoImA/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(28).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4isKm24ipYcq1uLkgp7IN4pJSqMBibbfkrb4ejI-6f_JbhwMnfCKceOx8LBhCSCOBgxL70jjTre8wV5s2ZLuKlmrvhFdOZd_GnhIpD3gL_v-g9KRZWZc8KrOMBoUFtVGPDKSOLSHG5g7zGORGihO5qzoG4tuFDTTIGFjb3taWdBmWY9W8Yfw2OaMnWA/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(30).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4isKm24ipYcq1uLkgp7IN4pJSqMBibbfkrb4ejI-6f_JbhwMnfCKceOx8LBhCSCOBgxL70jjTre8wV5s2ZLuKlmrvhFdOZd_GnhIpD3gL_v-g9KRZWZc8KrOMBoUFtVGPDKSOLSHG5g7zGORGihO5qzoG4tuFDTTIGFjb3taWdBmWY9W8Yfw2OaMnWA/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(30).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMVrM8YoB9eWRHMYciRn_-vToX5W8iKKlj9-T53vOmcDKbtw8sSJ0lHtbO29ujg5DQog7yM46b-Gs0jLkXhQ-NC6ZKtq4TcE6Mc4D10I1WX5SI_keF65fQK-T9ljP3xLZ2fW0kupNngc2pwv5-3B13czoqGe3KC5xMuvY-b8qDQ_nmffkY5vX-ztiag/s5815/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(35).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3883" data-original-width="5815" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMVrM8YoB9eWRHMYciRn_-vToX5W8iKKlj9-T53vOmcDKbtw8sSJ0lHtbO29ujg5DQog7yM46b-Gs0jLkXhQ-NC6ZKtq4TcE6Mc4D10I1WX5SI_keF65fQK-T9ljP3xLZ2fW0kupNngc2pwv5-3B13czoqGe3KC5xMuvY-b8qDQ_nmffkY5vX-ztiag/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(35).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpGMkAvlyW9g-y0D9Zo25qUWY4N_Y8MqlZnbmLERsa_yBL-AQXnM6fqotauhfBKZjrMMyFiQfuYQevMLM9vB6KgoVf71v7N4fTjqIenJz0BBu1KpsIEC-r8Ms6Ea85LvMP0FHhTxOmL5fuR2sMNlmRGFUYHn2SPoePRGiI4L7ZW7kmoq9FWZ1oZBBhw/s5783/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(37).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5783" data-original-width="3861" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmpGMkAvlyW9g-y0D9Zo25qUWY4N_Y8MqlZnbmLERsa_yBL-AQXnM6fqotauhfBKZjrMMyFiQfuYQevMLM9vB6KgoVf71v7N4fTjqIenJz0BBu1KpsIEC-r8Ms6Ea85LvMP0FHhTxOmL5fuR2sMNlmRGFUYHn2SPoePRGiI4L7ZW7kmoq9FWZ1oZBBhw/w268-h400/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(37).JPG" width="268" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_I9hO2pDELx28cSUoHcD7OMhfW7OETuPMCwquqvhtEbATMc6xMxG1xwQhiSFgWy3qxni4hipMLM_L5_lQ2QJ2PjWrfKwWnn6UGHm58MmgDqDHOecB04nKajHPAsFl7VVXq6EFVKZxQLWZRX4I5CyEAwdNXei7lzA19lhjkva2EoYzExJAA2dJcvC-Q/s3565/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(40.5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2675" data-original-width="3565" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU_I9hO2pDELx28cSUoHcD7OMhfW7OETuPMCwquqvhtEbATMc6xMxG1xwQhiSFgWy3qxni4hipMLM_L5_lQ2QJ2PjWrfKwWnn6UGHm58MmgDqDHOecB04nKajHPAsFl7VVXq6EFVKZxQLWZRX4I5CyEAwdNXei7lzA19lhjkva2EoYzExJAA2dJcvC-Q/w400-h300/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(40.5).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">As we entered the fields the sounds of the city faded and we were surrounded by
birdsong. Tiny yellow, pink, and white wildflowers were scattered throughout
the dry grasses, still a little brown and dry from winter. Overhead hawks
and kites soared in the clear blue sky. Flashes of white from the tails of
rabbits could be seen as their owners bounded out of sight behind shrubs and
bushes. A couple on horseback rode slowly past us, and soon afterwards we
passed a farm where the curious horses came to check us out. A little
farther on we passed a small farm protected by a formidable hedge of cacti. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEaRZaON1UltU2OW9QJ3VbuPQGmXcIgXeOGlbwRDEpicG3YsDaRG9qhNEVhx2GtSDyrIW6xa3v-pzz2Lp6kknmgW6E5JaJ5N06NN2LusXipY5mtHDyMFB044zC9jUNCWgZHIg_sCpmFDbvzOR91O9j1BkNplNphFGEr0yyuFAjHEtd2ud3FAExdf3zA/s5847/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(42).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3903" data-original-width="5847" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTEaRZaON1UltU2OW9QJ3VbuPQGmXcIgXeOGlbwRDEpicG3YsDaRG9qhNEVhx2GtSDyrIW6xa3v-pzz2Lp6kknmgW6E5JaJ5N06NN2LusXipY5mtHDyMFB044zC9jUNCWgZHIg_sCpmFDbvzOR91O9j1BkNplNphFGEr0yyuFAjHEtd2ud3FAExdf3zA/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(42).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8bqYedbCVF-v0VRx_1rfTREUo8kQt2KGWRSESogMAQoMVnKQtOAN--Xe1In3enaLEuiGPqj6l0nWXIhUVX75lvw-fmmqiibdHu5wMnjhb9-FvUuE2S8s7O3vKhezSbCsA_3V0pIKq1Q4VjAKBSKpXi-MObdslwrK6srlcPFvEtxp_mEWUds7M-0g3Q/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(47).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8bqYedbCVF-v0VRx_1rfTREUo8kQt2KGWRSESogMAQoMVnKQtOAN--Xe1In3enaLEuiGPqj6l0nWXIhUVX75lvw-fmmqiibdHu5wMnjhb9-FvUuE2S8s7O3vKhezSbCsA_3V0pIKq1Q4VjAKBSKpXi-MObdslwrK6srlcPFvEtxp_mEWUds7M-0g3Q/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(47).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qm-1nZYxAqqqlXvgL7RvSOkcwqrdOyNqEOS2AisRAIaI2iX5GMcy0lwFjTcDtYXaQFjgbWX0Ms-RxPfcWP5C0XZvRIvxeJMQuqR5ftMAK_yGcJ0IMgpWvooOoqAt9tzuMB9UJiH3zaxS9BDkSlt6SxZ-4xObcJUNClWY5GsxDevtNDAuIZl9Go-rAQ/s2611/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(49).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1743" data-original-width="2611" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2qm-1nZYxAqqqlXvgL7RvSOkcwqrdOyNqEOS2AisRAIaI2iX5GMcy0lwFjTcDtYXaQFjgbWX0Ms-RxPfcWP5C0XZvRIvxeJMQuqR5ftMAK_yGcJ0IMgpWvooOoqAt9tzuMB9UJiH3zaxS9BDkSlt6SxZ-4xObcJUNClWY5GsxDevtNDAuIZl9Go-rAQ/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(49).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnXS17t7e1Z-J_mNRW6l4O3pGiuql2e2LQ4ElUFf8V61Ocxdo4b0yM-q4Ady6Wq84z1xd5a3D2Ei6hwV-Am_aSxsCwsT_I4tK_P2_AkR29mZxK6duPDADypHg8PynghQwOvYud3zAT5iGXKDMhEpSJTLRHUf7G-sXmTK4sDPzw0l3XD4D01sFmwBnZA/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(54).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXnXS17t7e1Z-J_mNRW6l4O3pGiuql2e2LQ4ElUFf8V61Ocxdo4b0yM-q4Ady6Wq84z1xd5a3D2Ei6hwV-Am_aSxsCwsT_I4tK_P2_AkR29mZxK6duPDADypHg8PynghQwOvYud3zAT5iGXKDMhEpSJTLRHUf7G-sXmTK4sDPzw0l3XD4D01sFmwBnZA/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(54).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvXAfoCysbSfw-ThV2ZjEkN37pPe29bQIdZ55_3iqlDJl2a_yG9kpONE26ypsV9KmzfoOoe7yWey-NQAqRQ1TBoBb_bzbvEYpAf04APQXNmFVB5d9IXQwXqa3tSul7rKaX3ao-uKBLQQ_v7VtVhkkvWZj7buwZMbdMIWUnJHpcr9nSntJrtONak2D6Q/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(61).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvXAfoCysbSfw-ThV2ZjEkN37pPe29bQIdZ55_3iqlDJl2a_yG9kpONE26ypsV9KmzfoOoe7yWey-NQAqRQ1TBoBb_bzbvEYpAf04APQXNmFVB5d9IXQwXqa3tSul7rKaX3ao-uKBLQQ_v7VtVhkkvWZj7buwZMbdMIWUnJHpcr9nSntJrtONak2D6Q/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(61).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8HvxpVsPb9SEyNOzlCshQeRdGf8stWWWPHnWvYc1KPxBlPDrRtq4Mf0zCB5sRfh3Vjj6zNoH_HF9UDW_H4Ha8FQDt9E7wwA-uuL3l-qhgx9GP7MJYD33f3uL8TuyT2TjSYdFk-sZI2J5IEk9JlN_ZFvVeF9GmerYVChmhfINLKMS9BTUco-dwX6tjg/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(63).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8HvxpVsPb9SEyNOzlCshQeRdGf8stWWWPHnWvYc1KPxBlPDrRtq4Mf0zCB5sRfh3Vjj6zNoH_HF9UDW_H4Ha8FQDt9E7wwA-uuL3l-qhgx9GP7MJYD33f3uL8TuyT2TjSYdFk-sZI2J5IEk9JlN_ZFvVeF9GmerYVChmhfINLKMS9BTUco-dwX6tjg/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(63).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">After crossing open fields the trail turned into more of a footpath that
followed a 3 ft tall field-stone wall under a canopy of oak and pine. The
trail was sandwiched between the highway and the railroad, but it felt like we
were immersed in nature. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd2lMN1oMzdrcvHfeU15oOjUda5FbjpJGCxSM7EC8SPIpL3Ih_RwnrMfrFOlRCElqwiymTzOS2Y49q9u3QSEQvcGDG-YdSET11XY-RyimG0RZ051mtksDUNvOCVl6S-aZSZpr_KyOhEBCOMCGArwfHeH6PPJAbIU3w-Wz6iPuD5eCTnaZ_rMXSV3vfg/s2603/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(66).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1737" data-original-width="2603" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmd2lMN1oMzdrcvHfeU15oOjUda5FbjpJGCxSM7EC8SPIpL3Ih_RwnrMfrFOlRCElqwiymTzOS2Y49q9u3QSEQvcGDG-YdSET11XY-RyimG0RZ051mtksDUNvOCVl6S-aZSZpr_KyOhEBCOMCGArwfHeH6PPJAbIU3w-Wz6iPuD5eCTnaZ_rMXSV3vfg/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(66).JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnGxNB-V_cDNsln8aIDmY_rPNbF0MqgvOOIfEDC1wydF17aObsiuZ0edUfoKKvop_GZc8TdZaJoHT8yaMEB3jlpakfFJ09vJOpkyRIXn44JOzefjXQJ_uf5YfZDHasqleoAD3YPaVPKYh4hV-M0TSfCNDL6NZwyLOlVox03XXRsbFoRBCZfzXv0zzyw/s5935/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(73).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2434" data-original-width="5935" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNnGxNB-V_cDNsln8aIDmY_rPNbF0MqgvOOIfEDC1wydF17aObsiuZ0edUfoKKvop_GZc8TdZaJoHT8yaMEB3jlpakfFJ09vJOpkyRIXn44JOzefjXQJ_uf5YfZDHasqleoAD3YPaVPKYh4hV-M0TSfCNDL6NZwyLOlVox03XXRsbFoRBCZfzXv0zzyw/w640-h262/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(73).JPG" width="640" /></a></span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Y8jWer5uoU_nmqIaEidlunrjoqdlLSUk1a8-BgvL31Ma7DmGkk9kVIK-99EyXEPf9XGPqFvdCi_Fo_krJQGCFnI_Q-ucHJ-dkAc2t3Ssf3VbJTQWcvsRZrZr_EsMeTyLQFTLKOo1QrvzI40vXvDHyjaugj_ANjDIz2tl92Q7xQWHmdL1KbuerfOoHA/s3612/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(74).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2711" data-original-width="3612" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Y8jWer5uoU_nmqIaEidlunrjoqdlLSUk1a8-BgvL31Ma7DmGkk9kVIK-99EyXEPf9XGPqFvdCi_Fo_krJQGCFnI_Q-ucHJ-dkAc2t3Ssf3VbJTQWcvsRZrZr_EsMeTyLQFTLKOo1QrvzI40vXvDHyjaugj_ANjDIz2tl92Q7xQWHmdL1KbuerfOoHA/w400-h300/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(74).jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuekRt2-HDbtJuG476LtyqaAhp5zIyqTHnuTpFo9r2NQww6ktcWXhC4QgswymNhqXxv9lZoi7RW3aN7cYLiGFlBGXKugLHdNgN8Otb1c8viedpxoug9KNom_xTobT6XBJkPtxZYtzJVHv_AdOODps3lBOptV4meFVIfTLm6GXxVMNGgkC2fKHQej0aA/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(75).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGuekRt2-HDbtJuG476LtyqaAhp5zIyqTHnuTpFo9r2NQww6ktcWXhC4QgswymNhqXxv9lZoi7RW3aN7cYLiGFlBGXKugLHdNgN8Otb1c8viedpxoug9KNom_xTobT6XBJkPtxZYtzJVHv_AdOODps3lBOptV4meFVIfTLm6GXxVMNGgkC2fKHQej0aA/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(75).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9nsre3mHqh0EghXpzDaY5Q9LEd2H7WrV2p45YXLfP_mg8ufXzYDXqOKCLOVHU8j-9GzzMpViDER4xOerWuhM-k5wbIs9Oap0fXf3tWL1GrZKDxKv75JxMs5eWpwCpHExamwS0axsqYRA0FnnS20op2u0dAv-s9_nIQbzbKc1ZW_NpRilclBqSeg6sg/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(84).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9nsre3mHqh0EghXpzDaY5Q9LEd2H7WrV2p45YXLfP_mg8ufXzYDXqOKCLOVHU8j-9GzzMpViDER4xOerWuhM-k5wbIs9Oap0fXf3tWL1GrZKDxKv75JxMs5eWpwCpHExamwS0axsqYRA0FnnS20op2u0dAv-s9_nIQbzbKc1ZW_NpRilclBqSeg6sg/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(84).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6kJjfBcgdZ5HpQf5Gzb-4Gqh5fSWYqVdrY0RvhG7UqDZVxjZ2dsCgjqZlCKIL2iKvd27fauEMA_boxg9erTGLv8X-KwmKTLS5fCmBEB8rPy93kyeHeG_BYdcuJTUV1BYO6S4NWSk3QsehGEw8K_2dP-sobz-pvixQm-qk_nXrw3OY85kpHs08e0tZw/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(93).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT6kJjfBcgdZ5HpQf5Gzb-4Gqh5fSWYqVdrY0RvhG7UqDZVxjZ2dsCgjqZlCKIL2iKvd27fauEMA_boxg9erTGLv8X-KwmKTLS5fCmBEB8rPy93kyeHeG_BYdcuJTUV1BYO6S4NWSk3QsehGEw8K_2dP-sobz-pvixQm-qk_nXrw3OY85kpHs08e0tZw/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(93).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCdbzy4pNUnYXKVpabexInf3vRMRSwTKInlx6JCGZN5gxQp0Y4QJXMtmbyeBIA71UcJbnW0lKWUeMTp1WzP2w1D0eOUPc2G8wLxZ1ZvWEzz6OZY3KREuJubE27dLzrpnAFXk4XZMBgZ8ozgQJWgJNA0UIAf5OQ0yO94a3QwqRtOzdDZu03dERdSG-LQ/s2630/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(99).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1755" data-original-width="2630" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXCdbzy4pNUnYXKVpabexInf3vRMRSwTKInlx6JCGZN5gxQp0Y4QJXMtmbyeBIA71UcJbnW0lKWUeMTp1WzP2w1D0eOUPc2G8wLxZ1ZvWEzz6OZY3KREuJubE27dLzrpnAFXk4XZMBgZ8ozgQJWgJNA0UIAf5OQ0yO94a3QwqRtOzdDZu03dERdSG-LQ/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(99).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKHfFjdYSQLdFYxDMr8GCbNNz8HGeSiNmC5GK380xxhxZlLf3hwSAAHr8AY-enQDFsAiwtwwo7CIVbYnb5nKM3i_1cDBkXTS1MCuwLX69Uh7kqUjW7_xc_uKMdE1Qzdjo5Yk9CldBPMKpNAVgwFI_Pal_Zaxn1Wsvf8YnbddSWY5dN402NDCc6E52RQ/s5382/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(101).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3593" data-original-width="5382" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqKHfFjdYSQLdFYxDMr8GCbNNz8HGeSiNmC5GK380xxhxZlLf3hwSAAHr8AY-enQDFsAiwtwwo7CIVbYnb5nKM3i_1cDBkXTS1MCuwLX69Uh7kqUjW7_xc_uKMdE1Qzdjo5Yk9CldBPMKpNAVgwFI_Pal_Zaxn1Wsvf8YnbddSWY5dN402NDCc6E52RQ/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(101).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">Out of the corners of our eyes we could see
lizards scuttling along the warm stones of the wall. As we scrambled up a
small sandy slope we spotted a highly glossy snake that was over 2 ft
long. We watched in fascination as it made its way up a steep earth slope and
out of sight. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoZouO_Vtn_onCWf7U9lgKUctm6RQc_i265ZUKJFSrNZj9IyXjjQXgruQFTiLxQf20EccEBObpLr0BOy9CV9xEgYsf5WMFgQ57jnLy3mK3uS5kxO2exDnY8oShO4MIR8igYMzyVE81YH2CwacKkKBgLupX5p7-y0rlqlKQYfJJwcVP8jMlFaK7v34nQ/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(103).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxoZouO_Vtn_onCWf7U9lgKUctm6RQc_i265ZUKJFSrNZj9IyXjjQXgruQFTiLxQf20EccEBObpLr0BOy9CV9xEgYsf5WMFgQ57jnLy3mK3uS5kxO2exDnY8oShO4MIR8igYMzyVE81YH2CwacKkKBgLupX5p7-y0rlqlKQYfJJwcVP8jMlFaK7v34nQ/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(103).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTNDeRSpJ0eNhIFAINdfnqZAMykBUCjxaSueebzFb3kx9tA1YWxb0T4ecLzrTZrDLGnWp11Ws75KL4nV-h9oWrE6DQQb_KJvNi0csQKsaF1pxufTXE_GttkycCtT0y4pRcNjH_adS_Gn_G3HC15vHtU9Dwan0uK6A9yAFT53f-3bbts5QIlMREEVpmA/s4813/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(122).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3213" data-original-width="4813" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicTNDeRSpJ0eNhIFAINdfnqZAMykBUCjxaSueebzFb3kx9tA1YWxb0T4ecLzrTZrDLGnWp11Ws75KL4nV-h9oWrE6DQQb_KJvNi0csQKsaF1pxufTXE_GttkycCtT0y4pRcNjH_adS_Gn_G3HC15vHtU9Dwan0uK6A9yAFT53f-3bbts5QIlMREEVpmA/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(122).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2btDPJ29IgaSnJ_ZcjqRwX-CYKiVDEJP8oh-j9qWw6x7izbQ3OQwyu1mCAkML-Eq5vkV4mUOb1ommgg_5OlP7AJhgipmwswO-dpTvGUyK5HA2Y2qJnpNMLiYtRT7ie9PlF2uru51cHKsF1y1qr2RvoFNv-XUPBETJ7agh27rB0gm5UKplamIX0cQuQ/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(128).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2btDPJ29IgaSnJ_ZcjqRwX-CYKiVDEJP8oh-j9qWw6x7izbQ3OQwyu1mCAkML-Eq5vkV4mUOb1ommgg_5OlP7AJhgipmwswO-dpTvGUyK5HA2Y2qJnpNMLiYtRT7ie9PlF2uru51cHKsF1y1qr2RvoFNv-XUPBETJ7agh27rB0gm5UKplamIX0cQuQ/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(128).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yWaianxEAcYGNX2PzgQ0QcKZDOMSzQWfiqnMpXUHFW2oW0Uu-1VgW6vMf-ydjpXWuey82J3iqYDzu6sL-pqVrKHgkQnkcr2x9rbQmATX2BuBQODFsAjfPD5IKLXnhRtL6vVmyXsAns3jhR9MGUJdEg6Urbp4usDU63mKvITo5h6UkC6gUKDQUhVyOQ/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(132).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yWaianxEAcYGNX2PzgQ0QcKZDOMSzQWfiqnMpXUHFW2oW0Uu-1VgW6vMf-ydjpXWuey82J3iqYDzu6sL-pqVrKHgkQnkcr2x9rbQmATX2BuBQODFsAjfPD5IKLXnhRtL6vVmyXsAns3jhR9MGUJdEg6Urbp4usDU63mKvITo5h6UkC6gUKDQUhVyOQ/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(132).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwySnkx4RXSnTwQp0Al1mw1teetRxHRVqcBP79ki4k-y_x13Hf3RyZwInHprcqno0WCNIUAYqgd5xnntsOlICM0-2lVVZYWl2EWiQj0UAluJnBjftCefaRdRWmnWDebUyYHo5ycc21CKM1GeykK1BXBDM30s--iTZgsbVci9iJNzTKc7ZahnkvK4Uxsw/s2350/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(142).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="2350" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwySnkx4RXSnTwQp0Al1mw1teetRxHRVqcBP79ki4k-y_x13Hf3RyZwInHprcqno0WCNIUAYqgd5xnntsOlICM0-2lVVZYWl2EWiQj0UAluJnBjftCefaRdRWmnWDebUyYHo5ycc21CKM1GeykK1BXBDM30s--iTZgsbVci9iJNzTKc7ZahnkvK4Uxsw/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(142).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jqSsrooY7N61ksA6iWgLdnk0FLBQW5s1n_xpkrPbaNNCldGFoPGi4BKr2kxhlYC5zx3Ox2LLWynxTxv2jYapVvAY19Km20qrM-bm0utdbGndkZrKIwbJ5flFzelepXHPgEMZNKWiXiKebIcPhjzR92fgQ5hcczuUrqnqoqh-3ux0-SlxKzvFA7Dwgw/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(145).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3090" data-original-width="6016" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jqSsrooY7N61ksA6iWgLdnk0FLBQW5s1n_xpkrPbaNNCldGFoPGi4BKr2kxhlYC5zx3Ox2LLWynxTxv2jYapVvAY19Km20qrM-bm0utdbGndkZrKIwbJ5flFzelepXHPgEMZNKWiXiKebIcPhjzR92fgQ5hcczuUrqnqoqh-3ux0-SlxKzvFA7Dwgw/w640-h328/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(145).JPG" width="640" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">We trundled happily along beneath the canopy of cork oak and pines until our
trail met up with a paved bike path and we found ourselves beside the highway
again. We started to see traffic signs for Tres Cantos, but we didn't
cross the highway until the third pedestrian crossing we came to. At that
point we deviated from the Camino and took the red pedestrian bridge into the modern
suburb of Tres Cantos. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0p6QgAT_Fq4TUIUO4YrdZEUo0BHez1EiNgm_LIiM1CDTQ13sfJIklKkwMOUakWaiDxnVIuv6TjCTPOBdLTn6UkYbozWHlecG6j3zUP9gqb0ZpQaojoJp8ceQTkUy1t0rtXfzOrU21hU872b94GTGPcTWEKBUV-mwCAnF8oRNk_YM1sJJ7CNAA39-dA/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(152).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0p6QgAT_Fq4TUIUO4YrdZEUo0BHez1EiNgm_LIiM1CDTQ13sfJIklKkwMOUakWaiDxnVIuv6TjCTPOBdLTn6UkYbozWHlecG6j3zUP9gqb0ZpQaojoJp8ceQTkUy1t0rtXfzOrU21hU872b94GTGPcTWEKBUV-mwCAnF8oRNk_YM1sJJ7CNAA39-dA/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(152).JPG" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTZc4pgmMc6-FvLq-BQbkzoQrIun7GnOODBZQtm6bCi4boibh2qLPGPP0B_mDc6OKu-ur-vKUCf3aycLG5VYxGQaoFw2i3AuIP3GuYWMfagIYMv3UWNoYJvELIwwJk-pWPKa0mDDzI3kZHO4KbDWKxLFNgfyaSq65i1Dj8y0mNI_spfQDQhK3Ctw9kA/s6016/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(154).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4016" data-original-width="6016" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTZc4pgmMc6-FvLq-BQbkzoQrIun7GnOODBZQtm6bCi4boibh2qLPGPP0B_mDc6OKu-ur-vKUCf3aycLG5VYxGQaoFw2i3AuIP3GuYWMfagIYMv3UWNoYJvELIwwJk-pWPKa0mDDzI3kZHO4KbDWKxLFNgfyaSq65i1Dj8y0mNI_spfQDQhK3Ctw9kA/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(154).JPG" width="400" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small;">We hadn't had any luck getting a response from the pilgrim albergue in Tres
Cantos, which is located in the Ayuntamiento and is run by the local
police. As a result, we are staying in the Ramada, which was the least
expensive option, if perhaps also the least inspiring way to begin a
Camino. However, the staff is incredibly nice, the room is very spacious,
and we are only a few minutes walk from the Mercadona supermarket, where we
bought salad, a baguette, and wine for dinner. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewrsxVxTf-vKO4aUk8tLsdWwof2L8v0Tu7b2knKF6i9zTYWlrWkOIDXyb3PVyBPy-RdmnS54sQPuTHssrX_frcKTFD9nL25CPuiYzhYlH4PypdvKaGGB4mh64ckJY8e7LpD60fLaEcXA28x1G7mQSXYq7kQoep29o2FMvS69XVgEQG82fJK5JZ5RdAw/s4032/20220413_202548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhewrsxVxTf-vKO4aUk8tLsdWwof2L8v0Tu7b2knKF6i9zTYWlrWkOIDXyb3PVyBPy-RdmnS54sQPuTHssrX_frcKTFD9nL25CPuiYzhYlH4PypdvKaGGB4mh64ckJY8e7LpD60fLaEcXA28x1G7mQSXYq7kQoep29o2FMvS69XVgEQG82fJK5JZ5RdAw/w300-h400/20220413_202548.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA"><span style="font-size: small;">All in all it was a very nice first day on the Camino for two couch potatoes who
have spent the last four months working at computers for 12-14 hours a day and
did absolutely zero training. We are so happy to be back on the trail
again! <br />
<br />
<b>Distance: 23 km<br />
Accommodations: Ramada Hotel</b></span><br /></span></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com028760 Tres Cantos, Madrid, Spain40.600727 -3.707974512.290493163821154 -38.8642245 68.910960836178845 31.4482755tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-27448632821953358572022-04-11T11:59:00.041-04:002022-06-25T08:33:18.759-04:00Setting Off! Toronto to Monteal to Paris to Madrid <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Setting
out on a new journey always fills us with enormous gratitude, anticipation,
excitement, and a little nervousness. The ability to step back from the
hectic pace and unrelenting demands of daily life, to explore the world at a
more human pace, and to reconnect with ourselves, each other, fellow
travellers, and the natural world is a privilege we never take lightly. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmuYlR8aydrSARXuGewjxJI3HEkvakHcSlsAaG7KqNpqSfQw93M-RKad39pkQQqGDr3-eRMVt3Dwdsl_mrPuXqBOHYuDIhVpysK13xvUWcgVbe3rMAlahpOXVD7Aw7-It_eQ45hcwl-Q4FMD79phjHmrjocs77TRO8JhXIFxJ0Gt-yyuW-5fSCcV9Eg/s4032/20220411_212458.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTmuYlR8aydrSARXuGewjxJI3HEkvakHcSlsAaG7KqNpqSfQw93M-RKad39pkQQqGDr3-eRMVt3Dwdsl_mrPuXqBOHYuDIhVpysK13xvUWcgVbe3rMAlahpOXVD7Aw7-It_eQ45hcwl-Q4FMD79phjHmrjocs77TRO8JhXIFxJ0Gt-yyuW-5fSCcV9Eg/w400-h300/20220411_212458.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This
time, we find ourselves at the beginning of a pilgrimage to Santiago de
Compostela, Spain. The call to walk The Way again has grown steadily louder
over the past two years as we've struggled to continue moving forward while
projecting a message of inspiration, inclusion, and empowerment into a world
that seems to have grown more divided, frustrated, and uncertain than
ever. As we set out now we carry some of this uncertainty with us - North
America is experiencing the sixth wave of the global pandemic, a war is being
fought in the Ukraine, and strangers around us feel highly frustrated,
volatile, and unpredictable. Yet, it feels right to keep moving forward,
and we are grateful for the opportunity to look for guidance along The Way. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqMgxn6WsXMcNYAVBMdhFYw0QeC4Ej6RLjo9V6FhXUy6nilv4_z83tkvDljcK8cTqmBdz_oENNQPnqxOGLQ5Edboj9LyXXh6XH6LU9dzhewRQFUmaR476IZu2yjWXegMTErICEvTfMTsn5ZiKNohzIs8JpkRkNX4XCoIN06uUZuhvt5umqy775Wt6BQ/s3648/20220411_212548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqMgxn6WsXMcNYAVBMdhFYw0QeC4Ej6RLjo9V6FhXUy6nilv4_z83tkvDljcK8cTqmBdz_oENNQPnqxOGLQ5Edboj9LyXXh6XH6LU9dzhewRQFUmaR476IZu2yjWXegMTErICEvTfMTsn5ZiKNohzIs8JpkRkNX4XCoIN06uUZuhvt5umqy775Wt6BQ/w400-h300/20220411_212548.jpg" width="400" /> </a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mostly we are filled with excitement and anticipation. This story hasn't
yet been written, and we can't wait to see what lies in store. Although
we've walked several Caminos in the past, each one has been very
different. We walked the <b><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminofrances.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2016-08-27T16:33:00-07:00&max-results=1&start=2&by-date=false" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Camino Frances in 2016</a></b>, where we met a lot of
other pilgrims, many of whom spoke English. Pilgrim culture was strong along
the entire route, and amenities were plentiful. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In 2017 we walked the <b><a href="http://ourwalkalongtheviapodiensis.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Via Podiensis (aka Le Chemin du Puy or Le Puy Way)</a></b>, where
we found ourselves mostly walking with French speaking pilgrims. On the
first part of the trail most of our companions were not pilgrims heading to
Santiago, but rather hikers enjoying a walking holiday. The food was
amazing, and much of the time we stayed in B&B type accommodations which
required reservations, allowing a more leisurely walking pace. It was a
wonderful but very different experience to the Camino Frances. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJDuE0bk9w7oy_PBT557OO2MnCqLMQGRYIEpP9Y51Wts3nvjKtfu_GoY2141Ch0JvjwsR_osgZKV3vhNRajtPXuGtotMsvLmiu8AzMCiGGX94CxPnjVvarafKEb3gCvkQplrnLrFG64J8SHY3n4-F1OXXX5jcjjbKryaEf9uizMVMDaxbZQ3xJDKrDw/s2944/20220411_220917.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2944" data-original-width="2207" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJDuE0bk9w7oy_PBT557OO2MnCqLMQGRYIEpP9Y51Wts3nvjKtfu_GoY2141Ch0JvjwsR_osgZKV3vhNRajtPXuGtotMsvLmiu8AzMCiGGX94CxPnjVvarafKEb3gCvkQplrnLrFG64J8SHY3n4-F1OXXX5jcjjbKryaEf9uizMVMDaxbZQ3xJDKrDw/w300-h400/20220411_220917.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tzTwpdUO0D-uIdNnDxf8EwBE9gOqcXVOZTayf_a4IHJVVVWRtaDcoVlSp7ibseq9ZtbSFW7pyF7GHWPCjCC555wzOoSY5_H8p_BZf_j2a9-WBqRn0tfviiOSfuH_iScRGK5_As8P58G-TZFXOZiyKd1vgnCIQrGfFoGtSCilMqUKU6U-1edk9owZbw/s4032/20220411_223307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8tzTwpdUO0D-uIdNnDxf8EwBE9gOqcXVOZTayf_a4IHJVVVWRtaDcoVlSp7ibseq9ZtbSFW7pyF7GHWPCjCC555wzOoSY5_H8p_BZf_j2a9-WBqRn0tfviiOSfuH_iScRGK5_As8P58G-TZFXOZiyKd1vgnCIQrGfFoGtSCilMqUKU6U-1edk9owZbw/w400-h300/20220411_223307.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">On the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminoportuguese.blogspot.com/2019/05/welcome-to-our-blog.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Camino Portuguese</b></a> we walked with a tight-knit group of international
pilgrims. The first part of the walk from Lisbon to Porto offered a
chance to visit places that were part of Portuguese culture, while the section
from Porto to Santiago allowed us to experience a bit of the pilgrim-centered
culture that has developed along the Camino Frances. These experiences
were all wonderful in their own way, and they leave us wondering what this
journey will be like. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQiZThdtuTIxKTkAX9-jN_w9J0sZt27REFJJ-YThBZrMBtEJfqo55nAC7JPobNzJA3xt0QrNbeDMdWj7cP7wt0tseY9p4ARvnbFPzqG_-ieaQVcNV2b5c56a-pCR8iO-ddIrG4mXlyWEj3XKc1yj_f_Z0v9NP4RUSeB6Xba9-hUVQt_3Ol_BGuSKDdw/s4032/20220412_014548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtQiZThdtuTIxKTkAX9-jN_w9J0sZt27REFJJ-YThBZrMBtEJfqo55nAC7JPobNzJA3xt0QrNbeDMdWj7cP7wt0tseY9p4ARvnbFPzqG_-ieaQVcNV2b5c56a-pCR8iO-ddIrG4mXlyWEj3XKc1yj_f_Z0v9NP4RUSeB6Xba9-hUVQt_3Ol_BGuSKDdw/w300-h400/20220412_014548.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So where are we going? In a few days we will begin the Camino Madrid,
which heads northwest from Madrid to Sahagun, on the Camino Frances. A couple
days of walking on the Frances will take us to Leon, where we will turn north
onto the <b>Camino San Salvador</b>, heading for Oviedo. From there we will
follow the <b>Camino Primitivo</b> back south, joining the Camino Frances again near
Melide, which is only 2-3 days away from Santiago de Compostela when traveling
on foot. If time permits, we will then walk the Camino Inglés, from
Ferrol back to Santiago de Compostela.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>If not, we may walk back to Fisterra or Muxia. If we are able to
complete this itinerary, we will walk just over 900 km over what have been
described as some of the wildest, most rugged, and picturesque sections of the
Spanish Caminos. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiNrtKgy3D4oEqmCVUw1XV3yjb4pvnErHJsZm_8NUhn1SVATrHHZcq4rgIagooCLLDGCqrLrjtjFtu5FPtAihduk3yjwyI9_uq-obiUWpSrEIoG1FUk3D6YUfrho8H7tDUEQL2HgMfWtzmfXVjyL9i8lHDHfOErMMeIBp3vfMYlu1G3PwS5p6d3rAWw/s4032/20220412_031941.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyiNrtKgy3D4oEqmCVUw1XV3yjb4pvnErHJsZm_8NUhn1SVATrHHZcq4rgIagooCLLDGCqrLrjtjFtu5FPtAihduk3yjwyI9_uq-obiUWpSrEIoG1FUk3D6YUfrho8H7tDUEQL2HgMfWtzmfXVjyL9i8lHDHfOErMMeIBp3vfMYlu1G3PwS5p6d3rAWw/w400-h300/20220412_031941.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></p></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size: small; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></p><p></p>
Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com0Toronto, ON, Canada43.653226 -79.383184315.342992163821151 -114.5394343 71.963459836178842 -44.226934299999996tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-33593032399132565782022-04-02T11:17:00.034-04:002022-08-13T11:19:32.478-04:00About the Camino Madrid <p></p><p><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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</p><p class="MsoNormal">Thought the increasing global interest in the Camino de
Santiago in the past 25 years has largely been focused on the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminofrances.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2016-08-27T16:33:00-07:00&max-results=1&start=2&by-date=false" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Camino Frances</b></a>,
Camino Norte, Primitivo and <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminoportuguese.blogspot.com/2019/05/welcome-to-our-blog.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><b>Caminho Portuguese</b></a> other routes have nonetheless
been highly developed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In recently years
the Caminos Ingles, Inverieno (Winter Route), San Salvador and Madrid have also
become popular with pilgrims seeking less populous ways to Santiago.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvWYY5pKyVH38hwk-04-GQ35BTbWYv-xrFL9PgcYu4OBH2O4CJPWtBhz7Yc-kEf5VEtRj21FjxJGXeDffjhJo6Ds7yLzVOkNNVXVg9x4d4KNLhZ1smtFl0Mjd9tzmMUbLBflipCueaWrGqJq7TtlHJCYMqQ_bC8l3okqUI63DnejvuYOffa0bhl_4JQ/s4784/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(32).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3194" data-original-width="4784" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvWYY5pKyVH38hwk-04-GQ35BTbWYv-xrFL9PgcYu4OBH2O4CJPWtBhz7Yc-kEf5VEtRj21FjxJGXeDffjhJo6Ds7yLzVOkNNVXVg9x4d4KNLhZ1smtFl0Mjd9tzmMUbLBflipCueaWrGqJq7TtlHJCYMqQ_bC8l3okqUI63DnejvuYOffa0bhl_4JQ/w400-h268/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(32).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In 2022, having been asked to lead a birding trip in Spain
along a Camino route I chose one that I had yet to venture along – the Camino
de Madrid. This pilgrimage route – now extensively developed – stretches from
Madrid, the capital of Spain, to Sahagun where it intersects with the more
popular Camino Frances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Camino
Madrid is approximately 320 km long and takes between 12-14 days for pilgrims
utilizing the recommended 13 stage plan to venture along before stopping their
trek or continue along to Santiago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Given that the Camino de Madrid begins in the
capital of Spain, its central location provides a unique opportunity to explore
new parts of the county.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In addition
this pilgrimage route ventures through the Roman town of Segovia, traverses the
natural beauty of the regional mountain ranges and allows one to explore UNESCO
sites en route to Santiago.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipn4MbTy5f2Qk2RwCPGj1otUZqMk4ujQ2Bj--G0uj0AcZYfawd6DBGEzZ6PGwLkKeMy935MhZAP6vwZzWgg9vGTXjdQGLLdjb_0sAb6p-TW3r-N3aHEqT6RpgB-xN8btwArSJqStegdtlE31g23woYbOO2bcFUpwUu_JRz7HZBIWAPdYPv-QjSyVgqMw/s4856/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20(118).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4856" data-original-width="3241" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipn4MbTy5f2Qk2RwCPGj1otUZqMk4ujQ2Bj--G0uj0AcZYfawd6DBGEzZ6PGwLkKeMy935MhZAP6vwZzWgg9vGTXjdQGLLdjb_0sAb6p-TW3r-N3aHEqT6RpgB-xN8btwArSJqStegdtlE31g23woYbOO2bcFUpwUu_JRz7HZBIWAPdYPv-QjSyVgqMw/s320/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20(118).JPG" width="214" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLqWpjjFY3HzWf_uDzhBjtOUzbhN8alLHTcdmzCMyN-ZGLFjWjiRpcmlThgOajPLgMYX-iTsWuMufXLiQl8LpLdGUr8Y7lOCzIVhJg7-3kRYaVKJpqGVXxIsD8cB1JS3VvNBg7CZgneNl7dSJiEZW_PR-8H44Xkm6tKcMF2XYLW3j4D8O1num4ft--Q/s6016/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20for%20blog%20(102).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6016" data-original-width="4016" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBLqWpjjFY3HzWf_uDzhBjtOUzbhN8alLHTcdmzCMyN-ZGLFjWjiRpcmlThgOajPLgMYX-iTsWuMufXLiQl8LpLdGUr8Y7lOCzIVhJg7-3kRYaVKJpqGVXxIsD8cB1JS3VvNBg7CZgneNl7dSJiEZW_PR-8H44Xkm6tKcMF2XYLW3j4D8O1num4ft--Q/s320/Tres%20Cantos%20to%20Manzanares%20el%20Real%20for%20blog%20(102).JPG" width="214" /></a></div></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Route and Waymarking</b> </p><p class="MsoNormal">While there is no official beginning to the Camino Madrid
many traditionally start at the Church of Santiago and St. John in the Plaza de
Santiago, just a few blocks from the Royal Palace and Historical Walls.</p><p class="MsoNormal">From this location the official route weaves through
neighbourhoods and along sidewalks beside quiet roads in Madrid until reaching
the countryside where one continues north.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once pilgrims leave the city centre of Madrid and subsequent townsites
the route follows established trails racing historical Roan routes, farm and
forestry tracts, regional trails though national parks, and urban sidewalks and
so is a relatively safe pilgrimage trail to follow. Perhaps the most
challenging (and most rewarding) part of the Camino de Madrid is the climb over
the sierra de Guadarrama following a Roman roadway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMbi6v430mO1Wn0UTUYnaTrptwTc3ywg289dDdkuzqw1cFChMkD-op9VDkVcoAn_VvP0KzO5qCrI8O7eYZzW7CjMOE5Bcc1F0fy7ZluRyIipxumG3-PGdQCos6ijpC8PZvgK05byj9xrAcrdwn38GuosV2gBxn5GJCu-AVbW57-Yo864uNFaEs5XbsA/s4523/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4523" data-original-width="3019" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKMbi6v430mO1Wn0UTUYnaTrptwTc3ywg289dDdkuzqw1cFChMkD-op9VDkVcoAn_VvP0KzO5qCrI8O7eYZzW7CjMOE5Bcc1F0fy7ZluRyIipxumG3-PGdQCos6ijpC8PZvgK05byj9xrAcrdwn38GuosV2gBxn5GJCu-AVbW57-Yo864uNFaEs5XbsA/w268-h400/Madrid%20to%20Tres%20Cantos%20(2).JPG" width="268" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Beyond this much of the Camino Madrid has a
Meseta like terrain which given the southerly location of its starting point
makes it a warmer route to venture along – especially in the summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such it is generally recommended that
people trek this route in either the spring or fall. The challenge in both
cases is to then be aware of Spanish and local holidays which impact upon
albergues being open, full, hotel costs, and the availability of other
resources.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Like the more popular Camino routes the Madrid pilgrimage is
well waymarked in the traditional Camino fashion with yellow arrows, shells,
and crosses.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Likewise pilgrims on the Camino de Madrid still utilize and
require the traditional Pilgrim Credential and need to acquire stamps en route.
As along other Camino stamps are available in albergues (many of which are
dedicated pilgrim residences), hotels, churches (when open) and town halls
along the route.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit86KBGEOuY6jxhQbz-y4m_1PZ_ZFdtwvsT01BA5zXVe9btVlVvqLW3gD25aIFea0AcEnvSuDDRjhsYnciXRRdRqbMQ0OzE6KoV0rC1cWBOEtTm2gsefQGni7CDZcir9czp50Ov9xRJCYln-CMfbWZhQxn30KlwxEc32tyAuu6fr2KCd7Hjq87HlZ_rQ/s5094/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20blog%20(9).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5094" data-original-width="3400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit86KBGEOuY6jxhQbz-y4m_1PZ_ZFdtwvsT01BA5zXVe9btVlVvqLW3gD25aIFea0AcEnvSuDDRjhsYnciXRRdRqbMQ0OzE6KoV0rC1cWBOEtTm2gsefQGni7CDZcir9czp50Ov9xRJCYln-CMfbWZhQxn30KlwxEc32tyAuu6fr2KCd7Hjq87HlZ_rQ/w268-h400/Simancas%20to%20Castromonte%20to%20blog%20(9).JPG" width="268" /></a></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amenities and
Accommodations</b> </p><p class="MsoNormal">While much of the Camino de Madrid will be familiar to those
who have ventured along the Camino Frances, Norte, Portuguese, or even to
Fisterra – the fact is that unlike these popular ways the route from Madrid to
Sahagun goes through fewer villages and several larger cities. This means that
often amenities are a little further apart and that one must contend with the
fact that the cities of Madrid, Segovia, and Valladoid do not have albergues or
dedicated pilgrim accommodations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
addition to which many of the albergues are strict in terms of the seasons and hours
they have for gaining entrance – as we unfortunately discovered on a number of
occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The result, as we found out,
is that pilgrims must place more of reliance upon hostels and hotels rather
than albergues on the Camino de Madrid.</p><p class="MsoNormal">In addition, while the Camino de Madrid passes through towns
providing trekkers the opportunity to eat out, enjoy meals and to resupply, it
has fewer established, accessible or potable fountains for pilgrims to reliably
get water from. Despite these challenges however the Camino de Madrid is a
wonderful, diverse and unique route waiting to be experienced.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF9QfTrnLDLydaM-yCHQ-aXpuZgdkNBapaj108zT8nPa_SXOhF90pioOluGxlC-vyCYvzxy44h2nu5VXX2_ghmTGoX7rtSd4puhHXMngNXXM9ke3HOdHwgSCUDKW-_iA3UOhRd6K5dzlzwkMAOKBXwsiMDuVEN71kprfML93wmn29BqMGKYkXpi_XZw/s2959/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="2959" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF9QfTrnLDLydaM-yCHQ-aXpuZgdkNBapaj108zT8nPa_SXOhF90pioOluGxlC-vyCYvzxy44h2nu5VXX2_ghmTGoX7rtSd4puhHXMngNXXM9ke3HOdHwgSCUDKW-_iA3UOhRd6K5dzlzwkMAOKBXwsiMDuVEN71kprfML93wmn29BqMGKYkXpi_XZw/w400-h268/Segovia%20to%20Santa%20Maria%20de%20la%20Real%20de%20Nieva%20(1).JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p></p>Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com0Madrid, Spain40.4167754 -3.703790212.106541563821153 -38.8600402 68.727009236178844 31.4524598tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-288360273839795953.post-85154496358485038492022-04-01T10:57:00.001-04:002023-11-21T20:53:49.502-05:00Welcome to Our Blog - Camino de Madrid<p>Welcome to our Camino Madrid blog! Over the span of 12 days in April 2022 we completed this 322 km pilgrimage route from Madrid to Sahagun, Spain. It was a wonderful experience that was unlike any of our previous pilgrimages over the years. <br /><br />After completing the Camino Madrid we continued our walk on the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminofrances.blogspot.com/2018/08/slideshow-of-our-walk-from-st-jean-pied.html">Camino France</a> for 2 days, hiking from Sahagun to Leon. From there we walked the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminosansalvador.blogspot.com/2022/04/welcome-to-our-blog-along-camino-san.html">Camino San Salvador</a> to Oviedo, before trekking the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminoprimitivo.blogspot.com/2022/05/welcome-to-our-blog-along-camino.html">Camino Primitivo</a> to Santiago de Compostela.</p><p>Thank you for reading, and 'Buen Camino!</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnuUq-0P3cgu6pBO5NVA7ucjJ92uqwwWrPC-RZj-Yyc2klsFZM7JY_Z2kgS4lK_WSfzAPG9e6C8HjG6SOMZBwiqSl2pED7eaRf1RtzpKU-L8DUmfUroyw4f6ZD7e6uTbQulXfPY_mNlyQC_P2bcy4ZK5zPVIpLs5-6B00w9h7H1CSf1Coe1jI2fv5uA/s6600/CaminoMadrid.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Come Walk With Us Camino Madrid Santiago Map." border="0" data-original-height="5100" data-original-width="6600" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnuUq-0P3cgu6pBO5NVA7ucjJ92uqwwWrPC-RZj-Yyc2klsFZM7JY_Z2kgS4lK_WSfzAPG9e6C8HjG6SOMZBwiqSl2pED7eaRf1RtzpKU-L8DUmfUroyw4f6ZD7e6uTbQulXfPY_mNlyQC_P2bcy4ZK5zPVIpLs5-6B00w9h7H1CSf1Coe1jI2fv5uA/w564-h436/CaminoMadrid.png" width="564" /></a></p><div class="MsoNormal"><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/about-camino-madrid.html">About the Camino Madrid</a> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/setting-off-toronto-to-monteal-to-paris.html">Setting Off!</a> Toronto to Montreal to Paris to Madrid </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/camino-begins-madrid-to-tres-cantos.html">Camino Begins,</a> Madrid to Tres Cantos </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/birding-camino-tres-cantos-to.html">Birding the Camino,</a> Tres Cantos to Manzanares el Real </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/blessings-of-camino-manzanares-el-real.html">Blessings of the Camino,</a> Manzanares el Real to Las Dehesas </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/roman-roads-through-mountains-las.html">Roman Roads Through the Mountains,</a> Las Dehesas to Segovia </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/romulus-remus-devil-and-me-exploring.html">Romulus, Remus, the Devil and Me,</a> exploring Segovia</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/always-look-back-segovia-to-santa-maria.html">Always Look Back,</a> Segovia to Santa Maria la Real de Nieva </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/forests-fields-and-faith-santa-maria-la.html">Forests, Fields, and Faith,</a> Santa Maria la Real de Nieva to Vileguillo </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/rain-storms-provincial-mud-and-snow.html">Rain Storms, Provincial Mud, and Snow Storms,</a> Vileguillo to Alcazarén </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/finding-balance-amid-frustration.html">Finding Balance amid Frustration,</a> Alcazarén to Simancas </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/into-meseta-simancas-to-castromonte.html">Into the Meseta,</a> Simancas to Castromonte </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/logistical-troubles-on-developing.html">Logistics on a Developing Camino,</a> Castromonte to Medina de Rioseca </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/natural-beauty-and-lessons-on-way.html">Natural Beauty and Lessons on the Way,</a> Medina de Rioseca to Villalon de Campos </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/serrado-serrado-serrado-right-to-end.html">Cerrado, cerrado, cerrado right to the end,</a> Villalon de Campos to Sahagun </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: small;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminodemadrid.blogspot.com/2022/04/camino-frances-rejoined-and-reflected.html ">Camino Frances (Re)joined and Reflected,</a> Sahagun to Mansilla de las Mulas to Leon<br /><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-size: small;">If you enjoyed our Camino Madrid blog, you might also like reading about our walks on the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminosansalvador.blogspot.com/2022/04/welcome-to-our-blog-along-camino-san.html">Camino San Salvador</a> (2022), the <a href=" https://ourwalkalongthecaminoprimitivo.blogspot.com/2022/05/welcome-to-our-blog-along-camino.html">Camino Primitivo</a> (2022), the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminoportuguese.blogspot.com/2019/05/welcome-to-our-blog.html">Camino Portuguese (Central)</a> (2019), the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminofinisterre.blogspot.com/2019/05/welcome-to-our-blog.html">Camino Finisterre</a> (2019), the <a href=" https://ourwalkalongtheviapodiensis.blogspot.com/2018/08/welcome-to-our-blog.html">Via Podiensis</a> (2017), and the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthecaminofrances.blogspot.com/2018/08/slideshow-of-our-walk-from-st-jean-pied.html">Camino Frances</a> (2016).<br /><br />We have also completed several other long-distance hikes, including the <a href="https://ourwalkalongthebrucetrail.blogspot.com/">Bruce Trail</a>, the <a href="https://comewalkacrosscanada.blogspot.com/2019/06/st-johns-to-conception-bay-south.html">Trans Canada Trail</a>, and the <a href="https://ourwalkalongtheect.blogspot.com/2018/07/welcome-to-our-blog.html">East Coast Trail</a>.</span><br /></div>Come Walk With Ushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11277818728326535364noreply@blogger.com0Madrid, Spain40.4167754 -3.703790212.106541563821153 -38.8600402 68.727009236178844 31.4524598