Nice little hotel tucked away in a little square with a fountain. We left the bikes outside while we went up to the room which was also lovely, overlooking the square. The owners didn’t know what to do with the bikes, since they had people inside in the atrium and we couldn’t get the bikes in. Christian got angry with them but it was ok, since we just locked them up outside during the afternoon and put them inside at night. We went for a walk around the town, which C didn’t like very much but I thought was lovely. Beautiful fountains about a five minute walk down the main street, late Baroque or rococo style, with magnificent trees on one side. Dinner that night was accompanied by cats at the hotel. Patatas bravas and tapas. Nice food, lovely evening and straight up the stairs to bed!
Next morning the hotel owner gave some good tips on an alternative route which we took and which was gorgeous, all the way to Montefrío. Undulating and pretty countryside. We didn’t do lunch, although it was quite a long ride, about 60 km I think.
Arrived at Montefrío, with a very steep ascent uphill to the hotel. Apartment in the Centre of town, beautifully furnished and equipped with kitchen etc. and two balconies. Put our stuff out in the sun to dry off and then set off up to the castle which turned out fascinating. There was a tourist guide there, who told us some of the history. It was the last outpost of the Moors during the Reconquista, subsequently changed to a Christian church from the original mosque. Unbelievable views of the countryside all around. Afterwards we went looking for a beer but everthing seemed closed. Two old blokes with coffees indicated to us that there was life in a cafe (Bar Tití) and we went there for a beer. Funny, slightly depressing place … Dinner that night was fantastic, octopus, salad, pork tapas, nice wine at a terrace restaurant, nice waitress (Rocío, or Rosa) – they all seem to be! Then bed …. zzzzzzzzzzzz
