Sunday, June 7, 2009

We have 24 km's to go to Simancas

We are stretching and resting our legs before we get going on our last chunk of Camino for today. This will total our complete journey of today to about 115 Km's.

Loads of beach-like loose sand on the trails, two flat tires and overall under-estimation, made today into a much tougher day than what we bargained for.
Today's scenery and weather however are brilliant and spirits are up.

Hasta la próxima
Douwe


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We are in Coca

Just a very quick update, we are in Coca. Unfortunately I had two flat tires, at one. What are the chances. Hence we had to skip lunch. More later.


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We are in Santa Maria La Real de Nieva

This morning was considerably more relaxed than yesterday. We took a civilized breakfast on the Plaza Mayor, and took off in direction Valladolid. On exiting Segovia we looked back and were rewarded with simply stunning views of the city.

The camino today has thus far taken us through vast fields of waving barley and thick pine forrests. Quite some variety and awesome views.

On the way we passed through a number of small villages, among them a sleepy little town called Añe. We decided to go on the lookout for a stamp for our credentials and woke up the mayor who happily obliged. His wife, although friendly enough, was not impressed with us ringing the door bell at 11 am on a Sunday. Her nightgown and hairdo kind of scared us.

In Santa Maria we decided to stop for a much needed break. Coffee and bread rolls the size of a rugby balls. We have cycled some 30 KM's and want to do another 25 or so before breaking for lunch.

Hasta la próxima.
Douwe


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Saturday, June 6, 2009

Segovia, por fin...

After our close encounters with the local village idiot in Valsaín, and warming up we thought we were ready to embark on our final stretch to Segovia. Only 14 Km... However, even though our clothing had warmed up, it was certainly not dry. This we noticed as we mounted our trusted steeds, and we double backed to the warmth of the bar to change into something dry.

On our way to Segovia we decided to take a local an quiet highway. This with the intention to get there asap. Luckily we crossed the Camino on the way, which with renewed enthusiasm we tore to shreds on our way to the dreaming spires of Segovia.

We were able to find our hotel without too many complications, a lovely place right in the centre of town. (See above pictures)

After a hot shower, a change into civilian clothing we were welcomed with Segovian warm hospitality, tapas and beer. As this is my first beer in 4 weeks without as much as a drop of alcahol, I find myself writing this post on the floor looking up to the bar stool I just fell of off.

Tomorrow we plan to do about 105 Km's to a pueblo near Valladolid. We hope, and kind of expect, this to be much less demanding than the 140 K we did today criss-crossing the mountains between Madrid and Segovia. I am sure that we shall be sleeping like babies, in spite of having checked into a room with a queensize bed. What's more, we even share a matrimonial pillow. We'll see how it goes. Frans (as I) is a notorious snorer, so we are sure to entertain our neighbours with a duet that will go into Segovian history.

Before all that we will embark on our copious dinner, at a place where suckling pig is a specialty. This is not just any place, but the place to eat this Segovian dish. The pig is sure to enhance our snoring skills.

Hasta la próxima.
Douwe


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We are in Valsaín, Segovia Province

We decided to take a pit-stop in a village about 14 Km before Segovia called Valsaín. Currently on our second glas of hot chocolate. The route we took to circumvent the Roman road ended up being much much longer then anticipated. Hence we have already cycled about 120 Km today. We are nackered and there was a lot of rain on the Madrid side of the mountain. So, pretty cold and we are warming ourselves in a local bar, whilst Frans is chatting with a local toothless villager. (See photo).

Am barely able to type this posting as my fingers are thawing. We are off again, on our last 14 Km of the day and hope to find the hotel easily. We need a shower badly.

Hasta la próxima
Douwe


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Camino, lunch

So, we just cycled 65 Km with a climb of some 700 meters. The aggregate climb surely is loads more, as we have gone up and down, an than some.

We have another 35 Km to go, mind you with a reasonably nasty climb over the Guaderama mountain range. The last 20 or so Km's will be downhill to Segovia, where we will stay for the night.

It has started raining, surely a test from the almighty as he spotted a couple of infidels on his Camino.

Just another 612 Km's to go to Santiago.

Hasta la próxima
Douwe


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We are in Colmenar Viejo

Ok, we are on the Camino de Santiago. We set off from Plaza de Santiago and cycled to Plaza Castilla by way of Paseo de la Castellana. There we were on the lookout for the yellow Camino markers, which were a little difficult to find.

Once on track we cycled through Fuencarral into the wonderful rolling hills just north of the city. Past Tres Cantos we cycled on to Colmenar, where we are now taking in some coffee and toast with tomato. It's one of those typical loud spanish bars the Spanish know how to make noise ;-)

After our coffee we'll continue on to Navacerrada, where we will likely find a Terrace and break for lunch. Frans and I are doing great so far, no major cat-fights yet and we both seem to be controlling our egos quite well.

Hasta la próxima
Douwe


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