Spring into summer in Spain

[jumartoo]

We had another lovely ride today, better even than yesterday, but it was colder. We'd prepared with a spare layer of clothing and had to wear it on the descent, although it's been warm all afternoon back at the van.

We rode to a place marked on the map with the symbol for binoculars. We didn't know what to expect, but it turned out to be a refuge, with picnic benches, a font and a boulder kitted out with false holds. Martin just had to have a go, but the ex climber struggled to get off the ground

For sale

Santa Cruz del Valle

A tiny waterfall. I tried to get closer to take a better photo and ended up in cold water to the top of my thighs. The camera lens, unknown to me, got splashed with water and subsequent photos had marks on them. Lens cleaned now.

Cold bath, anyone?

Better bed in the van.

 

[jumar]

Moved location...not a great choice...Judith will explain..
Made the most of bad choice by going for a bit of a walk...now found the best place in the world, with an incredible viewpoint..

 

[jumartoo]

We'd decided to go to the motorhome parking at Hoyos del Espino. As we arrived it was obvious something was going to take place at the weekend, and something big. Every flat space was taped for parking. The motorhome parking was OOB 6 and 7 June, marquees were being erected and so was a huge stage.

A bit of Googling and a chat with one of the workers got us this information.

Musicos en la Naturaleza 2025 | Bryan Adams | Texas | Los Zigarros | Jack Broadbent

Los mejores grupos de música han visitado desde 2006 en un entorno inigualable, el de Hoyos del Espino en la Sierra de Gredos ¿te lo vas a perder?

musicosenlanaturaleza.net

We went for a walk and then decided to leave because, with the amount of work still to be done we expected work continuing well into the night.

We decided to head back to Navarredonda de Gredos and park above the town.

 

[jumartoo]

We drove back to Navarredonda thinking we could have lunch before driving up to the parking area of the Mirador Estelar (viewpoint for stargazing). We got to the best rated bar in the village, that was open today, and so did everyone else. Market day today . After a bit of a wait we decided to leave and head here. What a lovely spot it is, with a not bad view from our side window.

The village to the right, the stargazing to the left and ... the view in the middle.

To top it off we had a lunch of airfried potatoes and trout with a spinach and tomato salad (no photo ) and we have pretty good internet. Not a bad fallback position.

 

[manners]

Is Martin looking for your bikes?

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[Peavy]

We drove back to Navarredonda thinking we could have lunch before driving up to the parking area of the Mirador Estelar (viewpoint for stargazing). We got to the best rated bar in the village, that was open today, and so did everyone else. Market day today . After a bit of a wait we decided to leave and head here. What a lovely spot it is, with a not bad view from our side window.

The village to the right, the stargazing to the left and ... the view in the middle.
View attachment 1066579View attachment 1066580

To top it off we had a lunch of airfried potatoes and trout with a spinach and tomato salad (no photo ) and we have pretty good internet. Not a bad fallback position.

Wow, splendid views

 

[jumar]

View attachment 1066584
Is Martin looking for your bikes?

No not at all...our bikes don't go near water that deep..come to think about it...neither does Judith..

 

[jumartoo]

No not at all...our bikes don't go near water that deep..come to think about it...neither does Judith..

I did yesterday ( no yes)

 

[jumar]

We had an unwanted visitor at 3am...a Mozzie was intent on making an unauthorized withdrawal from my blood bank..it's still in here somewhere, I was allowed a single swipe, but missed..
Got one of those plug in types, but don't know if they deter or kill..need to find it.

 

[bobandjanie]

The best we could find came from Portugal, designed for the small Portuguese fly that some how fits through a normal swat, and very good for a annoying mozzie. Bob.

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[jumar]

We are also well armed too...but nothing compares with Judith's quick thinking, she just caught it between her hands..

 

[jumartoo]

I'm sooooo glad I caught the mozzie otherwise we wouldn't have settled easy tonight.

This area of Spain is so full of yellow broom, you need to see it to comprehend it. We rode through miles of it and then we drove through even more to get to our present spot, where we're almost surrounded by it.

Today's ride had broom, broom and more broom, lovely bridges, old mills, now renovated, the Pozo de las Paredes with its old bridge and deep gorge. Did I say broom? well there was a bit more, also mares with foals and mares with foals still on board (hope so, anyway, they were quite rotund). All in all it was a lovely morning out.

 

[jumartoo]

Whilst Martin was preparing the bikes for our ride I had a wander around the church where we'd parked. There's a small bridge on a stream and following the stream around the church there's a building with a small porch like building. Apparently the stream was used by the women of the town to wash tripe and it was hung to dry in the porch.

It's only hung with dried broom now.

 

[jumartoo]

After our ride we drove 27km to our present spot at the Puerto de Peña Negra at 1909m.

We're parked at spot used by paragliders to jump. The first one we saw was flying with eagles (or vultures) but I couldn't get the camera ready in time. It really DID happen though, honest.

Driving in. More yellow.

Our parking with the paraglider minus companions.

The jump zone (with more yellow)

The small hill behind us hides the snowy mountains. We look down to the village of Piedrahita from where, tomorrow, we're riding a gravel route. The village has a small motorhome area (3 places) and a service point. We'll use that, at least.

 

[jumar]

Quiet night except for a car that came around at 4am and kept the engine ticking over for 20 minutes
About 9°c this morning, but careful positioning of MH ensured the early morning sun came through the front window... this has warmed the van sufficiently...
Another heatwave is arriving in the next few days...plans to make this as comfortable as possible are in progress... resorting to a campsite with shade is possible.
There are one or two ACSI sites in this region to consider...

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[royandsharont]

Yes I read the Spanish news yesterday and both the heatwave for summer was referred to and the increased risk of mozzies due to the early year heavy rains,unfortunately

 

[jumar]

So far...a jolly nice day.....

 

[jumartoo]

Another new area explored. From where we'd parked in Piedrahita we rode past the Palacio de los Ducques de Alba, an 18th century building now a school.

We rode through some lovely areas of lavender

And eventually arrived at the lovely village of Bonilla de la Sierra.

Electricity nearby

We then rode a concrete road over lovely terrain, stopped to check out, and discount a shady parking area and then we were stopped by some strange animals in a freshly cut hay field. They didn't run, or hop, or jump, but moved in a combination of all three . They also sit like a dog.

A use of Google lens says they're Patagonian Mara. Never heard of them.

One last tiny bridge and we were back at base

We're now at the busy, and hot, motorhome area of Ledrada, near Bejar. It's on a via verde so we might have a ride along there tomorrow.

 

[sedge]

Another word for 'mara' is 'cavy' apparently. How on earth a few landed up there is anyone's guess - escaped from a zoo or anything - someone imported them as exotic pets, they bred, they were abandoned .....

 

[jumar]

Another word for 'mara' is 'cavy' apparently. How on earth a few landed up there is anyone's guess - escaped from a zoo or anything - someone imported them as exotic pets, they bred, they were abandoned .....

In a compound with an Alpaca, so they must belong to someone...

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[jumartoo]

We're on a campsite

 

[jumar]

View attachment 1068219We're on a campsite

Because it's far too hot anywhere else..Its 30°c in the shade, and thats where we are sitting...we don't relish campsite enthusiasm, but when needs must..
A typical EHU providing not enough amperage to power our induction hob...had to disconnect and use our inverter/lithium set up...that got the job done...but once again our bikes are being charged via the site supply..
Judith will post later some photos and account of our bike ride this morning...which was somewhat entertaining...

 

[jumartoo]

We didn't ride any of the via verde today because I'd found a 2019 route on Wikiloc. Scanning around the route it all looked like it was on good tracks, and it was, the only problem we had in a few places was the high vegetation.

It, again, was lovely (we're simple people, nature and nice views make us happy). At one point we joined the Via de la Plata but, unfortunately, we couldn't remember ever having been there before, but it was in 2013 when we cycled on (non electric) mountain bikes. We didn't even remember the peregrino statue.

The millario stones are a bit confusing. Why three together? They should be 1 mile apart.

Anyway, we had a lovely morning, loaded up the bikes, and drove for 30 minutes or so to Camping Vega de Francia to grab a bit of shade for the next few days. It's on the River Alagón, but we haven't yet been to look. That'll be later, when we can emerge from the shade.

The internet isn't too good here, so here goes.

We touched wheels on the via verde, momentarily!

 

[jumar]

Heatwave followed by heatwave...it's going to difficult to ride safely today and spend the rest of the day sitting in the shade, but still 35°c as yesterday and tomorrow...therefore following a brief committee meeting, we decided on taking a bearing northwards and apply a little logic...the next couple of days here will be 35°c but we are expecting to take at least 10° off this...by going into Asturias...the plan is set...let's see what happens..

 

[Peavy]

Wise decision. Especially facing the weekend, some refreshing rains forecasted over there.
We are already in the oven around here. Difficult weekend ahead, again
I plan to install wings and a small jet in the van.
That would get us to northern latitudes in just a couple of hours

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[jumartoo]

We're on the road. First stop Mercadona at Bejar.

 

[jumar]

Arrived at our destination..
Shaved 15°c off the temperature we had at the same time yesterday...
Only had to drive 362 km.. northwards and park up at..1445m..should be a cool night...might need heater on low setting

 

[jumartoo]

We're here

Not too far from Oviedo.

 

[ginscot]

We're here

View attachment 1068815
Not too far from Oviedo.

View attachment 1068817View attachment 1068818View attachment 1068816

You were lucky to get a space!

 

[jumar]

You were lucky to get a space!

Careful planning and getting ahead of the crowds...

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