Summer in Spain (again) (5 Viewers)

[jumartoo]

And our first views of Alarcón. We're doing a walk tomorrow . I can hear distant thunder right now.

 

[jumartoo]

Hmmm

 

[Nigel Crompton]

Look out for the local "Banksy's" ....

 

[Just smiffy]

I’ve been missing notifications on this thread…

Caught up now….

 

[jumartoo]

So, the mist cleared and we went out following a short walking route found on Wikiloc. Martin was using it on his Garmin and it threw a major wobbly, sending us the wrong way numerous times and then it put the language into Finnish .

We made up our own route at that stage.

The village, in my (our) opinion is better seen from afar. It had a lot of closed off areas for work and the castle is now a Parador (posh hotel) with no access to the serfs!

The walk alongside the reservoir was nice though.

Stonemason mark on the lovely church doorway.

Interesting. A parking area within the village.

We could only get to the door of the Parador

Old door.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jumartoo]

The walk along the reservoir.

 

[jumartoo]

We've parked at almost 1,000 metres and it's much cooler. We're at the village of Canada del Hoyo at the parking area for the swimming pool and the HQ of the forest firefighters. Martin spoke to one guy yesterday and he gave us . It's also used as the starting point for a hike to the Lagunas (de Canada del Hoyo). We're going on our bikes and checking out the road that we MAY drive along later to our next destination.

The Lagunas are the ones that look different colours, even a pink one. I just hope they have water in them after the hot summer

 

[gus-lopez]

Hmmm

View attachment 953458

Yes ,we had that yesterday.

 

[jumartoo]

Well, I'm a tad disappointed. Yes, the lagoons had water in them. We saw the three that are on public land. We rode round to look at the others but the way was blocked with a high fence and gate and a sign. So I didn't get to see the pink Lagoon. I think we could have walked to them, according to a recent Wikiloc walking route. Never mind, we had a lovely ride overall.

The three lagoons we saw.

We rode along a narrow road through pines that were being tapped for the resin. We don't see it often in Spain, but we've seen it a lot in Portugal.

Heading back to the village.

The road was excellent for driving along later. Newly surfaced and through pretty terrain. We didn't like our first choice motorhome area for tonight, although it has a good service point, but our second choice is nice. A tiny area on the edge of a small village (Laguna del Marquesado). There is a lake of the same name nearby. We'll see that on a ride tomorrow.

 

[Peavy]

Well, I'm a tad disappointed. Yes, the lagoons had water in them. We saw the three that are on public land. We rode round to look at the others but the way was blocked with a high fence and gate and a sign. So I didn't get to see the pink Lagoon. I think we could have walked to them, according to a recent Wikiloc walking route. Never mind, we had a lovely ride overall.

The three lagoons we saw.

View attachment 954202View attachment 954203View attachment 954204

We rode along a narrow road through pines that were being tapped for the resin. We don't see it often in Spain, but we've seen it a lot in Portugal.

View attachment 954207

Heading back to the village.

View attachment 954205

The road was excellent for driving along later. Newly surfaced and through pretty terrain. We didn't like our first choice motorhome area for tonight, although it has a good service point, but our second choice is nice. A tiny area on the edge of a small village (Laguna del Marquesado). There is a lake of the same name nearby. We'll see that on a ride tomorrow.

View attachment 954206View attachment 954208

Is that area from your last two pictures the one you liked more? Looks very quiet.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jumartoo]

Is that area from your last two pictures the one you liked more? Looks very quiet.

Yes and it is quiet. The first one we went to was 5km away at Huerta del Marquesado. It was in an area with lorries, across from a bottled water building. It could be OK if arriving later in the day, but it didn't suit us arriving at lunchtime. We much prefer a nice view.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

We rode along a narrow road through pines that were being tapped for the resin. We don't see it often in Spain, but we've seen it a lot in Portugal.

We’ve seen it quite a bit and been wondering what they use the resin for?

 

[jumartoo]

I Googled it and found this, amongst lots of other info.

Tapping the Pine Tree... Plant Resins and their Uses | Temperate Climate Permaculture

Plant Resins have many traditional uses that modern civilization barely understands.

tcpermaculture.com

 

[jumar]

We’ve seen it quite a bit and been wondering what they use the resin for?

As what jumartoo has written...very interesting...

 

[Wanders from Glos]

I Googled it and found this, amongst lots of other info.

Tapping the Pine Tree... Plant Resins and their Uses | Temperate Climate Permaculture

Plant Resins have many traditional uses that modern civilization barely understands.

tcpermaculture.com

Very interesting…. Why didn’t I think of googling it ….. doh

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jumartoo]

Yesterday we rode in warm sun and had bare arms. Today we had three layers. What a difference cloud cover makes. Martin planned a road ride along narrow roads through high, wild terrain. We were almost at 1,600 m at our highest point.

We passed through a few villages and saw a few people mushroom foraging.

At the end of our ride, I continued up to the Lagoon, but it wasn't very interesting. The dark clouds made it look grey and it had quite a bit of weed.

Before we settled in for the evening I climbed up to the ruined tower behind us. It was quite a nice view.

We aren't BNM tonight, we have a Belgian neighbour.

 

[jumartoo]

We left yesterday in drizzle, after having a chat with the Belgian neighbours. We drove over a few cols in quite thick mist so didn't see much of the lovely scenery. The camera signs at the side of the road were annoying when all we could see was grey.

We've been in part of this area in the past so we just drove through. As we dropped down towards Albarracin (well worth a visit) the skies cleared and the sun came through. My photos are taken on my phone and, except for the last ones, as we were on the move.

Albarracin was too busy for us to look for a parking space quickly, so we continued through. We first went there on a bike tour from Burgos (Camino del Cid) and what a lovely stay it was.

We continued to the motorhome area of a more nondescript town (Cella). We had lunch and then walked to Dia supermarket via the town (old) laundry (with a woman doing her washing) a d the very nice church.

We left Cella via a cheap fuel station on the main road N234 and parked up overnight at yet another motorhome area. It's at Torremocha de Jiloca and has four big marked spaces, but lots more space, and leccy if required (ask at the town hall) and a service point. It's very close to the via verde that goes back through Teruel and down to the coast. We're riding a short section today on a circular route that Martin's planned.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

We left yesterday in drizzle, after having a chat with the Belgian neighbours. We drove over a few cols in quite thick mist so didn't see much of the lovely scenery. The camera signs at the side of the road were annoying when all we could see was grey.

We've been in part of this area in the past so we just drove through. As we dropped down towards Albarracin (well worth a visit) the skies cleared and the sun came through. My photos are taken on my phone and, except for the last ones, as we were on the move.

Albarracin was too busy for us to look for a parking space quickly, so we continued through. We first went there on a bike tour from Burgos (Camino del Cid) and what a lovely stay it was.

We continued to the motorhome area of a more nondescript town (Cella). We had lunch and then walked to Dia supermarket via the town (old) laundry (with a woman doing her washing) a d the very nice church.

We left Cella via a cheap fuel station on the main road N234 and parked up overnight at yet another motorhome area. It's at Torremocha de Jiloca and has four big marked spaces, but lots more space, and leccy if required (ask at the town hall) and a service point. It's very close to the via verde that goes back through Teruel and down to the coast. We're riding a short section today on a circular route that Martin's planned.

View attachment 955924
View attachment 955919
View attachment 955923View attachment 955922View attachment 955918View attachment 955917View attachment 955921View attachment 955920

I like the sound of the Camino el Cid

 

[jumar]

I like the sound of the Camino el Cid

Yes...a wonderful multi-day route from Burgos to Valencia...we had to carry full camping gear for the stages that hadn't got accommodation.....one night slept in an old mountain refuge, I lit a fire and soon found out the chimney was clogged...all our kit including ourselves smelt very smoky the next morning..

 

[bigtree]

The location of the cheap fuel station is here, ideal for anyone doing the A23 Zaragoza to Sagunto route.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[jumartoo]

The day began with a lovely red sky (rain later?). We went for our ride. It was windy, very windy, as we rode along the via verde on the most exposed, moorland like, area. Once we turned back it was easier but the wind was always blowing across us.

We're now, after an interesting drive, parked at a castle. We're just having a cuppa and then we're going to spend €6 to look around.

 

[jumartoo]

I like the sound of the Camino el Cid

All the routes we've done on bikes were very good. I think my favourite is still the Via de la Plata. We rode from Sevilla to Santiago through some beautiful areas. We did the route late spring/early summer a d the flowers were lovely.

In fact, I think I'd rather like to do it all again.

 

[jumartoo]

So we're here. The Castillo de Peracense. Not somewhere we'd ever heard of, but it's been a great find.

The green line is another section of via verde which we may ride part of again, tomorrow.

We paid our €6 pensioner fee (the guy didn’t even ask for proof ). We were both ready with our cards as well.

It was well worth a tour around. The guided tour was at 5 pm and only in Spanish. We preferred to wander around unguided. They did seem to be taking a long time at each point.

 

[jumartoo]

We're actually parked at the mirador parking. It's been built for wheelchair access and also has braille signs. The information board is made of raised shapes, with a legend telling what each bit depicts.

We're so glad we can see the world around us.

 

[royandsharont]

Albarracin is on our bucket list of places to visit, planned it one year but Covid came & haven’t been that way since. Will have to do it soon though as well as visit Canfranc some beautiful skies you’ve posted

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wanders from Glos]

All the routes we've done on bikes were very good. I think my favourite is still the Via de la Plata. We rode from Sevilla to Santiago through some beautiful areas. We did the route late spring/early summer a d the flowers were lovely.

In fact, I think I'd rather like to do it all again.

Sounds fabulous, although I may be too old for that now!

 

[Wanders from Glos]

We're actually parked at the mirador parking. It's been built for wheelchair access and also has braille signs. The information board is made of raised shapes, with a legend telling what each bit depicts.

We're so glad we can see the world around us.

View attachment 956279View attachment 956278View attachment 956280

Looks great, its gone on the list.

 

[jumartoo]

Sounds fabulous, although I may be too old for that now!

Not too old with an ebike .

It's the logistics of planning a linear ride that's the headache. Last time we left the motorhome at the airport parking at Lavacola and rented a car to drive down to Sevilla with the bikes in the back. That wouldn't now be as easy to do with bigger, heavier ebikes.

 

[Wanders from Glos]

Not too old with an ebike .

It's the logistics of planning a linear ride that's the headache. Last time we left the motorhome at the airport parking at Lavacola and rented a car to drive down to Sevilla with the bikes in the back. That wouldn't now be as easy to do with bigger, heavier ebikes.

Yes that’s the tricky bit unless you find a spot close to the route and do a day in each direction.

 

[jumar]

Yes that’s the tricky bit unless you find a spot close to the route and do a day in each direction.

Never contemplated that sort of tour...too complicated, what we have been doing is Circular multiday riding....leaving the motorhome or car in a secure location, and riding off, returning 5,6 or 7 days later..that works well....I love planning our routes, which adds to the delight of riding here in Spain..

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}