May 22, 2013

Looking out of the window we see weak sunshine – well, that’s an improvement.

We take a cycle track out of Salamanca recommended to us by the hotel receptionist which gets us straight to where we want to be.  For the first time in a long time we’re too hot!  We can cycle without our coats – what a treat. 

The road is a bit more undulating than yesterday which makes it more interesting to ride.  We spin along happily – the warm weather is such a welcome change.  Within a short time of leaving Salamanca we see in the distance what looks like a bank of clouds on the horizon – looks like the sunshine might be short-lived.  However, as we travel along we see that the clouds are not moving and we start to think that what we might be seeing is in fact a snow-covered mountain. It is nearly the end of May isn’t it? and we are in Spain aren’t we?  Nevertheless, the nearer we get the more it looks like Kilimanjaro rising out of the African plains.  Ken speculates that the scenery setters have selected the wrong backdrop for today’s episode.  Still the nearer we get the more we realise that not only is the mountain real but also that we’re going to be climbing it – well at least 1200 metres of it.  Once over the pass we run into Bejar, a ski resort in the winter.  There is a camp-site, but further up the mountain, nearer to the snow and cold – so no camping again for us.  We find a hostal and take a look around for somewhere to eat, but, for some reason, the prices seem extortionate compared to what we are used to paying, so we go to the supermarket and picnic in our room instead.  Sort of camping after all.