Thursday 23 March 2017

Caceres to Ampudia - 222 miles

Due to an alarm misfunction (pressed the wrong button) we were a bit late getting up into a cold but clear morning, annoying because we wanted to get another day of miles in. Never mind, usual chores then on the road – at least it's all motorway again, travelling alternately through mountain ranges and high plateaux so we were able to keep up a good average speed on quiet roads.

Refuelled at Bejar then around an hour later pulled off the motorway onto a large parking area just outside Salamanca for lunch. Up to now the weather had been dry but it soon turned to showers, some of snow and evidence of recent falls could be seen on the hills around us.

Our original target had been Burgos but it would have been a quite late arrival and with hardly any alternatives – as well as a below freezing weather forecast! So we identified an area around Palencia with a few choices and chose a familiar sounding name a little way off the beaten track which looked nice. TomTom duly took us off the motorway, through Cigales and out into the countryside, eventually taking us into Ampudia and, yes, we came here at Easter two years ago when it was scorching hot, rather different to todays close to freezing temperatures.

After a cuppa we took Jamie for a walk into this interesting village where in the main street all the houses are built over the footpath/pavements, some with newish stone columns but many with the original wood supports

Returning to the van we were shortly joined by another Brit motorhome – it's quite a small place so we hope not many more turn up! Screens up and a nice beef tagine for tea.