Blogs from Extremadura, Spain, Europe - page 3

I woke up this morning ready to see Merida. I was really looking forward to seeing Merida because it is filled with Roman ruins. Merida used to be the capitol of the Roman region that is currently Spain. Not only does Merida have a lot of Roman sights, but a lot of it is still in great shape. I wasn’t quite sure what kind of ruins were here, but I found a map and went off on my way. The map ended being a tad off, so I followed the signs that led to the Roman theatre and amphitheater. I looked at the information for buying tickets and saw that I could get in to several things for the student ticket of 6 dollars. I started off going into the theatre and amphitheater. Since I never ... read more

Lunch stop. And tortilla rugger ball sand Plus nap for Neil... read more

It was hairdryer hot. The temperature displays in Seville showed a giddying 41C and my bike thermo more or less agreed registering 40C. I opened my jacket but the effect of the hot air hitting my chest actually made me hotter, so I zipped it up again. It was overcast but the air temperature here was actually hotter than the Sahara, which was typically mid-thirties – the killer there being the effect of being in the sun which probably pushed the effective in-the-sun temperature north of 50C. Seville looked a pleasant enough city and there were some beautiful buildings around, but if it was this hot I doubted I would ever make a trip here. I reasoned that whoever programmed the navigation engine of the Garmin had to be female. The only thing predictable about it ... read more

BLOG 4 Tuesday 8 May – Halleluiah, we have sun!! We left you last time earlier today, in overcast skies, at a McDonalds in Caceres trying to Skype Tom (with no luck). Whilst one of us dealt with computer matters the other did a big shop at Carrfour (bless him!) We then drove for just under an hour, along a mostly motorway road with reasonable but very flat landscape to Trujillo. Once again you could see it in the distance – a magnificent walled castle town atop a big hill. This time it REALLY lived up to expectations – the best place we’ve been to so far.....AND by the time we got there the sun was well and Trujillo out – his vest and both coats were abandoned and having parked up near the town, we ... read more

Hello again.......... Wednesday 25 April – From our campsite just out of Salmanca, we were going to cycle the 6km river path into the city today but...........too damn cold and windy (at least no rain). So instead we drove in, managing to find fairly close parking. What a bloomin’ difference the weather makes.........our memories of Salamanca was bustle, life and fabulous streets and buildings. The buildings of course were still as great but the impetus to walk around them in gale force winds, plus the lack of life on the streets – nothing out on the pavements etc – made it a less enjoyable visit than last time. We treated ourselves to a delicious typically Spanish 3 course lunch in a charming restaurant, including bread and a BOTTLE of red wine.....for 12 euros each! Amazing value ... read more