Found this:

https://www.dreamstime.com/old-water-tank-built-brick-ortigosa-de-pesta%C3%B1o-province-segovia-spain-image140561619

Sap of pines has been used for many things for thousands of years. Everything from waterproofing to medications to turpentine.

Pale purple flowers might be Spanish mallow.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/82889-Malva-hispanica

Ah, the joy!

Water tower?

Looks just like a picture I posted today, just a different cyclist.

Such an amazing structure. My favorite aquaduct anywhere. It’s hard to believe it was built without mortar and is still standing after almost 2,000 years.

Like most things, it wasn't as bad as my fears!

Your description of O-pa! is spot on. I enjoyed every one I received.

Jacinto made a sandwich of some very strong looking lunch meat this morning. That seems like an odd combination of words. The meat was marbled very dark red meat and white fat. We shall see.

It's enough to be hungry as an adult, much less responsible for small children!

I don't feel quite so bad now! Jacinto called ahead to our lodging tonight to ask very specifically if their attached restaurant serves food all the time. Who would think that's a question you need to ask?

Haha, we have eaten at a Burger King in Spain for the same reasons.

Sounds like challenging riding and congrats on doing all of those tough climbs. Enjoy your day off!!

I actually haven’t heard it as a greeting either, but it doesn’t surprise me. It doesn’t really have a clear definition that I can see. It’s more of just an enthusiastic, upbeat statement, spoken lustily, with both syllables given nearly equal weight. O-Pa!

Interesting! I never heard it as a greeting before. In German Opa means grandfather. Not nice to call Jacinto on a bike Opa!