NOT ONLY did we have an extra hour of sleep because of the time change, but there was breakfast included in our stay. And we wouldn't want to miss that.
Breakfast included a few sweet roll things, cafe con leche or hot chocolate and some toasted bread with either pate or tomato. As odd as it sounds, it was tasty enough. But odd.
Looking out we could see bright sun and blue skies which was a great change froom yesterday's rain and gloom. The only negative was that in the cold of our room, our wet gear had not dried so we either had to wear it or arrange it on the outside of our panniers so it would dry as we cycled along in the warming morning.
Our route was along the straight road to Trujillo. There were a few cars but generally it was a quiet country road through the rugged rolling hills of Extremadura. Large trees dotted the pasture land where cattle or sheep grazed - when they had a comment I usually answered back which led some young animals to gallop away or look over startlingly, wonderin how a human spoke their language.
Though sunny, it was fairly cool, hovering around 10 C so I wore my light fleece under my coat and was just comfortable, only occasionally unzipping a bit to cool off. Where Alex struggled yesterday, I encouraged him to take his time, use his gearing for any climbs and not push to the point of overdoing it. He did really well. From my experience, I have found the second day to be the hardest of any trip, so I m hoping this will be the case again and that he continues to strengthen as we go. Today would be much shorter than yesterday so hopefully he will be fine for tomorrow's longer ride.
At about 10 km before Trujillo we came to a tiny village and when Alex saw a cafe he asked if we could stop for a morning snack - of course! I'm alwas up for some energy food. It was a very typical Spanish restaurant/bar but we sat out under the canopy since the day was so nice. Then, back on the bikes we continued along as the kilometres counted down to the town I was excited to visit with Alex.
Trujillo was home of some of the conquistadors who conquered (destroyed?) some South and Central American civilizations. The land around Trujillo is rugged and makes it difficult to be a super-successful farmer (or anything else) so adventurers needed other means of financial gain, for better or worse.
All of a sudden I could see the castle on the hilltop and the buildings of the city, then we climbed up and into town and to San Miguel Square and our hostal, which, inteestingly, is across the square from where I stayed in 2015. Then called Hostal Blason, now it is called Hostal Cuzco. I came in to the old but beautiful lobby with plaster and brick arches from front to back and a beautiful courtyard filled with orange-laden trees just outside our patio doors. And a bath tub! Guess what I'll be doing later to soothe tired muscles?
After rolling the bikes into the back part of the breakfast room, we sorted our things in the room, then I asked the owners if we might pick an orange from one of the trees since our oranges only come in supermarkets, they said yes. Alex excitedly went around the trees looking for just the right fruit as did I. His was sweet though pithy; mine was juicy but really sour. But it was fun.
Next on our agenda was to head out toward the Plaza Mayor to seek outa lunch spot. The one receommended on TripAdvisor (TA) sounded really good but when we got to it the server apologized but told us it was fully reserved and unavailable. Not to be foiled, we explored more back streets until we found a somewhat modern place where Alex had meatballs and local foods and I had pork and a mixed salad. As we ate the place went from having a few people in it to packed. Our timing was perfect.
Stomachs happy, we started to wander the old centre in earnest. Up we went to the castle on the hill. As in 2001, we spotted many olive trees groaning with ripened black fruit. These ones were down below the walls so we could not access them. Fortunately, while cycling earlier today, we had stopped at a spot with olive trees overhanging the road - Alex reached up and plucked one from the tree to give it a taste and he said it wasn't bad at all. Maybe some sisters are just sissies. Hee hee hee.
After walking around the walls of the castle and looking out across the fields in every direction, including where we head tomorrow, we descended back to the town square to explore and search out a snack store. Being Sunday and being in the old centre made it tricky so we actually had to walk a bit further to find what we needed.
Back in the room, we were able to snooze a bit and plan our next activity. Of course, tonight at 9 pm is the Mexican Formula 1 race, but we also want to see the centre lit up at night. Luckily, since last night was the change from daylight savings to standard time, it will get dark an hour early - I have found a streaming site where I can see the race so don't want to miss it. This season has been increasingly interesting as both the individual and team standings are tightening up.
Out our room window just before heading in that same direction - east. -- Torre de Santa Maria, Spain
This photo gives a good view of what the terrain looks like in the area. Slight rolling hills, but generally flat, rugged and rocky. -- near Torre de Santa Maria, Spain
This photo gives a good view of what the terrain looks like in the area. Slight rolling hills, but generally flat, rugged and rocky. -- near Torre de Santa Maria, Spain
There was a tiny but beautiful village so we stopped to take photos when Alex noticed an olive tree so gave a black olive a wee taste and found it quite alright. -- near Torre de Santa Maria, Spain
There was a tiny but beautiful village so we stopped to take photos when Alex noticed an olive tree so gave a black olive a wee taste and found it quite alright. -- near Torre de Santa Maria, Spain
There was a tiny but beautiful village so we stopped to take photos when Alex noticed an olive tree so gave a black olive a wee taste and found it quite alright. -- near Torre de Santa Maria, Spain
There was a tiny but beautiful village so we stopped to take photos when Alex noticed an olive tree so gave a black olive a wee taste and found it quite alright. -- near Torre de Santa Maria, Spain
About 10 km from Trujillo we passed a cafe where Alex asked to stop so we ordered some energy food, a cafe con leche and a hot chocolate. Everything hit the spot and I had a very happy co-pilot with me. -- near Trujillo, Spain
We weren't sure about this bridge but it did look really old so we both figured it must be part of the old original road, possibly from the middle ages. -- near Trujillo, Spain
We stepped through our patio doors of our room into a courtyard with all of these orange trees. When we asked if we could pick them we were given a smiling yes. -- Trujillo, Spain
We stepped through our patio doors of our room into a courtyard with all of these orange trees. When we asked if we could pick them we were given a smiling yes. -- Trujillo, Spain
Alex does not drink alcohol, but he jokingly held the glass so I could snap this photo. He is proud that in Spain he IS of age to drink if he wanted to do so. -- Trujillo, Spain
Behind Alex is Hostal and Restaurant Nuria where sister and I stayed in 2001. I don't think they rent the rooms anymore but the restaurant was jam packed. -- Trujillo, Spain
