20 October cool and perfect for walking and biking

We are in Casa de Espiritualidad an old monastery. No wifi but 3G using Bobbie’s uk sim card. Very calm and quiet here in the middle of a good sized city.

Almost impossible to tell that this is a small and charming hotel. No sign on the street.  Asked the police,they were about 20 meters from here and they had “no sabe ” 

Usually thick walls with friendly staff. Laundry?  In rapid Spanish – got needed help from another guest – we can have someone from a local laundry service come right over and have it returned tomorrow.  Service showed up before we were finished sorting out our dirty stuff.

The Cathedral.  It is clearly the big thing here as it should be. The second you see it you think French. High vaults with lots of stained glass and light and wonderful carvings. 

Two fun facts.  Largest amount of glass of any cathedral in Spain.  A two thirds scaled replica of the one at Reims.  Likely same labor force was hired. Amazing stained glass windows; lots of gothicy stuff inside.

Department store El Corte Singles. QB heaven. Hours of shopping and some successes but poor underwear. KB found needed gloves and in the fine supermarket a new cold drink. Michelle and QB will no doubt visit the main store in Madrid.

Cold drinks are a real problem if avoiding sugar is a goal. The yogurts have too much,the drinkable ones that is. Generally it is water or beer or wine, plentiful and less than a dollar a glass.

Here…..gazpacho drink or soup. Hard to tell but sold in dairy case with yogurts and with the other cold drinks. Tried two different brands,consumed close to a liter, and reeked of garlic. Excellent!                        

Ham shots on camera to be posted with cathedral.  Also a shot of a Gaudi building, 1893, possibly with George slaying the dragon, a small one. Or possibly an iguana, a big one.

Another visit to Valor.  A chain of chocolaterias we visited and sent pictures from in Burgos.  Just coffee and a churro and relaxation warmth. Many in Madrid. Sure to visit with M&G.