Wednesday 4 October warm

Almost 1400 ft of climbing today.

Garmin 25.5 km

Android 11.41 km (suspect loss of connectivity on some hill)

iPhone 21 km

Book 23.5

First pic is of the caves (defensive) in the red Rock Hill that backs up the town.

Different models of walking, one is dragging your “stuff”. A belt is attached to his waist and he pulls what a cyclist would call a Bob.

Approaching the first town we notice, once again how clean it is and a man with a broom sweeping his front door area.

A view of Nájera un the background. 

Later on a climb of 1000 feet up to the golf club eatery in Cirueña. It is the only place in town.  The population is less than 150 but has housing for thousands. The guide books describe it as as ghost town or dystopian village.   Have not found the history yet but will inquire at the information tomorrow.  Likely to be a good story as the road up is in excellent shape and the road down not so much.

A very little of the ghost town buildings, almost all new looking and in excellent shape.  Giant double sized Olympic swimming pool, empty of course, in the fine park.

Again, without Bobby we could not identify this plant and it’s fruit or its nut.

Layout of historical Santo Domingo

Another mode of travel to Santiago:

The Parador is one we stayed at 7 years ago.  Looks the same to me.  I liked the place then and still do. Very solid building of massive stonework.

Got some Gran Reserva for the room.  As we are staying two nights here there is a chance we can finish it.