Goodbye Ruidera

Well, it wasn't raining when we woke yesterday so we set off on another walk to El Castillo Rochefrio. It wasn't as long as the previous day and would have been shorter if we hadn't made an unplanned scenic detour. As before we were surrounded by wild flowers and birdsong. We eventually saw the stone walls of the castle on a small hill . The way passed a frog filled wetland and then instead of the steps or ramp to the castle entrance we were met with aa jumble of rocks and a narrow path. Following this to the opposite side of the mound we came to the sign pointing to the entrance. This involved a scramble over rocks and boulders to a gap in the wall. It seems unlikely that the original inhabitants used this way to enter and provision themselves but there was no other obvious entrance. All that was left of the castle was a low stone wall encircling quite a large area on the hilltop, with good views of the entrance to the valley. A noticeboard informed us the castle was the site of an important battle in 1212, during the christian King Alfonso VIII's push south against the Moors. How different it must have been in those days. As it was we continued to enjoy the present day's peace and quite during the walk back to the hotel. We got thoroughly soaked during the last quarter hour as the promised rain arrived!

We've really enjoyed this little known corner of Spain. It's been a delight to explore. It's not just the walking that has kept us fit either, these are the stairs up to our room. thanks to them I now have tight calves and memories of a wonderful view!

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