Danielle cycling through the vineyards near Cigales
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Sunday 3 April 2005
True to form, we emerged from our tent about 11am; steady rain on the canvas not hurrying us out at all. But the weather began to improve as we headed off on the back roads towards Valladolid.
The fields of cereal crops began to be overtaken by vineyards as we approached Cigales, a town known especially for its Rosé.
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Like most of the small towns we had come across, the first thing we saw was the oversized church. Each village seemed to have a church 5-10 times taller than the next building. A giant's house sitting amongst the normal ones.
Our arrival to Cigales was particularly impressive as we crested a long hill to be greeted by the two towers. (David is cycling the wrong way in the picture below.) |
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The church in Cigales |
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We pulled up outside a bar, looking for something more filling than the baguettes we had. Danielle walked in to check it out, and had one of those Wild West saloon moments. The whole, smoky place, every man (and it was all men) turning around to check out the sweaty, lycra clad creature speaking an odd mix of Spantalian.
It was worth it for another filling, delicious meal which we devoured with a wordless focus while the details for the Pope's funeral were repeatedly reviewed on the TV above. Then a walk around the town before heading off again towards Valladolid
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Cigales Church |
Cycling through Fuensaldaña with
roadside wine cellars |
David in Cigales with the 'saloon' and bikes behind. |
Always takes some getting used to coming into a city, especially after roads so quite we often rode side-by-side, and we hit peak-hour in Valladolid. But without mishap (and we know you're waiting for it) we made it to the town square where we were met by a rather surreal sight of piles of sand spaced around the square; one being delicately sculpted. |
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Sand sculptures in the Plaza Mayor |
Danielle in the Plaza Mayor in Valladolid |
Who'd thought tinned fish could make a nice window display. |
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With a wet tent, that, in retrospect, we could have pitched better, we went looking for a room. We just hope the staff at the 4-star Amadeus hotel we got a good deal at respected our 'do not disturb' sign as there was soon tents and washed clothes hanging off every bit of furniture.
Then wandered around town, checked out the cathedral (no bigger, but far more elaborate than ones we had seen in many towns previously) and watched as the storks scwabbled over Saints heads to perch (and consequently defecate) on.
Had a quiet beer in the very attractive Plaza Mayor as evening set in. There is a direct correlation, we believe, in the numbers of tourists and the prices of drinks in the main square (Try getting a coffee in the main square in Venice) and we enjoyed it being in our favour for once. |
Valladolid Cathedral |
Plaza Mayor Valladolid |
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