Day 32 - Alamagro

 What joy to have a lazy day! On waking it’s dry and breezy enough to dry the washing so that’s the first job… luckily no one near to offend with our multiple lines!

Managed to spend the entire morning doing very little , it was lovely. The birdsong here is incredible. Fields of wildflowers all around so bird happy place! Lots of Iberian Magpies which are the first we’ve seen this holiday and swallows are starting to nest over the washing up sinks so are back and forth all the time. 

We had planned to head out to a nearby national park for a walk but seems silly not to make the most of where we are so decide instead to walk into town. The road from the campsite is flanked by fields of wildflowers full of larks and buntings. When I run the Merlin bird song app it goes crazy! Has there ever been a more correct choice of activity? The main square is without doubt one of the most beautiful I’ve seen anywhere. It’s early 17th century and has original colonnaded buildings down both sides with a grand town hall at one end. 

Only two of the cafes are open but we only need one! Puzzled by the town hall chiming a little early for 4pm but then notice that people are suddenly heading back to work and school and seem to settle again by the time the clock actually strikes four.


Coffee and a Manchego cake it is - this appears to be a thin cake soaked in milk and covered in cinnamon and sugar… not recommended, tastes like it should be fed to babies. But the coffee is good and it’s nice to relax in the sun. 

Some time within a Spanish window of 5pm the Corral de Comedias (€6.50) opens it’s doors. Quite a sight inside when we pull back the curtain that covers the entrance, as it’s fully restored and ready for performances, and though smaller is much like Shakespeares globe. This is the only place other than the campsite that we’ve seen any tourists really and still not many! 


After leaving here we wander a bit more. Feels a little like a film set , so many beautiful 16th/17th century buildings in such great condition. There is the national theatre museum here too but it’s undergoing renovation so is currently closed. We do stick our heads into a gallery briefly though before visiting Casa Palacio de Jean Jedler (€3.50) a former home of wealthy locals that’s now an education centre but the helpful downloadable audioguide talks us through its importance and the importance of its former inhabitants to the development of the town.



Then back to the van via a tourist shop in the main square where I buy a Don Quixote Christmas tree bauble ( had to be done!). 

The fields of crops still look fab but the birds are a little quieter now.

 Back at the campsite we finally get to cook on the cadac and eat dinner outside. All of the washing is dry and we are feeling refreshed on all levels. 


Been a lovely stop. Can’t believe it was a chance one ….


Miles so far: 1753 (the same as yesterday!)

Steps today: 10,810

Overnight: Camping- bungalow las Arenales again (€25 with electricity- cheapest price bought online)


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