Feelings of the Day: Today was my last full day in Almazan. In this town of five thousand I have enjoyed seeing and interacting with the people who live and work here, the history, landscape, nature, and proximity to all kinds of interesting places and cities. Almazan has shown me the advantage of a more rural vacation base for future trips to Europe with multi-day excursions sprinkled here and there.
Full Day’s Events: After dropping off postcards at the post office, I went to the festival and picked up two more packages of cured boar to take back to Canada. I also saw a multitude of different birds of prey under a tent, for shade, and many were wearing cowls to keep them calm. Not since going to “The Raptors” interactive bird sanctuary, just North of Duncan, was I so close to so many different birds of prey. Very special.
After a quick visit to see inside the church at the Plaza Mayor, I met with the RJGM gang and we drove to a hiking trail NE of Almazan.
The 7.2km walk took us along the Duero river with thick forest cover on either side of the remote back road. There were unusual berries and vegetation, for the keen eyed to find, and we saw wild asparagus that if large enough became a side for tonight’s supper.
We eventually reached an old mill and farm that was part of a historical settlement that would be open during the height of summer. The buildings and land were cared for and lovely to walk around in. It felt very peaceful and pleasant with the nearby trickling of the Duero river.
We walked a bit more, stopping for a small snack lunch at Ermita de la Virgen de la Solana (Hermitage of the Virgin of Solana) that had picnic tables, fresh water, and nice views of low mountains to the NE.
Once we returned to the car two and a half hours had passed, so after a drive through roads that cut through open fields of canola we had a filling lunch.
Returning to my residence for the final pack I came back later for white asparagus, fresh picked green asparagus, and a hearty meat and bean soup.
After digesting R, J, and I went to the festival to see the birds of prey. Unfortunately, because of the late hour, the handler had put all but one away, but it was the biggest one I had ever been close to that was not a member of the vulture family. Its wingspan was huge!
R&J bought some desserts, which were shared with us all, and once it reached 10pm it was time for sleep before we woke and headed to our next destination. 14 km and 28 flights walked.
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