Decamped in good time for the journey to Sahagun via Riana climbing steadily through wonderful mountainside country. We could have been anywhere in the Alps especially with the mantle of snow on the peaks.
Mistress Van continues to impress. She starts first time and takes the task in hand in her stride. She doesn´t allow her age and dignity to be compromised but moves sedately on to the next rise although she rocks a bit over the rougher terrain. Having crested out at about 1600m, we descended through a magnificently coloured gorge into Riana which boasts a spectacular setting with water on three sides. Sadly, that was where the promise ended as the place was virtually deserted with unkempt modern buildings and many more under construction. All were affected by what we now recognise as a Spanish phenomenon - graffiti. You almost wonder whether the construction companies don´t buy it in that way!
After Riana the terrain became more undulating and gentle with the rolling plains taking us on to Sahagun which was as far as general Sir John Moore took his army in 1808. Sahagun itself fairly shabby so we moved on to Mayorga then Benavente following his retreat route. The river crossing over the Esla across the old bridge Esla at Castrgonzalo could only be seen from the road not close to. Moore blew up the bridge to delay the pursuing French Army. Having seen off the hussars of the French Imperial Guard, the British troops ´relaxed´ by looting Benavente so we avoided going there in case there was still any lingering resentment!
We left the retreat route then to go to Leon where, after some friendly advice from two traffic policemen we ended up in a car park right in the centre of Leon near San Marcos. Much to our surprise, there were other vans there. We went ashore following a ´Lonely Planet´recommendation to a tapas restaurant El Llar on Plaza San Marcelo which was fun although M2 not keen on the sludgy black pudding! M1´s frequent attempts to make the d......d phone do what was want has irritated M2 and adjustments are required!
Mistress Van continues to impress. She starts first time and takes the task in hand in her stride. She doesn´t allow her age and dignity to be compromised but moves sedately on to the next rise although she rocks a bit over the rougher terrain. Having crested out at about 1600m, we descended through a magnificently coloured gorge into Riana which boasts a spectacular setting with water on three sides. Sadly, that was where the promise ended as the place was virtually deserted with unkempt modern buildings and many more under construction. All were affected by what we now recognise as a Spanish phenomenon - graffiti. You almost wonder whether the construction companies don´t buy it in that way!
After Riana the terrain became more undulating and gentle with the rolling plains taking us on to Sahagun which was as far as general Sir John Moore took his army in 1808. Sahagun itself fairly shabby so we moved on to Mayorga then Benavente following his retreat route. The river crossing over the Esla across the old bridge Esla at Castrgonzalo could only be seen from the road not close to. Moore blew up the bridge to delay the pursuing French Army. Having seen off the hussars of the French Imperial Guard, the British troops ´relaxed´ by looting Benavente so we avoided going there in case there was still any lingering resentment!
We left the retreat route then to go to Leon where, after some friendly advice from two traffic policemen we ended up in a car park right in the centre of Leon near San Marcos. Much to our surprise, there were other vans there. We went ashore following a ´Lonely Planet´recommendation to a tapas restaurant El Llar on Plaza San Marcelo which was fun although M2 not keen on the sludgy black pudding! M1´s frequent attempts to make the d......d phone do what was want has irritated M2 and adjustments are required!
Left to right: Monastery at Mieses; En route to Riana; Not even breaking sweat!; Asturga
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