We were too early for the museum which didn't open until midday but this gave us the opportunity to consolidate on yesterday's visit and also take in the glories of the Castillo, now a very plush 'parador'. Spaniards eat a lot of pig in various guises. Outside the parador there was even a prominent statue of 'A PIG'!
The museum in the splendidly presented Palace de Principe was extremely well done with a fascinating collection of engravings (maps and battle scenes), books, reports including Wellington's despatches to Lord Liverpool, the Secretary for War, and published in the London Gazette and paintings. Excellent stuff very well done and so pleasing that the outcome of the 1812 seige had been remembered appropriately.
After a late lunch of our customary bread, cheese ham and fruit, M1 cleaned his bike ready for a ride when the temperature might have declined a little later. M2 also prepared for a bike ride and we set off separately about 5.00pm both keen to have the exercise. The available maps diddn't show much contour information and we had both supposed that there were few hills to the south. Wrong! Steady climbing, M2 to la Encina and M1 to Robledo, all into a head wind too. This was good sierra type terrain: wide, undulating brown grass interspersed with individual trees and grazing for some of the biggest cattle including bulls we had seen. M1's circular route back through El Sahuga and Mortagrio never seemed to get the benefit of the expected tail wind but did have two significant climbs out of the steep valleys of the Maya and Agueda which tested.
The exercise justified our plan to have supper in Ciudad Rodrigo at another well recommended restaurant from the Lonely Planet guide. A little people watching in the Plaza Mayor first then a most excellent menu de la casa dinner at the Mayton Restaurant, beautifully and traditionally appointed. The appetising Supa de Castellane was demolished but it did have some interesting slimy bits in it. We ought to google it to check! A decent Ribera del Duero wine accompanied the meal followed by the now normal coffee and brandy in another bar. Another very good day!
Pictures: Plaza Mayor, the Post Office, Pig edifice, Palace de Principe
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