Tuna
Wednesday 21 May 2014
It was a driving day today. We’d decided to head to Segovia. This is about 500km from Cordoba, but looking at the map, it was freeway all the way. (Meaning it was 120km/hr. dual lane divide freeway. Hello cruise control.) So with a few swap of drivers (no accidents, broken tyres or car scratching) we made it to Segovia. I did nearly wipe out a parked car as I moved into the right turn lane to turn into our hotel.
Our hotel for the next two nights is in an old monastery, about an 8 minute walk from the heart of town. We dumped the car and our bags and wandered into town. It is easy to find your way into town. You just walk out the hotel, across the road, and the follow the old roman aqueduct into town. Awesome! It starts out at shoulder height and then when you get to the big plaza, it is around 30m tall. My gob is smacked.
As we’d sat in the car for about 4.5 hours, a stroll through town was enjoyed. As it was about 15C when we arrived we put on a jacket. That was a good idea.
Segovia is a gorgeous and absolutely stunning town. I’ve been here for 3 hours and I love it. I think it is because firstly it is full of old stuff and secondly it is small and not a hustling city. We wandered around the streets passing many, many churches and the main big church.
A further stroll down the roads (all solely pedestrian streets) we came to the Alcazar. This one looks really different (more castle like) and not so Moorish. We’ll do it tomorrow.
Oh, there are also great views over the nearby range, which are topped with snow.
A stop for a vinto tinto on the way back to the hotel to sort ourselves out, warm up, dodge a rain shower and wait for dinner, as it is only 6.30pm.
We rugged up for dinner and put on our coats as it was raining on our walk to dinner (along the aqueduct).
Our dinner destination tonight was a restaurant that was recommended to us, we were a bit dubious as it was right on the main square looking at the aqueduct. Normally restaurants in these location are full of tourists, overpriced and the food is average. Not this one. It was fantastic. We had a very typical meal. Lima beans with pig’s ear for The Albatross and a Castellan soup for me. Main was the roast suckling pig. It was amazing! They bring a complete stunningly cooked tender baby pig (a bit cruel, but so tasty), and cut your serve off it.
On the walls were signatures of famous parties that have eaten there. We had a 1959 senate delegation from the U.S., including 3 Roosevelt’s and Ernest Hemmingway.
Full and happy.