SUMMARY: End of the Trip - - Blog

Our late return to España was just what the doctor had ordered. The peaceful atmosphere without doctors’ appointments, chemo treatments, and lab draws was refreshing. Although the neuropathy prevented hikes and lengthy explorations, we each captured routine daily step counts approaching 10,000. So we were not exactly slacking off all the time. We had snow in Gredos, rain in the northern parts at times (most occurred when driving to the next stop along the way), a glorious week in our beloved Elizondo "without a care in the world approach", we got to visit and see the latest Mendi family member: 'Julia' in Pamplona along with her parents-- Fernando and Nekane and Great Amatxi-Asun and Amatxi-Loles, then a great visit with RobtBob Allebach in Zaragoza a city we also really enjoyed exploring and now it's on our we must return list, Paul's brother Rick Watson joined us for a couple of days in Zaragoza as well courtesy of his employer - - American Airlines, who scheduled a marketing conference in Madrid (that necessitated a short/fast train ride for Rick), and then a first ever stop in El Campello on the Med to see our dear friend of 50 years, Gill Fischier-Groves for a super lunch of grilled baby lamb chops with all the fixings and good, very good wine too. Then we had our last two visits with family and friends in Madrid. Mission accomplished all refreshed we started home with heavy hearts and checked in for our flights having started the day way toooooo early and without benefit of any coffee no less!

El Campello

Elizondo

Gredos

DAY 29 FRIDAY, 23RD OF NOVEMBER Alcala De Henares Day 2

DAY 29 FRIDAY, 23RD OF NOVEMBER Alcala De Henares Day 2

Buffet breakfast at the Parador, did not see Lourdes as it was her Off day of the week. However, the short and adorable Veronica was there and gladly welcomed us from trip 2 years before! We returned to our room for a minor sort out of items to be repacked for flight day on Saturday, we also wrote the blog to help pass the time before lunch.

Storks on nest in Alcala in Nov??

Paul wanted to have lunch at Las Moreras and so we headed in that direction however the mid-afternoon traffic in Alcala was atrocious, we made little head way and it became blatantly obvious we would have such a late midday meal that would impact our visit this evening with Guillermo and Alexis and their girls. So, when we spotted a restaurant along the way with parking out front, we hit the brakes and pulled in. Menu of the day was too much for Jane who opted for a mixed salad instead. Fed again we headed back to the Parador planning to gas up the car along the way because we return the car in the AM.

At 6:00PM Alexis called to say that they had arrived up at reception, we began our hike to the front of the building from our back 40 location and promptly were greeted with hugs and kisses all around. The girls had their school uniforms of red plaid and black blouses, really neat looking. They have grown with Alison now 8 and Emily at 7, just 17 months between them. Guillermo suggested we walk back around the corner of the Parador down the side street to the garage in which they had parked, there was a plaza above the garage with a fancy bar for nibbles and refreshments. Our visit lasted nearly 2 hours with various tapas to enjoy after all we had nearly 4 years to catch up the news from both sides of the pond! They set off to their apartment near Toledo for the weekend and we returned to tidy our last bit of rearranging our luggage for our flights. An early night as our travels begin at 0600 Saturday before daylight.

DAY 27 WEDNESDAY, 21st OF NOVEMBER Chinchon Day 2

DAY 27 WEDNESDAY, 21^st OF NOVEMBER Chinchon Day 2

Buffet breakfast was as usual, excellent. We decided to drive out to Aranjuez, the playground of the Spanish royalty. Lots of palaces, gardens and beautiful buildings. Getting there wasn’t too bad if you don’t mind barely paved, one lane roads! It was the scenic route and we approached the town from a never before seen path through olive trees etc!  
 

Paul found a cheap gas up station to refuel the car only 1.19 per liter of diesel and found a parking spot opposite a Parking ticket machine, opposite a CajaMar Bank with ATM that did NOT charge a fee! Well done him! Across the street was the Aranjuez city market, so had a walk around the meats, fish, and produce shops to the central area with a bar and tables set for the patrons. We have noticed lots of elder people out with walkers accompanied by younger care givers. At least the older ones are still Vertical and getting out and about versus sitting at home staring at 4 walls. Notice many on this trip.

We walked to palace grounds and tourist office. The feet are not letting Jane enjoy as much as usual but we are giving it the old college try and we still clocking up some impressive totals, stepwise. The best exercise for neuropathy is walking even though it is most uncomfortable! Go figure!

We returned to Chinchon but had to drive out and about the country side with local signs pointing out the way to Chinchon through the edges of Villaconejos. It was a bona fide diversion but why we were directed to mud paths and pot holes was not explained, we followed a large lorry truck taking the same route as us. Back on black top we made time back to our village. Stowed the car again without problems and walked up the hill stopping at the working man’s club that Paul had spotted with a Menu of the Day sign: 7.50 € after a beer we asked what was on the menus:  A single item Cocido madrileño (boiled garbanzos stew with potatoes, cabbage, meats, veggies, etc in broth Ron Hand should remember this well from our Pyreness trip years ago!!) It is not my favorite so we ventured into La Villa restaurant for lunch and sat in solitary splendor, upstairs, viewing the Plaza below. Lamb chops, salad, tinto, coffee. Excellent meal, #3 restaurant on trip advisor for Chinchon and rightly earned, No Less!

Following the obligatory siesta, we putzed around a bit and decided a couple of tapas would suffice for dinner. The town is very quiet, as it is really out of season. Olive oil, garlic and the famous Chinchon Dulce (that tooth rotting sweet liquor) are the products of this small town but their main pull is that lovely Plaza! We did spot some camera wielding tourists in the plaza but I think they come, visit, take photos and leave so finding a bar with tapas and people is daunting. We have found this everywhere and the unseasonably cool weather does not help. We have found that we have acclimated very well and it isn’t really that cold, just nice and fresh!

DAY 26 TUESDAY, 20TH OF NOVEMBER LORCA Travel Day to Parador Chinchon

DAY 26 TUESDAY, 20^TH OF NOVEMBER LORCA Travel Day to Parador Chinchon

It’s going to be another very long day driving north to almost the Madrid outskirts. Paul was able to alter our planned stop at Parador Alarcon which is a restored castle out in the remote country side. It has become one of our favorite locations but the allure, if not the castle, is that there are hiking field walks all around the castle grounds. However, as Jane’s poor feet are not up to the strenuous exercise, we opted to spend more time near Madrid and so we changed at the last minute without cost. Paul said we actually saved about 50 euros by changing so I guess we made all around on this one. We also changed from the interesting looking hotel in Torrejon when an opening became available at the Parador Alcala. We really like Alcala, it is an easy walking city, very vibrant.

As we started out it was light rain most of the morning as we skirted Albacete and Murcia the skies cleared part way and sun poke thru in places. Chilly at only 10C but we are comfortable in the car. When we were about 1 hour out of Madrid, we started to look for a stopping place for lunch. Paul found one appropriately named Restaurant Stop. Not a usual Hotel/hostal next to a gas station but a proper sit-down restaurant with tablecloths and cloth napkins. Lots of business people and well-heeled patrons. Not going to be our 8 Euro menu del dia! Jane had a ½ menu of the day while Paul enjoyed fish soup followed by the same escalopes.  Back on the road for another 45 minutes into Chinchon.

Straight into the Parador and unloaded onto a luggage cart. When we drove down the hill to the garage, we found someone parked in the no parking lead in to the garage entrance necessitating a 3-point turn to make it thru the opening and down the inner ramp towards the 2^nd gate. With the car sorted, we walked up to the main plaza and noticed that the bullring partitions were removed so that the entire plaza is now open for parking and walking. Evidently after the bull fight season ended in October they removed the ring until the next bull fighting season. Paul drove around trying to solve the mystery of our vanishing tinaja bar. Let me explain. The first time we came here we walked and wandered and stumbled onto a bar which was incredibly interesting. A place where they used to make and store wine on the premises. The basement was filled with huge tinajas (over 7/8-foot-tall) which had been signed by all sorts of celebrities, royalty, writers etc. When we returned with the kids we tried to find that damn place and could not! Our memory of where it is, is totally wrong! I cannot believe we could have walked that far around the town. So, we drove and it is way up there, at the top of the hills surrounding the town. We did not go in as we were so ticked off at ourselves! Churlish, I know but maybe some day we will return!

This has got to be one of the world’s most beautiful medieval plazas. It looks a bit worn and needs some paint as befits a century’s old plaza but its symmetry is beautiful. A circle of buildings around the central plaza, at night, all lit up, it is stunning. You can almost hear the clip-clop of horses and the rumble of cart wheels. Of course, you have to suspend the present- day reality of all the cars dashing through the plaza to access the tiny streets climbing up to other parts of the town but, with enough wine it is do-able!

We walked the entire circle for drinkies and tapas before returning to the Parador to eat a proper meal. With the Departure day coupon ticket of 15% off, we opted for a proper meal this night. Chinchon is a former monastery and was occupied for about 25 years or so before they upped stakes and moved. It always puzzles me why these monks, or friars moved with such regularity. I don’t think they moved very far, just to another set of buildings. Anyway, the reasons are shrouded in time and history and they or their patrons, left behind some very fine buildings for us to enjoy. The gardens are quite lovely, it is a very quiet and peaceful place. The dining room is tiled with old style blue and yellow tiles and has arched windows. Lots of beautiful colored blown glass on shelves and very coordinated seat covers. Lovely! The staff at the Paradores is always so friendly and helpful, always with a smile.

Finally time to connect with the Madrid friends and family. Thursday night into Madrid for Juanmi, Maite and Los Tios, and Friday we will see Guillermo & Alexis with Alison, Emily in Alcala. Saturday morning is our early flight to Atlanta to end this month-long journey.