DAY 26 TUESDAY, 20TH
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 2nd 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.
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