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!