Penafiel to Segovia

Up to the alarm. 
Breakfast was oranges, chocolate and tea. Should have included a danish, but I had that in the wee hours, when I awoke to find my Janis Ian ‘Between the Lines’ album ready 🙂 Took me back to those happy days in Saudi. Wait! What happy days?! Favourite track was ‘Light a Light‘ hahaha

Sunny but cool outside.
Checked the bike over then packed. 
Rode out through Valladolid city centre.

Penafiel castle was clearly visible over 6km out. Stands on a bit of an island. With really tight twisties on the way up.
Inside I find that you have to take a tour, and it is only in Spanish. That’s OK, the handout was in English, and the rest I could figure out. Pointing is the same in all languages 🙂
The castle really is shaped like a boat……

due to the terrain.
Great view.
Skipped the wine tour. Was already thirsty having ridden past bodega, after bodega, well, lots!

Before I rode away from the castle, took off a layer. It was now 18degC.
Spain really is biking country. Sun. Blue skies. And quiet roads.

Segovia was an easy if boring run. Then the snow-capped mountains came into view.
Then Segovia showed – OUTSTANDING

TomTom was close-but-no-cigar.‎  Took me 3km past the aqueduct, to end up 100m away!
And took me down a pedestrian street. How do I know? First passer-by told me. Then the chef-du-jour. 
So I dropped off the backpack.
Parked the bike, close but not a moto area.
Then came back and unpacked.
Here’s the view from my balcony….

And yes, the is the aqueduct 🙂

Walked into the first restaurant. Awesome interior. Ordered a soup….

basically a broth, with an egg and bread. OK.
Dessert…..

which was a centre of custard, between two thin slices of sponge and covered in marzipan :):):)

Suitably fortified, I asked at the Tourist office for a place to park the bike, and where to watch the game. Looks like Segovia will be supporting Leicester rather than Sevilla. They support Real Madrid 🙂

Took off to look at the castle…..

Then on the way back, filled up the bike and found a MUCH better parking spot then suggest by the tourist office.

Walked over to the cathedral. Really tall building. And full of chapels.

Then on to the “fairytale” castle. However, was closing in 30mins. So had tea instead…..

Yum. Fish with raw onions 🙂

And for everyone in Canada, here is the view from the cafe’s patio…..

Note the sunshine, blue skies and snow where it should be, on the mountains 🙂

Well, that is all for now.
The game is underway. Leicester have just scored. Which means if the score stays this way, they go through to the next round 🙂