Sunday 5th October 2014 - Salamanca

After an early start (we had to get the aire owner out of bed to let us out), we met up with Les and Ian at Castronuevo where they sorted out clothes for washing and took fresh clothes from the stock that we were carrying. As they left Villalpando with the sun rising, they came across a shepherd driving his herd of sheep. He was mounted on a horse and had his dogs with him and, in this desolate terrain, it could have been a scene from centuries earlier.
Although it looked perfectly innocuous, it became apparent that the place where we met was covered in large very spikey seeds. They stuck to our shoes and soon covered the carpet in the motorhome. None of us realised the consequences of this until we caught up with the boys outside the village, finding Les repairing a puncture. In the end, a new inner tube was required and he used the spare tyre just in case any of those nasty spikes were embedded in the old one.
Refreshed with drinks of cold water and a cheese sandwich, they were on their way again. All was well when we passed them again a few miles later.
It was at this time that Jane let out a cry and said that we had just passed a small owl at the side of the road. I reverse the van and to our amazement, it was still there just a few feet away! Jane was able to take a photograph before it became agitated and flew away. It was a very pretty Athena owl and it is the closest that we have ever been to an owl in the wild.
On then to Toro where we wanted to do some sightseeing and Les and Ian were hoping to have lunch. We managed to park the van high above the river Duero with a spectacular view over the surrounding countryside and within two minutes walk of Toro cathedral. A speedy walk around the centre admiring the lovely architecture was followed by a purchase of some local wine and then it was back to the van for lunch sat looking at that wonderful view.
We expected to catch up with the lads quite quickly but they had made very good time and it was many miles before we saw them. More cold water was dispensed and they told us that they had dropped the idea of stopping in Toro - the time lost with the puncture and the long distance to Salamanca weighed heavily on their minds. A quick bite to eat at the side of the road had to suffice.
The scenery was more interesting today as there were hills in view and the road was more undulating but we were aware that this also made the cycling more difficult. Still the weather was still perfect - dry, sunny but not too hot and virtually no breeze.
We arrived at our Salamanca campsite on the north-west edge of the city to discover that the next bus left in 20 minutes. A frantic few minutes were spent parking, hooking up and sorting out and we were on our way to the city centre. Les and Ian had established that the hotel was only half a mile out of the centre but that was obviously written by the owners as it was a very long half mile! We arrived 5 minutes before them and they looked remarkably fresh considering what they had achieved. They told us that they had asked for directions in the city and were immediately surrounded by ten people each with their own ideas as to how to get to the hotel. However one person took Les aside and told him the best route. He explained that he had been helped many times when in England and was very pleased to be able to help them in Spain.
125km in the day - the furthest yet
5hr 30mins actual cycling - the longest yet
600km cumulative - HALF WAY!!!!!!
A great achievement!
Don't forget to support Les and Ian's charities by visiting www.justgiving.com/teams/lesian
Photos: Traffic jam in Villalpando; Happy times - meeting up at Castronuevo; Not so happy times - mending a puncture just outside Castronuevo; The Athena owl; We past many of these elaborate dovecotes in this area; The impressive Toro Cathedral; Salamanca in all its glory.