Julia is really motoring now, today is Day 5 of the 4th stage and we are staying in Arenas de San Juan (which is a very pretty little town), with a lovely castle, which I think I might have said once or twice before as we have travelled  through Castilla y León…As I mentioned earlier in the week the 4th stage started in awful weather. But luckily yesterday and today are much better. Not exactly tropical but at least dry and warming a little. We had the privilege of staying in the Parador de Gredos (west of Madrid in the Gredos mountains), it was amazing. It snowed constantly the afternoon/evening we were there, and when it does that the fear is that we can’t get back to the start point the next day. Luckily whilst it snowed, it didn’t stay on the ground What a place to stay. I’ve said that before too. I have blown away by Castilla y León. Our home for the weekend is in Arenas de San Juan, again in a lovely place with a beautiful garden and swimming pool – closed now of course. The drive yesterday from the Parador to here was lovely. The views were amazing, even with the low cloud and the windy roads. But the other highlight was seeing the mountain goats just by the side of the road, and whilst I stopped to take a photo I couldn’t get near enough to really capture them. We have a rest day tomorrow (I am injured so everyday is a rest day for me at the moment), but for the team, Josie, osteopath extraordinaire, Jane, artist extraordinaire, Jack, route planner extraordinaire, and Julia, runner extraordinaire, I am sure they are looking forward to a day’s rest.

Monday we move on to Cazalegas which is in the province of Toledo, Castilla la Mancha so we are leaving Castilla y León. I am sure there are a lot of adventures awaiting us there too…and wonderful places to visit. Today’s photo is the snow at the Parador in the Gredos, and the castle of Arenas de S Juan back there… soon.

We (Jack and I) are going  Ah almost forgot to say, we are getting a border collie puppy in September, same mother as Maca not too sure if father will be same, but we are SO looking forward to that. Can’t wait!