The Road from Santiago

  Sometimes you need to just step back.  There is something both unkempt and ordered and beautiful about the Spanish uplands in October - where we get our photos from. There is something in the golden leaves and the saturating sun.  I also rather like May for its freshness. To be honest, I love Spain. We are not going to have much in the way of pueblos, but we do get a few other things for the specialist interest. In a string of houses along the hillside road we come to Arquitectura & Ingenieria Topografia. It is open from 8am to 4pm everyday of the week, except Fridays, when they knock off at 2pm.  A year ago Jorge said of them ‘ Super friendly and competent guy. Affordable price and excellent work. He did both the ITE (Electrical Inspection) and the energy efficiency certificate for my house. Highly recommended.’ As we turn off the road and cross the terrain once more we pass what is labeled  the Puerto del Barco.  It has 10 reviews. It gets 4.8 stars...

  We are heading way out of town.  We are going up 302m.  We are going down 146m.  At our height we are 872m above the level sea. That makes us equal to Moel Siabod.  Moel Siabod is the eighth highest peak in Wales and near Dolwyddelan, one of my favourite castles in Wales. A Candlemas Bun awaits us, between September 2018 and June 2021. We are leaving the tarmac and heading down the Camino Real de Carlos Tercero. This has no reviews on Google.  Here is a nice video of it. https://www.canalsur.es/television/programas/destino-andalucia/noticia/2103870.html   Apparently Charles III has a road made, leaving Malaga and heading for Villanueva, Antequera and Madrid. Well that’s it.  As we are talking Charles II, let’s talk Charles III.  Charles was born in 1716, he was the fourth child of Philip V.  Bit of back History. Phil-5, as the kids called him, was the French candidate for the Spanish throne in 1700.  After 1714 Phil held the thro...

On the road again, paying my back taxes road again…..  In the words of Loudon Wainwright III.  Well, we are heading off to Malaga and to get there we need to turn around and head down some alley ways and steep steps.  We will pass the Ermita de la Virgen - Puerta de Málaga.  Two months ago Daniel did most of our work for us.  ‘The Hermitage of Our Lady of Hope, also known as the Gate of Malaga, is a beautiful religious monument dating back to the 17th century. This small church has a special charm due to its traditional architecture and its strategic location at one of the old city gates. The building preserves original elements that reflect the popular devotion of Antequera throughout the centuries. It is an ideal place for those seeking to learn about the religious and cultural history of the area, as well as offering a space for reflection and tranquility. The hermitage is very well maintained and represents an important part of the local heritage.’   Ju...