The climate is mild and the most common diseases are rheumatism

 We are heading out to the Watford Gap of North Eastern Spain. The N1 and later the AP-1 both find a way through the uplands and head off to the centre.  First, however, we must go to see the Monument to the Shepherd. 

It may have been built around 1480 by Isabel de Guevara. It is a group of three enormous figures: the shepherd, the lad and the dog, as well as a small chapel with the motif of the Annunciation of the Angel to the shepherds. Apparently the reason for the construction of the monument is the accidental death of a shepherd from Palencia as a result of a lightning strike.

Next to the monument is the Restaurante.   Here are the menus https://monumentoalpastor.com/menus/  Eight hours ago Silvia wrote ‘A few days ago on the way home, we discovered this place, where the food is very good, excellent staff, in the company of our pet, in the cafeteria area. I recommend it without a doubt to eat on A1.’    Three weeks ago Juanan wrote ‘We arrived late, with the dining room full but they still served us. Good place to eat and walk.

Thanks to the waitress Susana, for her professionalism and friendliness. With people like this it is a pleasure to visit this place.’

We will dash across the N1 and down to Ameyugo.  A few people live here but what is much more fun is the 19th century description.  I will edit.  It is extensive.

Town with a town hall in the province, territorial court, diocese and general captaincy of Burgos.  The climate is mild and the most common diseases are rheumatism, an effect of high humidity. It consists of 70 houses of regular construction, among them the town hall, which also houses the tavern, two pesos and a school of first letters attended by 30 children of both sexes, and whose teacher is endowed with 50 bushels of wheat annually; there is within the population a fountain with four spouts and many springs in the area with rich and crystalline waters, which the neighborhood uses for itself and for its livestock; a parish church under the patronage of Our Lady of the Antigua, served by a parish priest; and two hermitages, one dedicated to Saint Anne, are located at the foot of the mountain overlooking the road, and the other with the name of Saint John, at the entrance to the town on the same royal road. 

Productions: white wheat, seaweed, barley, rye, commune, oats, corn, vegetables, flax, hemp, fruit, chacolí wine, potatoes and turnips; it raises a mixed sheep of merino and churro, as this is the wool most valued in the country; game: partridges, quails and the occasional hare; Fishing: rich trout, eels, barbels, and another kind of fish, which they call logimas; Industry: five flour mills, three of a single white stone, and the remaining two with white and black; with the first they grind wheat only, and with the second barley,corn and vegetables; trade consists of the extraction of a few bushels of grain to the market of Miranda de Ebro. Population: 53 inhabitants, 214 souls. Productive capital: 1,643,400 reales; Taxable: 135,937; Contribution: 11,510 reales 30 maravedis. The municipal budget amounts to 11,500 reales and is covered by the product of the tavern, charging 4 reales to the jug of wine.

Ameyugo had 512 inhabitants in 1860.  17 years later it had 296 and dipped to 63 in 1991 but is now up to 116.

We will cross the AP-1 and head down a dirt track heading east.  We will end but something that appears. On the map, to be a river.  Judge for yourself.