Legume of the Day,

We are heading down the very straight N-II , I’ll nip up on the junction to the AP-2 just so you can get a better look/  We are going to go past yet another town, it is almost like being in a fertile river valley attracts them or something.





Villafranca de Ebro seems to have been a general farming place until the Muslims built a castle there.  In 1118, Alfonso I the Battler took it.  The existing castle is of 12th century origins, based on the 10th / 11th century predecessor.  It is basically a tower with a surrounding enclosure. It was damaged when an observation point and trenches were constructed during the Civil War.






War-wise, the pueblo has not done too well.  In 1379 Lope Ximenez, one-time Viceroy of Sicily, took the placed and razed it.  More heroically 110 of them formed a unit in 1808 to fight the French.  More tragically, Carlist troops murdered women and children in 1833. Villafranca has generally bumbled through the Twentieth Century with about 700-800 people and as peaked in the 840s in this century.




Before we get to the town, or its northern road boundary, we will pass a garden centre, Tierra y Sustrato Grayturba SL.  https://www.endeaga.com/  It opens week days from 8am to 6pm.  Of it, Jonathan said ‘A good place to buy packaged aggregates and a good price’




The Hotel Restuarante Pepa offers us much, 4071 reviews for a start.  https://hotelpepa.es/   A single room will set us back 32 euros.  A room for two is 52 euros.    The menu of the day is 18 euros and I fancy the Legume of the Day, followed by Quails and ended with the Cognac Pudding.   It has a store attached and will sell you underwear, food and gifts.  

Four hours ago Jose wrote of the place ‘They don't apply a carrier discount to me, last time I stopped’  A week ago Joan thought ‘A transit place with a very good price to sleep’  Moi was not happy. ‘They take a century (not valid for truck drivers who need to eat in 45 minutes) waiters tired of living and unwilling to work’    Sugar Kane was easier to please. ‘Good food and rest, big parking, cheap food’


With that is back to the road.







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