The Road from Santiago

We are going to hug the A-92 a lot of today but stop at Cuesta La Palma, which seems to major in places to eat and stay and has a tiny roundabout. Having set up a Facebook group for sole-sainted churches, I am tempted, but not that tempted, to set up one for places which has a Wiki page in one language.   La Palma has one which is a joy of brevity.  I will quote all of ‘History’.  ‘ In the early years of the  21st century, the AVE high-speed rail line to Granada was built and inaugurated in 2019, passing north of La Palma’   THe other claim to fame is being on the western most edge of the Loja region. On the way out of town, and feeling like it is a place where people nip off the motorway, is the Arabic halal foods. It appears to be closed so I won’t bother repeating the reviews - which - from 3 years ago, were not good.  Next door is Restaurante Almeria. It appears to be temporarily closed.  There is a big sign saying Cruzcampo. Let’s talk beer. Cruz...

  We are off to Riofrio.  What! I hear you cry. You mean the Palace built for Elizabeth Farnese, off 1980s A level question fame.  No, the other one. The pueblo which seems to major in somewhere people go to eat. Riofrio is the home of about 250 people. It is in the great commonwealth of Loja, and wiki tells me, has 1.2% of the people of that municipality. It is one of those places where the road and rail links go. Think of it of the Watford Gap of Southern Spain. Riofrio has many places to eat. It does well with trout but goes to town with a fish farm producing beluga caviar.  We will cross the elderly Puente Califal.  Jose got lyrical two years ago.  ‘ A beautiful bridge steeped in history. It's located at the entrance to the village. Bathed by the waters of the river itself, and home to local trout, ducks, and trees, it's a lovely spot for a stroll, a place to sit and enjoy the fresh air, and more. The area offers benches, swings, a restaurant, and both ...

  On we go. We are wandering out of town and on its edge is Restaurante El Sol.  This seems to be almost the quintessence of a Spanish Restaurant name. Let’s go in.  It has a website. https://www.restauranteelsolloja.es/   The top review words are tapas, raciones, beer, breakfast and sangria.  A week ago Juan said ‘Good place to have a good time.’  Peineta was happy, in a four star way, three weeks ago.  ‘We had to stop unexpectedly, and it was a great decision. Delicious tapas, a menu with dishes and portions typical of the region, and friendly service who, despite not having a reservation and the place being full, made sure we were seated. We'll be back because the Loja-style doughnuts were a delightful surprise for dessert. Their beef sandwiches were also very tasty and tender.’ Going out we pass a series of units which are so of a period.  Of course there are a lot of auto businesses.   Repuestos Jose Maria is an car parts store with 28 r...

We are heading to Loja. We will edge around La Esperanza and as there is a Cafe Bar La Esperanza so let us go there first.  This one of those ones where the place gets 3.8 stars, from only fifty reviews. The mode average is 5, notably five. Four comes next, then three.  The four [8%] of one stars are very old.  Seven years ago Franqc reckons the place was dirty.  Five years ago jose complained of the covid risk of a lack of masks.  Two of the three two stars were six years ago.  Let's look at the recent ones. Nothing is more recent than a year. The most recent with comments was two years ago.  El empotrador Justiciero said ‘Good place to eat perfectly cooked roast meat, roast ham too, and especially the skewers were delicious grilled. I will go back.’ We will cross the river and enter Loja, about 21,000 people in the municipality.  Traces of everyone once lived here, even the Romans, although it wasn’t until 1991 that this was proved. It was the M...