A day of unresolved mysteries and disappearing things

 Today is a day of mystery and exploration and why my internet search History is the way it is so yours doesn’t have to. Ok, I have looked up the reviews of motorway bridges but I was young and the big boys said it was alright.

We are by the Caracuel lagoon.  The map shows vast amounts of water.  Turning, as our first photo shows you, to see it, the water is gone.  I have looked this up and the opening bit of the website explains all ‘The Caracuel Lagoon is a temporary wetland of volcanic origin where water, geology and wildlife combine to create one of the most dynamic and biodiverse ecosystems in the Campo de Calatrava.’  The pictures make it look much more exciting. https://www.turismocastillalamancha.es/es/naturaleza/microrreservas/microrreserva-laguna-de-caracuel 

Today is a bit sparse so I will include the castle - which a few kilometres to the west.  Tomas reports ‘Its most striking feature is its impressive pentagonal barbican tower, ten meters high and three stories high. From the 10th to the 13th centuries, it changed hands between Islamic and Christian rulers several times due to its strategic location.  Its name (Caracuel) comes from the cruel face of Queen Clara, who lived there in the 11th century. A Site of Cultural Interest, although in progressive decline, it is located on Cerro Nogales, where there is evidence of Roman and earlier settlements. 

We are bypassing the village - but not a lot seems to happen there.   Mind you, not a lot happens today until you approach the Repsol Petrol station and its ruins. There is something about abandoned recent buildings which is a bit poignant . Here we have a surviving petrol station, a ruined purveyor of gas, an abandoned hotel, presumably from the pre-motorway days, and a love shack.

First the Petrol Station.  Three weeks ago Peter gave it an unworded five stars. Four months ago Monica was less happy. She was clearly upset by tardy workers and would brook no slacking. ‘Okay, it's 7:07 in the morning, so the managers can check the security cameras and see two company vans. The man was changing the price sign when we arrived, and he didn't even say good morning, not even for a second, nothing at all. After more than five minutes, the man was still holding his sign, and one of the vans left because the pumps weren't actually open yet. So we left too, leaving the man alone with his sign. This happens because the managers aren't monitoring the opening of this place; it's the first time this has happened. ‘

Next to the petrol station is the Sala de Fiestas LOVE.  It has two reviews.  Three years ago shuko gave it a single star and reported in the 80s it was called ‘Las Malvinas’.   Six years ago Jose gave it 4 stars but no words. 

Jose seems to have mostly reviewed supermarkets in this region.  Shuko - for whom we must be grateful for the photo when it was in its pomp - has left no trace of his other reviews that I can find. I do know that you can add reviews to this site and the place’s Facebook page is free of posts and has one follower.  Such are the things you can find out on the web. With that we must say goodbye to holiday romances.

If you thought that was strange, the next place listed in Martin de Pozuelo, which is apparently a 4.3 star haunted house which is temporarily closed.  I love this place because people have committed to it.

Victor said ‘Lost in the countryside, the haunted house "Martín de Pozuelo" is famous for its Chief Ghost: a bald specter with a bad temper and zero patience for intruders. If you hear a whisper in the dark, don't be alarmed… he's just complaining about the damp. 

Alvaro said ‘Haunted house, amazing! Book online. I've never had such a bad time. What a fright! ‘

MC Turner said ‘What's there to verify that it's a scary place? I'm looking for information about the place since there's nothing online. Thank you all very much.’

The Owner said ‘Literally nothing. It's a private home; it was labeled "haunted house" so it could appear on Maps without being a business, so it could receive packages and materials. That, and having some funny friends, did the rest. Apologies. ‘

With that we will potter into the sunset.