Where the thatched hut meets the enclosed fish

 We are heading into the beating heart of Bargas but why it called that.  People argue. Some say it is a Celtic word meaning hut. Some point to the Arabic word meaning a thatched hut. I think we can go with hut although in Leon it might mean an enclosure located in a marshy area, surrounded b a palisade, intended to catch a fish - which sounds more fun but less likely. Having said that the Guadarrama flows through here, just before it meets the River Tagus.

Bargas was one of those places which was depopulated when it was in the Marches between Northern Christian and Southern Muslim kingdoms. Alfonso VI began to repopulate the place in 1085. Pedro Ibanez de Vargas,  a royal favourite, was given this land.  Pedro has a wiki page. It tells you just what I said and little else.

The place mooched along throughout History. The roads, apart from the Toledo one, were irregular and poor. They grew cereals and olives and even got a railway station and an electricity. They also got the Spanish Legion when the place remained Loyal to the Republic in 1936.

Population wise, Bargas remained at about 3500 people from 1842 till the late 1970s when roads brought the commuter to the town and today over 11,000 people call it home.  These people included Rumanians and Columbians and currently have a PP mayor, having been Socialists between 1991 and 2023. The Council is 8 PPs, 7 PSOEs, a Citizen and a United Left member. 

We have missed the Medieval Market [28th August].  Alas, at the time of writing, I am not sure what is happening in September.  We are too early for the Holy Christ Festival. It will be on 20th September and will see local trad costume and almost certainly lots of food.

Time for a baker.  Panaderia Bolleria Paulino gets 4.8 stars from 51 people.  https://panaderiapaulino.com/  Google does not mention hours, so please go there and report back.   Actually, apart from hours, do a review. The last was a year ago and the first worded one was three years.  Benito thought it was a ‘very good product, both the bread and the breakfast cakes are delicious, and the buns, both the honey and the sugar ones, are extraordinary. ‘

I know what you are thinking. All that bread.  We need to shape up and next on our route is DianaFit.  https://www.facebook.com/dianaelenaaioanitoaei Her facebook page has her doing the splits by a river and has 584 followers.   The last post was in February.  47 people give 5 stars so she is either very good or leading a cult. I prefer the former explanation.  Nine months ago Javi said ‘An exceptional trainer, she combines knowledge, passion, and motivation to bring out the best in me. Her workouts are challenging, varied, and effective. Always attentive, she adapts each session to my needs. Thanks to her, I've surpassed my limits and achieved my goals. I highly recommend her.’

The Church of Saint Stephen the ‘protomartyr’ was constructed in the 16th and 17th century on the orders of the Archbishop of Toledo but it was replacing an earlier structure so it kept its late 15th / early 16th century Mudejar style tower.  It is all austere and Baroque outside and just a bit jollier inside. There was an El Greco painting which went missing during the Civil War.

Soon we are back out on the Plains where, to be honest, the rain does not mainly fall.  We’ve been to Galicia. We know.

Across the A-40 we go. Nothing like a road to mark a boundary

Off to our right is another disused station.  A month ago itin wrote ‘The old Bargas Station, which entered service in June 1876, was a secondary railway junction and has gone through various stages throughout its history. Since its inauguration, it has been part of the RENFE network and has been dismantled and closed on several occasions. It currently does not offer passenger service.’

The we cross the Guadarrama and end near the Finca Barruelos.