We packed up this morning and made a few trips to the car in the car park to avoid having to drive the narrow one way system (often blocked by vans of workmen doing work on various properties - a good decision I think! It was sad to leave as this has been one of the best places we have ever stayed as a rental.
However, we are on a circular tour so it was onwards and upwards towards Toledo with a preplanned stop at the town of Guadaloupe (which gave the name to the little island in the Caribbean). Colin drove first and we drove straight to the car park and grabbed the very last space in the blazing sun.
As usually seems to be the case on our travels, it was another fiesta when we arrived and many people were in the town. The Royal Monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe dominated the town square but as usual, it was closed for a siesta whilst we are there so we settled for a ‘Menu del Dia’ again in the square and a look in the church next door afterwards. The town is known for it’s hanging balconies and off the main thoroughfare it was quiet and cool.
Back in the car and I was driving this time, a longer stretch to Toledo. It was easy driving and we met our new host - Manuel - in his ‘yellow pants’ (translated which worried me but turned out to be shorts!). Just as well that he was there to show us where the parking was as I would never have found it otherwise. I managed to park very well and the car will be nice and cool during our stay.
The apartment has stunning views over the city of Toledo and although much smaller than our last place, seems well equipped and has two bedrooms. Manuel and his wife Esperanza were very nice but their Spanish was probably less than my Spanish so we were reduced to texting each other on the AirB&B message page with auto-translate!
We needed breakfast supplies and despite feeling quite shattered after the long drive, we walked into the city to the Carrefour. It was a long walk when tired and involved a lot of steps… the mood was not positive but we picked up some nice food.
Back at our apartment over dinner the television (via our data on internet) was solidly about the death of the Queen and the country is now in national mourning for over two weeks.
