SOSOL - Lothian Edge

First running or orienteering outing in a month. Lothian Edge is in the hills inland from Dunbar and quite an isolated location. I've been a few times but I think it has always been shrouded in mist or fog. Today was glorious blue skies. The 5 degrees temperature actually felt about 18 in the sun.

With my suspect knee I ran round cautiously focussing on navigation and mixing a bit of running with quite a lot of walking. Navigation was pretty good with around 2 or 3 minutes of smallish mistakes. Really enjoyed it and felt my knee coped reasonably well.

Alcala de Henares

Our last day was at the university town of Alcala de Henares. It was a beautiful town very much like a Cambridge, Oxford or St Andrews with lots of delightful old buildings and a very pleasant relaxed atmosphere. The town centre was heaving in the evening when everyone seemed to be out for the "paseo". We had a nice walk in the historic centre and a less nice walk through a park and along the river. In theory they had spent €5m on developing the park but it was a mess in so many ways.

The town was also full of nesting storks on every ancient church and university building.

Toledo

We toured round the old town in Toledo today. The Cathedral was a highlight with a great tour and audioguide (not often you can say that). It was sunny enough to sit outside for lunch. Visited the El Greco museum and on top  that lots of walking.

Walk in Toledo

Drove in the morning for about two hours to get from Segovia to Toledo. After a quick sandwich lunch we drove down from the Parador to the road facing across to town then walked in a circuit down to the river, along the River Tajo to the Puete de San Martin and then along the road on the other side back to our start. 2 hours total walk time. Very nice views, a lot of birdlife and lots of almond blossom.

La Granja

A short drive from Segovia to La Granja. A Spanish royal palace in the style of Versaille with large formal and wooded gardens. The interior was a bit dull but the palace grounds were excellent especially on a cold and snowy day. Temperatures around freezing but with no wind it felt very pleasant. Did an hour long walk towards the mountains but didn't find a path through so looped back round to the start.

El Escorial & El Valle de Los Caidos

A 45 minute drive from Segovia to El Escorial where we had a trip round the Royal Palace and the Basilica. A grand classical building but a little dull. The tour inside wasn't fantastic. Nice views in the gardens outside to the surrounding hills.

After Cherry ate around 30 rabbit ribs for lunch we headed off to El Valle de los Caidos an modern church built into the side of a mountain. Grand in scale but rather scary in tone and mood. Built by Franco for the Spanish War dead he himself is buried in the centre of the building.

Segovia

A day spent doing the sights of Segovia. Arrived in town around 10 am with temperatures around zero and the snow falling. Very attractive city with some great sights like the aqueduct, cathedral and alcazar. The latter two being particularly spectacular. The weather cleared a bit in the afternoon and we had a nice walk along the river and then a former river channel making a nice circuit of the outside of the town.

Holiday in Spain

A direct flight from Edinburgh to Madrid with Iberia Express. Not a great experience with no food offered on the flight and then getting put on the wrong bus on arrival in Madrid. It was around a 75 minute drive to Segovia and the Parador at the edge of town. A magnificent modern building with great views out to the city. Fabulous view from our bedroom window.

Dinner was a bit hit and miss. We went for starters and mains which were very big and Cherry got a nearly raw beef loin (when she has asked for pork fillet).

The James Plays

Went to a marathon theatre session at the Festival Theatre to watch the James Plays which chart the turbulent history of Jame I, II and III. Shows at 12.00, 16.00 and 20.15. Excellent especially the first one.

The Destinations Show

Whilst down in London for work I took advantage of some free tickets and visited the Destinations Show at Olympia. A big show with lots of tempting destinations from all over the world. Saw talks by Louis de Bernieres and Simon Reeve both of whom were very interesting.