Vineyards all along the way

 Finally, some long fairly flat stretches so we could make up some time.   Beautiful vineyards and olive trees.  We walked with a couple from Uruguay and a gal from Quebec so had company most of the day.  Stopped after six hours and were able to talk our way into another private room (7 euros @)… no private bath…that is downstairs and out the back door, so believe me I’m not drinking anything more this afternoon.

One of the reasons we wanted to stop here was Jerry’s love of history.  Legend has it that one of the most important battles in medieval history happened here.  Ramiro I  decided to put an end to the “tribute” of 100 maidens which had to be given each year to the Emir of Cordova under a non-aggression pact.  The intervention of St. James inspired the Christian’s victory and in gratitude Ramiro I required the peasants of the north to only pay a tithe in the form of grain.  Mari is an adorable elderly lady who took a real liking to Jerry.  I think she mentioned adoption.

Finally a little shade

  Still no sign of our donkey pilgrim.

 

Casa Mari