After a splendid buffet breakfast at the Airport Hilton, we left the lap of luxury to battle both the extensive spaghetti network of cloverleafs, roundabouts and off ramps that constitute the outskirts of Madrid and the Spanish drivers who've never heard of the word yield.
Toledo is about an hour's drive south of Madrid. After setting up our tents in the Camping El Greco, we walked into the walled hilltop city of Toledo, stopping at the Puento San Martin for the menu del dia, consisting of 2 plates, all the wine we could drink, water, bread and dessert, for 12 euros ($18 Canadian) each, a great deal after our last trip to Scandinavia last summer.
We're solving the challenge of the Spanish habit of dining late by slipping into a restaurant just before they close at 4 pm for a large lunch, then skipping dinner, which starts at 8 p.m., and having bread and cheese in our campsite.
Crossing the Tags River at the Puente San Martin
We spent two days walking the narrow streets and checking out some of the eleven churches, some of which were built over the ruins of the Romans, Moors, and Jews that preceded them, and taking in the vie of the surrounding plains.
One of the Puertos (gates) into the walled city
Our campsite was right on the river and had a great view of old Toledo, as well as of the local waterfowl. But we saw the bird of the day, little bittern, while crossing the bridge coming back from the old city.
The ornate entrance to the main Catedral
Oh those late meals! Unfortunately, our desire to eat around 6pm seems to suggest to everyone in Europe that we are American. Yes, Canadians eat earlier, too. Do people in Spain ever get together after dinner for dessert? It would be about 9:30? I am almost in bed then. ;)
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