Today I woke up to sun and cold in a place so perfect that Daddy Edu marked it for other travellers. I chatted with a curious Dutchman, went through boring towns in Reyes and ended up warm in Llerena, without rushing and without noise.
We slept so-so and arrived late in Guadalupe, but the town welcomed us with calm and ancient stone. Papa Edu got lost amongst cloisters, relics and a small, black Virgin, while I kept an eye on the camper.
Today was one of those days that slip by slowly. A Romanesque bridge at dawn, an unexpected chat among campers, Trujillo on high and an old station where trains no longer pass, but calm does.
It dawns with rain, but Plasencia winks at us and stops raining just as we begin to walk around it. Medieval doors, two cathedrals, frantic Christmas shopping and the end of the day among vultures, rocks and a seventeenth-century bridge where we sleep in silence.
Today the rain was calling the shots more than we were. Plasencia slipped away from us between wind and invisible umbrellas, the mud won several battles and we ended up sheltering in the camper, dry, warm and so peaceful.
Today I got lost among mountain goats, Roman roads and paths that seemed to hide secrets. The river's water accompanied us all the way, and the mountain gave us the last light of the day.
Today we say goodbye to the year among snow, mountain roads and comforting silences. We went up to Gredos with hardly any plan, looking for cold and calm, and ended up celebrating the quietest possible New Year's Eve, at 1450 metres, warm and happy.
Today I learned that not all towns make you fall in love, that some throats are watched more than they are walked, and that in the Rosarito reservoir there's plenty of space to run, play… and crash a drone against a treacherous branch.
Today the sun woke us up wanting to go for a walk. Tranquil forests, a hidden valley, mountain passes with history and a perfect ending by the river. One of those days to be savoured slowly.
Today I stayed watching the camper while Edu got lost among kings, endless corridors and very serious stones in El Escorial. Then we strolled among giant nativity scenes and ended up sleeping in a dark and silent area, ideal.
Today I had to walk further than expected among giant stones, pines and somewhat chaotic paths in La Pedriza. It rained just when it should, there was a strategic Whopper and we ended up sleeping in total silence, as the dog manual dictates.
Today I conquered medieval bridges, walls overlooking the river and mountains full of snow and suicidal sledges. From Talamanca to Buitrago and from the Morcuera pass to a forest perfect for a cosy sleep.
