Weather: 33º C and sunny (not a cloud in the sky)

Mileage: 200 Km; Total 3,230 kms

Yep the Roosters could not foot it with the ABs; All Blacks 30 beat France 0. We may be travelling but we are being kept up to date with rugby.

Got the car out of the garage ok and Anne managed to find Bruce and the car after going back to the apartment to leave behind the key and remote for the garage. The owners also let us know there would be no charge for the garaging.

Quick trip to Cuenca although we did have one problem – Billy did not recognise the address of our accommodation. Luckily we were staying in a Paradore and these are typically sign posted as you enter the town/city and Cuenca was no exception. We were actually going to visit the “enchanted city” before checking in to the Paradore however Billy had trouble finding that also so we skipped it thinking that we would fit it in if we finished everything else we wanted to do in Cuenca.

Going up to the Paradore parking was at a premium and we struck this guy directing us to a park. He then wanted money for doing us a good turn. First time we have encountered this here although we have come across it in Asia, in particular Jakarta. Told him we did not have any change however he did! He had more money than an ATM. He got something out of us but we were annoyed as had we gone up the hill another 30 metres we would have found some more reserved parking for guests and vacancies. The lower parking lot for guests was full and we did not know about the upper one. We eventually moved the car – he was still there directing traffic – was waiting for him to ask for more money but he didn’t.

The Paradore is lovely. This is the most expensive accommodation we booked as was to be our treat for the Spanish part of the trip. Having looked at prices of Paradores this was actually one of the cheapest ones we could have booked. A Paradore by the way is a luxury hotel that has usually been established in an old convent, monastery or a castle. They are state run enterprises. The one we are staying in was originally the 16th century convent of San Pablo.

After checking in we headed off for the bridge across the ravine (a challenge for us especially as the railing on the bridge is no higher than our waist. Eyes looking straight ahead we negotiated this beast and then into the Old Town and the Plaza Mayor – yep, they all have one. Probably need some fortification to get back over the bridge.

First stop after lunch was the cathedral on the plaza. Quite unusual and we paid for the privilege to enter. With payment we got an audio tour thrown in – first one we have had in a cathedral and very interesting it was. All of the side areas were open and the explanations were interesting. This cathedral is one of only 3 in Spain that is allowed to also be called a church. Some of you will probably know why but for the others the audioguide tells us that a cathedral with a baptismal font is also allowed to be called a church. No arguments please, the audioguide is the gospel (so to speak). Anyway the visit was interesting and different and we learned something.

Now for the wander around the town to see the hanging buildings. Hanging is probably an over statement but close enough. We have been to other places with buildings on and over cliff faces (Cinqua Terra, Santorini and Cappadocia). One still has to wonder why this is done. Originally they were probably on the cliff top but erosion sorts out the undercutting. Good to visit but not to live in is our thought.

Good views, great weather and a nice stroll along an 60+ metre drop!

Back to the hotel via a bar stop (it is very hot) and to get ready for dinner. We decided we would eat at the hotel tonight. It will be very expensive compared to how we have been eating but we deserve it.
Nice dinner including a tasting plate (with sheep intestines) and with a nice red wine blend from the Muga vineyard. (http://www.bodegasmuga.com/). (Even Anne) Couldn’t manage a dessert but we did manage to have some of the most expensive coffee we have ever had. Anne’s was from Colombia (€4.75) and Bruce’s was from Jamaica (€5.20) and neither one of them had alcohol in them. In fact we could have had a desert wine each for less euros.

Outside for an evening stroll – still night and very warm. Took a few night pictures but too late and not effective enough to include one in the blog.