Horcajo de los Montes

We tried (and eventually succeeded) to avoid taking roads that would have us going around Madrid. No doubt the signs and the gentle voice of our GPS could have guided us around, but we had had experience with Madrid's ring roads before and we didn't wish to repeat it.

So we weaved back and forth on major roads and minor always heading somewhat in the direction on Santander whenever we could. In the south, olive trees polka-dotted the hills to the horizon in every direction, broken only by the Andalucían white villages on the hillsides. We climbed mountains and drove along wide yellow valleys.

Our chosen stop for the night was way off the main roads near the little village of Horcajo de los Montes. The site was lovely, spread out on terraces overlooking the village. Being a weekend, it was packed with Spaniards for the weekend with what seems to be thousands of kids - well, there were lots anyway.

But we are barely half way across this big country. More driving tomorrow.