The bin men make sure no-one sleeps in this morning. At 10:00 we are ready to walk into the old town. The streets are narrow and cobbled as we go uphill to the now ubiquitous Plaza Mayor, which is a large, sloping square surrounded by arcaded restaurants and bars with the town hall dominating the higher end. More narrow streets lead to the really old Plaza Santa Maria, unspoilt by any modernity at all. The buildings are mid tone sandstone, cut into regular bloc...

Cold and drizzly when we leave Salamanca and join the A66 dual carriageway towards Caceres. We climb up to rolling pastureland with pale, sparse grass in fields with dry stone walls. Sheep and cattle are the first livestock we've seen for some days. The higher we get, the nearer we are to the clouds and soon we are driving in heavy drizzle. Descending in height the field turn into woods of very old Grandee olive trees stretching for miles. The next l...

Although it is only 5C the sun is breaking through as we walk through the park and across the arched stone Roman bridge and into town. First stop is the cathedral and rather than queue we are let in a ramped side door free of charge. This is another, very impressive structure with massive columns and high vaulted ceilings. One of the most eye catching features is an ornately carved gallery/balcony way up on the walls. Like Burgos there are numerous perip...

Fireworks and bells went on until after 1:00 although we stopped eating grapes after 12 chimes. In the night it got really cold; 3.5C when we get up. Both vans get serviced and we check out of this pleasant site at 11:40 and €16/night. We take a short detour into Burgos passing around the El Cid statue and having another look at the sun lit cathedral towers before joining the A62 towards Salamanca. There is some wonderful scenery as we reach the high ...

The fact that we are nearly 3000 ft up is made plain as there is a distinct chill in the air as we start our riverside walk into town through the wooded park. Ducks swim in the fast, bubbling water while joggers, cyclists and walkers pass by at their respective speeds, all clad in warm clothes, some of which were, no doubt, Christmas presents. Nearer to town the path changes from narrow tarmac to wide decorative tiles with statues and sculpures in places. We r...