On to the walled city of Avila!

Today started rather dreary, drizzly and cold.  We had our breakfast at the parador and then got in the car.  It was a long driving day, taking us through mountain passes and tunnels.  But, as we approached Segovia, the weather brightened.  We saw snow-topped mountains in the distance and began to see storks and their nests, mostly on churches.

We stopped in wonderful Segovia where our bodies and spirits were refreshed.  Our bodies were refreshed by getting out of the car after six hours, as well as by a coffee sitting looking at the amazing aqueduct.  Even though we saw it before, we were again astounded by the sheer size and engineering of it.  Photos just can't take it all in.  We climbed to the top and looked from there, too.  The shadows it cast were beautiful. Unfortunately, we were never able to get a great photo because of tour busses and construction cranes.  We were all very very happy that we stopped to see it, especially Nancy.

From there, we drove only about another hour to the walled city and parador at Avila.  The area has grown a lot since Mark, David and I, Ted and Bev visited it 14 years ago.  But, the area within the city walls was the same. 

The parador, however, was somewhat disappointing.  The staff seemed indifferent.  We wanted to climb on the walls and were sent to the lower part of town, away from the main area, only to find out that the walls are closed on Monday.  (And, they now cost, unlike years ago.  Oh well, that's understandable.)  After a walk around, taking photos of the outside of the wall, we went to a good Chinese restaurant just outside the wall.  Mark says that we ate at the same spot years ago, but I have no memory of it.

Then, we all had a glass of wine in one of the parador's salons which was nice.