We have arrived in Paradise (at last)

Click on picture to see where we are

I got the sense we were trying to make a quiet getaway from Camping Cubillas. Not a soul stirred as we packed up at 9.30am in the frost of the mountains. The WIFI card refused to give any more credit even though we knew we had 20 minutes left. And so we headed for Valladillod (trying saying that quickly with your gnashers in). As it was Sunday the classical music came out and we were serenaded with some Handel. Alleluia b…y Alleluia! A poor mutt was trying to have a kip!
The hills are alive - our approach to the national park

The drive proved to be very impressive with vistas of mountains and lakes. The main source of entertainment was “son of Tom Tom”, now from Red Dwarf! We laughed as he tried to pronounce Valladillod. Then when it came to Portugal, it came out as Poor-too-gaal, just like bubbles in Little Britain. Tom Tom then proceeded to get its knickers completely in twist. We concluded that this new bit of motorway they are building for 100 miles or so had been incorrectly input by the Tom Tom mappers – hence the new bit of carriageway we were supposed to be on Tom Tom thought was a field, and when we were on the old bit, Tom Tom kept directing us to the not opened new bit. The final straw was trying to say Placencia where we are staying tonight. The best Tom Tom could manage was “Head down the E208 to Placenta to 60 kilometres”. I think we are on a crash course in Martian! Life would be no fun without this little electronic smart ass who has become part of our journey, and entertains us when we are on the road, (just so long as you don’t take him to serious !)

Thinking back on serious things, earlier we saw today’s unimaginable !! A family with a pram with baby is going for a walk in the country. What’s mad about that I hear you ask, well I’ll tell you. THEY WE WALKING ALONG THE MOTORWAY, and no they had not broken down as no stationary vehicle on the road for miles. Well it was new motorway, so maybe they wanted to show the kids it,- this is Spain.

All that being said, we arrived at our destination, and duly impressed we are!

The site is in an incredibly beautiful area, we arrived and the reception was closed, but there was a bar & Restaurant with a terrace in the sun. Alan had been waiting since last Sundays aborted lunch to eat out, so while I dosed they went in to “sample their fare” as they said. On there return they were smiling and I had a huge bag of steak and veal. Alan said that each plate served had about half and animal on, and it had been full of local Spanish having their Sunday lunch. He was in heaven and said we would stay longer because this was and anti Brussels location. People were having food with lots of fat and FLAVOUR and wine and food and meats, and bread, and then they sat and had a cigarette, or 2. Not that he smokes but hates the world that tells us what we cannot do for our own health. Eat cakes, drink soft drinks, enjoy a little alcohol, chew a burger, delight in a chip, drool over red meat, fry in dripping, or enjoy anything in moderation. He will eulogise about the fingers they put up to those eurocracts today. The smoke he said did not effect him, SO. Enough Enough or we will be on a slippery slope of the over zealous euro idiots……

When Guy did get to reception, they were helpful, friendly, and had several friendly dogs with them. What a difference a day makes. This site is just brilliant, clean, smart full of facilities, and costs €17, a washing machine/dryer €2.50 and wifi FREE and me FREE. Proved last night was a rip-off .
The fields are full of flowers to walk in

The site is Parque Nateral de Monfragűe, just south of Plasencia on the 630/803 (Salamanca). Apparently the park is famous for its eagles, vultures, and maybe a lynx that could be extinct. I have only seen a few fellow dogs a quite a number of cats that are roaming around (Esi and Bodi my cat friends back home would be very jealous, as these seem to get feed by all the visitors). Just take a look at the pic I found on the net of the park. Not sure how much we will get to see, but they have had details of off road tours and guided trips and I am sure the bar my get a visit before we leave.
The view is where I walked today - Great dont you think? Just 100 mt from our site

If only all sites could be like this, but then this as some dictate from the Spanish Government, so it has to work. The bonus they say is they we are so high and clear, they can get BBC on satellite, So lets see what tomorrow brings…
They made a load noise every time we went by their pond

Its Monday, and there is now us and a couple of other campers on the whole site. They have everything going, the cafeteria, bar restaurant are all open, and there’s no more than 7 of us to use the facilities - NICE !
Fields of gold to walk through

We got bread from the site supermarket (kiosk !) for breakfast, then a quick trip to town for supplies from one of the huge shops they go to Carrefour I think, back to put Priscilla through the vehicle wash (hose pipe and drain in concrete bay), sorted shopping, and then its down to lunch (to day a treat – they cooked some frozen pasties from the butcher from back home in Lincolnshire. They are great and I got a whole one – they had no choice! They had their pink wine, so all was well.
Our site for 2 days, the fields of flowers were just behind us here

A lazy walk in the fields, had to be countered by a cleaning hour, with the hoover out and the ironing board getting a battering. But now we are back to the calm of a fabulous sunny warm afternoon. We are all making the best of this site, and surroundings, its what we came for !

Later I may see if I can make it up with a Deer that’s captive in the next field with a load of noisy geese. He tried to but his head through the wire fence at me, and I didn’t like that so tried to push the loose stones on top of the wall at him, dad made me back off, come home. I have no problem with a deer, particularly as he has only one antler, but he does not need to be aggressive, I’m just a friend.
We nearly became friends - perhaps next time we visit

Further south tomorrow, lets hope the next site is a good as this …

Distance today : 277 km
Total do date : 2049 km
Tolls : € zero
Best diesel price: € 1.04lt
LPG € lt (not checked)