The Sierras

Between Toledo and Salamanca are ranges of hills and mountains which include the Sierra de Gredos and provide excellent walking and cycling in the Spring and Autumn and skiing in the Winter. On Sunday our plan is to tour the area and enjoy the scenery - we are not disappointed by what we find.

Although cloudy, the rain holds off and we even got some long periods of sun which showed off the snow capped peaks to the there best as we travelled across the plains from Toledo. As we entered the Sierra the landscape changes to one of high mountains, granite boulders and fast flowing streams. This is farming country, there are a few vineyards and some olive groves but the majority of the lower slopes are given over to small fields with stone walls used to raise cattle and sheep. The upper slopes are used for forestry.

The roads, although narrow with precipitous drops in places, have a good surface and the absence of any traffic means that we are able to take our time and enjoy the scenery which reminds us of Dartmoor in places, the Lakes and Scottish Glens in others.

This is an area to which the Spanish like to come for their leisure and although today was not cold enough for skiing or dry enough for walking we imagine that being so close to Madrid it can get very busy in season. At this time of year it is very quiet and we saw only a few tourists and not a Brit amongst them.

There is wildlife here. During the day we saw a red squirrel, storks nesting on pylons, church towers and the roofs of houses, some large raptors (eagles or kites difficult to tell) and two deer with very impressive horns that just escaped being run over – very A39!

A stall erected in a lay-by offers local produce which includes honey, cheese, chestnuts and pulses. We purchased some local honey which we are enjoying as we write this.

Arriving at the campsite two or three kilometres outside Salamanca we were greeted by heavy rain and muddy pitches. Quite a few vans are here and there are some British who are living in Spain and complaining bitterly about the weather. But there is wi-fi and electricity and so we can catch up with the family via Skype and update the blog.

The night has brought more rain but this morning as we sit writing this the sun is out and the clear skies promised for the next few days are here. The site seems to look much better and our planned walk into Salamanca along the river can be undertaken in great weather.