Just had a look at the ticket prices and thanks to the current ZAR:EUR exchange rate we will be limited to appreciating it from the outside. Looking at photos of the interior that might be a decision we could end up regretting.

I’m sure you know, but if you want to see the Sagrada Familia book your slot. We really recommend getting a tour guide.

It could only get better... and it did

Looks like a lovely way to start the day.

It turns out that it was, coincidentally, the June Bank Holiday in the UK too.

We’ll, that’s three reports today. Jackie and Al in Italy and ourselves in France are all experiencing Whit Monday, a holiday we’d never heard of before.

It’s happening at both ends of the flight pattern, with some storks taking year around residency in Europe too. Caceres is a great stork town, as is Zamora (https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/iberia2019/to-zamora-one-way/#18793_2iw7s5yxjwn8s3vja8b4r0ohi1q). We stayed in Tudela some years ago on our way to the mountains, but had we known about Alfaro at the time I’m sure we’d have swung by it on the way - not that we’d come away with photos like yours though. There’s only so much you can do with a portable point and shoot.

I have hardly taken my camera out on this trip but we had a great time photographing the storks. Interestingly, there is a population of White Storks that have taken up permanent residence in the Western Cape of South Africa and no longer migrate back to Europe for the Austral winter. Currently this is a group of about 10 birds have been known to breed since the 1990s around Bredasdorp in the wheat fields of the Overberg. One of the effects of climate change and agriculture which ensure that they have enough prey during the austral winter.

An incredible series of photos.

Thanks Rich. A couple of days of rest have allowed her to recover enough for us to get cycling again. Looking back at previous journals it seems that somewhere between eight and ten weeks on the road, one or both of us often come down with a cold. We have become accustomed to factoring in a week or so of extra time because inevitably something happens that forces us to take a break in the middle of a tour.

It sucks to be sick on tour. I hope Leigh makes a full recovery. Rest and fluids!!

Thanks Rich.

Nice alliterative turn of phrase, there! I’d give you multiple hearts if I could.

Hi Scott. We skipped Astorga (and its chocolate factory that Leigh wanted to visit) and ended the day a bit further east on the way to Leon. There is a Polish lass staying at the same albergue as us who also did the whole climb from Ponferrada in one go although she has the advantage of youth and a light-weight bikepacking setup on her side.

Hey, we were here three years ago! I hadn’t recognized the route and climb until this point. https://www.cycleblaze.com/journals/iberia2019/astorga/#18770_cthg20ifrb55b85f60ep4k4ede2.

Happy birthday! Enjoy Astorga. It’s a great town.