It is another civilised start time this morning (9.30am) with the group meeting outside the parador to get tickets for the cable car ride to El cable Mirador, a lookout 1825 metres above sea level and about 800 metres above the parador.
Car arriving to take us to the top.
There was quite a long line up when we arrived at the cable car station and as each car takes a maximum of 20 people, we had to wait for about 5 cars to go before it was our turn. the ascent is rapid and very steep. It took only around 3.5 minutes to climb 800 meters. The view once there, was well worth it.
Our parador seen with a zoom lens from the top of the cable car
Cable car arriving at the top station
There is still some snow on the mountain tops
We departed from Fuente De at 11 am, taking the same road out and we came in on. After winding our way back down the gorge we eventually came to the town of Potes, where we branched off in the direction of our next destination.
Village of Potes
Our lunch stop today is the town of Riano. The town was completely rebuilt on its current site when the valley the original town was in was flooded by the building of a huge dam. The character of the town has been well preserved, and if you did not know the story, you would assume it is a lot older than it is.
The new Riano located on the high ground at the edge of the lake
Our restaurant for lunch
The specialty of the house was grilled fresh wild salmon, which most of us had, after an entree of course. The salmon was very good. Desert and wine were also on offer, as usual.
Well satisfied after a nice lunch, we continued on to our final destination for the day, Leon. Soon after leaving Riano, we left the Province of Cantabria, and entered the Province of Castilla Y Leon.
Our accommodation in Leon is incredible, another Parador, Hotel San Marcos. It is huge and an imposing building facing a large square.
Previously a monastery, the Hotel San Marcos is now a 5 star hotel
Over the entrance is a carving of St James the Moor Slayer
It is obviously one of the more picturesque Paradors on our tour and our guide has organised a photographer to take a group photo in front of the building.
The cloisters were on two levels
Once allocated our rooms were we back in the foyer to go on a walking tour of the town with a local guide. We are still travelling along the Camino de Santiago, so are seeing more and more symbols of The Way of St James as we move from town to town. Tomorrow we expect to see many pilgrims along the way.
The bus dropped us in the centre of town, an it is 39 C, so everyone is searching for shade. Fortunately, it is not a long walking tour with much of the time being spent in the cathedral where the temperature is very comfortable.
Along the way, we see a building designed by Spain's favourite architect Antonio Gaudi. It was one of his early works
There is a statue of Gaudi in front of the building
Our next stop was the large Gothic Cathedral.
The cathedral is apparently best know for its magnificent lead light windows
Our walk back to the bus takes us through the main square, which as in many of these these towns, used to also function as the bull fighting ring.
Back at the hotel we took our belongings to our room and headed to the bar for a cool drink. The hotel has a lovely terrace bar overlooking the river, and by now the temperature had dropped to a comfortable temperature for a pre dinner drink outside.
They make a great Gin and Tonic
Dinner in the main restaurant was excellent, with great atmosphere and very good food. Something we are getting very used to on this tour.
Dinner with some of our new found American friends
After dinner went went for a walk to before going to bed. The parador looks very nice lit up at night.
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