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[BalDeagle]

OK - so the bags were packed the scoot was loaded and we were ready to roll. Seventeen days ahead of us and some of the best riding and scenery in the whole of Europe to look forward to. Vast tracts of virtually uninhabited countryside bisected by quality blacktop with sweeping bends, spectacular mountains and stunning views. Thousands of years of history with castles, monasteries, Abbeys and cathedrals by the score, not to mention the fantastic summer weather with bright blue skies and daily temperatures in the uppr eighties.

In New York this would be classed as good chit !

The down side is always the start of this trip with 429 miles of motorway to ride down to get to the ferry on the south western corner of England in a town called Plymouth. That part went uneventfully and we had a great night with two friends just 60 miles away from the ferry. Next morning saw us make the short trip to Plymouth for our overnight crossing to Santander on the North coast of Spain. Now this part I love the ferry crossing is great and the ferry is run by a French Company so the food is excellent too. We had a fantastic, all you can eat, buffet with all kinds of seafoods, meats, desserts and cheeses all washed down with some great French wine. Not a bad start to the trip at all.

Off the ferry next morning and a 274 mile hit to the first Parador Hotel in Siguenza. We had a pretty wet day through the Picos de Europa (mountain range), but the Castle that is the Hotel was a welcoming sight and we spent a great evening eating and drinking. The next morning saw clear blue skies and bright sunshine - the good news was that this was the weather we were going to blessed with for the rest of the holiday. So here goes with the rest of the story in pics.

This is the Parador Hotel in Siguenza - over 600 years old and in a commanding position in the old part of the town.


 

[BalDeagle]

Siguenza again - not a bad back drop for parking your scoot.

[BalDeagle]

and finally the view from our hotel bedroom.

[BalDeagle]

The next day saw us with a fantastic ride of about 234 miles over some of the most scenic and perfect roads with no traffic all the way down to the Meditteranean coastline and a place called Benicarlo. This was a modern Parador, but the local castle at Pen-is-cola had us gasping again.

This is Jan in the central courtyard of the castle.

[BalDeagle]

Day three was a short ride of just under 200 miles back inland to another castle in the small hilltop village of Alarcon which was built in the 13th century.

What a view to greet us as we arrived.

[BalDeagle]

The only road in was spectacular too.

[BalDeagle]

Bike and castle.

[naitram]

nige, dont click on [ img ] if you are attaching a pic

great pics,

[BalDeagle]

Stunning views from the parapets. This castle was so well sited that it never suffered a defeat in any battle.

The tower in the background is a seconday line of defence for any attackers that may have approached via the river gorge.

[BalDeagle]

Next day we headed off on a 376 miler all the way back down to the coast and a town called Nerja for a two night stay. Here we met up with four of our friends and spent some quality time seeing the local scenery and riding up into the mountains nearby.

View from the bedroom.

[BalDeagle]

After a couple of great nights in Nerja we had a short hop of about sixty miles down the town of Fuengirola where the European HOG Rally was taking place over the next four days. Here's some of the stuff that we enjoyed.

Great evening entertainment.

[BalDeagle]

Is he really still alive ??

[BalDeagle]

Trucks USA style.

[BalDeagle]

This one needs no introduction.

[BalDeagle]

Some way cool paint jobs.