Packed & ready to ride, breakfast = one croissant the size of a dinner plate, fresh orange juice & coffee, then a fond farewell to my host & it was time to leave Reinosa.
My ride first took me to Cabria, mainly along N611 – an old, lesser used highway, superseded by the A67 highway. Reminds me of the old routes that crisscross the USA in that the interstates take the traveller away from the once important settlements & trades, leaving them a little shabby where they serve no further use to the traveller.
At first sight, Cabria looked to be a typically old style village surrounded by rich, arable land. Look a little closer & there’s money. Shiny jeep rangers, range rovers, etc. In front of sympathetically restored buildings. The bar/restaurant did not care too much for my service so grabbed a Coca-Cola & but didn’t hang around. Cabria itself sits atop a hill with metalled & dirt roads peeling off & great views.
Crossing into the province of Palencia, rode through Aquilar de Campoo and was most impressed. According to wickapedia “ It is one of the locations of the St. James’ Northern Way (Ruta del Besaya). Since 2017, the municipality has been included in the Geopark of Las Loras,[3]the first UNESCO Geopark in Castile and León.”. It was built to impress & worth a visit.
Alar del Rey became my final destination. This a chance find after it began to rain – a very pleasant place, not so grand as Aquilar de Campoo, but has stunning buildings, lovely river and canal walks & lots of cafes.
John's Epic Cycle Adventures 