On San Miguel day of days we were awake and ready to go. Not that we would have been able to ‘lie in’ for the rockets went off to celebrate the day of our village courtesy of Alfredo who lives next door. So they were bloody loud!
Everything was packed and in the car by 8am as we wanted to be in Toledo by late afternoon. This was our first trip for well over a year and we just wanted to get out there and see Spain.
We had a plan because on the way, the map -576 Regional Espagne - indicates some wetland areas and lagoons on way. We knew there was no reason to get excited as many of these lagoons are shallow, very dependent upon season rains and will be devoid of water without a wet winter. But we wanted to explore.
From Murcia we took A30 to Albacete and once past this city we were in a different world. The Iberian Peninsular is big and once we were north of the city you can see how huge this country is. I think I must have had a heavy right foot and being let loose on an empty motor way we did make good time. Covid has made me rusty and I should have paid more attention to the warning signs.
There are plenty of pit stops after Albacete so there are ample places for fuel and for caffeine.
We decided to leave A31 after La Roda and take N301 - this avoids tolls and and is as direct. The map shows wet areas south of this road just before Mota del Cuervo. We turned off and explored. It is immense, this area, and the vineyards are vast. We stopped, looked and apart from Crested Larks, there was not a lot to see. All the areas were dry but we could seen large parts that had held water. One Common Buzzard, two Marsh Harriers and a Red Kite sums our birding bag with Magpies, Wood Pigeons and some House Sparrows to boost the list!
We took the CM420 towards Alcázar de San Juan. Just to the east are lagoons. They are clearly marked. The whole area is vast. The lagoons are huge - that is dried out huge! Nevertheless a most interesting area, or more to the point it could be. We drove around it on very hard caminos, not knowing what they could be like in wet weather. The area is designated and maintained and there are hides in good locations. We will add photos taken from the information boards that gives very good descriptions of where we actually drove through. Having decided to explore these areas we will research to see what they are like with water and in winter time. Another project because they are only three hours away from home.
The last area was at a picnic spot on the edge of Laguna Grande. Again a very large area, dry, sandy and white in appearance. The photos say it all with three beached boats! We gained the impression it has all seen better times, as a resort, that now has derelict bars. It was sad.
A note of warning re the lovely CM 42. There are cameras and I only saw one warning sign. The cameras are on high poles and not easy to see. But there are white spots on the road surface. Be warned.
Toledo. Three nights here and we want to explore the town. First impressions were not that great. We arrived in the afternoon and it was asleep. It was not till around seven it woke up! Then great, but we will be up early on Wednesday as we have a full day out with two local wildlife people, Juan and Jose from Naturaexplora, based near Toledo. And they are doing the driving and we will go off road too. Let's hoping we have a cracking day.
I will blog each day and so don't get too excited about the excellence of the writing! Here's to tomorrow.
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