25 October 2023
We have had a change of plans. We were going to have one more day in Santiago but this morning we took a train to Madrid then another one on to Ávila, arriving here late this afternoon.
We enjoyed both legs of our train journeys although we didn't expect to pass through so many tunnels south of Ourense. Further on we travelled through extensive plains, part of the Meseta, then we were back in the hills north of Madrid.
The countryside on our trip from Madrid to Ávila was fascinating. Nothing at all like what either of us expected. It was hilly, very rocky in places, with huge areas of stocky/shrubby trees, although there was green farmland in amongst it. We had views out to hills beyond hills. Just stunning.
The train climbed all the way. Madrid sits at 657m and Ávila at 1132m.
We are deep in St Teresa of Ávila country of course. We are researching a short pilgrimage route, roughly 110 kms, called Ruta Teresiana de la Cuna al Sepulcro - Path of St Teresa, from the Cradle to the Grave. It starts here in Ávila, where she was born, and finishes in Alba de Tormes, where she died.
We've a bit of sorting out tomorrow at the Visitors Centre before we decide if we will walk it or not.
After checking in at our accommodation we went to find a supermarket and on the way we came across part of the old city wall. It is simply stunning. We will spend more time exploring it tomorrow or Friday.
