An annual cycle

Well:

Just 3 examples within 3 minutes of where I’m enjoying a coffee in Mérida.

Or, as the Life of Brian explored the topic:

The Romans are all bastards,
they have bled us ’till we’re white,
they’ve taken everything we’ve got
as if it was their right,
and we’ve got nothing in return
though they make so much fuss,
what have the Romans ever done for us?

What have the Romans,
what have the Romans,
what have the Romans ever done for us?

The aqueduct.
What?
…they, they gave us the aqueduct…

Yes, they did give us that, that’s true
And sanitation Yes, that too
The aqueduct I’ll grant is one
thing the Romans may have done
And the roads, now they’re all new
And the great wines too

Well, apart from the wines and fermentation,
And the canals for navigation
Public health for all the nation
Apart from those, which are a plus,
what have the Romans ever done for us?

What have the Romans,
what have the Romans,
what have the Romans ever done for us?

The baths.
What?
…the public baths…
Oh, yes, yes…

The public baths are a great delight,
and it’s safe to walk in the streets at night.
Cheese and medicine, irrigation,
Roman law and education
the circus for our delectation
and the gladiation

Well, apart from medicine, irrigation,
health, roads, cheese and education,
baths and the Circus Maximus,
what have the Romans ever done for us?

What have the Romans,
what have the Romans,
what have the Romans ever done for us?

Brought peace.
Oh, shut up!

Patrick Stewart did a modern take on this (acting as the British PM in Cabinet) on the European Court on Human Rights:

In the midst of Gaza, Ukraine, mass migration, climate catastrophe, destruction of biodiversity, Trump/Putin/Kim Jong Un (add your favourites), I wonder what future generations will say about us?

No health clinics (open, or prepared to look after me)

Only answer – take things into my own hands.

Under expert instruction from my wonderful daughter Dr Aisling, the job was done in jig time.

(I’ll spare you the photos of the wounds!)

Lovely roads again today:

But it was oh so hot: I lost track of the number of times I refilled my water bottles today. Even at the end of day, close to 6pm, it was still 35C.

A puncture added a delay (always worrying when you can’t find the cause – but it didn’t recur after inserting a new tube).

But who’s complaining? – as a former colleague used to reproach me whenever things were starting to get me down: “Build a bridge, get over it!” (This Roman one will do fine!)

You can always start with a smile:

But the road sorts you out!

Some good views along the way:

But the elevations are unforgiving. Not to mention the heat. I got through 4 litres but was still dehydrated.

Off to bed early tonight – another demanding day tomorrow!

Was it my imagination, or did I see a sign under this saying “Digging grave for Señor Bob who thinks he can get to the top of this hill”?

I came across this young fellow today:

This evening on TV, I saw his cousin in a bullfighting ring – being speared (several times) by the picador and then killed by the matador.

I finished my beer early and left.

Just not right (sorry Spain and your traditions)

A demanding day – reasonable distance but tough climbs (more than the height of Carrauntoohil) and really hot (up to 35C again)

Early on, the departure from Salamanca provided yet another glimpse of a massive Cathedral:

Roads were smooth as silk and completely deserted:

Early uphill efforts were rewarded with corresponding downhills:

The views from the top of the biggest climb were worth waiting for:

And my app’s alert of a final big downhill was a joy to see:

12km – at up to 60kmph – without even pedalling!

And tonight, I’m sleeping in a nun’s bed . . .

Having had a wonderful experience with the public health system in Tordesillas (slick, efficient, thouroughly nice!), I slammed full-face into nonsense bureaucracy in Salamanca.

A fresh dressing was, perhaps, 15 minutes’ work (cut old dressing off, bathe the wound, pat it dry, apply antibiotic ointment and dressing and bandage it). The paperwork (when I did get to the top of the queue) took over an hour – notwithstanding the letter of instruction from the clinic in Tordesillas. E111, passport, address of hotel – I wondered if I was going to have to provide my DNA along with 3 character witnesses. . .

Bad news is that the wounds are a lot more serious and will require refreshed dressings every 2 days for as long as a month. 😦

It was one of those slang terms for ‘someone you wouldn’t trust to buy a stamp at the Post Office’ (I’m quoting a former colleague – who typically followed the observation by: ‘Oh my God, he is such a tool!’)

But, this time, I have a different perspective on ‘Tools’. Take a look (specially for fellow-cyclists):

This is from the special cyclists’ garage in the Parador Hotel I stayed in last night.

How amazing is that?! (They also had a foot pump, gloves and other supplies).

In the 11 years’ cycling long distance trips (all over the world) I have never seen such a cyclist-friendly facility (and – no charge!)

Well done Paradores Hotels!