Avila

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Luis has told us that history is the theme of today. Avila is a remarkable town because of the perfect condition of it impressive medieval walls. I don’t know what the Avilans’ did right, but they have clearly never had an argument with anyone. Actually I suppose it just means they never lost an argument with anyone.

Luis guides us into the centre of town and leaves us just outside the old Cathedral. Sadly it’s no longer a place of worship, just a museum. Whilst it’s a wonderful building full of lovely objects, the displays mask the true nature of the building. You’re left seeking out glimpses between the distractions.

The walls of course are one of the most significant features of the town and who wouldn’t be tempted to climb them. Someone had asked Luis how they could do this and he had told them not to as there is a strict one way system. It means once you get up there you have to make a two kilometre round trip, which just wouldn’t be possible. Well, we’ve come a long way to get here and it seems a shame not to see part of them, so of course someone eventually finds a way up. In fact there doesn’t seem to be any problem with going up and having a quick look. So I eventually join the braver ones up top. It does give you the most fantastic view of the Cathedral, which actually forms part of the walls. Eventually we return to ground level by the same set of stairs, pleased that we have got one over on our tour director.

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Only part of the town is protected by these huge towers. On at least one side we find the natural geology doing a more than adequate job whilst affording us magnificent views across the plains. This is one of those places I really wish we could stay and explore, but all too soon our time is up and reluctantly we return to the coach.

As we head off down the road to Salamanca, we get one final chance to admire this remarkable town. We stop at a strange little folly called Los Cuatro Postes (Four Posts). Here we all pile off the coach for a final breathtaking view and of course the obligatory photo stop. I manage to hang back and eventually get a nice view of the posts with the town in the background but without my fellow photographers.