Fountains in the mountains

Another bike loop today. This one inspired by our Spanish friend Simon who told us to see the palaces outside Segovia in the hills. It was hot and windy but a lovely route. Our first palace was in a small town called San Ildefonso. It was the summer palace of Felipe V. We didn't go into the palace but the gardens were absolutely magnificent. Fountains everywhere and cool shady walks through the woods above the palace. We had a picnic in the shade and continued on our way to the second palace Rio Frio which was built as a hunting lodge for a son who died young. The building was huge but not pretty. The grounds were enormous and apparently full of deer and birds of prey although we didn't see the deer... There were stork nests on special poles. We weren't sure whether we were allowed to bike through the grounds but we blasted our way past the guard on the gate and sailed on into the estate, which went on for a few km on a private road, and then made a dash through the lower gate giving the guard a big Ola!
Hot dusty and hilly ride back to Segovia, but a great day.Read more