Hike From Sepulveda To La Hermita

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On Saturday I made some coffee in our room.  I carry a small coil heater and instant coffee with us so we don't have to go anywhere.   Some Airbnbs don't have coffeemakers although we try to make that one of our musts on the list of amenities.

Off we went up to the hills until we four the Hoces del Rio Duratón Park.  This takes you to a hike along the cliffs overlooking the river as well as the convent off in the distance.  Originally, La Hermita was a monastery and nuns took it over in the 18th century. 

We left just in time.   The sun has been beating down on Europe the last two weeks with more to come.  During our stay, we realized that the streets, shops and plaza are deserted not only for siesta but also because of the heat.  As the sun goes down behind the hills the people start to crawl out.

On the map above you can see the trails we took although they do extend much further.  We decided to keep going both over cliffs along the river as well as to the Hermita.

Coming to the steps of the Hermita you see the monument with the cross marking the spot where construction began.

It is amazing to think that construction was started in 1093.  Since that time though, many additions were made and the place was abandoned in the late 1800s.

The church was built in the early 1800s and was added to the the small chapel in the picture below.

At the bottom of this altar you can see a door on each side.  By crawling through one side and out of the other three times your petitions will come to fruition.   Juan did it but I am wondering what his petition was.  I told him it isn't that easy to make me disappear.

The air was cool and a slight breeze made the morning hike relaxing and fun.  So many pictures to share.   We went back to our room and made a delicious bocadillo, a torta with hard chorizo and some cheese along with a nice hot coffee.   After siesta, we sat outside and drank a small beer before heading out to the main plaza.  We found some small shops that had been closed earlier in the day because of lunch and we kind of poked around them.  We found some delicious cookies for a bedtime snack along with a glass of wine.   Wine is very inexpensive in Spain and we are drinking it mostly instead of vodka.