 |
 |
 |
We left Moraira around 10 on Sunday June 26th, arriving at Hacienda Zorita ,just outside Salamanca, about 4,.30. We were shown to a very large room, number 9, and there was a wine tasting at 5. But I needed a siesta and decided not to go. David was not over impressed with it anyway!. About 6 we went for a walk around the beautiful grounds with its 2 lap pools. There had been a large wedding and David was put out by this, so we decided to avoid the restaurant ( which was very dark anyway) and eat outside, in the sun and by the old mill race stream, and choose from the Tapas menu. As service never arrived I went in and got 2 glasses of wine and asked for the menu. Then David went in and ordered. But whereas other tables around as were being served we were ignored. Eventually David went in to cancel the food( I was no longer feeling hungry anyway) and it transpired that the new, English, waiter had not input our order at all!!. They were very apologetic and persuaded David to wait just a few minutes for his choice. And then arrived the most heavenly pizza with burr at, jamon and truffle oil, more than he could eat so I was able to have 2 gorgeous pieces too. And at the end of the day we received 2 more glasses of their best wine and… all for free with even more apologies. I developed a fierce cold during the night but still managed to eat a healthy breakfast.
|
|
|
Click on any thumbnail photo and get a larger photo
We left Hacienda Zorita by 9.30 and were in La Peral well before 1 pm. We had an interesting interlude with a Guarda Civil just a few kilometres from La Peral : he could not understand why we had a Spanish car, was it rented etc, why we had Maltese residency and driving licence, did we live in Spain, Malta or La Peral, etc, etc. He seemed to have no idea about what a Spanish language course was, and his Spanish was difficult to understand!!!. Once installed in the familiar habitation we went for a short walk round the village to two lookouts with Alfredo before lunch.
.
Then unpacking, a siesta and a walk to the bar before a lesson and supper
Told Alfredo and Jimena that I had a cold but that I did not think it was Covid. David also told them that it was our 55th Wedding Anniversary! . They seemed quite relaxed and we wore masks for the morning class and for the 45 minute scenic car journey with Alfredo up to Saliencia.. It was a gorgeous sunny day and there were few tourists there. We did a circular route this time, the loose stones on some descents causing me a few problems, taking 3 hours.
.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
.
Back after 3pm then a quick shower before lunch. They offered us the use of a test kit they had, but David stayed quiet. After we both had a long siesta I asked David why he had stayed quiet on the offer and he seemed to have misunderstood it. So I went to get the kit, mighty complicated ( as the first one had been used!!) and indeed I did have Covid.
 |
 |
 |
The Boyzz were well supplied with chocolate during their quarantine |
||
. And by this time it was very evident that David did too. After 2 or 3 conversations with Alfredo & Jimena, it was decided that we would stay on , isolating in our room, with meals delivered on the table outside, and that we would see how we were come Friday. We enjoyed a pleasant salad and glass of wine sitting at the small table in the last of the evening sun
Much the same. David off wine as it tasted acidic, but had a bit more appetite. Sunday was thick cloud all day- somewhat depressing. David tested himself at 6 pm and was still, but only just, positive. As the forecast for La Peral for the following , remaining, 3 days of our course was similarly depressing, David decided to abandon any possibility of more tuition and to return home on Monday.
Jimena & Alfredo, well masked
Monday, July 2nd. Left at 9,45 and set out for Hotel Zorita, although they had not replied from repeated emails that David had sent from 6 pm the previous night. But an hour along the route he managed to speak to them and confirm our change of reservation.
.
Arrived there before 2, David quite tired from the drive. Sat by the pool , had a picnic, and swam, somewhat unenthusiastically.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Went to their, almost unintelligible ( though supposedly in English!) , wine, cheese and rum tasting at 5. Then a short walk before a glass of wine and tapas: unfortunately they had none of their delicious burrata and truffle oil pizza, the main reason why I wanted to return there!! An early night in the same room as 8 days earlier