4 October 2019: Carmona to Constantina (35 miles-83 total)

On the second day out, repacking took less time. We left a bit after 9 am with temperatures around 70F. The initial portion was flat before the climb to the foothill town of Constantina, near a Sierra Norte National Park. Our hotel was a few blocks above the pedestrian-only street with shops and restaurants. We showered, joined the locals for tapas and cerveza, walked up to the castle, then had dinner on the way back to our hotel.

Breakfast of Champions. Under 3 euros at Cafe San Pedro, all without leaving the building.

Our Carmona Hotel. The Cafe is part of the hotel. Rooms are on the 2nd floor with an entrance around to the right of the photo.

Remains of Small Roman Amphitheatre. Dating to the 1st century BC, excavation began in 1885 under the direction of Juan Fernández López and George Bonsor.

• It is thought to have been used for spectacles involving wild animals and for other artistic and cultural activities.
• The tiered seating and vestibules are thought to have been covered with slabs of noble material, with niches for the traditional statues of the emperors and Carmona’s nobility.

Across the street from the amphitheater were multiple tombs, essentially a Roman graveyard covering the entire hilltop, which proved far more interesting.

The rounded portion corresponds with the round building shown in the above sketch. The actual tomb in underground. I took the following photo after climbing down the ladder to the right of the rocks.

Inside the tomb entrance. They left a ladder, so I had to check it out.

Leaving Carmona. Michael Shopping for Another Bike. 

Locomotive. On a traffic circle exiting Carmona.

Picked and Unpicked Cotton

Touring Cyclists.

Nearing Our Lunch Stop. All uphill after Lora del Rio.

Robin, pausing before he rides away uphill.

Roman Bridge

Today's ride was uphill all the way from Lora del Rio to Constantina. None of the climbs were severe, but with a slight tail wind and temperatures approaching 90F, it was challenging when we ran out of water. We forgot to refill in Lora del Rio.

Michael forgot to fill his water bottle, so I gave him one of mine. Fortunately, Michael had the remains of this wine in his panniers, so we decided it might help, about 2 miles from our Constantina hotel.

Dog of the Day

Gloria. She and her husband bought the hotel 2 years ago and have been completing tasteful renovations. When asked if they owned the hotel, she said: Yes, with the bank. Spanish unemployment is around 30-percent, so it's nice to see their success.

Budding Cyclist?

Constantina from the citadel

Citadel. Dating back centuries, probably prior to Roman occupation, the last military activity was during the Napolenic wars, 1810. Walls were stone on on the inside and outside with rubble fill in the center. Here only the rubble fill remains. Often the outer wall stones were removed to construct housing and other buildings.

Michael contemplates his fate at the base of the large Jesus statue.

Dog of the Day. Guarding his turf as he is about to be taken for a walk. Black dogs are not photogenic.

Church tower facade.

Note the conflict between good and evil shown in more detail below.

Vampire and Gorgon.

Frightened by the vampire?

Dinner. John's ordering got a bit out of control. This is a small portion of numerous tapas and full portion plates, by far our most expensive meal to date. Meaning, it cost about as much any meal for four at a US restaurant.