Crossing one morning the Malagosto pass
I stumbled upon a woman peasant
“Hey you” she said “where are you going, what are you looking for
or what do you want through this strait?”
I replied: “I am on my way to Sotos albos”
She said: “Only a sinner could speak such brave words:
since in through this pass that I guard
no man can cross safely”
She stopped in the middle of the track, the scabbed, miserable and ugly woman
“So be it” she said “squire, I shall stay put until you promise me something,
for however hard you try
you will not pass through”

(from the Book of Good Love, by Juan Ruiz, Archpriest of Hita, 1283-1350)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Ruiz

Last Saturday after tea time we drove to Northern Segovia for a spin. And as Juan Ruiz, we went to Sotosalbos. Unfortunately, we were not lucky enough to entertain in carnal intercourse with the fabled woman in return for her permission to proceed with our journey but as a worthy consolation we witnessed spring in Central Spain about to bloom.

It was as green as Ireland.... well, almost!


All the pics are here: http://picasaweb.google.com/mortinson3/Brieva

From Brieva