Exploring the old town of Mula...

On Sunday we decided to give our bikes a day off and walk around the old town and up to the castle, our UK 'neighbours' on the Aire had given us a tourist map so after breakfast we set off exploring and discovered that Mula has many interesting old buildings, streets and a lovely town square.

We climbed the winding streets up towards the castle but were unable to make it all the way as the path became rather too steep and dangerous as you approached the rocky crag on which the castle is perched. There were some spectacular views along the way.

We found that we had just missed the 'Night of the drums' on the Tuesday after Easter. Starting at midnight the whole population of the town gather at the town square and in a magnificent procession they beat their drums all night long, a tradition that has been held for hundreds of years. At first we thought it was an event best avoided but then decided it was probably pretty spectacular and decided that we might just try and get to see this event next year if we are touring Spain.

Keith tries the mini-burger Tapas, not quite the Big Mac he was expecting

The other event happening in the town for April was Ruta de Tapa - many of the local bars and restaurants create a small selection of their signature Tapas which you can try for just 2.50€ including a drink. After you have tried the Tapas you have a booklet on which to give the venue a score and at the end of April the winner is announced. Being Sunday lunchtime we had hoped to find a restaurant doing a Menu del Dia (Menu of the day) but this event had rather taken over so we were unlucky in that respect.

We went back to the van and I knocked up another of my Motorhome specials - Spanish omelette. It's funny how while we're away touring our diet is quite different from what we have at home - one reason is cooking food quickly and easily becomes a priority but also we often buy much better fruit and veg than we can buy back at home so we eat more seasonal veg and salad. When we are hooked up to the electric I use a Slow cooker to make a meal which will last a few days, there's nothing better than coming back to the van after a long cycle ride and the dinner is there already cooked and smelling delicious! When the weather is good Keith cooks on our mini gas cooker outside, we have griddled marinaded pork or turkey steaks and veg, it's much more fun to cook outside whilst sipping a beer!
We enjoyed our stay at the Aire in Mula and would recommend it to anyone touring the area - it has the necessary facilities but is spacious and quiet and of course it's free, we don't normally spend as long as four nights on an Aire but with its interesting town and close proximity to the Via Verde we weren't disappointed.

The view from Mula Aire

Monday morning and after a visit to the local supermarket to stock up it's time to move on again. For our next destination we stay inland and head to the ACSI site Camping Sierra Espuna on the edge of the National Park at El Berro.