After a very pleasant drive through a valley full of cherry
trees in blossom we arrived at Salamanca – a city that reminded us of Oxford
with its ancient university, beautiful old buildings and river with an
excellent cycle track going about half way to the caravan site situated some
six kilometres from the centre.
Having arrived in glorious weather on the Friday before Palm
Sunday, our intension was to stay until after Easter and see not only the
interesting old town but the Holy Week processions which are an important part
of the local culture. They are organised
by the “brotherhoods” – associations dedicated to some event in the crucifixion
and resurrection of Christ for example the carrying of the cross, or the
suffering of Mary.
We cycled in for the procession on Palm Sunday organised by
brotherhoods dedicated to Christ’s triumphant entry into Jerusalem and
commemorating his love of children.
Hundreds of children took part as well as adults all of whom wore
different uniforms.
Some adults wore penitential outfits that covered them
completely including their faces.
They carried a tableau showing Jesus with a child on the
donkey entering Jerusalem.
We did a bit of sight-seeing in Salamanca. The Cathedral has a splendid domed roof ...
... and like many buildings, elaborate carving above and around the doors.
Among other fine old buildings are the Universidad Pontificia and the House of Shells.
But then our plans changed for two reasons. Firstly, after two months of wonderful
weather we returned to near winter conditions on the Monday before Easter with heavy rain and some hail which
meant that all the mid-week processions were cancelled.
Then on the evening of Good Friday Jane fell
in the site showers and broke her left arm just below the shoulder. The casualty doctor thought it best to admit
her after Easter so she could have a planned operation with the orthopaedic
surgeon (who was not there on Good Friday as it was a holiday weekend). So she returned to the hospital on Easter
Sunday evening and had her operation on the Tuesday morning. They inserted a “nail” secured by three
screws above the fracture and two below it.
She will need stitches removed and physiotherapy etc in England.
She is recovering well but we are now going to head gently
back to UK arriving earlier than planned.
So this will be the last update for a while. We are not sure how our plans for travel
later in the year will be affected but I will send out emails when I next update the blog.
