Almost managed to sleep in, but did have a leisurely breakfast until we learned that we did not have a room for tonight……..ever heard of ‘last in, first out’, that and a bit of miscommunication, but bottom line was we had no room and there was no room for 50 miles in any direction (apparently Formula One is really big here).  So we loaded our bikes and pushed away from the birthplace of Paella at 9 am.  Shortly after leaving the city we did find a Monastery

(Monestir de Sant Miquel Dels Reis) which will have to replace the architecture we missed in Valencia.  It was a beautiful cool morning through flat farmland and small villages with big churches This blue tiled dome is much like the monastery dome; must have been common in the 1500’s.  We enjoyed quiet roads and dedicated bike paths with a lot of bikers out for their weekend long ride.  Rode the foothills of this huge castle that seemed to stretch on forever.   Our wind picked up by ten, not nearly as strong as yesterday and a bit cooler, so it didn’t seem to slow us down, just annoy us.

After 30 miles we came to a stand still at a round-about, trying to figure out which way to go.  Jerry flagged down a passing biker and he led us for miles in the direction we needed to go, thankfully at a humane pace.  It was also about the time we lost our quiet roads and picked up traffic.  But with ample shoulder and polite drivers it was bearable.  Reached the edge of Castellón/Castelló just as the stores were closing for their afternoon siesta; it is still strange to us that a city closes down for several hours in the middle of the day.  And when it closes down, it gets quiet, we had the city to ourselves.

Castellón is an old city, originally founded in 1251.  We went out for a little exploring and almost immediately were rewarded with wonderful architecture and the “Plaza de Toros.” Thought we’d see more old buildings, but only facades or corners showed, consumed by newer buildings and artwork, with some exceptions. Found a great square, that was anchored by the Cathedral de Santa Maria,

Originally built in the 13^th century but rebuilt in 1936 after it was burned to the ground in the Spanish Civil War.   Wanted to see the inside, but there was a wedding going on; which explains why there were SO many dressed up people sitting in the cafes that lined the square.  So we did what they and all Spaniards seem to do at this time of day, sat down and enjoyed a pitcher of Sangria

and waited until the wedding was over, it was most entertaining.

It seemed as if half the people showed up while the wedding was going on and waited outside, but the dresses…..Inside the church was pretty, decorated with hundreds of flowers from the wedding

but not nearly as ornate as I would think for a Cathedral.  Siesta and photo taking session over, the only thing left was dinner.  Our hotel recommended a great local restaurant, where we enjoyed beef that cut like butter and a victorious soccer match.  Certainly not Valencia, but a beautiful day and most enjoyable city, nonetheless.