Rattling Along As The Miners Used To Do.

ALMENSILLA.

The museum doesn't open until 10:30 so we have a lazy morning. Just as well as there was heavy rain overnight and it continues until mid morning.

Stretching the truth a little, well we are both in our 65th year, we convince the attendant that we are pensioners. 24 euros buys us a visit around the museum and the train trip. There is a recreation of the Roman mines and the hospital for the Rio Tinto employees.

On to the railway station. The railway has been restored and uses the original carriages. Unfortunately, the steam train only runs on certain Sundays. We're pulled by a diesel engine. We follow the route used by the miners to and from work almost a hundred years' ago. The train takes an hour and a half with a 15 minute break. We're the only foreigners on board. It was probably very different when the mines were operational with English managers.

The Spanish motorhomers from last night are also on board. She turns out to be a real poser, balancing on rocks and hanging off the train for a photo shoot. Our helpful guide from yesterday doubles as the announcer on the train. Unfortunately for us, it is all in Spanish. He doesn't stop talking for the 35 minutes.

Our destination for tonight is at a restaurant and petrol station in Almensilla. Leaving the motorway, eagle-eyed Rosie spots an LPG sign. Fill up with gas probably enough to see us back to Campoverde.

Rosie talks to the restaurant owner to seek permission to stop overnight. He shuts at 6pm anyway so he's not bothered. The aires book suggest we should buy something but we obviously can't. We also learn that the garage locks the gates at 11pm. At least we won't be kidnapped.

We walk in to the town. A large supermarket and church and town hall but not much else.