Tuesday 25th September Left Cazagelas camp site at 10 Drove up and over hills N502 800m through famed very smart ceramics city Talavera de la Reina where we made a much needed shopping stop ( we always take ages) on the outskirts at the Carre four supermarket The drive was very wiggly, steep and very scenic at the top We stopped off at the only campsite for Merida and found it both flyblown, very run down and suffocatingly hot with the air full of bitey insects and dogs howling nearby, with no public transport access to Merida itself. We took the decision to stay in a hotel and opted for a four star TRYP hotel 15 mins walk from town , we had a suite , full air con ( bliss) a jacuzzi bath for two, a lounge balcony and comfy bed I was very weary and wanted to take advantage of the comfort of air conditioned life at the hotel ( pool closed as usual, crazy in 35 degrees heat ) so we are in the hotel cafe, watched TV and swanned around in hotel robes The bed was wonderfully spacious and comfortable .