Graham Laing decided to retire 10 years earlier than planned to enjoy an epic driving tour with his SLC. The plan, inspired by conversations with his Father, was to drive the SLC from the southern most tip of mainland Europe in Spain to the northernmost tip of mainland Europe in Norway.
When he told his children, they said ‘you should write a blog about it’… So that’s exactly what Graham is doing. Graham approached the SLSHOP and asked whether we would be interested in hosting his work, and we were only too happy to share his story. The SLCenic Route was born!
In this episode Graham enjoys some sight seeing around Toledo, and is relieved not to be driving either of the cars named after it.
The SLCenic Route
Episode 7 – Toledo (thankfully not in a Toledo)
Starting off, I couldn’t believe my eyes, Clouds, real proper clouds, not just wispy high stuff; it’s been a long week for my poor white skin. Clouds soon disappeared and with more factor 30 applied, I headed in land and through one of the majestic mountain ranges that make up so much of Spain.
First stop Cordoba, got on a sightseeing bus from edge of town, luckily I didn’t try and park anywhere near the centre. The bus snaked its way along ever narrowing streets to the amazing Cathedral, Mosque, Cathedral at the heart of the town. Google Cordoba Mosque-Cathedral for stunning pictures and its unusual history; always impressed at the talent of the craftsmen that worked on these of buildings.
As the city was taken over by each new religion, it looks like they tried to out-do the previous with even more grandeur, colour and extravagance. Perhaps it was growing up in Glenrothes with a simple functional church, which was built in the 60’s that I wonder about the living conditions of the fantastically talented peasant labourers as they toiled and no doubt died in historic places and were told, don’t worry about having to live in wooden shacks, in a 1000 years time people will admire this, wonder at its beauty and read about your leaders wonderful lives.
Another day in Spain and another hilltop castle, this time, just outside Toledo. At least when this one had its walls knocked down the next ruler decided rebuilding it would be a waste of effort. Not sure even a president with the “most biggest IQ” will ever appreciate that history, in general, tells us that walls are better at keeping people in than out.
The final stop and resting place for the day, Toledo. Various friends said I should visit, and I should always listen to my friends. Easily the best city I’ve seen on this trip. Half a day is not enough, for those that haven’t been, book at least a week. You can’t take a bad picture in Toledo, I did try and these are the worst I could get. The whole city is beautiful, not just the usual castle and major buildings. It was declared a world heritage site and when you visit, you will understand why.
For Triumph and Seat to both have named such ordinary cars after such an outstanding city was a sin.
I check the latest UK news occasionally and saw that the UKs highspeed line (HS1) from the fabulous St. Pancras station to the Kent coast had major disruption yesterday, I know, personally, how much chaos that will have created, and as I cruise along the quiet smooth roads of Spain, I’m glad to be here and not stuck on an overcrowded tube, commuter train or traffic jam. I know all my friends at HS1 will be doing what they can to help fix the problem and stop it happening again. The ones that weren’t my friends are probably working out if the delays to the trains will affect their enormous bonuses.
