One good thing about Ibis hotels is the breakfasts start at 0630. Allowing me to get up and make an early start. Only problem was I overslept and didn’t have breakfast until 0730. Still, its earlier than I’m used to.
The route today would take me to Cuenca. I have no real interest with Cuenca it’s just on the way to my dad’s house and it’s a decent distance away. Unfortunately, as I was still close to Madrid the only way of getting to Cuenca is by motorway. So I had to head into the hills and take the “back route†to join the Autopista service road about 70 kilometres from Cuenca.
The day warmed up quickly and the rush hour traffic was really heavy. The roads weren’t very wide so I was a little nervy with the lorries going past.
As soon as I’d left the traffic behind I was pretty much by myself. The landscape opened up and I could see 180 degrees of distant countryside. It was gorgeous.
I worked my way down to the 
service road. I’m guessing the service road is the road before the motorway was built. It was quiet, throughout the whole 70 km I saw maybe 2 cars. The motorway had taken its victims, a lot of bars and restaurants had lost the passing trade and closed down.
I finally got to Cuenca and checked into the Hostel I had pre-booked the night before. Tomorrow I have another long trek to Teruel. So I’m going to make sure I go to bed early and get up early this time.