A two-hour drive from Madrid took us through ancient forests that opened up to steep cavernous canyons and through a cowboy-like desert where it is hot in the day and freezing at night. In the still mid afternoon sun we pulled up outside of a rescued salt farm.
![L1080368 Fotor](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/pip-howeson-imgs/explore/yarns/a-long-road-from-madrid/_make1200/L1080368_Fotor.jpg)
![L1080372 Fotor](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/pip-howeson-imgs/explore/yarns/a-long-road-from-madrid/_make1200/L1080372_Fotor.jpg)
The house is a marvel of sensitive recreation. It remains true to its roots; the stone is unplastered and little samphire plants grow in the cobbled flats, there are huge fireplaces and an enviable library. There are no other buildings in sight but a sunset over a gorge that leads to a small river fishing village. This is an untouched gem.
![L1080374 Fotor](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/pip-howeson-imgs/explore/yarns/a-long-road-from-madrid/_make1200/L1080374_Fotor.jpg)
On the Saturday we wandered to the local town to eat grilled goat and visit the Cathedral, built with Moorish arches and a tomb with an elegant Arab nose.
![L1080384 Fotor](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/pip-howeson-imgs/explore/yarns/a-long-road-from-madrid/_make1200/L1080384_Fotor.jpg)
![L1080412 Fotor](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/pip-howeson-imgs/explore/yarns/a-long-road-from-madrid/_make1200/L1080412_Fotor.jpg)
With the presence of a tanker, it is the only building in sight. It was erected when salt was almost as valuable as gold. Now the holding water tank is partly a pool, partly a party-place.
![L1080413 Fotor](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/pip-howeson-imgs/explore/yarns/a-long-road-from-madrid/_make1200/L1080413_Fotor.jpg)
![L1080421 Fotor](https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/pip-howeson-imgs/explore/yarns/a-long-road-from-madrid/_make1200/L1080421_Fotor.jpg)
A true lesson in how to work with your environment and not against it.