¡Buenos días, mis amigos viajeros! It’s your favorite wandering gnome, Oliver, with another exciting tale from the road. This time, from my 14.8-kilometer trek from the lovely town of Maella to the historical gem, Batea, right here in sunny Spain.

While on this journey, a curious sight caught my gaze. The vineyards! Now, these aren’t your ordinary grape farms – they’re the heart and soul of the region’s renowned wine industry. In these parts, they say, “El vino es poesía en una botella.” That’s “Wine is poetry in a bottle.” Quite a fitting description, don’t you think?

As I stomped my way through the countryside, I couldn’t help but notice the harmony of nature and man’s work. The meticulously manicured rows of grapevines against the wild beauty of Spain’s landscapes, it’s a sight to behold. It got me thinking, “La belleza está en la armonía.” Beauty is in harmony. Whether it’s the harmonious blend of flavors in a bottle of Spanish wine or the blend of man-made structures with nature, true beauty emerges when different elements come together in perfect balance.

Now, let’s take a moment to look back. I have been on the road for a whopping 37 days, covering an impressive 957.4 kilometers. The journey has taken me from Calanda to Calanda (yeah, I got lost), from Maella to Batea, and now, onto Ascó. With each step, I leave a piece of my heart and bring back a bag full of memories and experiences.

As I prepare for the next leg of my journey, I am reminded of a beautiful Spanish song that goes, “Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar.” It means, “Traveler, there is no path, the path is made by walking.” A profound thought, isn’t it?

So, until next time, amigos, remember, each step you take is a new path, a new story. Be like your buddy Oliver, take that step, and make your own path. ¡Hasta pronto!

“La belleza está en la armonía.” – Oliver, the wandering gnome.

Batea, a treasure trove of history and culture! Did you know that this city is renowned for its century-old, gnarled Grenache vines? These vines produce some of the finest wines that can truly make one exclaim, “¡Qué vino tan excelente!” (What an excellent wine!). The second fascinating tidbit revolves around the city’s architectural gem, the Iglesia de San Miguel. This Gothic church with its breathtaking altarpiece had me pondering, “¿Donde encuentran los artistas su inspiración?” (Where do artists find their inspiration?). It’s akin to the verses of famed Spanish poet Federico García Lorca, a soulful blend of the divine and the earthly. And just like composer Isaac Albéniz‘s compositions, Batea’s history is a symphony, woven together with threads of different eras and cultures. So, here’s to more days of exploring, of discovering, and to more glasses of Batea’s fine wine! Cheers, or as they say in Spain, “¡Salud!“.