The threat of a storm did not dampen our celebration of World Chaîne Day. We took raincoats, umbrellas and prepared to enjoy a great day away from home setting off at 9am for the town of Jerte (Cáceres).

Jerte is situated on the upper course of the river which names it. A unique charm comes from the attractive landscape despite the steep slopes. In that idyllic spot we had coffee whilst taking first snapshots especially of cherry trees with their buds about to burst into flower. It did not rain, we were doing well!

Plasencia, founded by Alfonso VIII in 1186, was next where Ismael, our guide, was waiting to show us the city’s historic centre with its many ancient buildings - two cathedrals, a convent, churches, hospital, the oldest palace in Plasencia and the Mayorga bell tower as well as the many attractive plazas finishing at Plaza Mayor, the very centre of the city.

Then it was time for lunch at Casa Juan, a Chaîne establishment, where Juan in the kitchen and Isabel serving presented a special Extremaduran-Sephardic fusion menu that delighted us.

We finished lunch with coffee and a gift from our Bailli Délégué Rosa Román which was a bottle of wine each all of a different denomination of origin.

It was a day of laughter and good humour, a day of much enjoyment. Travelling back to Madrid singing “Vive la Chaîne!” we await our next adventure to continue enjoying life and gastronomy.

Abel González
Chargé de Missions