OUR OIL DAY AT MINERVA

We left our hotel in the morning to find our way back to the old Cabra Rail Station on the rails to trails to begin our bike ride.

We re-entered the trail at the station and enjoyed our ride along the path, under a tunnel to this entrance to the Hacienda Minerva.

Passing through the entrance to the Hacienda -

we met many of our biking companions who arrived there before us.

We were treated to a very informative lecture of the olive making process and how it was transported into the building for bottling.

Then we were given a tour of the old and very lovingly restored Hacienda with its swimming pool, views and nice rooms ready for visitors on this year's tour.

But the highlight of the morning was the olive tasting served on the upper deck of the Hacienda with the beautiful view of the olive orchard in the background.

Served with bread for dipping, we tasted the different types of oil use for different purposes in Spain,

And were able to see the variations in color of the different oils.

The olive trees made a lovely backdrop, and we were able to see the variety of olives growing on a single tree.