Today in Potes we have learned about Beato de Liebana who successfully fended off a dreadful and major heresy in the 8th century, Adoptionism, namely, that Jesus was the adopted son of God. Beato's view was that this was nonsense and that there was no case for adoption having been necessary. He won his case and apocalypse was averted. We spent time looking an exhibition of copies of illustrated medieval manuscript books, the originals held in major cultural centres of the West; in Paris, Washington, Rome, Milan and, as Himself points out, in Manchester.
Potes is the capital of the Liebana Valley in which we are situated, and is a shortish downhill walk from our campsite. We spent the day exploring the town, a medieval centre of population and trade, mostly agricultural, with five water mills. The original bridge and a warren of ancient streets are still in place. The 15th century tower, the Torre del Infantado, is a central feature in the town. All is very picturesque.
We were happy to find, and enjoy, an extremely nice, tiny, coffee and cake shop, and happy to avoid the cafe that would have offered us Nescafé from a coin operated machine.
On the way back we discovered the source of the squeaky wheelbarrow wheel bird sounds. A chaffinch. They don't make that call in Stroud or Cilycwm. New birds of the day were the first swifts that we have seen. Not alpine swifts, just the ordinary kind. It was good finally to see the green woodpecker that has been calling since we arrived. And ravens, coughing and croaking.
A task which has been put off (mañana) is writing the postcard in Welsh to the Welsh language teacher and classmates. This is obligatory, if absent during term time. The postcard has been purchased, plus stamp, the English Welsh dictionary is in the hold. Tomorrow, perhaps.
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