It had rained during the night and it was still raining in the morning; all morning, in fact.  It made walking an obstacle course, constantly searching for high ground or patches of grass to avoid the sticky mud.  A frigid wind blew constantly and it was really just a miserable day.  I walked the whole … Continue reading Day 18: to Salamanca, 23.3kms

So I spent last night in the American annex with an Australian girl! She showed me the way to the hostel last night and tagged along on my tour and invited herself to stay! Can't really blame her jumping at the opportunity for a quiet night's sleep as there were only the two of us … Continue reading Day 17: to San Pedro de Rozado, 28.3 kms

Today was an unplanned long day, but I had to take advantage of providence when staring me in the face.  I had a later start as I had only planned to only walk 22k, so it was coffee and churros at the local churreria for breakfast and on the road by 8am. 2 kms down the … Continue reading Day 16: to Fuenterroble de Salvatierra, 34.8 kms

Oh, I had such great notes early this morning on how lovely the walk was, and it truly was - lichen covered cork trees, bunches of yellow broom, gorgeous sun rise, etc.  Then I kept walking, and walking, and walking and my thoughts became less and less esoteric and more egocentric (my feet hurt, is … Continue reading Day 15: to Aldeanueva del Camino, 40 kms

It was a great start this morning, walking from beautiful field to field, opening and closing gates I passed between, until I met a local walker coming in the opposite direction who convinced me to turn around and return to a gate I deliberated at 2 fields ago, and take the path arrowed to Riolobso.  This … Continue reading Day 14: to Carcaboso, 30.8 (+) kms

Breakfast was included with our stay at Embalse del Alcantara.  Self-serve, the hospitalera left out carafes of coffee and juice, and there was bread to toast, croissants and little cakes to eat. A little like home, having a refill of coffee as you wish and helping yourself to what you like.  It passed the time … Continue reading Day 13: to Grimaldo, 19.8 kms

futuristic albergue at Embalse de Alcantara It was a pretty good day's walk today.  The morning was...dark. I left at 6:45am as I knew I had a long day ahead and the start out of town would be lit by streetlights; then it was a straight shot on the highway for several kms so it'd be daylight … Continue reading Day 12: to Embalse de Alcántara, 33.1 kms

The early birds were chomping at the bit this morning, having gotten up just after 6am but forced to cool their heels until the monastery's front doors were unlocked at 7:30am.  A big rush when the appointed time came, then a quietness descended as the rest of us slowly prepared to leave.  Iris, Philomena and I met half … Continue reading Day 11: to Caceres, 11.7kms

Good Friday! This morning dawned absolutely freezing - frost on the plants and icicles on my cheeks from the stream of water running from my eyes & nose (well, not quite but you get the idea).  Iris, Philomena and I soon left the village and roadway and started a lovely walk through cork forests and … Continue reading Day 10: to Alcuéscar, 20.8kms