Hola
The path was fairly easy today - not much climbing - peaceful, relaxing and uneventful. We didn't see any other pilgrims.
And I survived 3 hours of walking before the first coffee! We had a late-ish start, not leaving Alcala la Real until around 8.30. Saturday night last night, so there was much excitement in the town - much of it outside our window until the early hours of Sunday morning!
The Spanish tend to be late starters on Sunday mornings, so we had checked the night before on possibilities for 'desayuno' - breakfast. The bar of our hotel was due to be open at 8am. And the one fifty metres away at 7am. We decided 8 was early enough - as it was not a particularly long day ahead. But when we came down the stairs, backpacks on and ready to go directly after breakfast, there was no sign of life. We left the key on the counter, let ourselves ou of the building and walked to the Plaza just down the lane way. The 7am cafe - shutters down, deserted. The Spanish Way.
We walked for about 13 kms before finding a small village with a terrific cafe. Tortilla jamon (ham omelette - served with chips, tomatos and bread) and two coffees later, all was right with the world. I remarked to The French that this would do for breakfast and lunch. Bien sur, he replied 'Sunday brunch'. And we had less than three hours more to walk.
We didn't get lost today - not even once. After my unkind words yesterday, the waymarking was good. There were arrows when we needed them. And even our guide book did not mislead us!
The sun was hot early - from the outset we were in short sleeves. And my hiking skirt has made its first appearance, in place of shorts. That's a sure sign the temperature is climbing.
By 3 this afternoon, we had found a pension just below the castle. Shower and clothes washing routine was next and by 4 we were enjoying an aperitif!
Speaking of accommodation, the options are quite different to the other caminos I've walked in Spain and France. Will explain tomorrow.
Hasta luego
Jenny and The French xx
The original village washing area
The French kindly found a ledge for my pack (to help with re-loading) while I was taking a nature break or, as he likes to call it, 'a technical pose'! Oh the glamourous life of a pilgrim!
The yellow arrows can be easy to miss.
The Way took us under an old Roman Bridge today - a bit of stone stepping to avoid getting wet.
At the end of our street.
Our digs for tonight
All scrubbed up!
