Day five: El Real to Monasterio

Miles: 9

My asthma was acting up a bit today because I caught a cold already. Booo! I’m glad it was a short day

Otherwise it was breezy and a bit chilly. I had a nice time walking with a roommate after a coffee break.

There’s only five pilgrims at tonight’s hostel, a place that could hold 50.

Update: someone just showed up. We’re up to 6.

We enter the region of Extremadura today.
The wettest stream crossing so far. My shoes were dry in a few hours.
Black pigs, delicious black pigs. They are searching for acorns.
I was teaching gin rummy to them. They immediately started winning.

Day four: Almaden de la Plata to El Real de la Jara

Miles 8

Quite a short day today, but quite pleasant walking and a great hostel make for a wonderful day

Had a restaurant meal. I just couldn’t stand another tub of yogurt.

The days of me getting up before the sun rises are over, thank goodness
Even this little town has a bullring
No road walking today
We had lots of these cattle gates to go through today. I stepped in 4 kinds of animal poop, at least 4 that I know of.
Sheeps
Tomorrow, we enter a different region of the country. So, we see a new kind of trail marker.

Day two: Guillena to Castilblanco

A short day today,  only 11 miles.

The place I stayed last night had a very comfortable bed and a super grumpy owner. It was a bit off the trail, and I guess they weren’t used to non-spanish guests.

The weather was perfect 👌

Nice sunrise
A bit muddy, between the olive tree groves and the orange trees
Kinda neat rock formation
I sorely disappointed them with my lack of appropriate treats
The salads here are surprisingly good. Almost always there’s some kind of protein on then.