We left Caceres around 0900 this morning, after a breakfast of cereal at the apartment and coffee and toast in the Plaza Mayor. The town was busy with early starters and council workers who must have been working all night to clean up after the festivities of the previous night, including sand that had been spread over large areas. The final work involved sweeping and hosing the area, which served as entertainment for pilgrims enjoying their final coffee in Caceres.
On our exit we briefly encountered our Frenchman again. It is always intriguing to cross paths again when just a single minute before or after could mean the encounter would never take place. Three other pilgrims were leaving more or less the same time, but no others until our arrival in Casar de Caceres.
We had a great walk today. The camino took us uphill, away from the road for about 2 km. The stoney track was a bit troublesome for the initial stage. Then at the top we had a slightly steeper descent to the plain land below, lasting about 2 km. The hills are reasonably heavily wooded and there are numerous farm and farm houses. Some homes are dilapidated, many deserted. But others show a little more love.
The plain brings a whole new vegetation. The forest area becomes grassland, initially across some small hills before rambling along flat land punctuated in places as we cross what we imagine would be flowing creeks if it were not for a three year drought. There are many concrete cube bridges standing waiting for the water to flow again, but for now unnecessary as we ford the gullies across the concrete dips intended for motor vehicles.
The day has been mercifully cool and the recent brief rain has left puddles but importantly has settled the dust. As the day progressed the heat continued to rise. Though not the temperatures we had to endure a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully as we move further north and into the hills region of Castille and Leon the afternoon temperatures will be less aggressive.
Arriving in Casar de Cáceres was pleasant. Lovely and green, a long meticulous street with ample cafeterias and abundant activity. Having arrived too early for our 3pm check in, we dined at a local place (salad/pizza) which served as our late lunch/early dinner. Met some other pilgrims as we walked down the long, straight main road, a dutch couple, an Aussie from Sydney and his travel companions (a local Spaniard and an American.)
The Dutch couple were quick to suggest we share a taxi tomorrow as the walk (it seems at 33km) is brutal. We thanked them but declined, so I only hope my leg continues being pain free (relatively). Jenny remains as spritely and unaffected as ever. No villages along the way tomorrow so I have to make the distance.
Well done guy, it sounds like tomorrow will be a challenging day