A nice early start to our day leaving at 6:30am. Our rest was somewhat disturbed through the night by locals returning home from their festivities. Nothing obnoxious or boisterous but noise is amplified in the high-rise canyons. We wore our newly acquired head lamps and realised at this time of day it would have been impossible to navigate the dark back blocks without them, or to stay safe from passing traffic. There was no moon and no ambient light.
We trekked about two kilometres through the back streets before entering the industrial estate area where the Camino continues. Not an attractive area of town but adds to the atmosphere, and was safe and well marked once we found our first arrow. This is the first cool day we have experienced, and we needed to use gloves. It is the ideal temperature to get underway without the heat. The track follows a road about two car widths wide (maybe not two normal size cars) and it was surprisingly busy for the time of day. For a kilometre after, the roadway was flanked on each side by groves of olive trees, going back as far as we could see. The road was good to walk on but the traffic continues intermittently forcing us to seek refuge in the grass verge. High fences surrounded the homes along the way and each had large and seriously vocal dogs. Expect there would be but no door bells around here. The road continued straight and flat but continued to decrease in size, and thankfully the traffic also diminished. The trail turned to dirt road and eventually two wheel ruts. The olive groves stopped and wheat fields and other crops emerged.
Had breakfast/brunch on a concrete water tank in the middle of a cultivated area. It was cool but the sun was providing some welcome warmth. Then onward a long way on the “road” and over a steep hill toward our destination. Almost a straight line all day. Each day Jenny locks in the GPS to our destination as a precautionary back up, since this particular Camino (which I may not have previously mentioned is not the Via de la Plata, but a shorter one called Via Augusta which is a lead up to the Plata) is less well informed than others. (Sorry about the unruly sentence.)
We reached the top of a hill which we knew was close to our destination. And we revelled in the knowledge we were making outstanding time, and pondered how we might spend an entire afternoon of free time. But then to our dismay the GPS and the Camino suddenly disagreed vehemently and we were forced to choose between the two. It was to our detriment that we chose the GPS, which unfortunately added an additional hour of walking to our accommodation. It took us to a hot, dusty road well away from the track. By this stage we had both lost our good humour in bucketloads. By the time we finally reached our destination, there awaiting us at the entrance were those suddenly very conspicuous yellow arrows to mock us at our wrong decision. Never again will we turn our back on the Camino! So what caused the misrepresentation by the GPS? The hotel we chose to stay at provided an incomplete address on Booking-dot-com. Lesson learnt!
Once in our accommodation we were welcomed with a cold beer and lemon drink to refresh our mind and body The hotel sits tall on top of a hill overlooking the city. Lots of grandeur and loads of entertainment terrace and space. Quite a welcome change from the more parsimonious options we routinely opt for. A bath tub provided hot water to soak the weary limbs, and a little lie down resulted in four hours of sleep. But then up and dressed for dinner in the restaurant. Jenny commented her fish was the nicest she has ever had, and my meat was pretty good too. Everything turned out well in the end and our world was a happy place once more.
Well done you guy, Legends. Love your work!
Donna and Jen
thanks for sharing the trip with us, enjoying your comments. Lots of grace and love, Pat and Col