Distance, 27 km
Elevation gain, 263 m
Elevation loss, 245 m
Total distance 170.5 km
Daily average, 28.4 km

Can I say a big thank you to all who are joining me on this adventure via my blog. And thanks so much for all the comments you have left. I really appreciate them, even though I don’t get much chance to respond.

A special hello to Nina’s and my camigas from last year, Marilyn of course who we miss with very step, and Gwen, Clare, Laurie. And then later when we were joined by Aurelio and Paul. I have heard from you all (and Dave) and it makes my heart sing. Eli, are you here for the ride?

Og en hilsen til alle mine danske følgere.

And now back to business…There was a quick exit from town this morning, past the church with the rising sun bouncing off the walls.

We passed some ‘hobit’ houses, probably used as wine cellars. There are acres of vines growing in the area. Then there were the beautifully tended allotments – even when they’re not planted they look so neat and tidy with their regular rows of mounded earth awaiting seedlings.

There was a cloudless sky and the sun was strong, but still the bitter wind persisted, strong and gusty again. There was frost on the ground in places sheltered from the sun. The path was a little more varied today, mostly on wide agricultural tracks, but there were a few stretches of uneven, winding, rocky ground, a walk through woodland, and only a short distance of asphalt. There were many orchards, mostly chestnut, but also almonds, cherries and apples.

We managed to find shelter amongst bushes and trees to hide from the wind and take our breaks, never far away from the towering wind turbines that whirl away on every ridge of every hill. If the weather of the last few days is typical, they must generate a lot of electricity!

At 14.5 km there is another division of the path – to the left for the Levante and to the right for la Lana.

We arrive at Alatoz and follow our instructions to ask in bar Ovi in the Plaza Mayor for keys to the albergue. We’re told that the hospitalero is working and won’t arrive until around 15:00. But there is a slight problem, there are four beds in the albergue and there are six pilgrims – the Spanish guys, a German couple and us. A very sweet spanish man from the bar tells us that two are welcome to stay at his house, and we are pleased when the Germans volunteer. Meanwhile, whilst waiting for the hospitalero to arrive we are kept amused by a most delightful and very talkative six year old boy who is very interested in our backpacks and all the things we have hanging from them.

The albergue is in a large room attached to the polideportivo at the top of town. It is very cold inside but luckily there is an AC unit that we can turn to warm air. There are separate bathroom facilities which are absolutely icy. After doing our washing and hanging it to dry on the fence, we return to the bar for some lunch. When I explained my diet I was given a plate of fried aubergines and potatoes, the first hot meal I have eaten since the end of day 2, and it tasted so good. After lunch all six pilgrims sat down for a chat with el Presidente of the local amigos association

Someone posted a comment asking about what I have been eating. I eat a plant based diet (vegan) and last year I self catered quite a lot, cooking up healthy stews whenever a kitchen was available. So far this trip a kitchen hasn’t coincided with a supply of suitable food, but I have been doing quite well, one evening a cous-cous salad from Dia, supplemented with cherry tomatoes and rocket. The next day a quinoa salad from the supermarket ‘Consumer’. Last night I made a concoction from mashed chickpeas with additions from supplies to give some taste, eaten as a dip with carrots and red pepper. Lunches have been granary roll with avocado and salad or with hummus. All washed down with plenty of fruit. I’m doing alright, if not exactly eating gourmet style!

And so another day ends.