Distance, 24 km
Elevation gain, 310 m
Elevation loss, 248 m
Total distance, 327.5 km
Daily average, 29.8 km
A late start for us this morning. We didn’t wake up until 06:30, but were up and out by shortly after 07:00. No coffee and toast to delay us today, we couldn’t persuade Joaquin to open up early, so off we toddled without the benefit of a hot drink. We left the village on a wide gravel track (for a change!) Walking steadily uphill for 2 km. It was cloudy and still and although chilly, not cold enough to wish that I had worn my leggings.
After the climb we were walking through a cultivated pine forrest, which had been felled close to the path. Not particularly interesting.
At 7.5 km we encountered a forbidding gate. There were very definite indications that we should pass through said gate. Arrows pointing in that direction and even the bolt was painted yellow. But the signs attached to the gate are quite alarming. Nevertheless we cautiously pass through the gate and are rewarded with a lovely rough winding rocky track through natural forrest with holm oaks alongside the pines, and it is much more intimate and interesting. But soon enough we return to wide track with crop fields on one side or another. We pass the impressive homestead where a horse grazes freely upon the rich green grass and a cheeky bodegera escorts us away from the property. We have covered 4.5 km through Finca Navarramiro before we leave the property by a similar gate.
We pass through natural moorland before descending into a basin of crop fields and on to our destination.
On arrival in the town we are greeted by a cheery street cleaner. He escorts us to the ayuntamiento where we obtain a stamp for our credenciales and the rather gruff guy manning the desk makes a phone call and arranges for us to be met and taken to the ‘albergue’. Along comes señora and probably her daughter carrying an armful of bedding and we are guided to a small room attached to the church. There is one bunk bed and tiny bathroom. We had been warned that there was only one blanket and pillow available. Sure enough there is just the one the pillow, but happily there are two blankets. I demand the top bunk as Nina insisted I had the best bed last night. It is very far from salubrious – paint is falling from the walls and has landed on the mattress, but there is a small heater and hot water for the shower and we appreciate the kindness of strangers. Whilst this is a lesser walked camino we cannot expect the infrastructure of more popular routes.
We meet said cheery chappy again after we have settled in. He directs us to a shop so that I can buy supplies for another ¡delicious! bean dip. A peregrina has to get her protein somewhere!
I love this artwork from the Sunday school on the wall outside our room…
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
Loving these castles all along the way – oh my goodness standing in front of all those no entry signs and then you did just that – in you went – love the cheeky sass of some peregrinas. Seems you guys are having a really lovely walk – no more fellow pilgrims? Love always darling XXXX
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Oh Semana Santa, what a wonderful time in Spain. Have you seen any parades in the small villages? Jueves Santo y viernes Santo . . . .coming up. Cross fingers.
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Well it would seem you are sleeping in a variety of nooks and crannies on this route. Hoping you will get the occasional boudoir a girl deserves. Lovely photos really enjoying your blog. Stay safe both of you. Xx
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Hi Maggie, we have returned from our whistle stop tour of England and Scotland and I’ve now had time to catch up on your blogs.
Quite a variety of lodgings this time and sparcity of good food for you! Loved the coffee pod chandelier, very clever.
We missed you at our choir open rehearsal, loads of people came to hear us.
Hope the going is good for you both, I’ll be following you now.
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Maggie once again you astound me I would have seen the sign on the gate as a warning and possibly turned for home. Did you find out why it was there, has the owner of the finca blocked a right of way do you think? You had beautiful views today. I hope you slept well buen camino and much love xx
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