Wednesday 28th March 2018

22.8 km

Arrival

We arrived at The Triana Hostel yesterday evening quite late and had decided to drop off our rucksacks and rush out for a bite to eat and some refreshments. The only slight hitch was that I hadn’t booked Dan into the hostel. Luckily he squeezed into another bunk room; the last remaining space. It was quite apparent that he’d rather be in the Parador but I managed to convince him that it was only for one night and would be OK, unusual reversal of roles for sure. We rushed out, had an unsatisfactory tapas meal, found the first Camino shell and then turned in for the night.

So here we go (again)

This morning I felt that we should spend a day taking in the beauty of Seville but Dan was keen to get on the road, although only after visiting Plaza de España. This was not because he was keen to see it’s architectural splendour but because it had featured in the second Star Wars film; Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) — exterior shots of the City of Theed on the Planet Naboo…now you know! It is situated in the Maria Luisa Gardens and was all rather splendid, even if it was a good 2k in the wrong direction. After our “cultural” diversion we returned to the matter in hand; the Via De la Plata. The route passed through some run down, deserted, areas and so early on in the walk I was glad to have Dan nearby at least for protection.

Cute donkey and wild dogs

The guide book promised cute donkeys but also wild dogs so, of course. that was me on high alert for the entire day. I was listening for distant barks, ready with my new dog dazer, which does not harm any dogs in case you are concerned! We had a perfect tapas stop in the lovely small town of Santiponce. As normal on these walks we ignored the must see monastery and Roman ruins. We did discover that this is the birthplace of Emperor Hadrian, best known for Hadrian’s wall!

The afternoon was hot and the road stretched out in front of us for miles. Although my constant scrutinising the horizon for dogs kept me occupied. We were advised to take an alternative route this morning due to flooding. With temperatures in the high 20s, over the past few days, we decided  that had probably dried up the problematic puddles. On this occasion we were correct and made it to Guillana dry-of-foot. We are now in Hostel Frances, with a few other walkers, time for a wee siesta before menu del dia then early to bed – and so begins another Camino :).

Note: I did not a spot a single dog, and I did not form a single blister(bit early to be bragging about no blisters I realise!)