Sunday 8th April 2018

33.4 km (259.4km)

My plan today was to walk back to Valdesalor after Daniel had left and then go to Caser Caceres, a 23km walk. I bid farewell to Daniel and then decided I’d just have a very short day of 12km to the destination and not bother retracing my steps to go 12km along a road. I arrived at Caser Cáceres at around 1030, having bumped into a fast walking New Zealander on the way into town. I had a coffee with her and she was off, for a further 33km (making a 45k day). That of course was far too much for me but I decided I could continue to the next albergue, some 23km down the road if I stopped regularly. The rain kept threatening but never came to anything, luckily as I am dreading having to use by big blue poncho that I have brought in lieu of my very waterproof waterproofs ( all the other pilgrims have them, but apparently this hardy Via De la Plata bunch have decided waterproofs are much superior to the ponchos so I’ll be the only poncho on the VDLP). The scenery was lovely today, some rolling hills and even some undulation on the route. I was resolute about my stops and arrived almost in one piece, almost with toes intact.

I was becoming increasingly worried that the Albergue would be shut as I couldn’t contact them and when I arrived at the turn off I was slightly alarmed to find a locked gate and no sign of the Albergue. Luckily I was 500m too early on the route so before I could get too upset a sign appeared, albeit 1k off routewhich is not what I wanted after 34km. Anyway I am here now; the Albergue commands a perfect position overlookjng a reservoir and one has the feeling of being in the middle of nowhere…wait we are in the middle of nowhere. They even served a menu del dia which was a choice of frozen pizza and a creme caramel but who knew they could taste so good? The other pilgrims are very unfriendly so obviously not doing the whole thing or they’d be more inclusive but I’m tired so will have an early night and a late morning, so that I hit the next town when the pharmacy is open. Life on The Camino is very much geared towards the opening times of the pharmacy it has to be said and passing one in any given town or village you feel you should be stocking up on some medical supply.