Day 4: Almadén de la Plata – Monesterio

Via de la Plata

Saturday 31st March 2018

35,4 km (105.2 km)

Last night there was another procession, it would seem even the smallest of places have floats and bands, strange but true! We headed out to eat around 6:30 but as we are in Spain had to wait until around 8 for sustenance. We were back and in our bunks by 9:30 and ready for today…most of the others ventured back later as they only wanted to walk 14km today whereas we are on a mission to reach Caceres by next Saturday and so had to walk 35km today. I knew this would be painful (for me at least) and so had booked a hotel in Monesterio. It looked pretty basic but I thought that would be preferable to reaching an albergue at 5pm.

We left the albergue in Almaden around 7 in the dark; all my fears of wild dogs being put to the test. We met two dogs in the dark, my idea of all things bad but Daniel was patting them and keeping my terror at bay! We passed them unbitten only to meet some more boisterous dogs further along the path. If I’d been on my own I’d have turned back but Dan’s affinity with the beasts made me brave and once again we continued unscathed. We walked through the final parts of the national park, with its groomed appearance before entering a more rural area; at first there were many fields of pigs. I thought Daniel was being very animal friendly taking photos of the ‘cute pigs but when he rejoined me after some photo shoots of the said pigs all his conversation consisted of talk of bacon with black pudding etc…so much for the animal lover #noveganshere.

We arrived in El Real De la Jara after 14km and had our breakfast; toast with tomato paste and iberico ham…perfect. We had a prolonged stop and then a visit to the farmacia before continuing on for the remaining 20km. The route was pleasant underfoot and just about manageable although the feet were sore and the windy weather ensured that we arrived in Monesterio wind burnt as well as tired. There was a fairly unpleasant stretch before we reached our destination where we had to walk along a motorway verge, anyone who knows me will know that I have problems crossing quiet country lanes, never mind motorways but we survived …and arrived in one piece in Monesterio. Our hotel looked pretty grim, it has to said, on the website but we were pleasantly surprised to have a fabulous room (suite even!) which went some way to taking my mind off my falling apart feet (which of course is par for the course). Now we are just waiting for them to start serving dinner so we can eat and collapse, as is normal on Camino.

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5 Comments

  • Reply
    Sheila
    March 31, 2018 at 6:32 pm

    Oh dear !! More dogs and sore feet ! Still at least the weather seems fine. I went on an ecumenical Good Friday procession through Paisley (yesterday), all of about 2 miles, and was whacked!! Pity Dan isn’t going the whole Way!
    Happy 😃 Easter! Love Mum x

    • Reply
      Pauline
      March 31, 2018 at 6:36 pm

      I know, I will really miss him…It’s very quiet on this route. Glad you made it to the end of the procession, at least you didn’t have to carry a float! Happy Easter xx

  • Reply
    Lesley
    April 1, 2018 at 3:31 pm

    Photos looks lovely. Nice to see blue sky and sun.
    Hope your feet are surviving. Xx

    • Reply
      Pauline
      April 1, 2018 at 6:53 pm

      The weather has been perfect. Feet…😂

  • Reply
    Joanne
    April 1, 2018 at 4:23 pm

    Great photos Pauline. Hope you can team up with other walkers over the next few weeks xx

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