A few more klicks than ideal on the second day out, but the distance was a minor factor as the weather was downright nasty. A forecast “high” of 4⁰, but with wind gusts up to 65 kmh, the wind chill temperature was -7⁰. Fortunately the wind was at my back so it was vaguely tolerable. The wind definitely cleared away the pall of thick haze that has been obscuring everything, and it finally got the wind turbines humming. The east/west valleys in this region of Spain are wind funnels, with the ridges crowded with ‘wind mills’. Don Quixote would have hated it, maybe even more than Donald Trump!
Today’s path was mostly exactly that – forest and farmland paths, with seldom travelled farm roadways. The crops appear to be fall sown wheat, so there is no agricultural activity whatsoever. The two farm hamlets I passed through showed no signs of life, but there were plenty of cars (functional ones!). Maybe the locals are smart enough to stay indoors in such weather.
At one point I missed the official path entering the road, so I blithely carried on for another 10 minutes until I checked my mapping app and realized I was temporarily geographically embarrassed. Rather than retrace my steps I went cross country, and while the official path was very close, some gnarly bush whacking was required for the last 100 meters. I was following the cows’ path, but it was challenging squeezing under the trees (and brambles) with a backpack!
Tonight I’m in the town of Sanguesa, but as the albergue is closed, I’m staying in a cheapo hotel on the fringes. The hotel is cheapo in amenities, not necessarily on price. Last night’s albergue fellow residents had between them stayed at the only two alternatives. This hotel won the popular vote. The room is adequate, but so far the hot water is not, which will require a trip to reception with my Berlitz phrasebook (a publication which I suspect no longer exists!) I arrived just in time to partake of the menu del dia, and as I finished eating around 4p, I won’t need (or require) any more food for the day. Just as well as it’s 750m down a hill into the centre of town, and my legs are now resting! Apparently the breakfast is fantastic, so I’ll dream in hope. Today there was nothing in terms of refreshment stops because there was nothing in the way of towns or villages. Two coffees and a Napolitana sustained me for 28km, which is possibly less calories than the 1850 my app claims I burned today. Not that I’m convinced the apps are accurate. A full breakfast report will be in tomorrow’s post!
2saunter 