By bus from Salamanca to Tavira

A good night's sleep in the simply comfortable Hostal and awake in good time for the stroll to the bus station, juice, coffee, churros, croissant. .. only water packed for the trip but a rest for stomach along with other parts is welcome ... tendons connecting feet tenderly remind mind how hard they have worked, how grateful for a proper rest .... not the Achilles which slowed Hannah, but ones at the top ... perhaps ligaments, anyway they are essential to the walker ...

Bus 75 leaves promptly and speeds to motorway awhile before becoming local, along N630 and even more local roads ... calling in at towns missed on the walk as well as some already visited ...after Placencia, a city skipped after Galiteo, it's back to motorway to Caceres ... another view of the high speed train bridge across the Rio Tejo ... that was a long day from Caceres to Canaveral ...

At a nearby seat, Beatrice, a student of English from the ancient university of Salamanca, engages in conversation. .. heading for Caceres and on to her family home near Badajoz, she tolerates some philosophy for a while ...

ALSA likes to keep the bus moving, so drivers change twice and if we want a pee,  we have to be quick ... and best to let the driver know ...

And so, into Seville just five minutes late ... plenty of time for a snack and to buy the EVA ticket ... proper express, direct to Huelva, next stop Vila Real, then Tavira ... and an hour gained crossing the border ... the one lost a couple of weeks ago ...  rain arrives lightly in Seville, heavier by Huelva ... by Tavira it's just damp, though the roads are wet ...

All good for a thirsty Iberia. .. if not for pilgrims or winter short sunshine break Brits ...

At the Pousada de Juventude, Joana is on duty, so a quick catch up ... Gudmund still here, having been robbed on the road ... highly unusual. .. Marina, from Russia, cooking supper, more folks in yet to meet ... porridge, having sat in the pack for over a week, serves as dinner ... plus a trip to the pasteleria for a delicious carob concoction ... and a beer ... it's been a long day sitting down and the feet are grateful for the enforced rest ... good to be back at home from home in Portugal!