Fuente de Cantos to Zafra

Late enough at 8.30, after breakfast at Zazuan ... juice, cornflakes, toast ... no coffee since instant decaffeinated not desired ... nor bothered to call at bar ...early opportunity at 6k accepted along with bonus lingo learning as the two on the Way are closed and directions required for third ...

... which enables Anna and Theo to pass by, though soon left behind ... their pace slow, English only slightly better than my German and that is almost zero ...

...the stage is 25k for Zafra in three parts: an hour and a bit to Calzadilla, and coffee; 3 hours to Puebla Sancho Perez and tapas; under an hour to Zafra, Albergue Van Gogh, shower and change, then late lunch at 3.30 ... and, having noted improved consistency this morning, colour suggests iron required ... tortilla tapa, spinach (with egg) first course, vegetables (with egg) second course, red wine (of course ) should sort the colour, though all the egg may take consistency the other way ... tomorrow will tell ...

Mind and body mind holding it all together in the mostly pilgrim free stage ... feet creak between work, but soon settle ... right big toe recalls San Vicente trauma from time to time, but falls in line ... legs and brain urge challenges ... some doubling up of stages ... we know 50k can be done and these flat tarmac free lanes are perfect for it ... early starts, steady pace, decent rests and alcohol free lunch breaks optimal ... let's see!

For geographers, the route has passed through Sierra and grazing animals, arable fields, olive trees and now grape vines ... it's pruning time ... temperature up to 15 after yesterday's cool 10, and unlikely to drop now to allow snow ... much in evidence from Weardale posts and pics. .. even extended stages not fast enough to race Spring ...

At Albergue with many beds, just me and Antonio the volunteer hospitaleiro ... seven or so somewhere out there!

P.S. wander to rehearse tomorrow's exit (in case of double stage) leads to supermarket and one ripe avocado, one ripe banana, one ripe orange ... all for €1 ... the price of one coffee or one small beer ...