Early orange and banana breakfast in room, coffee downstairs and out into misty dawn ... for three hours to Merida and Spanish breakfast of tostada with tomato, plus orange juice and coffee, then over the Roman Bridge, crossing the Guidiana, last seen at the border at Vila Real, picking up arrows, skipping town and passing open albergue with friendly hospitalero ... too early to stop and Roman history not tempting ... they came to Newcastle too ... built a wall across to Carlisle to keep the Scots out, without success, though the wall still serves as a tourist attraction and route for walkers ... current US plans for similar barrier along border with Mexico probably as useful, though source of much work for Mexican folks no doubt ...
Anyway, impressive aqueduct catches the eye on the way out and even more impressive dam at Proserpina, now serving as recreational facility with beaches around the lake ... by which time, around hour four, mist lifts and Sun breaks through ... along quiet road, sandy track, past grazing sheep to brand new Albergue and dining room at the otherwise service free village of El Carrascalejoa ... doubtless very welcome to tired and hungry pilgrims when it actually opens ... hey ho, on we go into hour six and graffiti promoting donativo Albergue at Aljucen (with the true sentiments of the Camino )... before which, another albergue closed until March... at the cafe by the church, food and a bed (at the donativo Albergue)... suggesting a local feud ... though the historical Way always had an economic aspect ... "no meat thanks" elicits mixed salad without the usual tuna, plus green beans with scrambled egg, laced with suspicious looking pink bits ... oh, just ham hmm, like the chick peas, it doesn't count as meat when it's so small ... egg and chips it is then!
At the Albergue, no other pilgrims appear ... basic facilities, not including wifi, so it's back to the bar to send today's entertainment ... for later, a little light reading is found by Sue Townsend ... well, not found by her, obviously, but written by her ... as for the pilgrims, three left Merida this morning, presumably gone on to the next town ... as usual, this solitary soul self-sabotages social opportunities by wandering aimlessly and trusting the universe to provide ... and indeed the food and bed are gratefully received after a long stage ... as are warm words from readers ...
... then, just after posting, Jaya, from Korea via Los Angeles, arrives, having walked from Merida ... taking it slowly ...
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