Pre-dawn departure enables wonderful first hour with enough wispy clouds to enhance sunrise ... 5 more hours through flat wine country, along farm road with only occasional workers' cars and small tractors with harrows. .. today's task to combine raking up pruning into piles for burning and cleaning ground of weeds ... birdsong suggesting not too much chemicality ...
At hour three, a sit down and airing for feet, which grumbled a little when shoes went on first thing ... though soon settled down to the job ... after snack, Gennaro wanders by, talking to himself and pulling shopping trolley, containing an empty bucket and a small bottle of water ...a friendly interlude ensues, though little Spanish is understood ... maybe an invitation to the Caritas place in off route Almendralejo ... bed, food, laundry ... not tempted and offer of €1 for a coffee is met with equanimity ... he tosses the coin to decide whether to accept or not ... no photo ... it seemed disrespectful to ask ...
On and on in full Sun, though probably under 20 degrees ... in summer this shade and refreshment free stage hits 40 plus ... arrive at 1pm and this one horse town offers two albergues ... the Red-Silver which is missed despite signs, and the municipal in beautifully converted church building, closed at 1.30 after coffee stop ... still closed at 4.30 after late lunch, with local red wine ... though hostal with €20 single room is open ... simple comfort ...
Tomorrow a short stage to Merida, capital of Extremedura ... lots of culture to explore ... or maybe push on, since 16k is hardly a day's walk ... let's see!
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