Day 30 16.05.10 Aljucen - Alcuescar

Another short 12 mile day today.  We left at 0750hrs and arrived at the Albergue in Alcuescar at around 13.20hrs.  The Camino today went through the Parque Natural de Cornalvo.  Undulating hills and magnificent scenery.  The Camino felt very isolated today with the sound of birds the only thing disturbing the peace!

We climbed very slowly but steadily some 1200 feet.  At one of the landmarks of today’s route, the Cross of St John, we met up with two of the other pilgrims, Michel from France and our friend Katrin from Germany.  Along the way we also met up with Marion, also from Germany. 

We were all heading for Alcuescar and the Albergue “Casa de la Misericordia”.  It is free (donations accepted) and includes dinner.  It is one of the best we have visited so far and the Hospitalera , Maribel, (who is in charge) was very welcoming.

At dinner we were joined by Rafa and Remedios from Spain, also walking the camino.  Rafa imitates birds extremely well and we were roaring with laughter when he was trying to communicate with a cockatoo, kept here by an old priest.


Before dinner one of the priests gave us a blessing, the first we have received since that given by the Bishop Emeritus of Gibraltar,Charles Caruana,  back on 17^th April.  How time flies!

After dinner we all had a hand in washing the dishes and putting everything away - just like the scouts again!  The photo shows our group just\after dinner.  From left to right: Remedios (Spain), Michel (France), Katrin (Germany), Marion (Germany), Maribel (The Hospitalera).  Kneeling Rafa (Spain).

Tomorow we have about 17/18 miles to travel so we will be leaving at around 6.30a.m.