Day 38 Aldeanueva del Camino - Calzada de Bejar

At 6.00a.m. Ana Maria and I were on the road again this time heading for Banos de Montemayor, our first stage of our walk today to Calzada de Bejar.  The way to Banos is unfortunately along the N630 and therefore quite boring and tiring. Banos de Montemayor used to house Roman Thermal Baths.  Today this is the main business of the town which boasts more hotels than all the other villages we've passed put together!  Shortly after leaving Banos we also left Extremadura and entered Castilla y Leon.

Katrin decided that she would skip these 10 kms of road and opted to go on the bus instead.  We therefore waited for her in Banos until her arrival at 0930.  We then needed some medical supplies and of course the chemist  did not open until 10.30a.m.!


At around 11.00 we set off for our first challenge of the day, the Puerto de Bejar which climbs to 3100 feet.   The path on the whole was very good and easy on the feet.  I therefore did not have too much trouble with my left heel, which although painful was not unduly so.

 The scenery was breathtaking!  Once we got to the mountain pass the path turned into rolling meadows littered with rocky outcrops and some huge boulders.  In the distance on our far right we could see the snow covered mountain tops of what we think are the Sierra de Gredos.  Really incredible views.  The last two kilometres or so were up what I call rocky goat tracks and were a little bit more demanding.  All in all a delightful hike today!

The village of Calzada de Bejar boasts 84 inhabitants and an Albergue, where we are spending the night.  So far we think there are about 16 "pilgrims" here tonight.  There is only one bar in town where we had a sandwich for lunch and tonight the Hospitaleros are going to cook an evening meal.

Tomorrow we will head for Fuenterroble de Salvatierra, where we hope to spend the night at a monastery which doublkes up as an Albergue.  I understand it is free and comes  possibly with an evevning meal!  Meals are an important event each day.  Anyone who knows me well will kmow that I normally love eating.  Here after\the exhaustion of the walks each day, food is an essential tool in getting back some energy for the following day.  That's my excuse anyway and I regret to say that contrary to what I thought at the beginning, I am NOT losing any weight!  It is true to say however that Ana Maria and I have never felt fitter!

James is now back from his short interlude in Italy so we hope the map is going to be updated shortly.  We are delighted that so many people wrote in to ask that it be updated so that they could see where we are!



More soon.