Camino 2016: Via de La Plata - Day 6 - Alcuéscar to Aldea del Cano

Had another good nights sleep and was ready to leave at about 7:15 am. When I got to the front door I realized that there was a light rain coming down so on with my poncho and off to find some breakfast. A café/bar/restaurant was open about 10 mins down the road on the way to the trail. So usual café con leche and tostadas with other peregrines who were also already there. Most were from the other albergue and said they were not totally happy. It is in an old monastery and the doors are closed from 2:00-4:30 for the quiet time for the Friars and no one can come in or go out so they felt trapped for most of the afternoon. Then, again they must be in by 9:00pm when the doors are locked. Dinner was served but it proved to be a hotdog with some lettuce and bread. It made me realize how lucky I was to be directed to the new albergue. The person who met me on the road should have been on a white horse!

Soon however I was on the trail and the rain stopped for a while but always threatened. It was also rather windy. From time to time there were some showered, sometimes heavy which, along with the wind were not pleasant. My poncho kept me generally dry but the wind drove the rain onto my trousers but when the shower was over the wind dried it fairly quickly - polyester is great for these situations!

The trail was through farming areas and the cattle and sheep were curious as I came by, some of the cattle with calves.

 

 

Passed several distance markers from the old roman road which is original Via de La Plata. They were placed every 1,000 paces for the Roman legions. The ones here showed that the path we were following was actually the same road that the Romans built some 2,000 years ago.

 

Some of these "miliarios" had markers placed near them showing what distance they were marking.

 

Then came an old bridge. Probably not Roman but built in the Roman style

 

The addition of the blue marker to the trail marker indicates that this is the old Roman road.

Continued along the old road for several miles parallel to new highway and several more Roman mile posts.

 

And then came to a original Roman bridge.

The surface was very uneven and since it was raining rather slippery.

 

On further along the same road until the sign indicating the turn off the Via de La Plata to the small town of Aldo del Cano which was where I plan to spend the night.

The albergue is small with only 9 beds. Instructions are to get the key from the restaurant Las Vegas next door and let yourself in. There is no hospitaleiro here but it turns out to be very nice. It is in part of an old historical building and has all that one would need including kitchen, washing machine. The 9 beds are divided up in 3 rooms.

Since I was the first one here I chose a lower bunk in the smallest room with room for just 2 people.

 

Hung the clothes up to dry and took a shower. There is also a nice sitting area.

 

The walls show the age of the construction.

 

After getting organized I took a stroll through the little town.

The Town Hall is from 1905 but the church is 15th century. It was locked so I could not look inside.

On the town square - Plaza Major - there is also an old well

 

There are. a total of 5 of us in the Albergue tonight. Later 3 of us went to the bar next door where they offered a " menu del Dia" at 7:30. Three courses plus wine for Eur 8:00. A good dinner.

Early to bed and I expect a nice quiet night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy