There was a chance of rain predicted for today when we set off, so things were a bit cooler. We stopped for coffee at the first available stop, and once again remarked on the toilet queue. That is definatly something that the Spanish government could work on next to improve the Camino. Later in the morning we stopped for an ice cream with the four ladies from California. Walking was mostly on trails through the eucalyptus forests, and there were long stretches between coffee stops.
As we neared the destination for the 22 km day (at lunch time), we stopped for a welcome beer before proceding the last 4 km. That is when the thunder and the rain started, but it was only a light rain and didn’t dampen our spirits much. Tomorrow is to be heavy rain for our last day.
Today’s accomodation was to be a bit different as we were to be staying in a Casa Rural, not in the town. This neccesitated Vic calling the totally Spanish speaking hostess to tell her where we were so we could be picked up. That went surprisingly well, and we are now at a lovely farm just outside Ocala de Abiaxo, which I think is pretty well Nowheresville.
There is a huge fig tree at the entrance that towers over the out buildings. Its trunk must be 18 inches in diameter. The figs are not yet ripe, but there are a lot of them.
The house itself is large and imprrssive, totally built of well crafted stonework – relatively small flat pieces with little mortar, a meter thick, including all of the inside walls. There are two or three levels, with about 6 guest bedrooms. The walls are so thick that the wifi will not go through them. We were the only people here until a bunch of Spanish guys (who turned out to be from Argentina) arrived.
The buzz on the internet said the food here was good, and they were right. We showed up at 7:30 for dinner, naturally the first ones there. We had our own table, since everyone else would be speaking Spanish.
The first course was essentially a paella, except the rice portion was like a thick soup. There were a couple huge prawns, and a bunch of shellfish, all very tasty. We had suggested beef as the second course earlier in the day, and it came as pieces of stewed beef and potatoes in a sauce. That was followed by lemon mousse and Santiago cake. Really a very tasty Spanish meal.
During the meal 5 ladies showed up, speaking something that was not quite Spanish. We eventually got to talking to them and they were from the Caribbean island of Aruba, and were speaking the local dialect, a combination of Dutch, Spanish and English. Four were walking the Camino, and it was the birthday of one of them. Her daughter had flown in from New York and secretly arranged to meet the group to come up behind her mother on the path to sing Happy Birthday. What a wonderful gesture!
They are still in the dining room with the Spanish guys, and have definately hit the wine course.
Such fun you have had!
Enjoyed your travelogue Stacey!
Tomorrow will be your last day?!?! It really is wonderful that you will have completed the trip, but what will I do for my daily travel fix? Thanks again for sharing your stories and pics.
Looks like a feast. For me it hard to imagine all these very nice looking ubbs in these tiny places. I guess the camino business is good.
Love the lace – and on an ashtray.
Mostly, I am looking forward to you accomplishing your goal tomorrow. Absolutely proud of your both.
today, I am just too busy ( and spent) to even get to the garden. Maybe tomorrow….
Hope you are both sleeping peacefully.