Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Day 3: Real de la Jara to Monesterio (22 Kms)

Leaving El Real de la Jara

Leaving town this morning was a pure delight. The weather was cool, the sky was clear, and it was blessedly silent. The first half of our walk today continued through park like settings. Very pastoral and very pleasant to walk through. It is still early days for us so our bodies are a bit confused as to why they are being asked to carry this new weight and do it for some distance. But they will get the knack of it in a few more days. Eventually we found ourselves navigating through a highway interchange which after a few zigs and zags dropped us off on a direct path to Monesterio. In true Camino fashion the second half was almost all uphill. Nothing to be concerned about just a bit tiring as the days walk drew to an end. Please refer back to the bit about bodies getting adjusted. Monesterio was alive with families out for a meal on a beautiful Sunday afternoon as we walked into town. On the advice received from some of our Canadian friends, Dayton and Karen, we checked into the Parochial Albergue and found a little gem of an albergue. It is spotlessly clean, with a well stocked kitchen, and a nice patio for doing laundry. Last night we met a Spanish army sergeant, Pedro, who spends his free time walking sections of the VdlP. He left ahead of us this morning but we ran into him this afternoon and enjoyed a late lunch together. He returns to Seville tonight. When we returned to the albergue from lunch we met Giselle, from France, she is also only doing part of the route as work obligations will be calling her home in a week or so. So in short, it has been another great day.

My apologies to Dayton and Karen that I did not get to express their connection to this albergue, and their joy in supporting it. But my poor Spanish and the hospitalera's limited English limited our conversation. Some Camino organizations do fund raising work and send the proceeds to sponsored albergues. The branch of the Canadian Company of Pilgrims that Dayton and Karen belong to supports this little parochial albergue in Monesterio. From what I can see their money has been put to good use, and we are very happy to be here.

First thing this morning
Found at the albergue
Day begins
Robin bound for Monesterio
Monesterio at last

 

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