DAY 13 - EL CUERVO DE SEVILLA to LAS CABEZAS DE SAN JUAN - Sunday 5 May 2024

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This morning we set off in fog.  The snail collectors were out with their plastic bags and we had brief conversations with two of them - the best snails are the medium size ones  found in this area,  and they are delicious! We passed through small holdings of olive trees and vegetable growing and made every dog in the area bark. 

Second breakfast was after about 10 km in the town of Lebrija, sitting in a lovely plaza with lots of other people enjoying the morning sun.

The Via Augusta ran alongside a lagoon next,  and this time we were able to see water and even some birds. After this we walked on a red dirt road cutting through irrigated fields.

We saw where the water came from for irrigation when we joined up with a canal. The canal went on for a long, long way,  but we had a tailwind and sweeping vistas in both directions to keep our spirits up.

Eventually we spied Las Cabezas de San Juan, our destination for today.  Roman roads have a reputation for being straight,  but the Via Augusta must have changed over time because it took us wandering over the hills, with the compensation of some great views. Once in the town,  it led us past the pretty St Jean-Baptist Church, which we'd been admiring from afar,  as well as to Constitution Plaza, where the Spanish Constitution was put into law in 1821.

Dinner tonight was wonderful.  Again we sat down hopefully in an outdoor place where people seemed to be having a good time.  We ordered wine,  but when we asked if we could eat, the waiter told us the kitchen had closed. He said he would OK it with the chef - who turned out to be his wife!

We had a great meal, watching kids running around, young and old walking the streets and greeting each other enthusiastically. There was a noticeable absence of mobile phones! 

After coffee the waiter/owner asked us if we wanted 'chupitos' - when we looked blank,  he told us to leave it with him and came back with some shots.  The Spanish certainly have something to teach us about 'alegría' - enjoying life!

Leaving El Cuervo de Sevilla in the fog
Reading a signboard displaying the route of the Camino through the province of Sevilla
The fog lingered for a while
It was a slow day
Lebrija - snail roundabout, old tower, statue of musician with a big head
Descriptive sign in Lebrija - everyone's a winner
Second breakfast at the Plaza de España,  Lebrija 
Action shot of Australian long-distance walker photographing a spoonbill through a fence
Walking on the red earth
View from the path
A bit of canal walking - the Canal del Bajo Guadalquivir
A slight uphill on a very flat day
Early view of Las Cabezas de San Juan 
Heading towards Las Cabezas de San Juan on the Via Augusta - not a particularly direct way to enter the town
Some of the sights of Las Cabezas de San Juan 
A pleasant dinner in Las Cabezas de San Juan 
Some of today's birds
Day 13 - Map

Day:                               13
Distance:                       31.37 km
Walking time:               6 hrs 21 mins
Elevation gain:             319 metres
Cumulative distance:  227.54 km

Comments

  1. Murray and Sandra6 May 2024 at 00:14

    my thoughts on todays birds: I don't think there's anything new today. Black-winged Stilt, White Stork, probably Lesser Black-backed Gull, Eurasian Spoonbill, hard to tell but probably Great Egret

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aussie Slow6 May 2024 at 06:29

      Thanks Murray. Hopefully you'll spot lots of birds on your upcoming trip!

      Delete

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