DAY 29 - TORREMEJIA to MÉRIDA - Tuesday 21 May 2024

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Before leaving, we had a little walk around Torremejia. We encountered an old man with his goat herd - we've seen a few people tending herds along the Via. The Via de la Plata shares several paths that were used in past times to take herds to summer pastures, but now the herds seem to be mainly to keep the weeds down. We also found a church with scallop shells, a symbol of the Camino de Santiago, and, of course, storks. 

Today's walk started out well through vineyards, but soon we were alongside the road and then marooned in a swamp. We had to go back on the road to get across. 

For a short stretch it looked like an Australian country road - without the potholes - and then we were alongside the railway. We were directed onto the road for quite a stretch, but it was fairly quiet, as most traffic takes the motorway. 

Eventually we were back on dirt tracks and plodded along through roadside construction sites, vineyards, fields and a small patch of dehesa until we came to Merida. 

We had a welcome break on a well-placed bench before crossing the world's longest remaining Roman bridge into town.  

After we had checked in, we headed straight to a restaurant for lunch. There was a great atmosphere, as two customers were making sure everyone felt welcome, including us. 

Fortified, we visited some of Merida's attractions, including 

- the Casa del Anfiteatro, an elegant house with beautifully preserved mosaic floors, 

- the Roman Circus where chariot races used to take place, 

- some aqueducts with storks nest

- some Roman baths. Modern life goes on around these ancient structures - a boy kicked his ball over and casually went under the fence to retrieve it.

In the evening we watched the sunset and moonrise over the Acueducto de los Milagros - a spectacular finish to the day!

Familiar sights as we set off this morning - olive groves and vineyards
A goatherd and his herd in Torremejia
Torremejia 
Some parts of the route today were a bit unorthodox
The Via de la Plata to Mérida. Some parts of the track reminded us of Australia. 
A welcome rest stop on the way in to Mérida 
The Roman bridge into Mérida. We wondered why the bench in the bottom photo faces away from the bridge and the river. 
Some sights in Merida. The Romulus and Remus statue was a gift from Rome in 1997.
Casa del Anfiteatro 
Aqueducts and thermal baths
The Roman Circus in Mérida 
Acueducto de los Milagros 
Acueducto de los Milagros 
Acueducto de los Milagros - the end of a long day's walking and sightseeing
birds
More birds
Yet more birds. Mostly Storks. 
Day 29 - Map

Day: 29
Distance: 17.19 km
Walking time: 3 hrs 34 mins
Elevation gain: 153 meters
Cumulative distance: 524.01 km

Comments

  1. Victoria N22 May 2024 at 07:12

    I'm a bit fond of aqueducts and all things Roman. Congratulations on reaching 500kms.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aussie Slow Travellers22 May 2024 at 07:23

      Thanks Victoria. Yes, there is so much to see it makes getting mundane chores done - like the washing - challenging!

      Delete
  2. Murray and Sandra15 July 2024 at 07:16

    The first block was especially tricky.
    1st block: ???, Azure-winged Magpie, Crested Lark?, Raven ??, Black Kite, Azure-winged Magpie ??
    2nd block: Glossy Ibis, Crested Lark?, Wood Pigeon, Hose Martin, European Magpie, Domestic and (probably) hybrid Greylag Geese
    3rd block: White storks and one Collared Dove

    ReplyDelete

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