DAY 50 - MONTAMARTA to GRANJA DE MORERUELA - Tuesday 11 June 2024

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As we passed by the albergue this morning, the pilgrim from Hungary that we'd met earlier came out. We walked across the reservoir and out of town with her, swapping stories in broken Spanish and English. 

The countryside today was again mainly fields, this time gently undulating instead of flat. At times we paralleled the motorway or crossed over it. 

After a couple of hours we came to the ruins of Castrotorafe, an ancient abandoned village. The ruins made a great backdrop for our photos. 

We took a detour into a bar for second breakfast, and there met a mother and son duo from Switzerland. It was only their second day on the Camino and they looked a lot fresher than we did! 

We walked through the next village, Fontanillas de Castro, then rejoined the Camino. After a short while we came to Riego del Camino, and stopped at the bar there for a lemon soft drink. The bar also served as a bread depot and there were plenty of locals walking in for their bread and a chat while we were there. 

We continued on, reaching Granja de Moreruela about 2 pm. We checked into our accommodation then had a very good menú del dia at the one bar that was open in town. While we were there, our Hungarian friend introduced us to another Hungarian pilgrim. Another pilgrim came in to collect the key for the albergue and we passed yet another outside the albergue. We noted the 'no barefeet' signs on the wall... they are obviously sick of pilgrims airing their feet!

After a rest, we bought our supplies from the local shop. We also looked at the way out tomorrow. 

Some bicycle pilgrims are at our accommodation tonight. We have certainly seen and met many more pilgrims today than we have up to now. 

Pilgrim Highway
Early morning highlights in Montamarta 
The photogenic Ermita de la Virgen del Castillo 
Leaving Montamarta behind on the Via de la Plata 
Fields
Onwards on the Via de la Plata 
The photogenic ruins of Castrotorafe
We passed a donkey on the way to the bar
Fontanillas de Castro
The Via de la Plata to Riego del Camino 
Onwards on the Via de la Plata. The worker in the middle photo is removing graffiti from a highway underpass. 
Granja de Moreruela. Fairly quiet. 
A highlight of Granja de Moreruela 
Camino signs in Granja de Moreruela. This is where we leave the Via de la Plata and join the Camino Sanabrés, which begins here. 
Birds, including an exciting first sighting this trip of one of our favourites, the great crested grebe 
Day 50 - Map

Day:                               50
Distance:                      26.61 km
Walking time:              5 hrs 19 mins
Elevation gain:            326 meters
Cumulative distance: 972.07 km

Comments

  1. Anonymous12 June 2024 at 04:22

    The Spanish have 'a thing' about bare feet. Our habit of not wearing shoes indoors drives the family in Spain mad. I have been been given slippers when we visit, and still, I forget to put then on. Ooops.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Victoria N12 June 2024 at 04:22

    That was me above

    ReplyDelete
  3. Aussie Slow Travellers12 June 2024 at 05:55

    Nobody offered us slippers 😕 - they would have been just the thing after a long walk!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Murray and Sandra16 July 2024 at 09:39

    Collared Dove, Corn Bunting, White Stork, Corn Bunting, Stonechat, Great Crested Grebe

    ReplyDelete

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