CdS VdlP notes
I am getting carried away and will post an update earlier. Hopefully some notes will be of use.
I will be more concise later.
2022-02-25
I had booked a double room in Triana Backpackers. That was really two beds
everything one might need. It was ok, a little bit noisy on Friday's evening. There was to be a communal breakfast from 7 till 11.
Incoming registration form was checked at the airport. I could only check-in online after I had uploaded all forms (vaccination certificate, German and Spanish forms - flying with Lufthansa).
Facemask use inside is a standard.
2022-02-26
Went from TB to the Cathedral and started walking along the Camino. It was dark after 7, when I started, but till I got out of Seville it was already after dawn. Light rain for two hours. Met two pilgrims after crossing Guadalquivir, on the right path along the river. We just exchanged hellos, as they were adjusting their rain gear near the pathway. Rain stopped in Santiponce and later layering and delayering worked well during the whole day.
In Guillena there were many people outside and some cafes along the main road (not along Camino route). Stopped for refill and cafe con leche y tostadas.
It was dry and only one unpassable place was *before* Guillena with a large puddle across the road (there are farm buildings with tower ahead on the right). However there was a steel beam thrown over the stream under the trees on the right side.
In Castiblanco I stayed at Casa Salvadora - and highly recommend it. Very friendly hospitalera. Also dinner at rincon del Beni was good.
There were five of us altogether in an albergue: two from Spain, one from Belgium (cycling south), one from Germany and me. It was nice to talk in Spanish in the evening.
Next day, on Sunday, the supermarket in Almaden was closed, so I bought a few more things.
42 km, quite a nice day.
2022-02-27
Short, quiet and lonely walk today. With just family with horses I met in Parque Natural and a Spanish pair on the last ascent. Clouds, sun, no rain.
Stayed in a municipal albergue in Almaden de la Plata. Very empty. La Muralla makes good food. There were eight of us in the albergue, however at least 5 more pilgrims were dining in La Muralla.
Sevillanos were having a bank holiday on Monday so there were quite a few walking along some sections of the Via. They were going home on Monday afternoon (3 of those 8 pilgrims).
28 km, short and sweet with nice scenery. In the Parque.
2022-02-28
It is light enough around 7:30 to walk without a light source. So this is my starting hour.
Preparing all stuff in the evening and just leaving the dormitory quietly in the morning to finish packing far from sleeping people.
Nice views up to El Real de la Jara and then some more. Only met Antonio talking with another pilgrim heading south before the ascent in the middle of the section to El Real, who left earlier. This stage has perfect cafe and refill places at *Real* (14) and Complejo Leo (26).
Municipal albergue in Monesterio is open, there is a note and phone number to hospitalera Carmen (who listens to classical music on the loudspeakers). Twin double rooms with bathroom. Very well equipped albergue.
There were two bicigrinos from Chile and Local Spanish runner shortly after. We sat together in the kitchen with the fireplace burning.
35 km with a chilly layered morning and sunny warm rest of the day. Shade under the trees after Complejo Leo was welcome.
Note that 28th was not a bank holiday in Extremadura.
So far all well marked.
Tomorrow to Calzadilla de los Barros, as i want to walk long section from Villafranca to Torremejia in the morning on Thursday.