Thank you, Jimb01930, for your reply. I tried the ways you suggested. sleeping mat is too thick, the solution I found is using a string to tie it outside of the covered bag on the top or carrying it cross shoulder separately. In any case I will test it when rains. If it does not work, I will leave it at the next albergue.
Day 12, Caceres, about 22k, less than 6 hours with 1 breakfast, and 1 coffee break. Again an idea walking day, cloudy, high temperature at the noon around 20c.
I was tired in the morning and eager to leave. Last night before 11pm I woke up by loud bang on the front door, I was frightened, dare to make any move. I was already fully clothed, so just sat there listening. And the bang got louder, and then I heard the fiddlings of the locks. Someone tried to get in!!
I went to bed early after such a long day. When i closed the door, I left the key inside the key hole and put two chair one on top of each other against the door, which I do not normally do. I also went into the 2nd room, which could not be locked, but there were furniture I could move against the door if desperate, to buy more time. This old farm house has two very high windows, no one can climb in through the windows, its only entrance was the door. The same building also has a bar next door and bar/restaurant Las Vegas, closeby at the next building in front, where one gets the key for Albergue, because the owner manages the albergue too. So it should be very safe. But the bang gets even louder. At this hour, there should not be any pilgrim coming, and I did not hear any "hi, or hello" to call me. So this was an intruder, then i heard two men's voices, not sure there were two of them or someone heard the bang came to talk to this person. I could hear TV from the bar, so it was still open. Afterwards it went quiet, I guess whoever this person is was sent away, but I could not go to bed.
I was afraid after the bar closes, the person may come back, thought about calling police to report this activity, so they may keep an eye on this area and found out my phone could not dial 112 with or without +34, the country code. Then I found the restaurant number and called, a woman picked up the phone, i told her about this, she assured me everything was ok, not to worry, told me that this person was not allowed to get in and he was sent away.
In any case, I could not fall into sleep, I was too alert, I heard the bar closed at 1am. I felt on one was around and I was all by myself. I do not know when I actually fell into sleep, but when the alarm sound out, I was ready to leave. It was a Sunday night, maybe someone got drunk, I do not know. When I left at 6:30am, businesses were still closed, so i did not get to ask more about it. Earlier that afternoon and evening, there were quite a few people there watching the Spain/Russia soccer game. I am quite sure someone saw I was there alone.
My breakfast was at Valdesalor, 2 and half hour away, before noon reached outskirts of Cesares and had coffee break. Again I have encountered several cyclists, today a solo woman as well. I did not stayed at any of the recommended place in Caseres. The first sign I saw Apartmentos Turisticos La Ribera del Marco, which services for pilgrim, I went there. It turned out 18 euro for a bed in a 2 twin bed room, full kitchen, laundry farcility, living room, etc. It has other rooms. 20 meters from the road close to supermarkets, about 15 to 28 minutes to bus/train station, 25 minutes to old town center.
I bought grocery for tomorrow before 2pm closing, went to bus station, got bus schedule to Canaveral, eat, wash and slept.
After 5pm, I got up and went to visit the medieval town, well preserved with several churches, many grand buildings, and etc. It is a world heritage site and ranked as the 3rd best one in Europe. It deserves a visit.
The old town came to live after 7pm, dinner tables were out on the streets, even though, dinner was not served after 8:30pm. Shops were opened and people were strolling around, kids were playing. My earphone was broken yesterday afternoon on the road, I easily found a replacement in a shop with many choices. There is also a small Decathlon store in the center. I bought a Quechua basic liner bag, which weights 260g/9oz. I thought about bringing one, but left at home to reduce the wright.
I have found that those renovated traditional houses do not have screen doors and windows. If everything is closed, my fleece bag was too hot to use, so far used 3 nights total. if leave windows open, mosquitos have a feast on me. They do not have a ceiling fan or any fan, except at municipal in Merida has a floor fan.
During the night, after 3am it could get a little chilly lately if not covered with anything. Also some Albergues have a fitted sheet only to cover the mattress, no pillow case and flat sheet, this bag also has a folded design to cover a pillow, the only thing I do not like is that this bag does not have a big side opening, inconvenient to get in and out. It is not perfect. a small opening was placed at the left side. My fleece bag has a side zip can turn it into a blanket.
By the way, even private albergue does not always have flat sheet, just blankets. It assumes that you have a bag. At Monestery municipal it charges 1 euro to rent a set. Other places did not have that option so far. I almost feel, just bring a twin size flat sheet, or cut a smaller sheet from that. The bag size is 85cm x 210cm, rectangular.
Not sure I will be tomorrow, walk 9k, 17k or 28k, at least I have 3 options. That is very good.
Good night! tonight I am sleeping on a real bed with white linens.
Life is good, as my Norwegian friend said to me at the end of each day for the past few days. Where are they now?
