Monesterio to Calzadilla and the Villafranca de los Barros 24/25 Apr

Sun 24 Apr. Left Monesterio at just after 0700 and walked in near perfect conditions. Clear sky with an almost full moon to start and a good track. Hundreds of birds including lots of cuckoos- in fact so many cuckoos the they sound like there had a stutter. Got to Fuente de Cantos at 1100 after 22kms and being early on a Sunday it was closed! I planned to walk on another 6km to Calzadilla but it was a bit of a gamble as it wasn't clear if a Hostal there was open or had rooms.  Wanted to try though as I need to combine  a few stages as there is one very long one coming up with no options and if I'm not careful I'll end up with a stage too short. Getting to Calzadilla means 28km today then 36 tomorrow to Vilafranca de los Barros missing out Zafra. Luckily all was ok and I'm settled for the day. Place is a bit basic but ok. No wifi though which is a bit of a pain. Walked today with a friend I had not seen for a while. Great walking companion. Always keeps my pace although sometimes he can be a little in front or a little behind. Doesn't get any aches and pains or need suntan lotion as he is almost black. He doesn't have much to say for himself either. Hope he is with me tomorrow. Can you guess who it is?

Mon 25 Apr Calzadilla to Villafranca de los Barros 36km. Good walk today with lots of sun and spring flowers. Must be about 24 deg now. I planned to avoid Zafra so I plotted my own you're with the help of Google maps - great that you can save maps off line now. Left just after 0700 and stop walking at 1430. Good tracks all the way. This is Serrano country ( yum yum) so the smell of pigs is all pervading. Had to cross a few railway tracks today but they are pretty simple here- I wonder how the accident rate compares?

Almadena to Monesterio 38km

Left Almaden at 0715 in light drizzle and got to El Real de la Jara at 1015 after 16km through pleasant countryside. New this would be far to early so carries on to Monesterio. Got there at 1415 and all well after a total of 38km today. Tomorrow will just be a short stroll to Fuente de Cantos of 22km as the next stop after that is another 25km which is to far. A pleasant stroll today although a little damp. Strange to suddenly come across a castle and the stepping stones were not a stable as yesterday so I got wet feet. Walked by myself and only saw four others just before Monesterio and did even get a coffee until the last 6km. I know it's OK to talk to myself - at least that's what I tell myself! Now resting in a neat little AdP.

Castilblanco to Almadena 29km

Earlier start than intended this morning as lots of people started getting up at 0600! Unfortunately, non had prepared the night before so lots of noise, chatting and torches. They need a lesson on my and Ian's AdP morning routine! So I got up and walked out quickly. First bar was open but already had a few pilgrims in and with one lady serving, inc sandwiches it was not going to be quick. So I went on and luckily there was another bar open so I could get a caffeine fix.  Thereafter a straightforward 29km and I arrive at Almaden de la Plata at 1230 after leaving at 0700. First 16km was next to the road but not busy and a it was before sunrise lots of birds to listen too. After that walked through a national park with lots of cork oaks, pines and loads of lavender! Rivers have been a bit high so I was glad of the stepping stones. Last few Kms was a little tough as there was a very step climb at the end. Still all safe in the AdP now and feet holding up. Good as it may be 38kms tomorrow!

Guillena to Castilblanco de los Arroyos 20km??

Guillena to Castilblanco de los Arroyos. Supposed to be 20km but I was here by 1130 and left at 0800 so I don't think so! Still next stage is 29kms so I'll wait until tomorrow. All dry to day but a bit muddy under foot for the first third. However, pleasant scenery with lots of wild flowers. A few photos inc typical Camino directions plus a large dog(?) print - a bit early in the walk for Wolves as they are further north! Feet and body all fine now just waiting for the person to open the AdP. Should be a 1300. It's seems that many people take ataxi for the first 16km of tomorrow's stage as its road until that point where the track enters a national park! I just can't see me doing that.......

Seville to Guillena 23 km

Completed the first stage to Guillema at 1300 today and now Im in the municipal Albergue del Perigrino (AdP)     All fine no one else here yet. A bit early to stop in an ideal world but 23km is enough for the first day and the next stop is 20km away. So another easy day tomorrow as I get my feet and body in the groove! A fairly uneventful day with torrential rain for the first hour but then warm and a little sunny until I got here. Glad I scouted the way out of the city yesterday as it would have been hard to find in the gloom.  Pretty grim for the first third as you get out of the city but ok after that. A few photos to be going on with that should show in the link I posted previously One with the standard yellow Camino signs for my previous Camino partners Mike Smith and Ian Ian Pinder. The third one shows how much of the river bank had been washed away recently.

Seville- the start

Arrived without any dramas and found the hotel!  All good.  Went to the cathedral but it was closed so just took a photo for the start. Only 1000km to go! Warm but damp and at least I know the way to start I the morning.  Luckily, there was a bar opposite the hotel so I could get some food without going too far. Excellent place with 2 main courses for 10 euros and a fine wine to accompany. Reminds me what good seafood and chicken is really like. Asked for an Orujos afterwards but a bit too far south I think. If you need to know aw Mike Smith!

Tried about five times to get the photo to attach without luck. It's all on Facebook which I must confess is much easier!

Facebook in use

I’m going to start using Facebook for the next camino updates as some of my friends seem to find it difficult to comment on the blog! However, there is a link in the Facebook page to the blog and I will still update this as well if I can but it is unlikely that I will be able to do many photos as it is such a phaff!

To find me on Facebook search Mike Sexton Rottingdean and its this picture:

Hope to see you there - Mike