Nieva to Villeguillo 28kms.

Lovely clear morning again and a very well marked way. Mostly through pine forests which gave plenty of shade. However, the ground is sand so not the best of surfaces for long walks. Go to Coca at 1130 and had a choice of at least 3 bars for coffee. Then carried on towards Villeguillo. Still undecided whether to stop there of not. However, when I arrived the Bar Social was open (it closes 1600 to 1900) and they confirmed they would do food that night. The albergue key holder’s address is on the bar door. Had a small beer and a snack while checking the rain radar. I felt plenty strong enough to walk the additional 17kms and it looked like the rain would stay away for a couple of hours. I set off towards Alcazaren but it started to rain lightly after 20 mins. Left me in a quandary. Turn back or go on?  I turned back as I new there was a good albergue there with a place to eat and I did not want to have to walk another 17km in the rain. Plus it’s a bit early for 40km plus day. The albergue here is very pleasant. Simple but well maintained with a fridge and microwave. Also the bar social was very welcoming. Probably off to Puente Duero tomorrow. No Wi-Fi here so not uploading photos- nothing special in any case. 

Segovia to Nieva 38km

. Left at 0730 and artist 1530.  I ate at Munoz 2 last night that is just 50m up the road from the Hostal. Not as expensive as the main tourist places down the road. I also introduced the waiter called Cesar to the SayHi app. Quite intense thunderstorms last night but all dry again by morning. I could see rain in the distance north of me but it kept moving away. In fact stayed dry until I arrived at the AirBnB place when we got a little bit of rain. Lovely simple walk today that started with a bit of a surprise as I heard the roar of modern day dragons behind me as hot air balloons started lifting off apparently from within the city. Track was well marked and it stayed partly cloudy most of the way which was a relief given the flat stretches that this stage involves. That said there were a few pine forests being harvested and this was the first time I have noticed mistletoe on pine trees. No services on the way but the bar in SMlRdN was open so I stopped for a beer and a snack. There is a local store as well but it was closed. Quite surprisingly there was a Pharmacy open in Nieva. The place I am staying is convenient for me as I wanted somewhere beyond SMlRdN. If is a bit hippy dippy with composting toiles and rustic huts but it has the key requirements and they offer a meal. However, expensive at 40 euros. I’ve stayed in much better albergues. Not sure about tomorrow yet. Coca is too close at 20km. Alcazaren is OK at 45kns if the weather is ok. Other alternative is Villeguillo but not sure of the services there. I will decide on the way - may the Camino provide. 

Cercedilla to Segovia 30km

Had a late lunch (1630) in Cercedilla yesterday as nothing near the Hostal and I was not sure if the ones in town would serve dinner. Left at 0730 and got to the Hostal at 1400. Great walk today and quite tough. I even had to stop a few times for a rest. Certainly matches some of the harder days on the Norte and Olvidado. Just about straight uphill from the Hostal for about 8km to the highest point of about 1800m. The first half is simple enough as it is either by the road or on forest tracks. Then you get to the first of the wonderful Roman bridges and onto an ancient road. I’m sure it was flat when built but if has degraded somewhat over the years. It gradually gets steeper and more degraded until you are mostly scrambling over small rocks. Really pleased to see the top. From there it was mostly downhill through pine forests and then meadows as you get nearer to Segovia. Fortunately, until the last 7kms or so it was primarily in the shade. Staying at Hostal Don Jaime I y II which is right in the centre and near to the Camino. Off to AirBnB at Nieva tomorrow, about 35kms but it should be less hilly. Anyone stopped in Villeguillo recently?  Is there somewhere to eat?

Colmenar to Cercedilla 36 kms

 The storms and rain stayed away and all was great last night. Opted to eat at the hotel which proved to be a good choice. A bottle of wine and a bottle of water plus a 3 course meal with coffee was only 16 euros.   It was a great walk today. Left at 0730 and arrived in  Cercedilla at 1500. Recorded as 36kms. Route out of Colmenar Viejo is well marked and follows a grit and granite tack for most of the way to Manzanares de Real. Mostly easy walking with a few scrambles. Had 2nd breakfast in MdR at Hostel La Pedriza. Coffee and a lovely chunk of tortilla. Got here just before 1030. Rest of the route was well marked but could have done with more shade. There was some talk in previous threads about avoiding the big loop in the road after Navacerrada and using the GR route instead that cuts across. When I walked there today there was a Camino arrow just after the big restaurant where you cross the M-601 that took a path to the left and cut a big section off. Even better it had a fair bit of shade. Photo from Mapy.cz attached. Staying in the Hostal Longinos tonight ready for the high trek tomorrow to Segovia. 

Off to Colmenar Viejo about 27kms

 Left the hotel on the outskirts of Madrid at around 0730. It was dry and warm at the start but probably nearer 26 degrees c by the time I stopped. The route out was marked but not reliably. I do wish they would stick to the simple yellow arrows as then you know what to look for. I used Mapy.cz and Wikiloc to navigate. Once the suburbs ended and I got ink to the more open space the markings were much better. The official markers, Mapy.cz and Wikiloc all showed the same route until near the end of the open area just before you get back near to the road and railway. At this point the arrows had been remarked and showed a different route to my maps. However, a quick check showed the old route was closed so now you just go the other side of the rail line. Rest of the way into Tres Cantos was straightforward. I did not stop to detour into Tres as I intended to stop on the route to eat my lovely fresh roll with tuna and olive oil. After the short break I headed off towards my day’s destination. A well marked route that crosses a river about 11 times. All crossings had the normal stone blocks as stepping stones but a few were missing. Luckily, I only lost my balance once. However, glad I was not there a week or so ago when they had torrential range. You can still see the scars in the landscape. Arrived at the Grand Hostel El Chiscon in Colmenar Viejo just after 1300. Must say it was bigger and grander than I expected. I plan to eat on the Hostel tonight as there does not seem to be much else in the immediate area and it popular at lunch. Off to Cercedilla tomorrow. It’s 1500 and I can hear thunder and lightning close by. I hope it’s all gone by tomorrow. 

Madrid Day 1. 11 September 23

 Camino Blog

Started well with the flight being on time. Landed in terminal T4s which meant a short ‘train’ ride to the exit. Found the way to the RENFE station ok and managed to negotiate the ticket machine with no major hiccups!  Expected to get line C1 to Chamartin and the change to C4 for Sol. However, when I got off at Chamartin it turns out there are works going on so I could not change lines there. Found out I should have stayed on the first train until Nuevos Ministerios and then changed for Sol. At least I found my way in the end. Then a short walk to Iglesia Santiago y San Juan Bautista and a wait until 1800 for it to open. Turns out there is a Camino marker and map for the Camino in the square outside the church now. After getting my credencial stamped at the church I had a short 10 km stroll to my first nights accommodation along the Camino at Hostal Royal Begona. I mostly followed a Wikiloc track as the Camino passes within about 200m of the room. It was a simple enough stroll, although I am no fan of cities. Saw a couple of other Camino markers on the way but nothing consistent. Off to Gran Hostal El Chiscón at Colmenar Viejo tomorrow. 

 Amended the plan slightly now as I intend to go to Iglesia Santiago y San Juan Bautista from the airport for the formal start of the camino then head about 8km out from Madrid to my first night’s accom which reduces the next day’s distance to about 27km to Colmenar Viejo. Next day will then be about 35km to Cercedilla. Then off to Segovia which is about 30kms. After that I will see how things feel!