30 May, El Real de la Jara to Monestario - We will always have Monesterio (Casablanca)

Set off at 7am with Gerry and Laia, past the ruined castle that is around about the border between Andalucia and Extremedura. Long, quiet road through farms, following the Germans, Hans and Knees. We crossed the A66 big main road, big truck stop, service station and camp site with lots of rubbish that was a bit unpleasant. Then through lovely eucalyptus lined pathway. Then a long stretch on a busier road. I got a bit ahead, the sure enough, Yuri the Italian caught up and we walked over a very big long hill into Monestario. Stayed at Hotel Extremedura at the end of town, very good value for money. Went into the town centre for a drink, started on green tea, but then the Irishman joined us, then the Germans, and before we knew it we had were drinking a lot of beer and we were all fluent in Irish, Croatian and Maori. Turns out Knees knows Frano Botica, and loves the All Blacks, well he does now.

29 May, 2010 - El Real de la Jara

I was later than most leaving, but walked with Eduardo for a short while, past a solar farm on the edge of town, and lovely fields with wild flowers. I missed a turning and had to back track, but not too far. Through a river valley, missed another turning, but short way back to track through lovely free-range pig farm in the hills. Caught up with Hans and Knees, they are from Cologne. Ran into Gerry and Laia taking a break by the river, then began a steep climb over a big hill. Sure enough, Yuri the Italian appeared alongside us, further up the hill. We could see El Real de la Jara in the far distance, but it was still quite a long way down the hill on a narrow track before we joined a quiet local road that took us into the town. The Albergue is just as you enter the town, very nice with small rooms. Some confusion over the key but Eduardo had one and we shared with him. Renato walked on to Monestario despite having rubbed his ankles raw, but a visit to one of the many pharmacias bandaged him up. Very hot in the afternoon, town was deserted and everything closed. The castle was officially closed for rebuilding, but once it started getting a bit cooler in the early evening Gerry and I jumped the fence and had a look around. Magnificent view from the parapets, but a bit dangerous. Beautiful evening, big group of cyclists came through.

28 May, 2010 - Castilblanco to Almaden de la Plata - The difficult third day ...

Still jet lagged, I was awake at 4am, got up at 5am and set off at 6am. Bars in town were open, so bought some fruit for lunch. 17km walk on the road. Big hills after about 12km, finally got to the gate of the Berrocal about 11am. Gerry and Yuri came along soon after. Had a rest, changed socks and walked with Gerry through the park.
We had a paddle in a river and were passed by Renato and Yuri. Great track through river valleys, through a big gate. There is a very big hill at the end. Somehow Yuri the Italian caught up with us again, and we met Renato at the top. Spectacular view over the forest park. Steep walk down into the village. Took a while to find the Albergue. We found out quite a few people had either got a taxi or taken the bus to the gate of the Berrocal. Had dinner with Gerry, Laia and Renato, pork chops (translated as "chop of pig" on the menu) and very nice red wine.

27 May, 2010 - Guillena to Castilblanco

Sporadic, jet-lagged sleep, so left Guillena early and headed out over river. The Germans were ahead, but they went left to the road and I went right to a track after the river. Walked through farms to an industrial village. Stopped for coffee at 7am in a funny little bar in a tin shed. The men in the bar seemed to be drinking the out of the same sized glasses, but bourbon. The Germans arrived but they don't speak much English or Spanish. Met up with Yuri the Italian at the round about and walked through the industrial area to a laneway. Through farms, up and down through a hunting area. Sound of shot guns in the bushes in the distance. Passed by tractors and blokes on motor bikes with guns. Last 4km in along a busy main road. Arrived in Castilblanco de Arroyos about midday. Albergue upstairs in government building with internet and facilities for disabled people. Nice rooms with roof area. Huge thunderstorm in afternoon.

Taranaki Gate