Today's walk was straight out of the village, past the church and straight into the countryside. Oliva is off the camino but divides a long stage into manageable parts. The walk back to the Camino was very pleasant, along farm tracks between stone walls. Then we came upon a couple of huge pillars marking the entrance to a large finca or ranch devoted to raising fighting bulls. It was an immaculate farm - all the paddocks were fenced with steel railed fences. They had no bushes and quite elaborate troughs. There was even something that looked like brooms suspended horizontally and vertically. I guess they were for the bulls to scratch themselves? And then we came upon the gates! Four bronze busts of bulls. I guess an indication of the Spanish obsession with bull fights.
The trail carried on to the Arch of Cáparra - all that remains of a Roman city that used to exist there. The site has been excavated and there are displays, but I didn't stay long - I've seen a few Roman ruins of late!
The trail once again became boggy. And before long we came to a stream that we couldn't leap or cross on stepping stones. Shoes off! Ok for the first time, but after three more creeks I'd had enough. On the last stage there was an option - boggy way with a creek crossing or road for 10kms. Road it was!
We arrived here at Aldeanueva quite late. Found the key to the municipal albergue (free) and found there was no hot water. So off to a private one! Nice hot showers and breakfast to boot!
Now off to sleep - a bit of a climb tomorrow out of Extremadura, after two weeks hiking across the province. We've now done 415km.
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