Torremejia to Valdesalor

The Roman bridge into Mérida 

It's been some days since I posted anything. I survived the night in Torremejia and set off - last as usual - to Mérida. It was a quick three hours. Just a walk in the park! I stayed in a hotel in Mérida - I wanted a day extra and they dont let you stay two nights in the albergues. Mérida was founded by the Romans and has a collection of impressive Roman ruins. Worth the extra time there. It was also great to sleep alone. And have a prívate bathroom!

The Roman Theatre at Merida 

Aljibe - water source during Moslem period

Aqueduct leaving Merida

I set out early Sunday morning for Alcuescar - 34km. There was only one bar open at that hour - right next to the albergue! And it was full of pilgrims at 7.30am on a Sunday morning. There I ran into a couple of people I hadn't seen since the second day. The walk was fine - all through parks and countryside. The last bit before Alcuesar was along a drovers' road. I believe the used to practice transhumanse here - to more fertile areas from the very hot dry summer  that Extremadura experiences. Unfortunately a hostal had hijacked the Camino - painting over the arrows and marking the trail so it passes their place in the hope peregrinos would stay. This added three extra road kilometres to an already long day! I was somewhat annoyed!

Finally I arrived at the albergue - part of a monastery run by some brothers who look after old and handicapped men. We had a communal meal there - Maggi noodles and sausages! 

Santiago on the plinth - outside the old folks' home Alcuescar

Roman bridge before Casas de Don Antonio

Today I set off for Valdesalor - a township created in the 60's to populate this area. It's in the middle of immense plains where cattle and sheep graze. On the way we stopped off in Aldea de Cano for lunch. And it was the best I've had. A young guy has set up a bar in an 8th century building, renovating the place himself. The meal was great - just the thing to get us to Valdesalor. And now I'm off to the bar for something to eat!

A Roman milestone on the way to Valdesalor

The next day: no wifi so I couldn't post. I'm now in Casar se Casares after a very wet 22kms. So no photos - it was a slog to get here. The weather is meant to improve tomorrow.