Today's way was up out of town through the medieval quarter, past the 14th century church (and the ducal castle, now a very expensive hotel!) and past an old Franciscan friary in ruins. This was used by French troops in 1808 during the War of Independence.
And who did I run into but the Frenchman who I thought had - mistakenly- taken my boxers a week ago. I said bon jour and we exchanged pleasantries. All very cordial. I carried on. Some kilometers later I was having a break and they came up the track. The large one said "you are the Kiwi who lost his boxers, no?" It seems they found them on the seat back in Guillena... And they've been carrying them since! I've been reunited with me undies 150kms later!
Today's track meandered through wheat fields, olive plantations and the occasional peach grove. We passed through a small town called Santos de Maimona. The church has one of the best preserved Doors of Pardon in Europe a proud local told me. Unfortunately it was closed. So onwards I went until at last we crested a rise and saw Villafranca de Los Barros. It still took two hours to get there though.
Oddly I was the first to arrive at this albergue. I had a pilgrim menu (after claiming a bed and showering and handing over my smelly clothes to be washed) - three courses, wine and bread for €6.50 - $10.60. Fava beans flavored with sausage and pork, fried pork with two poached eggs, flan and a glass of wine! A siesta and now I'll head off to Mass if I've worked out correctly which church it's in!
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