Day 11 Aljucen to Alcuescar

So having feasted like a Roman, today was a 20km hike to Alucescar. I hadn't booked anything as I thought I'd see what the place looked like first. There were rumours of a monastery but didn't see that on the way.

There were however other interesting sights. There was an old Roman something left by the side of the Rio Aljucen, shortly after leaving town.

And there was a bit of a delay walking through the otherwise very empty Parque Naturel de Cornalvo, as a large herd of cattle, complete with young, sauntered across the path. I might have had a walking pole with me but those mother cows would not have appreciated anyone getting near their calves.

The way was flat and easy. There was one big hill before Alcuescar - Sierra del Centinela - but the route jinked to the left and curved round the hill to make life that little bit easier. Alcuuesscar was a bit of a one-horse town - decent size but nothing really there. Found what seemed to be the one open bar, ordered a beer and considered options. The albergue - which didn't get a great write-up - wasn't open. Judging by the state of the bar which was pretty filthy, I decided that discretion's the better part of valour again and hopped in a cab to a super hotel perched on a mountainside overlooking the plain on which I was walking.

You can always tell when you are walking out of season. Arrived at the hotel and was met by two serious faced children aged about 4 or 5. They eventually found mum who was all charm and delighted to have the custom. I walked around town, explored a castle and then enjoyed dinner in an ancient courtyard. And while I ate, the charming hotelier washed my clothes and refused payment the next morning. As she said, with small children, the washing machine was on pretty well 24 hours a day anyway.