Day 18 Carcaboso to Aldeanueva

This stage is described as the "queen of the VdlP stages" on the Gronze website. Long (38km) but it takes in the remarkable ruined Roman city of Caparra. It was an early start as the site closes for lunch and it was important to get there in the morning. Got there in plenty of time and did the touristy thing of taking photos of the Arc de Caparra which is still standing. The interpretation centre was well worth a look too, explaining the long road that the Romans had built to connect the North and South of Spain.

The track out of Caparra was beautiful. One can see the hills ahead through which one must pass to get up onto the Salamanca plain. You have no doubt at all about who built this way originally. The clue is definitely in that "no-bends" style.

And just as the day was drawing in, arrived in Aldeneuva. I had booked an apartment with rave ratings on booking.com. I was a bit confused by the address as it seemed to be a hairdressing salon. Fortunately the friendly hairdresser explained that the flat above the shop was the right place and sorted me out a key. The flat was in a great location right by the market square so food was quick and easy. I slept well which was good really - those hills had mysteriously turned into mountains during the day.