Day 5 Monasterio to Fuente de Cantos

Phase 2 of this pilgrimage was a bit delayed. In fact it was some 18 months later that this route came back into my life as the awesome Primitivo was the big adventure for 2016. Phase 2 was Monasterio to Caceres, entirely in the Extremadura region.

Extremadura is largely unknown to Brits. It's the 5th largest region of Spain and one of the least densely populated. The Romans were here for many centuries and the Camino is still marked by Roman roads and monuments.

The road to Fuente de Cantos was typical of the landscape. Long tracks stretching into the distance with the occasional white town appearing.

Fuente de Cantos was marked mostly by being ambushed on the outskirts of town by an albergue owner who was keen to sell her accommodation and didn't really want to know that I already had a booking elsewhere. The town itself was nothing special. Bar Salas next to the church was entertaining. Like so many bars, it was full of the local menfolk and it was like something out of a Benny Hill show watching their heads turn as one at a long-haired blonde pilgrim who had no idea that she was that day's talking point.

Not far to go.....

I had a bit of a crisis in the apartment as I thought I had pushed a contact lens behind my eyeball. Spent a fair few minutes panicking before realising that, if the lens was stuck behind my eye, why could I see so well? Rather a drama queen moment.

Dinner was at a cafe, El Gato, on the main N630 road to the east of the town. Had planned to eat inside but the waiter was anxious to point out there was a football match on later and it would be very noisy. His advice was good and the pilgrim menu at 10 Euros including wine was perfect after days' walk.