A long day in the sun to Vianna

We hadnt meant on walking this far today. It was about 20 km.. But felt so much more in the hot sun.

We had planned on stopping in a village. 5 km before, but didnt come across it... And kept walking.

So happy to be in bed, despite the snoring around us.

Some photos along the way.

Piles of these stones are everwhere , carrying prayers and blesings. This little town has prayers written on slips of paper and secured underneath.

Picnic of fresh bread pate. And cheese.. Mmmm

What lays ahead for the day

Hot dusty track

Fuente Del Vino

This region has been producing wine since the 12th century. Although the fountain has only been installed ( early 1990s) its been a tradition for pilgrims to fortify themselves with the wine along thier journey. 

Its a pretty good marketing tool too for Bodegas the major wine company too.. They've even installed a webcam. Far out.

Sadly, there used to be mugs for pilgrms to drink from at the fountain, but they kept getting stolen.. So there is a vending  machine selling plastic glasses.

I have to say, the wine was really good... And I hate red wine.. Normally.

Villatuerta to Villamayor de Monjardin

All along the camino are fresh water springs. Many are decorated with the symbols gor the pilgrim, such as this one in Estelle. Water gushes from the spout for pilgrims to fill thier water bottles and cups. 

Also decorating the pilgrims way are constant reminders of the symbols ofvthe pilgrim. Many houses have shells displayed or the yellow and blue arrows which guide pilgrims through the tiny streets and onto the countryside paths.

This is the hill we needed to climb coming out of Estelle. The church is close to the wine fountain.

I have a seperate blog about the wine fountain, but I can say the red wine was pretty spesh!

 

There are a number of ways to do the camino. Walking is only one; but far more fun ( for me at least) is by horseback. We were passed a few times over the last day by horses. Gorgeous.. Simply gorgeous.

And the track keeps winding down and through valleys. I have lost count of the photos I have taken of bistas.. But looking at them.. They look flat or boring. I guess you really need to be here.

Farmers are ploughing and preparing thr fields for short term crops at the moment. Its stillchilly, tops of 15 degrees; but the dummers here are long and hot.

This is a medieval spring. The steps inside ho fown into a shallow basin as the wayer continues to pour into it. I say shallow, but it might be 6 foot to the bottom; the water is super clear.

The hilltop town of  Villamayor de Monjardin