Last night our host kept us entertained with his antics, and he spoke to Rosie and Mikey when I was skyping them, much to their bemusement. We had a good dinner with lots of choice and again asked for my left-over meat to be made into a sandwich for the next day’s journey. Having blown the budget on a posh room I didn’t want to waste anything!
It was another lovely bright morning with lots of interesting cloud formations. We are now crossing the meseta, a completely flat region that stretches for miles in all directions.
Once we left the village travelling on a sand track we came across nothing but scenery for the next 26 km, until we reached the town of Mansilla de la Mulas. It was a hard slog with no break for a rest. But we stopped for lunch in the town, although we chose the wrong cafe, as I didn’t fancy the variety of offal that was on offer for tapas and settled for a small mixed salad.
We had a further 6 km to reach our target of Villarente del Puente which was all alongside a busy road, but we put our heads down against the growing head wind and reached it in good time.
When we arrived the hospitalera told me I would have to sleep in an upper bunk, so dutifully started arranging my stuff on the top deck. But she must have had a change of heart and returned to the dormitory and told me we could move to the room next door and take a lower bunk. I quickly shifted my stuff before she could change her mind.
So I have now showered, done a bit of hand washing and hung it out in the garden and am waiting for supper to be served
at 7:00 pm.
During our travels we have seen a lot of copses, planted in very strict formation, and am wondering what their purpose is. Any ideas?
Trepidatious traveller - camino blog 
Hi Maggie.
You are doing great.
I think the trees are used for beams.
Are they really tall?
Take care.
Kim x
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I thought you had put corpses at first- lol
Sleep well, best have the top bunk if the German couple are feeling well??? xx
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Hi Maggie, the trees are probably also used for telegraph poles. You are dong so well keep it up I enjoy reading your blog every day and wonder how you ever have the time to write it! Malcolm
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Hi Maggie i am on to the donkey feet. so no need to worry. Finding out what the law is in France. if you statistic’s are correct and not many English people walk the comino then he has probable been over looked. But, people who are pilgrims should have more respected for animals, like Gandi said. love from Helen
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They look like plantations, i.e. ‘farmed trees’, bizarre as that may sound. Pines are popular all over. Soft wood but grow quickly. Cheap furniture and (used to be!), matchsticks.
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I know years have gone by since you went but I’m really enjoying your blog! We aren’t going till 2020 but I enjoy the research and planning!
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Hi Sally. It may be years, but a camino is never buried very deep – especially the first. Enjoy your planning – it is all part of the camino experience.
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