27. Siete Iglesias de Trabancos

Today’s stage was only 25 kms and it was to a half-horse town, so there was no real need to start early. Also, Medina del Campo was where the camino Sureste (Andres and Louis’s route - from Alicante) and the Camino Levante (our route, from Valencia) diverged again. From my schoolboy deciphering of the French guide book, I picked up that the way-marking out of town was for the Sureste, so we figured it was worth waiting for the Turistica office to open to confirm our exit point. This allowed time for a cafe con leche and tostadas in Medina. And, what a tostadas it was!!

As you can see, the Camino has done its work and helped the two of us to become responsible citizens!

We did eventually get through the tostadas and out on the road, and as we walked out of town we enjoyed getting swept up in the everyday life of Medina. As with most Spanish towns, Medina has plane trees in many of its plazas. I’m a great fan of these beautiful and adaptable trees (Pat, this one is for you - Spring in Canberra will come!).

I know there have been many shots of wildflowers in previous blogs, but today really excelled itself in this regard. This old mansion is completely encircled by a field of poppies.

Along the railway line, there was colour everywhere.

Once again today, the way took us through undulating plains with a mix of grassy tracks and gravel roads.

All with broad vistasof the surrounding countryside. The tall building in the background (slightly left of centre at the rear) is where we set out this morning.

Nava del Rey, a nice town we passed through along the way.

Of course, it had the obligatory huge church in the centre of the town.

We had a nice little stop here and then it was back on the road for the last stage of the day.

You can see our destation for the stage in the distance - hardly a thriving metropolis.

I’m not sure what happened to the railing, but Keith took a liking to this understated little bridge.

And, so here we are in the albergue municipal, which is actually in the Mayor’s office. There are a couple of bunk beds, a shower and toilet and that’s it. Perfectly functional and great value, and for that we are grateful. Our clothes are washed but there is no line so we have lined them along a sunny bench in the driveway outside the local bar, which is half-full of people who don’t seem to have munch energy for anything - oh, the places you find yourself in on Camino!!

Postscript - Keith

This is my fourth day on the Way. I’m amazed how varied the walk is. Whilst we are walking through rural country which maintains its theme the variation  is also remarkable. On the first day we walked through some beautiful rocky marginal agricultural country with many trees surviving I guess because of its limited rural value. On the second day it opened out into large rural holdings growing a range of grain crops in large paddocks. A few stock, but not so much. The third day surprised by leading us through pine forest for half the day where most of the trees were being milked for their resin. It felt completely different.

Today we returned to crop country but along the railway line we walked through beautiful spring flowers that found nooks and crannies between the railway line and the paddocks. Today we also saw our first grape vine areas. Andres, who we have been travelling with for a few days, explained that this area is the premier wine area in the country. I suspect the La Rioja mob up the road may disagree but I’ll leave the Spaniards to fight that out. Through all this, each town has its own character. Some, feel like the second coming swept through and everyone’s moved on to where they deserve, whereas others have incredible vitality and activity. I confess the one we are in at present is more at the ‘second coming’ end of things. If life here slowed down further they’d be going backwards. This is all such fun. The body is holding together but it has its moments. Day at a time, Keith. Day at a time.