4. Abla to Huéneja

Our day began with a simple but delicious breakfast prepared by our delightful hospitalero couple. As we walked out of the albergue the sun was about to pop above the hills - the eastern sky a vivid orange and yellow. 

Our first village, another pueblo on a hill, was about 5km away.

We love the light on the simple buildings in these villages. The streets were built for walking and donkeys, not cars. It seems to make it all at a more human scale.

Soon after leaving the village, we were back in the dry river bed. Pieces of tumbleweed and the arid hills enhanced the Wild West feel of this country.

As we got closer to Huéneja, the landscape started to feel more arable and agricultural. 

In the middle of the dry river bed, an early lone poppy - harbinger of things to come as we move north.

We’re in the region of the Sierra Nevada mountains, and today we caught glimpses of snow in the distance.

More harbingers of hope!

And another, welcoming door. Keith and Stella, this one’s for you!

We’re staying in another small albergue (on the third floor of the local school building). It’s nowhere near as salubrious as last night’s, but serviceable and much appreciated. The Camino Association in this region is doing a wonderful job. They’ve got to know us and even forwarded the key code to the albergue unasked, knowing we’d be arriving here today. They also seem to have fun with the way marking, and these curly arrows lift our spirits!!

We’re grateful to have the opportunity to walk this way. 

Buen Camino,

Neil and Sarah