7. Guadix to La Peza

Our Sunday began with a short stroll through Guadix to share churros and hot chocolate with fellow pilgrims. 

Soon after, the serious walking began. Through the town…

and out into the ‘badlands’.

We found out yesterday that Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark was filmed in this area and the landscape felt reminiscent of the film, including some stretches of canyon.

Six kilometres on we entered Purullena, a pueblo with a very Wild West feel. It had a lot of mangy barking dogs (all of whom we felt wanted to devour us) and a wonderful pottery shop. Alas, ceramics are not a sensible addition to a pilgrim’s pack!!

We passed through a number of small pueblos and as with Guadix, many of the homes were build into the hill - troglodytes are alive and well in these parts

The view across the landscape reminded us at times of Fred Williams’ paintings.

As with previous stages, we stopped for elevenses after about 12km which renewed our energy for the final 10km or so. And also as with previous stages, the second half was hotter and significantly undulating!! We did, however, pass the sign marking 150km from Almeria. That’s one tenth the distance of Neil’s Camino!! 

This felt like a tunnel worthy of the great Spanish bicycle road race, the Vuelta a Espana.

The descent into tonight’s village was steep and welcome.

The village itself, La Peza, is pleasingly nestled in the valley. 

The attentive reader will have noticed that we are not carrying our full packs today, since yesterday’s Camino Association host, Paco, insisted on driving all our packs for today’s stage. It felt a little strange to be walking with such little weight, but easier too! 

Since it’s a Sunday and there are no bars or restaurants open this evening, we had our main meal as late lunch soon after arriving. We have a quiet late afternoon and evening ahead for washing and drying clothes, and resting up for tomorrow’s longer stage. 

Buen Camino 

Sarah and Neil