Monday, October 21

Villar de Plasencia to Grimaldo - 41 miles

Sunshine greeted us in the morning though daybreak does not come until 8:30.  We do not object to late starts.  Everything worked well.  Batteries were charged.  Panniers organized and loaded on bikes.  We had breakfast while talking with the señor of the place.  TV in the background showed the violence happening right now in Barcelona over the separatist situation.  
About 10 AM we took off rather exuberant to finally be riding.  Our first stop was to visit the Roman Ruins site and ride a bit on the walking route of the Via De La Plata. 
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1ru3yMN0Hdbw5lc1AOL4l5HsnqvApDvmB

Leaving our pension

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=1I9MyaMT0UxUEahlaN3lh9Jt5DJnK_b_j

We are T Stage 1 of the Spanish Euro route that starts in Norway and goes through the British Isles, Belgium , France and Spain.

And on we ride, shedding layers as the temperature warms up into the low 60s.  Perfect for riding.

Our hostel for the night was recommended by someone who just rode the VDLP.  I found his blog and communicated directly with him.  It’s a lovely home with three rooms for guests.  We’re staying in the Francisco Lorca room.  An Irish couple moved into the Gaudi room.  At the local pub just right down. The street we had a long dinner with a couple walking from Poland and English, two lads and. Woman from England and Scotland and our Irish roommates.  In true Camino style we became fast friends , commiserating over the sad state of politics in both our countries, philosophizing about the meaning of life as an older person and sharing our experiences on the caminos.  Why does one choose the Camino? Over and over? What draws people to it? What differentiates the religious from the spiritual?  That stuff.

It was a delightful evening.  Love that experience of becoming fast friends and I found this group of folks genuinely entertaining and articulate .  The meal including a beer, 3 glasses of wine, chicken soup for 2, pork cutlet and chicken breast with the ubiquitous French fries and ice cream cost 18 Euros.  

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=view&id=11aJMtoritjUK3HuGcyCqgpj50XNeAJYM

We even had the luxury of a washing machine.  And CC is hanging out our clothes under the fig tree. 

For now, we’re in our happy place.

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