Sent off about four kilos (chargers, toiletries, meds, sleeping bag) ahead to the hostel in Los Arcos, and walking with what was left in the backpack was much better. My left knee only started acting up when we finally got to Los Arcos, although my feet were already protesting way earlier than that.

Had another beautiful day that started at the wine fountain.

To be honest, it wasn’t very good. But it was free after all.

Then there was a fork in the road and two Camino options. One that was 17+ kilometers and one that was 16+ km. We chose the 17+ one. I’m not sure what the other route was like, but the one we took, while it started off in the suburbs, ended up being quite picturesque.

Alan wanted to get to Los Arcos early so he walked ahead of us, while Raffy, Stephen and I lingered and took our time.

Tomorrow, we plan to walk 29 km. so we might send off all of our backpacks. Or maybe I’ll just take the same reduced-weight backpack.

Have decided to add this section re accommodations so will have to backtrack at another time with the last posts.

Casa De Abuela

1. We made reservations the night before for four beds.

2. We sent over our bags in the morning, so they already had our bags.

3. Alan arrived before 4 PM and paid for all our beds.

And then other guests arrived and the manager wanted to give away our beds to them. Alan had to fight to keep the beds. When we finally arrived, the dude berated us for arriving late. I asked if they were closing already and he said that they weren’t closed till 10 PM. It was only 7 PM!

The guy was rude and unwelcoming, so I cannot recommend this albergue at all.

Also, when he said that they close the hostel at 10 PM, apparently, it meant locking in the guests. Seriously, I couldn’t even get out of the stairwell to sit at the reception. I wouldn’t want to be in a fire at that hostel at night because there is no way to get out.

Another thing I didn’t like was that we had to be out of the dormitories by 7:30 AM.

We stayed at a dorm with six bunk beds. (10 euros, breakfast not included.) The beds did not have their own light or electrical outlet.

The hostel itself looks charming and the communal mixed bathrooms have those handheld shower heads and a good, regular supply of water.

The town is worth visiting for the Church, but if you aren’t into that then you can give it a miss.

There’s a lady in town who makes really good orange cakes but she too was rather rude. She doesn’t like anyone pointing at her baked goods beyond the glass partition of her shop.

The service at this place was decent so it’s a good place for breakfast or dinner: