Good riddance

Despite the acquisition of the new shoes I've been carrying the old ones in case it turned out the change in fact made things far worse than before.

Having decided the new ones are the way ahead I've just been to Correos, the Spanish post office and sent the old ones home. Very satisfying. Mostly knowing I won't need to wear them again but also because, along with a few other bits and bobs I put into the package, the total weight came to just over 1.5 kg. That I won't be lugging south.
Quick coffee to celebrate and then I'm off to the Roman ruins at Cáparra, some 19 km away.

I've received some good news, an old friend of mine, Laura, who was heavily pregnant when I set out, had an uneventful (if they are ever really "uneventful") labour last week and her and Greig's second child is now with them. Congratulations!

Life is a great cycle, and much of it is very beautiful, but this is the most magical and wondrous bit.

Actually they're not that bad, but they did hurt.

Due to popular demand i.e. from my family, I've put these up so you can see how my feet were last week (before the new shoes), and what walking 20 miles a day can do to you. I'd never had a proper blister before. 

With regard to the big toe comparison shots, bets are being taken on which nail will fall off first...

Following on from Saturday's shoe chat, I did indeed acquire a new pair (guess which ones....)  No less than a pair of Decathlon's finest trail running shoes sporting the latest in footwear technology now adorn my feet.

The rule when doing a walk such as this is, never break in new shoes while on the walk. I've clearly flouted this rule fairly flagrantly, but given the suffering the original shoes were inflicting I was willing to take a chance in the hope that whatever badness the new shoes created would still be less miserable than the previous situation.

Thankfully I can report that the brand spanking new Diosaz Raid 500s (as they're titled) seem to have hit the spot with their almost excessively breathable lightweight mesh fabric. The existing blisters have healed, and (apart from one tiny new one that was my fault for. putting my orthotic in wrong - nil points for Nelson) it all seems good. In fact today was the first day since about day two that I've not had to put a variety of plasters, tape, compeed and other blister prevention/cure products on my feet.

Long may it continue. I can think of at least a couple of things I'd rather do to pass the time than burst blisters.

After 11 great days, some a lot hotter and more tiring than others, and some definitely more relaxing, I've reached the end of wide (and long) Castilla - Leon. Thanks to everyone who helped me during the crossing.

Now comes the descent into Extremadura, and as everyone I meet coming from there tells me, the real test in the heat.

Important not to confuse the two.

The Via de la Plata follows the old Roman road (no. XXVI I think but I'll need to check) but as yet there have been few obvious signs on the paths themselves. That's all about to change apparently, with bits of the original Roman road visible through the path, ruins by the side of it, and grand milestones like this one marking the way.  It makes a nice addition to the wee yellow arrows (going the wrong way for me) you have to follow on the route.

Heating up

The speed at which the temperature rises in the morning here is unbelievable. When I set out at 8.30 it was properly, goose-bump inducing, cold. The sun was bright but gave off no noticeable warmth. It felt like an early autumn morning in Scotland actually.

Now, less than an hour later, at 9.20 the air is pleasantly warm, whilst the piercing glare of the sun is getting hot on the skin. I would expect it'll make 35 degrees today.

There was nothing open in Fuenterroble this morning when I left, so I'm "sprinting" the five miles to Valdelacasa, the next pueblo, to hunt down a coffee and some breakfast.

Oh, it's Monday, for those of you who are work bound, or already there, I hope it's not too painful.