VDLP 2013: Albergue Carmen in Villafranca

I stayed in Albergue Carmen, a very nice place!
It's on the right side of the road, and upstairs.
There is a nice market nearby.
She has a kitchen, two bathrooms, and a good laundry area.

I've hooked up with a group of peregrines for tomorrow. Two Swiss, 1 America (Lisa), 1 Mexican and a Dutchman. We have decided to hire a taxi tomorrow to Almendralejo and then to walk to Torremejia from there (14k). The taxi is 13 euros and will need to make 2 trips. So it is a great deal.

VDLP 2014 - Day 2 - Zafra to Villafranca

The first day's walk was long for me.

I realize I am quite out of shape.

But even so, 

I enjoyed it and feel good to have made this first stage.

The scenery was awesome, as usual,

 and I was happy to have left early

because the afternoon brought the heat.

Check out the designs on the mule.

The WayMarks on the VDLP are square like this.

I was tired, having gotten only 3 hours sleep 

due to the roncadoras in the same room.

But otherwise, it was a great day.

A bit before I reached Villafranca, I saw this pump.

Two fellow pilgrims took a look, then walked past.

Not me!

Off came my shoes,

and soon my feet were happily cooling 

in a basin of cold water.

Ahhhhh…..

Cooling down my feet.

Ahhhhh, that felt so GOOD!

Soon, I was back on the track,

and the village was within sight.

Stopping to cool and rest your feet

is one of the keys to a good Camino!

Never hesitate to stop and take a rest.

After a while, 

I came across this sign with arrows pointing both directions.

Which way would YOU go???

Which way do I go???

I made a decision and it turned out to be the correct one.

Soon, I was knocking at the door of the albergue,

which was very clean, and had a nice bathroom.

Funny how important BATH TUBS become on the Camino!

See more photos on the next page.

Tomorrow I will bus to Almendralejo 

and walk to Torremejia 

because there is no Albergue in Almendralejo 

and I'm in no shape to walk 30-plus kilometers.