DAY 16 - LAS MESAS TO EL TOBOSO - 28KM

We left today at 05:45 knowing we would not find anywhere open for breakfast. In anticipation of this we had prepared some tortilla sandwiches, bananas, Oreo biscuits and mixed nuts, a weird breakfast if ever there was one! Mind you it all tasted delicious. 

 
The first ten kilometres or so were on Tarmac along a fairly busy road and the following eighteen kilometres along the Ruta del Quijote. Once again miles and miles of vineyards, many of which are completely new plantations. A couple of cyclists stopped to have a chat, we saw some guys drilling for water, and we had to stop several times to tend to our feet! Today has been a painful day both for Ana Maria and myself, which only painkillers managed to keep at a tolerable level!

Tonight we sleep in the Convent of the Madres Trinitarias in El Toboso. We find it a bit strange that they charge more for the room (€50 for bed and breakfast), than we have paid anywhere else on the Camino. Tomorrow, for example, we are staying at a hostal which charges (€43) which includes a welcome drink plus they wash your clothes free of charge! The Monastery at Orito where we stayed two nights while I was recovering charged nothing at all. Well, that's my little moan for the day!

We ate very well at a local restaurant and at a very reasonable price. And during the meal........the wine flowed and all was well in the world! ( This last bit is for Miriam!). Tomorrow another early morning start and some 25/26 Kms to do. Toledo draws nearer!