DAY 23 - TOLEDO TO NOVÉS - 39KM

Today we left at 06:00 feeling refreshed after our rest in Toledo. We managed to get some breakfast on the outskirts of town and were on our way by 06:45. At one point we were unsure as to which way to go and a couple of friendly members of the Guardia Civil came to show us the way!

Our plan today was to spend the night in Rielves, about 25 kms away. Most of the route was either on the roads or on paths by the side of roads. As we neared Rielves we realised we were feeling good enough to try the next town, Novés another 14 Kms further on. In between was the village of Huecas. We headed for that in the hope it would have a bar where we could stock up with more water (it was very hot) and maybe have a bite to eat. This was the worst part of the day. We followed a "Camino rural" which was terribly overgrown and almost impassable at times. This slowed us down considerably but in the end we arrived in Huescas, having drunk our last drop of water! We found an excellent bar where we had a most enjoyable lunch and headed off again. By this time the temperature was beginning to rise to mid thirties and we suffered again as there was not much shade anywhere. Eventually we arrived in Novés at 5:00pm, 11 hours later!

It is not often that we are tempted to try in the region of a 40 km hike. Today we did and I'm delighted to say we succeeded. Our arrival was warmly welcomed by a member of the local Amigos del Camino, Felipe and the local priest, both of whom were very impressed that we had managed such a long trip. We were offered ice cold water and some local delicacies made by Felipe's wife. The priest then took us to the local "albergue" in a Caritas shelter. It's a bit basic but has beds and a shower, which is all we need. I am sure we will sleep soundly tonight as we are both extremely tired!

Tomorrow is a shorter day. I sincerely hope we don't get the urge to repeat today's exercise and do a double whammy again! At the moment we are sitting in a bar drinking beer and sorting out the route for tomorrow.


"Dos cervezas más, por favour"!