Up some stone steps and between the Residence Santa Maria and a plaza de toros, constructed I noticed in 1848 but longer used, I hoped. We walked down a gentle slope towards the town of Nieva, a couple of kilometers away.
We bypassed the town, continued along the road for a couple of kilometers, and then ventured off into a pine forest where the path continued for sometime before emerging beside and continuing around a huge rectangular sand quarry. Then we crossed a large prairie field of wheat and arrived at the town of Nava de la Asuncion. We stopped for a beer and tapas at the very popular Bar Bulevar on the way out of town.
We followed the dirt road under the railway line, and ventured once more into a pine forest. In a field on one side, I noticed a group of sheep huddled together and not moving. Where were the dogs, I wondered.
And then they appeared beside us, barking at first, then sensing that we were no threat to their sheep, bounding around us affectionately. They were taking a break from their job.
These sheep aren’t very bright. They won’t even know we’ve gone. We’ll just go and say hello to these pilgrims.
They followed followed us for a few yards and then turned back to their charge.
I am amazed by the intelligence of these sheep dogs. I passed one yesterday, guarding a group of about twenty sheep standing with their shepherd, who was gazing out over the field, lost in thought. The sheep were not moving, but the dog was dancing back and forth, not spooking them, but letting them know who was boss.
From time to time we run into an Austrian couple who are keeping pace with us. Rach and I argued over the spelling of “Gruss Gott”. She was right.
We also lamented the madness of Brexit. I would like to live long enough to read Theresa May’s memoir. Is she merely an expedient politician, or a stateswoman with a secret plan for keeping Britain tied closely enough to Europe to be able to get back in when the people of England come to their senses? I always hoped, that as a secret Remainer, she was going along with negotiations, hoping ultimately to have to yield to the demand for a second referendum. But it seems I was wrong.
We walked around an extensive series of greenhouses, and then a hog barn and a couple of penned-up greyhound dogs. A little further on we arrived at Coca. We were exhausted. It was not so far today, but we were still recovering from the folly of yesterday. We found a spot at the municipal albergue.
Just read recent very good report about penaflor de hornija albergue and bar.
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