OK, let’s rewind a few hours.
I was delayed in leaving Alogòn as the entire population was asleep through to 0815; including - critically - the chap assigned to breakfast duty. I suspected that catering en-route may fall short of Google maps extravagant claims, and I was right. Nothing doing until the Bar Totti in Luceni at Km13.
Before that an early underpass under the autovía was flooded by 15cm. Not a problem for a boot-wearer, but trail-runners would have to scale and cross the road if not equipped with plastic bags
The views of the river were good, but few even though it’s close at hand.
The walking was tough. Only 21k and flat, but 70% tarmac. Hard on the feet and knees.
As a slight change from everywhere in Spain claiming a Don Quixote association, round here it’s Sancho Panza. In the novel he was given the governorship of the area hereabouts, if I’ve read the signs correctly. I bought a copy years ago, but could barely lift it let alone read it.
Finally Gallur came into view. It’s flat as a pancake so - slightly at variance with another thread - it was vaguely visible from 6km away, and didn’t seem to get any closer for quite a while. On the last stretch, dead straight tarmac, I did what I hardly ever do and put a podcast on (This is Politics US edition. I’ve no skin in that game, but if that was the UK we wouldn’t be worrying about who bought the prime minister’s trousers).
Per previous posts my destination was the lauded cuisine of El Colono, a modest place with a well-occupied comedor. In a reversal of last night’s fortunes, huevos rotos con ibérico; solomillo (very rare) con salsa Roquefort y padrones and a casero tarta de queso were accompanied by a decent vino de casa, agua y café. €28 plus decent tip.
The accommodation on the other hand falls short of expectations. It’s only €36, but the cleaning brush could use a few more bristles. The extractor in the baño will wake the dead which, given that it’s only going to be on whilst I’m awake is not an issue. I have explained that whoever’s in 201 is going to be mightily unhappy, but that’s how it is. (Edit: I left it on through lunch, using a supermarket loyalty card to bypass the electricity supply and it’s given up the ghost, which is an improvement, providing it doesn’t catch fire).
Right, I’m off to digest that little lot before I dar un paseo later and see what Gallur has to offer. Oh, I forgot; my hour’s worth of seed extraction was successful.
Tomorrow is (as usual) another day - but this one is advertised as just short of 40k to Tudela, which focuses the mind somewhat. I’ve certainly got the calories on-board and barring a call to the bomberos overnight, I’ll get the sleep. How my second-best knee will feel about it is another matter, but there’s no point dying with a perfect body. In my case that ship sailed long ago, but still.
Hasta mañana.