Camino Via de la Plata, VdlP: May 2 Banos to Fuenterroble (Stage 18)

We left Banos at a little after 6, reluctantly. We had a long day planned about 32 k. Today was going to be different in several ways. We were no longer in Extremadura we were entering the territory of Spain called Leon Galicia. It would be like leaving a friend. Another difference would be that we would be traveling through 5 towns. In Extremadura there were much greater distance between towns. The initial climb out of Banos was about 1 mile up hill on a road made of flat rocks. We went by Puerto de Bejar at 3.5 k. We stopped at Calzada de Bejar to see the church and to get a stamp on our credential. We also had one of Stu's tuna and olive sandwiches. We stopped at Valverde de Valdelacasa for a delicious breakfast of toast cheese jam and eggs with, of course, cafe de leche. We then had the energy to complete the 7 1/2 k to Fuenterroble. What a surprise we found when we got here. One of the most attractive albergues we have been in. It is a complex of small buildings pridefully decorated. We were assigned to the American building. An American woman gave the church money to build a separate building for American pilgrims. This building consists of 2 rooms a double bunk room and a matrimonial suite. It also has a tiny bathroom between the two. The shower was heated by solar panel. Unfortunately, we have not had much sun so the water was warm at best. We got the matrimonial suite. It contains a double bed about 2 inches shorter then Stu. There is room for both are packs but no more. We then went to lunch and had salad mixta and potatoes red peppers and a steak of some kind. Our waitress told us she had family in the next town i asked if she knew about the case rural. As it turns out her aunt runs it so she made a reservation for us. We had wine bread and ice cream. It has been a delightful day meeting up with all our friends from the Camino.