Camino Via de la Plata, VdlP: May 7 Valdunciel to El Cubo de Vino (Stage 22)

On the Way to Cubo

This village, originally called El Cubo de la Tierra del Vino, has approximately 500 inhabitants. It is south of the Rio Duero and rich in grape vines. Whereas the region to is north is rich in corn fields and called Tierra del pan. We left our small albergue at 0600 and walked a path lit by the full moon. We walked a dirt road that was well marked. After about an hour, the sun began to come out from behind the clouds, and the color of the land filled in. We were surrounded by birds and insects that sang to us. We passed trees imbedded in fields of green and sheep calling for their moms. We arrived at 10:30 a mere 20k. This camino differs from the France Camino in that their are long distances between alberques and bars. The alberques are small so to get a bed you must leave early. We only walked 4 hours. We could have done 2 more. Unfortunately the next place was 32k and a 6 hour walk. So we stopped here and played on the exercise equipment in a park nearby until the albergue opened. It was not suppose to open until 12:30, but he opened an hour early for us. He also gave us the only private room with blankets and a heater. It has a kitchen so we made lunch of rice, beans, onion, zucchini, red pepper and olives. It was Jean Claude and Josete's 47 wedding anniversary. We surprised them with this meal when they arrived. I am writing this while my better half sleeps. Today Stu lost our last pair of sun glasses on the camino. By the time we get to Santiago he will have an empty back pack and I can go shopping.