I left Zafra in the early light as it was trying to rain, fortunately it didn't try too hard, but it was cold.

As I walked into the first village I was joined by Daniela, the girl with the bad blisters who was trying to walk again, we joined up like the walking wounded

Regrettably no bar was open in the village so we carried on to Villafranca.

When we arrived at Villfranca, at the tourist office it was apparent  all the accommodation was taken. So one decision was sort of being made for me.

Jim my walking friend of 20 years was joining me in a few days in Merida to walk for 4 days with me. I knew my shin needed some rest so I hopped on a bus to the next village on the Camino....Torramesia.

This was a big deal for me as I had walked every inch of the way so far... but I will get over it. I booked into a small hotel in the village....which I will charitably call a 'one horse' sort of place. The next day storms blew through at various times, I missed them listening to another novel on my I pod.... how exciting can life get.

I also decided that I would go home with Jim at Caceres in 5 days time, that would be nearly half the trip completed and probably return again in late September or October to finish the rest.

As I came down for breakfast on the 'free day' I realised I had caught up with the people a day in front of me....including a UN lawyer called Javier...pity he had to go on as he was humorous and interesting. In the mean time I realised I had not had a sticky bun (SB) to celebrate my picture sales so I popped into the supermarket and bought what turned out to be the grimmest cakes you can pay money for.... life was not good that day. Although the best part of a bottle of wine for lunch anesthetised me for the long wet afternoon