Day 18 - National Park to Aldea del Cano (14 miles)

Whatever little piece of magic occurred yesterday, its shine was a little tarnished today. That is not to say it was bad, it just slipped back in intensity but still provided memorable moments: packing up my camp site under the brightness of a sharp, white full moon; more sandy tracks through shrub and cork trees; another white-flowered, frog inhabited pond with all their noise; and finally the pleasure - for me at least - of seeing some original Roman Vía de la Plata milestones as I approached my destination.

Roman Milestone 

I am now in the tiny village of Aldea del Cano in a cheap albergue that reminds me of a solid, stone built skiing chalet. When I collected the key from the nearby bar I had it to myself for a while until Elke arrived and then shortly after a Swiss walker. Hardly a crowd in a place with over a dozen beds. I have eaten and enjoyed a glass of wine in the bar and wandered around the village; the most interesting things were the few tumble-down stone walls and decaying houses from a time when the village was even smaller and poorer than it seemed now. Tomorrow it is thirteen miles to Cáceres and another extra night's stay.