It was a big day today. I left Andalucia and entered Extramadura (Extra Tough!). I left the province of Sevilla and entered the province of Badajoz, former home of Laura's family, and a Battle Honour of a long disappeared British Regiment during the Penisula War when British, Portugese and Spanish forces, commanded by The Duke of Wellington removed Nàpoleon's army from Spain. It was also the achievement of the first 100km of the pilgrimage! My legs were begining to spasm slightly as I finished the almost 39km stage. Luckily there was hot water in the shower so shoulders and legs got most of it. It is incredible to think of the hardships endured by early pilgrims with poor, or no footwear, not enough food, sleeping in straw and no waterproof clothing. The route was beautiful and very agricultural with mostly Iberian Javilli, the black pigs, used to make the best of the Spanish ham. Their life has undoubtedly a grim conclusion but they lead it running free underneath acorn trees in the open air and, of course, they give great pleasure because they taste fantastic! My spirits were lifted during a hard climb by the arrival of 3 Red Kites in the overhead. These incredible flyers reminded me of walking Christmas Common on Bledloe Ridge, in England, where Spanish Red Kites had been reintroduced to renew the disapeared native birds. I was very much in touch with my feminine side last night as all I wanted when I stopped was chocolate!
Saturday, November 7, 2009
It was a big day today. I left Andalucia and entered Extramadura (Extra Tough!). I left the province of Sevilla and entered the province of Badajoz, former home of Laura's family, and a Battle Honour of a long disappeared British Regiment during the Penisula War when British, Portugese and Spanish forces, commanded by The Duke of Wellington removed Nàpoleon's army from Spain. It was also the achievement of the first 100km of the pilgrimage! My legs were begining to spasm slightly as I finished the almost 39km stage. Luckily there was hot water in the shower so shoulders and legs got most of it. It is incredible to think of the hardships endured by early pilgrims with poor, or no footwear, not enough food, sleeping in straw and no waterproof clothing. The route was beautiful and very agricultural with mostly Iberian Javilli, the black pigs, used to make the best of the Spanish ham. Their life has undoubtedly a grim conclusion but they lead it running free underneath acorn trees in the open air and, of course, they give great pleasure because they taste fantastic! My spirits were lifted during a hard climb by the arrival of 3 Red Kites in the overhead. These incredible flyers reminded me of walking Christmas Common on Bledloe Ridge, in England, where Spanish Red Kites had been reintroduced to renew the disapeared native birds. I was very much in touch with my feminine side last night as all I wanted when I stopped was chocolate!
