The evening in Grimaldo, Saturday evening, was very pleasant. The only place to eat was the Asador, a charcoal grill place specialising in top quality steaks. Well we take the rough with the smooth... It was also a very comfortable Casa Rural where we stayed. Our host, César, was full of useful information too.
Sunday morning, it was an opportunity to get to Mass in the little church of the Immaculate Conception. Unfortunately, once again the online information was incorrect, and I turned up for Mass just as it was finishing. However, I did celebrate Mass with Tim and César's father, in English, after the Spanish Mass had finished.
Taking to the Camino once again, we went back down to the path which started off passing through farm land. It was very much like public footpaths back home. The farm fields became dehesa type land. After covering about a quarter of the distance, we found two blocks to sit on for a breather. After a few minutes we heard what sounded like a stampede of horses coming towards us. In fact, it was a group of about ten deer running through the park land. They stopped about 100 yards from us, stood, observed us, and then continued on their way. Too quick to get s photo! The silence was then broken by a group of Czech bikers on some very expensive motorbikes. Not the sort for that sort of path. Then came a group of about forty very noisy ramblers from Salamanca. We spent the rest of the day either surrounded by them and their noise, or avoiding them. Then through came some more bikers on scramble bikes. They were unwelcome as they were ripping up the pathway.
Taking the original route of the Camino, we had to pass through a stream the water of which was fortunately low. Apparently, in wet weather the dam just upstream overflows and makes it impossible to pass. Tim went first, and the stepping stones seemed a bit precarious. The water was so low that I just walked through it. The water didn't get in the boots, so that was a result!
Taking to the road and then through farm land, it was a pleasantly quiet way through the hills. My feet were not too comfortable so we stopped for a while. Unfortunately it meant that the ramblers caught up with us. The final stretch, along muddy paths, and up a steep hill, meant we arrived finally in Galisteo rather tired, and ready for a drink and some crisps, the first thing we had eaten since breakfast. The approach to the town was magnificent. From a few kilometres away it was lit up by sunlight, against the blackness of a heavily cloudy sky. Just like the city built on a hilltop in the day's Gospel. Then, getting nearer, it was wonderful to see the complete walls of the upper part of the town, and the aqueduct leading from the town out to the fields around.
Finding the pensión for the night, we met up with old friends from previous days, and a welcome meal in the bar in the main square.
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