Mérida to Alcuécar - (electric wheelchair style)

This is the albergue in Mérida in evening light. It’s an old building constructed over a tributary of the main river and having the water flow beneath it. I was treated to a melon breakfast by the 3 Spanish cyclists I shared food with the previous evening.

After many detours caused by roadworks I found a way out of town heading north. 6km out is a waterbody that I think is a Roman reservoir. An early morning swim was surprisingly warm and with outside public showers it couldn’t have been better. 

I met my three cyclists again at Aljucén for breakfast. I understand I am the talk on the Camino, the Jersey man cruising north like lightning on his crazy wheels - great.

Still olive trees and vines but the landscape is definitely getting hillier. I think the route gains about 250m and we are now at altitude 480m.

Alcuécar has a pretty old centre built on a hill. I imagine it to be similar to those beautiful Tuscan hill-top villages but with less attractive urban edges. The albergue is the classic big old ex-monastery or convent that runs on a donation only basis without a set cost. It’s minimal but everything you need. I think I’m the only guest.