Tábara to Rionegro del Puente - (electric wheelchair style)

My Camino has turned into a road trip. Progress today has been 90% road and only 10% farm tracks. 

Once again I stitched 2 day stages together, the first running north to Santa Marta de Tera, the second east to Rionegro del Puente. I cut the corner diagonally saving 16 km and avoiding impassable rocky sections. Is this cheating, am I missing out on my Camino experience? - well maybe.

My views are often of ramshackled roadside dwelling time has forgotten.  I guess every country has this phenomena as agriculture intensifies and the young leave for the exciting cities. They are shabby and a bit sad. I miss experiencing all the glorious remote countryside and it’s wildlife.

I was stopped by the Guardia Civil police today, the ones in green uniforms with white and green vehicles. Two officers checked me out in a helpful and polite way. I think they were concerned for my safety as there wasn’t much of a hard shoulder and I am a wheelchair miles from anywhere. They asked me all the usual questions about range, speed and what I was doing. They waved me off wishing me well and suggesting I get a hi-visibility vest at the earliest opportunity which I will do. They also pointed out the Guardia Civil telephone number and suggested I call if there is any need which was both helpful and reassuring.

I’m now in Rionegro del Puente in a big old municipal albergue. The town has a population of 260. How they fund a municipal albergue is uncertain, guess it keeps them on the map and brings in money. It is only staffed 7-8 in the evening and has a good bar next door. There is probably less than 10 pilgrims here. 

There is a great website by the ‘Oficina de Acogida al Pergreno’ giving current statistics of Compostela’s issued. This year so far, the number from the Vía de la Plata is 1,471 of the 447,000 overall total. Today alone 4195 Compostela were issued. 
 Statistics: https://oficinadelperegrino.com/en/statistics-2/