19th JUNE. To Santo Domingo de la Calzada

An early start as sections of this stage have little in the way of shade

There are ten kilometres to walk before the next chance of refreshments in Ciruena – plenty of water needed.

Ciruena is a village of two halves. As we approached, we walk past a golf course which felt incongruous given the size of the place,but beyond it was a kind of “ new town” developing.

Accomodation – surprisingly for a small town, Santo Domingo housed two Paradors,both with a similar name. As a treat, we were booked into Parador de San Domingo Bernardo de Fresneda. Paradors are usually situated in old,venerable / historic buildings and our Parador was no exception as the following photos show.

“The hotel occupies a former 12th-century hospital near the cathedral, erected by St. Dominic to take in pilgrims traveling on the Way of St. James. It has a regal, elegant style, with majestic function rooms and a lobby filled with Gothic arches and wood coffered ceilings. Fine materials and eye-catching colors—whites and blues—give way to comfortable guest rooms decorated with exquisite taste. You will find a warm, harmonious environment which is also highly suited to social events and meetings.” EXTRACT FROM THE PARADOR WEBSITE

Mike and I had a walkabout in what was now a relatively deserted town,however we found that much sought after refreshment – Estella Galicia” in a locals’ bar,where the menfolk were deeply engaged in the afternoon ritual of a game of cards…which baffled both of us.

Then back through the still quiet streets of the Casa Antigua- designated as a historic place of interest – then so many of the places we have been fortunate enough to traverse have held our interest.