View from Oban Bothy

View from Oban Bothy

Friday 5 October 2012

18th – 28th September, The Via de la Plata

In the beginning….

Arca de Caparra 

The Via de la Plata (The Silver Way) or Ruta de la Plata (Silver Route) is a Camino starting from Seville and going north and north-west for 1000km to Santiago de Compostela in the north-west of Spain. It’s generally accepted that it takes around 7 weeks to walk the entire route.

The route, which is Roman in origin, was more recently used by Christian pilgrims. Today, whilst the route is still used by pilgrims (or ‘peregrinos’), it has become a popular long distance walking or cycling route.

My Plan (?!) was to walk the entire route over 3-4 trips, starting in Seville. I had difficulty in getting a sensibly-priced flight to Seville so changed my plan to fly from Manchester to Madrid (easy and cheap), picking up a hire-car in Madrid and driving to Caceres, a good 10 –12 days further north than Seville.

I have recently discovered that Seville holds the record for the hottest city in Europe with a record of 50° C (122° F). Being a bit of a wuss when it comes to walking in high temperatures this suited me fine.

To the trip!

I collected the car from Europcar at Madrid’s airport and aimed it at Caceres, stopping overnight at Talavera en-route at the Hostal Cuatro Caminos (Four Ways Hostel): cheap, cheerful, comfortable….and clean. Dropping the car off at the Europcar depot in Caceres I set off to explore the small city and to locate the albergue – a shelter or hostel for peregrinos.

Albergue Las Veletas is a comfortable hostel offering accommodation for 40+ at budget prices. 

Albergue Turístico Las Veletas

Albergue Las Veletas, Caceres

A monk ringing a bell, warning of the approach of a sinner

Plaza Mayor, Caceres.

An evening explore of Caceres culminated in an excellent meal at an outdoor restaurant, 12€ for a 3 course meal plus a bottle of very drinkable red, not a bad deal – even for a beer drinker like me.

image Dinner in Caceres

Cute doggy in Caceres – after my dinner!

Back at the albergue it was a matter of filling my Platy with water and putting it into the fridge – then getting some much needed sleep. Next morning was due to be a fairly early start in order to avoid the heat of the day.

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