Stage 8 - Almendralejo to Torremejia (14.5km): 04/09/2014 07:01

We could see a tree in the distance that we would reach almost two hours later

This morning I realised that we are entering into our second week of walking and now that today's stage has ended, we have walked approximately 125 kilometres.

We had planned another relatively short day and, with virtually no climbing with which to contend, we gave ourselves an extra hour in bed. We left the hotel at 7 o'clock and had an uneventful walk. Coming out of Almendralejo we were passed by two male Italian pilgrims who were heading for Merida. They were then going home as that was as much as they had time for this year.

Today's walk was again mostly through vineyards, where the harvest was continuing. It was warmer than yesterday but not unbearably so. The road was long and straight and for the best part of two hours our goal was to reach a tall tree on the horizon. We are now in a very old and attractive building which was restored a few years ago to become the local albergue. It is opposite an equally old and attractive church.

We learned last night that Kevin was on the road again. He had got as far as Villafranca and was planning to reach Torremejia today. After we had settled in, hung out the washing and relaxed for a bit, we headed up to a bar on the main street to watch for his arrival. A short time later we saw him coming out of a restaurant. He had already checked into a hotel, showered, and enjoyed the menu del dia by that stage, which would suggest that he walks about twice as fast as we do. We sat for the next hour or so, exchanging experiences of this and other Caminos. We expect to meet again in the morning when he passes us out on the way to Merida.