Higueruela to Chinchilla- Surprise and Solitude

Never did I think that I would be playing guitar around the fire at a Casa Rural last night. I was out buying bananas and other groceries when I met Bob from the Netherlands. He asked whether I would like to come and stay at his place just out of town. He had already spoken to Theresa - the pilgrim from Montreal who I met during the day. He invited her as well. Since the local albergue was ordinary (very ordinary in fact), we accepted the invitation and shortly after arrived here.

Theresa knew it was my birthday - I had mentioned it as I passed her when she was sitting under a tree. Unbeknown to me, she and Bob bought extra groceries for a birthday dinner - how lovely.

After dinner we chatted and played music around the fire- such a wonderful surprise- a Camino episode that will live in my memory.
This morning Bob drove me to town and I was back on the way, solo once more.
I hacked through some undergrowth at one point. Don’t laugh - it was a welcome change of terrain.
And I waved to a horse - solitude does strange things. 
The mind wanders out here, but I was not feeling especially quixotic- so I left these modern windmills alone.
Where am I? How long have I been walking? How fast  am I going? These questions keep surfacing; but I am never really sure of the answers - except that over a day I am averaging around 4km per hour- that helps planning to some degree - I try not to stress.
Shade is good - Siestas are common sense too. 
So why am I walking during the hottest part of the day? Good question! Any suggestions?
The last hour or so seems to last for hours. This ruin is  evocative of how even reasonably solid things decay over time - like my legs.
My destination of Chinchilla has been an important strategic crossroads for centuries and is perched high in the hills, overlooking the plains of La Mancha.
Which in pilgrim code means ‘one . . . last . . ascent’. It was worth it. I found the town hall in the Plaza de La Mancha.
Nearby were a couple of police. I went over and asked about accommodation. Surprise  again! Within minutes I was checked in by the most helpful and friendly policewoman. She even wished me happy birthday - saw my DoB on my passport. So welcoming! 

The albergue (located under the Town Hall) is really comfortable- and I have it all to myself again. 

‘Alone again - naturally.’ Life on the Camino de Levante is like that - although surprises can be just around the corner. That is just the way it goes.