La Font de La Figuera to Almansa - Time for chivalry

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Chivalry is not dead - It is alive and well and historic here in Castile- La Mancha. Today I crossed the border from València to a land steeped in legend and literature. Back in 1605, Miguel (Mike) de Cervantes wrote about this region in his novel ‘Don Quixote de la Mancha’

Reading accounts of  life and occasional chivalrous acts on the Camino Levante inspired me to walk it - am I delusional?  Probably - this is a crazy walk for anyone to do- but I hope I can bring about something better, that is real and lasting, for family, friends and locals. 

I have no Sancho Panza to keep me grounded- but  this morning I had the most amazing helpful support from the hospitalera at the Hostal Amable to ring ahead and prepare a wonderful breakfast. This place is the best. 

All day I was by myself - no hamlets or villages- just the road . . .
and the  occasional farm house . . . 
and the open sky. 

Cyclists were out - it was Sunday- we exchanged Buenos Dias greetings. Locals in cars stopped and chatted- I loved it.

I tried all morning to take a shot of a high velocity train- but they were too quick- one horizon to the other in seconds. 

I did manage to get one. You know Australia is doing feasibility studies on the feasibility studies as to whether it is feasible to have high speed rail - a no brainer in my view. The lines are everywhere in Spain and we cannot get one between the nation’s capital to its two largest cities . . . So there!

Time for lunch. In my Don Quixote moment this was not a boccadillo - it was mana from heaven. 

Day temperatures are rising - so early starts and finishes are important - and there have been or might be no bars along the way. So you carry everything and manage water carefully. Then green appears . . . 

Approaching Almansa - I found out the crops have sprinklers - I stood under one - it was magical! Can you see the sprinkles? 

They came on just as I was hot and tired and thinking about my mother- it is her anniversary today. Thanks Mum🙏.
I was not feeling especially Quixotic when I shuffled into town. I had the address and the booking- but there was no sign outside - so I pressed the bell anyway. 
And to my surprise, I was greeted and checked into the Albergue Esclavas de Maria - my goodness- an albegure dedicated to the slaves of Mary! 
How quixotic- my mother’s name is Mary. 

Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy? Definitely time for some chivalry. I hope I am up to it.







Comments

  1. Anonymous26 May 2024 at 23:48

    Hey Mike, little graces along the way. There's some pretty flat stuff ahead, keep smiling and keep those Rocinante legs a plodding. “To dream the impossible dream, that is my quest.” Buen Camino amigo, Neils

    ReplyDelete

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