I left Puebla de Sancho Pérez about 8.30 after an excellent night in the hostal El Monte.  I had intended to head for Zafra, but there was an alternative route which took me to a beautiful village called Los Santos de Maimona.

 

In the middle of the village, I met an English man called John Ross. John is a very sprightly 75 year old,  looking no where near his age.  He has lived in Los Santos for 25 years, with his Spanish wife and two sons.  He invited me back for coffee and biscuits and showed me around his wonderful  home.

John is known locally as the “Last Caballero “, because of his impeccable manners and winning smile.   Before leaving,  John insisted on cramping a bottle of wine into my rucksack,  on the understanding that it was a ‘good one’.  Well John, if you are reading this,  thank you again for your hospitality and, rest assured,  it was a ‘good one ‘

John then walked some distance with me along the Camino and we discussed local and national politics.  However,  more of politics later.  The elections are on Sunday and it’s getting heavy!  Someone punched the president last night but he is so slippery,  everyone thinks it was staged for television.

I reached Villafranca de Los Barros about 3.  I stopped at the first hostal on the old road as you come into town – Hostal de Las Caballeras €10.  This is an excellent place with a very friendly hospitalaria.

Tomorrow 25 kilometres along a Roman road.