12.8 miles
It was raining as we left town and constantly threatening thereafter but it didn’t really fall heavily until we reached our destination.
Another day of beautiful dehesas (the meadows with holm oaks and grazing livestock).
Many purple and yellow and white flowers (various species of broom, Patterson’s Curse — pretty purple flowers but poisonous to horses, thistles, wild radish, corn camomile, among others). Increasing numbers of a species of broom (Retama) with a passing resemblance to Palo Verde. The dehesas eventually gave way to fields of grain — wheat and barley.
Fuente de Cantos (pop. 5000) is another pretty town of white-washed houses. It is livelier and more upscale than any of the others we have passed through.
We have a nicely furnished two-bedroom apartment in a 19th C building with characteristic Extremaduran architecture. It is comfortably equipped with many thoughtful features. Most importantly, it has a washing machine. Stephen is quite the fan!! (64 euros)
We walked into the old town (5 mins) to see a 15th C church. There were people inside finalizing the decorations for some floats in the Semana Santa parade that night.
We went to a supermarket and bought supplies for dinner and breakfast and lunch the next day.
Stephen the Great made omelets and rice for dinner (and cleaned up). I did IT band stretches and worked on our rain gear.
We were too tired to go into the old town to watch the parade at 8:30!