7. Stage 5 to Fuente de Cantos (45km)

Hello,

I slept very well tonight and woke up around 7 AM. I had the heating on, and it was such a cozy bed. It was definitely worth the money. I got ready and set off with great anticipation. Today is the first day without rain in the forecast. When I arrived at the spot from yesterday, unfortunately, there was a setback. There was definitely less water than yesterday, but the road was still too flooded to cross. I probably could have made it without trudging through, but I would have gotten completely soaked at the beginning of the hike. Two minutes before, a car passed by and actually drove through. Now I was considering just waiting for a car to come by and take me along. After all, it's Saturday morning at 7:30. How many people would drive by here? I waited for about an hour. I met a jogger who wanted to go around but didn’t come back. I also thought about tying two garbage bags around my shoes and then walking through the water. But then a truck came. I asked him if he could give me a ride. I hopped onto the back of the pickup, where there was also a cute dog, and we drove over the flooded area. I thanked him, and he drove off. I was so relieved. Before that, I had considered turning back and staying another night at the hotel. But this way, I could continue my hike. It was already brightening up and getting warmer, so I took off my rain poncho. And then lo and behold: the sun even came out. The path led through the plains, and here and there were a few damp spots, but nothing compared to the morning spot. I also saw a lot of animals again. The path reminds me a bit of the camino primitivo that I walked last year because of all the animals. After a while, I came out onto a highway and then continued for about 6 kilometers along the edge and sometimes on the shoulder. But the road wasn’t very busy. However, when the sun is out, it really beats down. An owner told me that the path was only for people who are tough. There are people every year who overestimate themselves and then collapse from the heat. I’m glad I have some hiking experience and that this isn’t my first Camino.

So I made it to Monasterio and got something to drink and a yogurt at a store. I took a half-hour break on a bench, which was really needed. I briefly considered staying in the village, as it was already 1 PM and the next town was about 20 km away. But my feet were dry, so I set off out of the city. I literally went back to the green, as the path became damp again, and I had some animal encounters. I didn’t meet any pilgrims and I wonder when I will see my first real pilgrim. So I continued and had to be careful to turn left at a fork. Because you have to take a detour, as the actual path is still blocked by water. The detour was on asphalt, and you just had to follow 10 kilometers of this road. And it turned out to be quite a challenge. In between, I lost a mowing battle, and so I finally arrived tired and exhausted in Fuente de Cantos. I quickly went shopping and then headed to my accommodation. I had reserved a room, but usually, they don’t even ask for names. And then anyone can come who needs a room. In the accommodation, I have a single room today, but with a shared bathroom for 17€. There is also a restaurant in the house, but I won’t do anything after the bath. I will plan my stage for tomorrow, and that’s it for me for today.

With that, see you tomorrow