I woke up thinking that I didn’t want to walk 28 km today, so at the appropriate turnoff I headed for Rio Lobos, knowing that everyone else in the group was planning going to go to Galisteo. Knowing I had a shorter distance really allowed me to enjoy the walk. It included passing a police firing range, a brothel, some beautiful grazing areas with young animals and their mothers, and the long dry entrance to Rio Lobos.
At Camping Las Catalinas, they told me they were “Completo” (not true; I’m quite sure I was the only customer) but they would drive me to the albergue in Galisteo, 10 km further, for free! No arm twisting was necessary, and I arrived just before my friends who had walked all the way. Galisteo is a city with well preserved walls dating back to the Moors in Spain.
The characters you encounter on a Camino are so fascinating! And the improvisation of plans so important, with those characters! A veritable ensalada mixta. 
Seeing Clarely 
Ensalada Mixta! Oh, how I dream of Ensalada Mixta.
I liked Galisteo, with its minaret turned into church steeple visible from miles off, and its impressive deserted walls. I somehow missed the brothel.
You couldn’t miss the building, right when you cross the highway halfway between Cañaveral and Galisteo. I have now added a photo!
Day 16 and by my guesstimate you’re about 1/3 of the way there. Have you walked the Camino Frances? If so, how does this compare?
As it happens, I have only 32 days, so I won’t get to Santiago this time. Yes, I’ve walked the Frances – you can see posts if you explore here on my blog. Comparative analysis will have wait until later, but they are different!
Hi, Alan! I think the brothel was on the road somewhere along the way. I remember coming down out of a wooded area and there it was. Seemed to be some kind of disco combined with a house of ill repute. I also liked Galisteo — walking Galisteo in the heat of the afternoon when no one ventures out was one of those camino moments when you can imagine the past of this place.
Looks like the culinary offerings have improved since I was there — that is not your ordinary ensalada mixta. I don’t remember ever getting balsamic vinegar artfully swirled over my greens! Loving your posts Clare.
For completeness, I have added a photo of the brothel which is halfway between Cañaveral and Grimaldo. That salad was in the comedor of bar Los Emigrantes.
Innocent me, I saw the building and just thought it looked uninviting, other than a welcome hosepipe outside, as I’d run out of water on my way between Casar de C and Grimaldi.
Apparently the shuttle service from the Camping to Galisteo is so,ething they often do. Would work for me as well! Where did you have that beautiful salad?
Innocent me, I saw the building and just thought it looked uninviting, other than a welcome hosepipe outside, as I’d run out of water on my way between Casar de C and Grimaldi.
Looks like the culinary offerings have improved since I was there — that is not your ordinary ensalada mixta.