Today involved about 10 km on clay! It wasn’t really wet, but still caked on shoes. I found it VERY tiring and was exhausted in the first half of the day.
I didn’t find the day very interesting. We elected not to crawl under the illegal fence blocking the path through Villaescusa de Palositos, so I have nothing to report there.
Laurie walks faster than I , especially on the uphills. She is an Energizer Bunny – give her a Wikiloc track, wind her up and set her on the trail, and away she goes at 5-5.5 km/h no matter what the terrain or slope. I can match her on the level or downhill, for awhile, but I slow down to a crawl on the uphills.
Our practice has become to walk together for a couple of hours. Then she pulls ahead. Once I know I won’t catch her, I abandon all rush, and slow down even more. I enjoy dawdling along.
After arrival, she is ready to explore by the time I drag in an hour later! Today the bonus hike was a few km UP to Las Tetas. I went halfway and decided to sit on a rock to enjoy the views, while Laurie went all the way to the top to enjoy even better views.
Seeing Clarely 
I enjoy reading your view to Clare (Ie of the ‘non’ energiser bunny. 🥰. I must admit – I would be happy to see Laurie move ahead (both for her sake .. to know she can do her thing and for you … as you can do your own thing. Dawdle if it feels right at the time. … just sit and enjoy your ‘now’.
Re sitting 1/2 way up the climb while Laurie climbed to the top. Isn’t it funny …. How there is always a place that is further up (with a better view ❤️❤️). I guess we just listen to our bodies and know what is right for each of us. Buen camino.