This was supposed to be just 18 km, but add on a piece at the start, a piece at the end, and a detour in the middle to avoid a bramble patch, and we are up to over 24 km.
The stage was very pleasant – country roads and green fields, curious cows, and avocado trees.
Over the ridge, it got hotter as the day went on.
On the uphill road near the end, Laurie moved ahead. I trudged along, finding it less than pleasant. When I finished one bottle of water, I reached for a new one that I had brought from the airplane. I. Could. Not. Open. It. There I was, potentially dying of thirst and the top was tightly fused. I had to unpack my pack to get to my spare/emergency drinks at the bottom. (Later, the guy at the Casa twisted the top off with ease.)
Entering Jimena de la Frontera, I could see I was only a km or so from my destination. But this is one of those scenic Andalucian white pueblos perched on a hill. Posada La Casa Grande is, of course, up near the top! That walk up through the town, laden with a pack and some extra groceries, was tough, but the Posada had the classic cool Andalucian courtyard to welcome me.
After showers and clean up, we wandered a bit to find food. I declined Laurie’s invitation to stroll up to the Moorish castle. I wanted to go, but the effort to walk uphill any more was just too daunting.
Back at the Posada, even one flight of stairs was exhausting!
I am sleeping better each night, so hopefully my jet lag is easing.
Seeing Clarely 
I know that feeling Clare, of not wanting to walk any unnecessary steps, particularly uphill ones!
I open those bottles with my teeth!
On the twist top, or elsewhere on the bottle?
Gorgeous village, even though it is on a hill….
Don’t you carry something like a Swiss Army knife for stabbing uncooperative water bottles in an emergency?
Yes, I did have a pair of manicure scissors that would have done the job. I usually have a Swiss army knife but skipped it this year so I could do carry-on only. (My knife is about 3 mm too long.)
Looks like it was a gorgeous day!
it’s always a hard decision, once you’ve arrived and relaxed and eaten ; to contemplate an uphill walk to a nearby castle etc. But the question of ‘am I missing out? Is usually overridden by telling myself that I’ll be able to enjoy the moment of just being in such a perfect place as this one. So pretty. Also., in this case…. Laurie will do the pics and explanations 😃😃. Enjoy the chilling when you can ❤️❤️
Yes that’s true. Yesterday as I rested under a tree, I thought “I should be moving so I’ll have time to do whatever at my destination.” I had to remind myself that it was equally enjoyable, and possibly wiser, to be resting as I was.
You track your distance, but do you track your elevation? You should make that one of your stats! A little elevation profile along with your post. -Hana
I use Wikiloc, so it does track the elevation.