On our way to San Jose

Friday 21/12/2018
https://goo.gl/maps/fHVKPv6U4Jp
36°48'10.2"N 2°04'43.6"W

We decided to hike along the coastal path this morning, as we had cycled up the first part yesterday and loved the ruggedness and peace of the area.  We were determined not to overdo it (as is our habit) and decided that, as ex-pen-pushers we were not yet in a state to do the entire walk (about 6km out so 12km in total) but would walk for 2 hours and then return.

That went fine except we marched with such determination that we got to the end  of the official walk before the 2 hours was up.  We were faced with a decision: turn back and return along the coast or push on a little bit, on a small gravel track, to San Jose and then walk back on the roads.  We decided that it made sense to go and see the village and that different scenery on the way back was better so we pushed on.  The views over San Jose were stunning but we realised that we descended before the village and would still need to walk into town and then back out again to return.  By now the walking was starting to catch up with our legs so we decided to cut out the village and pick up up the shortest route back.

The first glimpse of San Jose

Because we were so determined we wouldn't walk as far as San Jose we hadn't brought any money so we couldn't even stop for a drink or snack, which would have made all the difference.  We knew we still had 7.8 km to go and had limited water so we stopped under a tree (the sun was beating down) and had the last of our own snacks - and water.  The walk back along the road was grim, and as Toni remarked: on the walk along the sea we felt like adventurers, but on the walk along the road we just felt poor! 😊

We did see some lovely flowers along the way although this leg of the walk will be remembered for the amount of litter mankind leaves in his wake.  Very sobering.

The last few kilometres we knew we had over-extended ourselves but pushed on regardless.  Sore feet and legs by the time we reached camp but a real sense of achievement....I think we'll take it a bit easier tomorrow; we walked 16 km (10 miles) in all and our bodies weren't quite ready for it, so soon.

We don't get the full effect of the sunsets from the camp, especially when it is clear skies but we did get treated to an early moon-rise.