Stage 6: September 29, 2017 - Cuidad Rodrigo to Gallegos de Arganan (17.5km)

Marialba Bridge
We arrived in Gallegos de Arganan after a trek of 17.5km from Cuidad Rodrigo. The day started with breakfast in the hotel and we had checked out by 7:40. We kept going for more than 8km without a stop and by then we had reached the top of our first hill. We had a few more to climb before we reached  the 17th century Marialba Bridge, about four kilometres from the end. We stopped there for a while as the bridge was the main reason for choosing this Camino. It was at Marialba, on April 27, 1811, that my great great grandfather, Henry Darragh (20), from Glaslough, Co. Monaghan, was wounded while on sentry duty. He lost a finger on his left hand in a skirmish involving the French.

Me on Marialba Bridge
We were in great shape up to the bridge but we then both started to wilt in extreme heat on the 2km climb up from the bridge. Nevertheless this was probably our best day to date. 

Arriving at Gallegos de Arganan during siesta might have been troublesome but we met a Frenchwoman outside the Town Hall and she immediately got out her phone to arrange things for us. According to a notice, the town hall had closed nearly an hour earlier but suddenly the doors opened and we were invited inside to have our credenciales stamped.

Our accommodation
Again the Internet says that the albergue is in the building beside the medical centre but not anymore. It is in a big old house a short distance away. Inside it was rather basic. The sleeping area is in an ancient extension and doesn't look much with mattresses stacked against the wall. The room, with its tiled floor and walls and large fireplace, could, however, quickly be made quite plush. Reaching a recently converted bathroom means going into the hall, upstairs, through a large reception room, and across another hall. It was a pity that there was no hot water. 

While facilities were basic, we weren't complaining and we're thankful to the good people of Gallegos de Arganan for making the building available.

We had another good, inexpensive dinner in a bar a short distance away. As on previous nights we were the only people eating. The trick is to go into the bar a few hours beforehand and ask about food. You will be told what is on offer and you will agree a time to eat. When you come back your table with be set and the food just about ready to be brought to the table.

 More images from Stage 6






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