I left a bit earlier this morning as today is one of the more challenging days of the Cammino.
The church of Santa Maria Assunta was built in 1370 at the location of the town’s mosque. Insets from the mosque were set into the portico.
It took quite a while to get out of the town, with its intricate windy narrow streets .
This is how you put your rubbish out.
Eventually I was free of the town. It wasn’t long before Ivresched another small town called Campofranco where I was lucky to catch a fruit man and get some freshly baked bread.
From here the path heads towards the nature reserve of Monte Conca.
What is fancifully called the Fiume Gallo d’Oro, or the River of the Golden Rooster, passes through the park. Crossing requires a shoe off exercise.
After not seeing any other pilgrims for some days, I caught up with 4 of the 5 I had met days ago all at the river .
The rocks were a bit hard on my feet.
Soon after this point there’s a tough climb of around 450m over about 8km.
Someone has added signs of encouragement along the way .
I came across a little bent over couple harvesting their almond trees.
As is the norm for this walk, what followed was another descent followed by, yep you guessed it, another climb .
I’d entered into an area with many vineyards and harvesting was just beginning.
Another 200m climb brought me to the town of Racalmuto with a welcome fountain and ATM machine.
There always seems to be wasps around fountains.
From here there was yet another cling to my destination of Grotte. I’m staying in an old family home turned into a B&B.
Like all the other towns I’ve visited, groups of men collect and talk for hours. This was 8pm, probably before dinner.
Time for bed. I was on the road in the sun for 9 hours.
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Paul's Walks Through Europe 
Oh boy what an exhausting day for you Paul. 8km of up!!! Then another climb. Hope you slept well. Sharon Beeston
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