Day 29 Mérida to Logrosán

Today was a long stage through very empty countryside. There was little accommodation available which really gave us the choice of stopping after 50km or pushing on to Logrosán at 120km. We opted for the latter as we will be closer to Guadalupe where we would like to spend some time tomorrow.
Much of our route today took us along the Canal de Orellana which is obviously of huge strategic importance for the arable farming in this area. It wiggles around with smaller channels leading off into the fields with regularly spaced pumping stations.

 As we continued we realised that the main crop is rice, with paddy fields stretching away into the distance. No wonder they need all that water!

The last 40km of our route took us along another via verde, this one less dramatic than the previous ones as it was built across flat countryside and had no tunnels. It did however lead gradually uphill alongside the nascent River Guadiana and into more mountainous terrain.

All day we've seen storks, in the fields and nesting on top of every pylon or tall building. Many are feeding young in their nests.

We're staying in a cheap (€28) hostal which is chaotic and very characterful.

Mérida to Logrosán - 120km, 300m ascent.