Orito to Elda

 Orito - Montefort del Cid - Novelda - Elda

After an excellent online morning devotion together our "Support Crew" took us back from my home to Orito and so we began there at around 7.30 am where had ended the previous day. It was cooler at this time and we followed Avenida San Pascual Bailon towards the west. The first place of note was the Ermita on the edge of the village where San Pascual had received a vision of the Blessed Sacrament.

As we followed the road we discovered that there were Stations of the Cross at the wayside along the route to Montefort del Cid. A clear reminder that we were not the only ones to have travelled this way. How easy it is to forget sometimes that usually we are not the only ones to have a particular experience nor had this or that particular problem.

As we were entering Montefort, at the side of the road was a reminder of the dangers all can face from time to time. Fortunately this snake was quickly identified as usually harmless...

We found that we had to follow the guide carefully as we journeyed into Montefort as there were few Camino markers until we got to Calle Agost. Thereafter it was all straightforward. We were, so far, too early to find an open bar for a sello. We continued on the well marked way towards Novelda. The Camino route is better signed here, and if it wasn't the guide reminds us  that the path passes the ayuntamiento (Town Hall). We appreciated that and headed for the Ayuntamiento, which was open! Happy days! We went inside and were able to abtain a sello and afterwards a "Buen Camino" from the policeman in the foyer.

The church next door was beautiful and scallop shells were spotted on the Reredos at eye level either side. It was an active church with people at their personal prayers. I offered a "Salve de Dios"  and Sam lit a candle for a mutual friend who we knew would appreciate it. 

The patron saint of Novelda is St Mary Magdalene to whom and both the church opposite the Ayuntamiento and Santuario visible later on our morning trek are dedicated. There also street "Balconeras" bearing her image. Our photograph is from Calle Mayor.

We headed ouf town, stopping at busy bar on a street corner for refreshment en route. Soon we were walking along the valley of the rio Vinalopo - not very wet at the time , but beautiful all the same. It was from here that we could see the Santuario and next to it the ancient Moorish castle of Mola with it Christian addition of a triangular tower in honour of the Holy Trinity. This is worth a 3 km detour if you haven't been and have the time. The view from the Tower of the castle is spectacular. The Camino is signed from the Castle / Santuario and the tostadas are great. The Santuario is on the photo below taken from the Rio Vinolopo valley.

We followed the arrows onwards  and encountered the amazing "Clots de Sal" small pools where the salty water from the bedrock have produced what looks like a spongy surface. This is actually solidified salt and will withstand a persons weight easily. At the second Clot we found people bathing / floating in the salt water of the pool! Don't walk past this. Remember too, all is not always as it seems. What looked spongy was actually solid!

After this we got back on track and followed the stony but clearly marked trail passing later under the High Speed Rail line from Alicante to Madrid. Around half an hour later we were instructed by the guidebook to cross a stream this was signed but an X and the stepping stones had been removed to one side indicated a change. a less visible arrow showed an alternative route (this a permanent) diversion continuing in the direction that we had previously been travelling. There were various signs along the way some of them wooden yellow pointers. After what seemed a long time we came to a fork in the track we opted to go right and upwards - we received a shout and a thumbs up from an older man we had passed a minute or so ago. He appeared to be foraging and photographing some of the flora on the valley floor. We were glad of his presence and that yell! At the top of the rise, say a 50m ascent, the signs returned and led us all the way in towards Elda passing the Pabellon de Deportivo (Sports Centre) on the right. A few minutes later we found a bar to rest at, get a pinxo tortilla and a cana. Bar "La Apadora" is to be recommended.

The beer came with a few crisps, some aceitunas and the tortilla with a couple of mini tostadas con tomate. The bar staff were excited to provide a sello and we were pleased to have received our second one of the day. After we had refreshed we continued into Elda. However the signs had run out so we headed for the Ayuntamiento and were able to follow the arrows until we found the first main road that crossed the camino path so we knew where to begin the next day. It was fortunately right next to the Ermita de San Anton. At this point we headed off to find a bar easily accesible by road so that our "Support Crew" of Nikki and Di could collect us.