Arrés to Artieda

The mini carton of milk it turned out was for the coffee. Overnight an ancient coffee machine appeared amongst the cleaning materials. Despite the absence of a cup it was a better start to the day then I’d expected.
I picked my way carefully down from Arrés via a rocky trail. It was still very windy, sunny and cool enough for a fleece until 11.
A major feature of today’s walk were the badlands de yeso: strange, wrinkled mounds of gypsum like sleeping elephants, extra. They are dissected by deep gullies, often invisible until you reach them. My guide book warned about keeping to the way marked path.
In between the Badlands there were kilometres of arable fields reminding me of the Meseta on the Camino Francés. Easy contemplative walking.
I met three pilgrims today. Two young German women, they had stayed at the albergue in Arrés and had enjoyed a good breakfast. They gave me a nectarine and I gave them the number of a taxi, their accommodation plans have come unstuck due to the sudden close of the only accommodation in Ruesta. And a chap from Zaragoza which is just down the road from here.
My accommodation, for two nights because of the Ruesta situation, is a very basic albergue in Arteida, another hilltop Pyrenean village. Excellent pilgrim meal and conversation with Joachim.