75.02km 10H01’ + 1, 78km New Year’s Eve = 76,80km
Altitude 873m
As Zette said last night, “don’t overdo because tomorrow there’s school” ! Ok, Zette, “my little sister” as Serge would say, we listened to you and this morning everyone was ready before the bell rang!
So the Around the European Union Footrace goes on, over hill and dale and against all odds, especially against time that flies and often overtakes us.
The night wasn’t terribly agitated. At 11:55PM on December 31st the alarm went off . Serge jumped into his clothes and was ready in 3 minutes, wristwatch on and the beacon charged. This morning at 6:25 it takes him three times as long to get out of his nice warm bed (the temperature in the camper is only 5°C). So, at midnight he wakes up at the same time as the fire crackers and fireworks at the top of the village. He shouts “Happy New Year,” wakes up everybody and takes off on his nocturnal run, accompanied by Philippe (with his video camera) who does not want to miss this event. The “Dupondt” and I don’t move from the warmth and take our time eating our 12 grapes; I think this Spanish custom will be exported to our homes next year.
Then everything becomes calm again and we wait for the alarm to go off a second time.
As Joël pointed out this afternoon, it hasn’t rained since the beginning of the year, except for 2-3 drops which we won’t even mention because they aren’t enough to wet our feet. Sergio, a Spanish runner from Burgos, who is visiting his parents, was able to find Serge thanks to the beacon (it won’t be long before I will talk to you about this fabulous method of tracking) and we realize that it is very helpful for people who wish to run for a while with Serge. He arrives at the end of the stage, at Km 55, and explains that he has never seen such an awful month of December. Christian, an Alsatian, confirms that 15 days ago the roads in the area were blocked with 30 cm of snow. So we are lucky.
Christian and Patrick, are the first people we meet on the road who wish us a good first day of the New Year. Christian keeps watch over a private property of 3,300 hectares (8,154 acres) that belongs to a wealthy Frenchman who is a hunting enthusiast. He was alerted when Philippe entered the property in his car and they struck up a conversation. We learn that the 2 dogs that are chasing Serge as he reaches us, belong to a neighbor (5km for here), a plastic surgeon used by Julio Iglesias, among others. We don’t have to read the tabloids to get the gossip.
We are really surprised to find countryside so sparsely populated at less than 100 Km from Madrid. The population density must not amount to much. The few cultivated fields have as much rock as earth and I imagine that vehicles must be adapted to this rocky terrain.
Today we pass through the lake district of Sea of Castile. There is a nuclear power plant in the distance and we see some tags in protest. There is a dam and artificial lakes which collect water from several rivers: the Tage, the Guadiela, the Guadamagiud and the Mayor. The color of the water is turquoise, verging on emerald, depending on the color of the sky. We go through 3 tunnels on the N320 to reach Sacedon.
Serge appears to be tired, but as is his habit, as soon as he starts talking he picks up speed and with Sergio, there is as much talking as there is hand movement. To finish there is a nice climb of 2.5 Km before a mild slope which descends to Alcocer. These successive ascents and descents are always bothersome for Serge at the beginning as well as the end of the day.
Tonight Serge is washed out and his pains are more apparent: sore buttocks, pain around the external malleolus and just general pain everywhere. At 7:00 PM he is in bed; it was even painful for him to eat. I will add that the night’s unbridled activity may have something to do with it.
We would like to thank everyone, they will know who they are, who sent us e-mails and texts. Crossing the capital has caused me to get behind with my mail but please know that we have received everything and that your thoughts and wishes have gone straight to our hearts. Rest assured, 2010 will be a year rich in adventure.
Be sure you take a look at the New Year’s Eve video.
Tomorrow : Alcocer – Millana – Salmeron – Villanueva de Alcoron – Torrecilla de Pinar – Corduente.
Town : 3km avant Alcocer (Castilla de la Mancha)