Time Arrived: 2.50 pm
Distance: 25 kms
Cumulative Distance: 355 kms
Percentage Complete: 44%
Weather: Sunny and hot
Accommodation: Hostal Camino de Santiago
Feelings: Henk - Good, Neil - Enthusiastic, Di - Keen
This was a long, hot day but we did it in good time. Breakfast was served from 7.45 am in the hotel's restaurant which was a few buildings up the lane from where we were staying. It was a very quiet Sunday morning as we walked along the narrow streets of Castrojeriz and out onto a wide path. We were soon climbing up to the top of Alto de Mostelares.
We were led to believe it was going to be a strenuous climb but we climbed it in fifteen minutes and found a number of walkers making the most of an enterprising young man who had a van and was serving a range of food and drinks.
After a short distance we descended down a very steep and long concrete path. We could see the flat plains stretching out in front of us that were going to be the day's walk.
The American couple, Peggy and George, and the Canadian couple, Lisa and Bill were also at the top and we walked with them to Fuenta del Piojo. It was ten fifteen and it was a good time to have a break. Fuenta del Piojo is a shaded area with picnic tables and fresh, cold water flowing freely from a well. We took the opportunity to fill our water-bottles.
We left the other walkers and moved onto the tiny town of Itero de la Vega arriving about thirty minutes later. This time there was an enterprising young woman who was on the edge of the town handing out leaflets for her cafe. It was located on the other side of the town and most walkers usually find the first cafe and plonk themselves down. We decided to go to her cafe given her initiative. On the way we met "cousin John" and Linda and had early lunch with them. The other couples came soon after.
We left ahead of the others again as there was still 14 kms to go to Fromista and it was eleven thirty. We wanted to get out of the heat as soon as possible. The local church bells went crazy for about ten minutes as we walked out of the town.
The eight kilometres from Itero de le Vega to Boadillo del Camino went surprisingly quickly for us. It was flat walking through featureless plains. We took a short water break and pushed on.
We came upon a restored pilgrims' hospital, San Nicolas de Puenta Fitero, where a young walker was being treated for what looked like shin splints. Nearby we walked over the lovely Fitero Bridge crossing the Pisuerga River and moved into the next province, Palencia.
Thankfully the landscape changed for the last six kilometres and we walked alongside a very pleasant man-made canal, Canal de Castilla.
It also provided some very welcome shade from the nearby elm trees. It took us straight to Fromista where we crossed large locks and walked into the town.
We were pleased to get out of the sun.
We met at six o'clock and visited the Romanesque church, San Martin de Tours which dates back to the eleventh century. Outside it is very impressive but it is left wonting on the inside.
We met John and Linda and had the Menu de Peregrino with them. It was a very enjoyable evening. It was not a late night as we were all quite tired after today's walk. Tomorrow is a slightly shorter day.
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