Day 17

Redecilla del Camino to Villafranca Montes de Oca - 25 kms
27 April 2019

Another fabulous day which ranged in temperature from 4 degrees when we set off this morning to 23 degrees this afternoon. For the most part we had cloud cover which was lovely for walking and a real bonus was that we didn't have the any wind. Today's walk was interesting because it took us through several towns or villages, in between them we walked through cropping land again.
It was fantastic having video calls with you Clare, Mike and Elissa, and Nathan, Bridie, Harriet and Madeline - hugs to Zoe and Tessa please xx
Something that is very different to home is that Spain has siesta time every afternoon. From the smallest of villages through to the cities shops shut around 1 or 2 pm and don't reopen until 5 pm - it's taken us a while to get used to this. We often get to a village or town just after they have shut and have to wait until 5 pm before we can get any groceries etc. Today we once again had to wait for the supermercado to open.
Our albergue here in Villafranca Montes de Oca, San Antón Abad, is a huge complex made up of many buildings. It used to be a monastery/refuge. A communal dinner in our albergue's large dining room tonight then bed.

Leaving Redecilla del Camino 

576 kms to Santiago

Castildelgado

Viloria de la Rioja - where Santo Domingo was born.

Villamayor del Rio - we were hoping to find a cafe/bar open here but they didn't open until May.

We had a good breakfast stop at Belorado - population of 2000.

 Breakfast at Belorado

Four stork nests up high

 Street art

In the main Plaza in Belorado

 Belorado

This pilgrim is towing his belongings

On our way out of Belorado

'Better lite (sic) a candle than complain about the darkness'

Snow on the hills still.

Coming into Tosantos

Cyclists passed us coming into Tosantos. Cyclists are so dangerous for us walkers. They come up so fast behind us and we often don't know until they're right there - we have to jump out of the way fast or get skittled.

A church built into the hillside.

This friendly man was making a walking stick with an electric planer. He allowed me to try it for height

Walking into Villambista

With friend Leena from the Netherlands. It was so good to have break at Villambista. Phil was taking a break here too so we got to chat with him as well.

Espinosa del Camino 

Looking towards Villafranca Montes de Oca

Look at this Pappy house Girls, he will have to stand all the time but he would have a magnificent view from his doorway - he doesn't have any windows though.

Ruins of a monastery of San Félix de Oca - a 9th century building.

Walking into Villafranca de Montes de Oca

The view out our albergue window

We're enjoying relaxing in the albergue courtyard after our long walk.