Day 23
Itero de la Vega to Población de Campos - 18.6 kms
3 May 2019
At 6.30 this morning our weather app said it was 16 degrees in Te Awamutu but that in Itero de la Vega it was only 3 degrees and it felt like 1. We rugged up well with all our layers but it wasn't that cold and we felt quite warm in a short while.
Today's walk was very straightforward, possibly our first without any real hills. We walked 8.5 kms to Boadilla del Campos where we found an albergue with a sign outside saying the cafe was open but the chap there refused to let us in so we helped ourselves to his tables and chairs in his courtyard and had our own drinks and nibbles. While we were there we got talking to a chap from the UK, Graham, who also was looking for a cafe and we walked with him to Frómista where we had morning tea/lunch together. Near Frómista we walked along a length of the Canal de Castilla, an 18th century canal. It was for the transportation of crops as well as powering corn mills. It is now used for irrigation and leisure activities. We said goodbye to Graham in Frómista and wished him Buen Camino and went to a farmacia (pharmacy) bought a few things - blister tape, vaseline and other dressings - hopefully all for 'just in case'. As we were leaving Frómista an Australian family we had met several times arrived and walked out with us. Jasmine, the mother, is walking the entire Camino with her three sons aged 15, 13 and 12. She's a very game lady - plus she's home schooling them along the way. They plan to move on more quickly than us so we may not see them again. We wished them well and walked on to Población de Campos.
One of the really nice things about the Camino is meeting people and spending time with them and then either they stop or move on or we do. Sometimes we see them again and sometimes not and it's fun if they end their day at the same places as we do. Already Phil has called out to us from the bar here in Población de Campos - we didn't know he was stopping here - and Lucy is staying here too but in another albergue. We last saw Leena from the Netherlands at Burgos, she may catch up, possibly even pass us, and as we go on we'll meet new people. We're learning about so many different places around the world. It's fantastic.
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| Walking out of Itero de la Vega |
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| Part of our walk took us past the Pisuerga Canal which was used for irrigation. |
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| At Boadilla del Camino |
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| Pappy's house is in Boadilla del Camino. It's not in a very attractive place and the milking shed across from it was rather smelly but he wouldn't have far to go to get his milk. |
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| Very smelly milking shed |
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| Boadilla del Camino |
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| The Canal de Castilla |
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| Graham and Marilyn |
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| We could have had a ride on this canal boat and saved ourselves a couple of kilometres of walking. |
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| A lock on the canal |
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| Yet another stork, this one was in Frómista. |
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| Between Frómista and Población de Campos |
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| Población de Campos where we're staying in a hotel tonight. Very nice. |
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| The time was well out - it was 4 pm |
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| The wiring system in Spain is mind boggling - it is strung from one building to another. |
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| Our pilgrim dinner tonight was soup and bread, paella with a fresh salad and dessert which was followed by some sort of shot drink - also red wine and water. All for €9. |
I am still surprised at how green everything is. Maybe by the end of summer it is not.
ReplyDeleteThe crops make everything look green. At the end of summer after the crops have been harvested its all completely brown.
ReplyDeleteIt would look completely different once the crops are harvested. You're walking at the prettiest time.
ReplyDeleteWow, day 23, how do you feel. Does it feel shorter, longer, I guess time doesn't mean much to you as you put one foot in front of the other. I'm really enjoying your Camino xxx
I really wanted to walk in Spring for just that reason.
DeleteI am finding it reasonably hard to keep going day after day even though I am enjoying everything. I have spoken to other pilgrims and we agree that it's a job- one that we have to put several hours into each day but we all say it's worth it.
Love how storks, poppies and projects for pappy are features of your journeying. Pappy must be appalled by their wiring systems. How many paellas have you had so far? Are you rating them or just grateful to have nourishing food. 🍜
ReplyDeleteI have had only two paella so far - both have been very good 😁
DeleteHello pilgrims, I have just read an interesting article in a magazine called "Kiwis on the Camino" by Dave Leggett who lives in TePahu. Joan may know him. He says that in 2004 less than 100 Kiwis completed the walk and now in 2019 more than 1000 are expected. Happy walking camino Kiwis
ReplyDeleteI would definitely be on the boat...
DeleteIt did look like a great option 🤪
DeleteHi D&N - its interesting about the number of Kiwis walking this year. We've only met a young couple of Christchurch and an older couple from Whangarei. We've met even less Australians so far.
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