Donna - May 11, 2015 Fromista --> Carrion - 20.5 K

After a night spent in a converted train depot private albergue, Chris , Kim and I set off early to Carrion.  We stopped briefly at a bar to get coffee, bread and more bread before setting off.

The weather started cool (around 55 degrees) before warming up quickly.  The scenery still is expansive, lush and with many wildflowers.

We took a break halfway at a unique albergue bar that had a tepee, hammocks and animals of all sorts.  One tall and rambunctious goose came up behind a lady and "goosed her".  It was really funny to see,

We made good time to our hostel in Carrion by around 12:30.  Kim and I were fortunate to find a bar with a really kind fellow who served us some fettuccini with spinach and spaghetti bolonaise.  After having only sugar all day it was so nice to have a hot meal that tasted good.

Kim and I then went around the corner to check into our Hostal room.  It is pretty in pink and has a picture of Marilyn Monroe but is quite nice.  It was nice to have time to get cleaned up and legs elevated.  However, we found out that our camino brothers are just up the road so we walked out to the monastary they are staying at and caught up.  It was so much fun to reconnect and share experiences.

Hopefully Kim and I will be able to catch up on blog, rest and get an early start tomorrow.

Note: today was first day I walked without Ibuprofen so definitely improving.




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May 11, 2015 Day 15 - Fromista --> Carrion - 20.5 K

May 11, 2015  Day 15 - Fromista --> Carrion - 20.5 K

We left the train depot albergue around 6:45 am and headed toward the square in Fromista, where we found a cafe that was open for breakfast. Got on the road about 7:30 am. It was cool to start, but you could feel that it would heat up pretty good by mid-morning. 

The path today was pretty much a straight shot alongside the main highway and flat. Rolling farmland to both sides. We took our time, stopping several times to rest and snack. 

Chris and I walked along together and talked about a variety of topics - her family, what the Camino is meaning to her, plans for after the Camino, etc. She has decided that part of her Camino walk is to not book places to stay ahead of time, but go in faith that God will provide the place she is to stay for whatever purpose. She also is conscious of watching her spending, and while she will stay in small hotels occasionally, would prefer to find albergues at more reasonable prices. While we all had discussed the "faith" approach to lodging with Donna, and she indicated at first that she would give it a try, it became apparent to me that it was stressful going into a town not having a place already lined up. Plus, she really prefers the comfort of a private room and bath. Doesn't have to be expensive or fancy - just certain ahead of time. I understand since I went through similar anxieties when I first started biking across America. But I learned that things always had a way of working out, and often with uncertainty comes unexpected adventures that can't be planned. While I also like a hot shower and comfortable bed, I am probably a little more willing to embrace uncertainty with the possibility of unexpected adventures. At any rate, my feeling was that I did not want Donna to stress all day worrying about where we would stay such that she couldn't even enjoy the walk. And I also understand that when you are dealing with blisters and a possible shin splint, you prefer comfort. So, the three of us have pretty much agreed that Donna and I will look to book ahead, and Chris will go on "faith." If at any time Chris wants to stay with us, that's great. And with three, that reduces the cost. But no pressure on anyone. 

We made good time because it was only about 13 miles to Carrion, and flat. Got to town about 12:30 pm, and Chris took off in search for her "faith-based" albergue, and Donna and I lucked out finding a bar that was actually serving meals. We had spinach fettuccine Alfredo  and spaghetti. Delicious..Donna was practically dancing with joy. Then, we checked into our room at Hostal La Corte, right next to the Cathedral. We have a lovely room with very clean bath. And the restaurant has gotten very good reviews for food other than our regular pilgrim's menu fare. Donna was so happy with the room that she gave me a big hug and said I had "hit it out of the ballpark" with this one. Very reasonably priced too.

I had texted Leon, and after they got settled in at the monastery where they are staying, Donna and I walked the 15 minutes over to visit Steve and Leon. It was really nice to see them and catch up. They looked a little haggard, but don't we all. Leon has joined the blister club. They are planning on attending mass in the morning, so we may not get to see them again - then again, you never know on the Camino. They could catch up. Ran into Chris a couple of times as I was out and about this afternoon, and she may join us in the morning - or, maybe not. You never know on the Camino. 

Donna and I returned to our little haven and booked an albergue for tomorrow night in Terradillos. 

Buen Camino!

Kim

May 10, 2015 Day 15 Castrojeriz--> Fromista - 25.2 K

May 10, 2015  Castrojeriz --> Fromista  25.2 K

Had a nice breakfast to start the day at the hotel, and were on the road by approximately 7:30 am. I took a picture of the ruin on top of the hill behind our hotel. 

Another bright clear day, that promised to get hot. We wound downhill out of town, and across to the foothills, where the path wound up sharply at a 12% grade to the top. A stunning view from there looking back at the town. The road flattened out for a kilometer or so, then descended sharply down at an 18% grade. At the bottom, the road flattened out for quite some time amid green fields. 

Went through a couple of small towns, and stopped a couple of times for coffee and snacks. Seemed like every time we stopped, Sheila - our dinner companion from last night - would show up. Our last stop of the day was in Boadilla, leaving approximately 6 K to go to Fromista. That last stint was a whole different look. The path ran along a broad canal and under shade trees. The birds were chirping loudly. This was one of my favorite stretches of the day. I looked back and Donna was chatting with a new friend - Frederic from France. 

We crossed the canal and came into Fromista at approximately 3:00 pm. We are staying at a former train depot turned abergue next to the train tracks. I washed some clothes and we all relaxed for a couple of hours before heading into town for dinner - which turned out to be frozen pizza. I have to say it didn't matter. We were just ready for something different than the pilgrim's menu. 

After returning to the room and reviewing the route for tomorrow, I realized that Steve and Leon are just behind us in Boadilla. They must have put in some killer long days the past two days. They are scheduled to be in/near Carrion tomorrow night - and so are we! So, I texted Leon and we will try to either get together tomorrow night or meet early Tuesday and at least hike together for most of the day. It will be fun to catch up.

Donna is still dealing with some blister issues and possible shin splints, but just carries on. We are also learning that just about everyone else has blisters, etc as well.