Today was a hot day on the meseta.
We should get going earlier than we do, but trying to get the girls up, get packed, and get on the trail always takes us longer than we plan. Plus, we are hesitant to interrupt the girls’ sleep. It means we don’t get far before the heat of the day kicks in. Luckily, today we only had 10 kilometers to walk, so we didn’t stress too much about the time, and we enjoyed a lazy breakfast.
While at breakfast, we saw another family stroll down the trail with a baby. We were so excited to find another baby on the Camino! They are walking with an 8 month old in a single stroller. They didn’t, however, seem as open to talking as we’d hoped, so they went on their way and we went on ours.
The trail today was neither flat nor boring, cutting across a gorgeous hillside before joining the road. We walked past the San Anton Refugio de Peregrinos, and old pilgrim’s hospital that has been converted into a rest stop. It was gorgeous. We stopped to eat sandwiches and let Addie run around.
By the time we reached Castrojeriz, it was starting to get really hot out, and we were glad to simply sit in the shade outside our albergue, eating ice cream.
I was outside with Eloise when I heard my name. I looked up and met a pair from Ireland, Tina and Michael, who have been following our blog. Sandra and Addie came outside at that moment, and it was a fun chat with them before they left to get checked in to their albergue.
In the evening, we went in search of a pharmacy to pick up some needed baby supplies. We walked through the heat to the center of town, but they didn’t have what we were looking for. We checked the supermarket as well, but they told us to go to the pharmacy. Hopefully we can find the items tomorrow in Fromista, but we are a little stressed at the thought of not being able to buy basics, like diapers, for our girls. It has been more difficult than anticipated.
We found a pizza place for dinner that made delicious in-house pizzas, and we were bolstered by a good dinner It was cooler out when we walked back to our albergue, and we let Addie play out in the yard for awhile before bed.
Booking accommodation has become increasingly difficult, so Sandra and I sat down today and planned out the rest of our Camino. We couldn’t find anything available for the second half of the meseta, so we plan to bus to Leon. We then committed to finishing this thing and booked all of our accommodation from Leon to Santiago. We booked short stages, with the intention of walking as much as possible, but there is one large descent and one large ascent that we anticipate needing to avoid. We are determined to finish this, though!
As you have found out, always expect the unexpected. I think that was explained in an old Woody Allen film. I can be challenged here.
Your organizing skills are certainly being challenged. It will all work out young women
Hugs and stay safe
You all are going to make it. We believe in you and we’re cheering for every update!
I am praying for a diaper store for you and whatever other things that you need. Hopefully you can buy some in Leon, but that doesnt help in the moment. The pictures you take remain spectacular , so much history they have kept in Spain and so nice to see. Happy for you all that you have your plans now, we keep walking along with you in spirit.
You continue to inspiređź‘Ť you’ve got a long sloping hill tomorrow…. but I’m sure you know that? We recall tge triunpg of getting to the top only to discover we immediately had to go down the other side. The Camino Gods have an interesting sense of humour. We also recall watching our Brazillian friends going downhill backwards to save their knees. Deb, whose knee injury fro 50 years earlier was starting to become a problem, tried it and became an instant convert! She continues the backwards routine down steep hills to this day!
Planning ahead sounds smart – you don’t need the accommodation stress. Your post had us talking over coffee about our planned Stop and Smell the Roses walk next spring. If we are going to linger in places that strike our fancy, yet try to keep it to 50 days more or less, zooming across some of the Meseta makes a lot of sense .
One foot ahead of the other ladies… Buen Camino
Good on you and I keep forgetting to add that your photography is beautiful. It’s equally as engaging as your writing.