We are very excited about this trip as it is no ordinary holiday. We have returned to Spain to resume our pilgrimage to Santiago, which we started 2 years ago and sadly didn't complete, due to a minder foot injury. If you didn't read our posts at the time, you can go back and read them now.
This time we really hope we will complete the remaining 240 miles to Santiago. We have over 2 weeks to get there, so paws crossed.
Back to this morning, we touched down at Valladolid at 11.30 a.m. local time and the train we wanted to get left at 12.30 - and, the train station is 35 minutes away by bus.
Thanks to a small airport and a great taxi driver who understood our 'tenemos mucha prisa' (we're in a hurry) we made it with time to spare.
The train took us to Sahagun, which was the place where we sadly said goodbye to the Camino 2 years ago. Then we thought it was a depressing place, but today it was lovely. This was in part due to us being pleased to be back, but also, Sahagun does have some very nice bits, including lots of historic religious buildings and an old bridge spanning a delightful river.
By 2.40 p.m we were walking out of the town and on the camino proper. It felt really good to be following the yellow arrows and scallop shell symbols once again.
We also found a new character starting to appear - a camino mouse, dressed as St James. What fun!
About 5km out of Sahagun we had choice of routes. We chose the road less travelled, and had the path all to ourselves for the rest of the afternoon. It also got us away from the dreary senda - side of road path - which can be a virtual pilgrim motorway.
It was hot walking, but we got to cool our paws in a fast flowing stream.
We reached our intended destination of Calzadilla de Los Hermanillos by 5.30 and, on calling in at the municipal alberque, ended up being told there might only be 1 bed free.
While someone was checking for spare beds, we spotted they were in very cramped cubicles. We quickly decided we didn't want to stay there anyway, and, politely, took our leave and scuttled off to a nice looking place we'd just passed, which was offering rooms.
What a great move. We now have our own en-suite room, at a very sensible price (unlike England) and we're currently enjoying the pilgrim menu our establishment offers. The wine is very smooth and the menu choice extensive.
What a great start to Camino 2011!
Lots of love, Gio, George, Yorkie and Pedro xxx
1 comment:
Ola Norfolk Branch! We like the camino mouse but we are worried you might end up going round in circles if you keep your paws crossed! How about Suffolk Branch keeps its paws crossed instead, both for you and Midlands Branch as they start their Mallorcan travels. Bon voyage everyone!
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