Today I walked 19kms from Fromista to Carrion de los Condes. I had too. I was running a bit behind so I couldn’t do my usual dawdle of 10 to 15kms.
As it was, the path was flat and straight but a little uninteresting as it ran parallel to the main road with light but constant traffic.
The day started out quite cool at 6C. In fact in spite of wearing my smitts (or mocks) my hands were very cold. It warmed up enough for me to take my coat off and have a mid morning snack of the left over cheese from last night’s dinner because nothing on the trail was open. I passed through several small towns and usually there is a cafe or something available for coffee and some starch. There was nothing except for two women selling something steamy to drink by the side of the road at 7:30 in the morning. I declined. I kept thinking of the witches from Macbeth because it was a cauldron over an open fire.
It was a long walk, fortunately in the sun, to a bustling town with an ancient history because it was at the crossroads of various trading routes.
I presumed I was staying at a hostel. Well it was except that I had booked a private room with an ensuite because it was the only accommodation available. I was ecstatic. In fact my bathroom had a bathtub. I loved the long soak after my long walk.
I washed clothes. Hung them out to dry and then went for a late lunch. I took a table at the first restaurant I came to because I couldn’t bear walking more than a few steps.
Well the place was quite upscale. Yes I could get a salad but not for the usual 12euros. However for 17euros, I got Italian burrata cheese over an avocado surrounded by thin slices of smoked salmon and trimmed with lettuce and cherry tomatoes. I added a glass of wine and some bread for a total of 20euros. It made up for last night’s very meagre dinner.
Since my room also has a small kitchen. I’ve decided to cook in tonight. I raided the pilgrim kitchen downstairs and found a small bottle of olive oil, a half bag of penne and some salt. There’s a grocery store next door so I should be able to get enough stuff to make a small pasta dish and have a quiet night.
Tomorrow it’s 17kms and still relatively flat. I’ll keep you posted.