Week Three Begins

Some final thoughts on our day in Castrojerez. . .

I met this crazy guy who is walking the Camino going towards France. By 1:00 p.m., he claimed that he had already walked from Carrión de los Condes today, a distance of 28.3 miles and was trying to get to Burgos by tonight, another 25.9 miles!!!

I had a great talk with Don Amancio in the Peregrino's Store about this fellow. His wisdom was simple, the Camino is something to savor and enjoy at a relaxed pace, it is not to be sprinted through ala our new madman. Now I know that many peregrinos have real jobs in the real world that puts time constraints on their pilgrimages. I do not have these issues, so the Don said that my chosen 33 day Camino was the perfect pace.

I'm pumped!

Another great dinner with my mates, dining with the saints.

STAGE 15
Castrojerez to Frómista
25.5 km/15.8 miles
Time Walked, 5:23

Total Distance Walked, 355.1 km/220.7 miles
Total Time Walked, 90:17
Cost of 15 nights in Albergues, 82 Euros

Distance to Santiago de Compostela
443.5 km/275.6 miles

I think I've spent more money on the internet than on albergues.

I had another great night's sleep and hit the road in power walk mode at 6:55 a.m. I had to conquer a very long, steep hill out of Castrojerez followed by an equally challenging downhill stretch. After that, the Meseta returned to its characteristic flatness.

I set a good pace and arrived in Frómista, population 1,000, just after noon thus beating the scorching part of the Spanish day again.

I keep getting positive comments on my relatively small Jansport backpack. At 7.2 kilos, about 16 pounds, I am the envy of many of my beloved saints and fellow travelers.

I dined on some awesome Spanish chorizo for lunch along with a couple of cañas to replenish my precious bodily fluids. I'm feeling really good.

I visited the local church built in the 11th century, inspiring in its simple beauty.

My travels on the Camino have now taken me from France into the Spanish provinces of Navarra, La Rioja, Burgos and, today, Palencia.

We all decided to stay in our first private albergue because it has internet and the municipal one does not. As you could have predicted, said albergue's internet is not functioning so I am forced to buy time at the only computer in a downtown bar. I felt obliged to order another caña.

DAMN!

Vamos bien.

BUEN CAMINO!!!