When you expect the worst and get the best

Castrojeriz to Frómista – day 15 – 26.31 kms .. Today I was woken by the Irish group at 5.30 am and I thought get up start now or waste an hour until after breakfast – so I taped up my toes and left at 6.15am…

The church was illuminated in the twilight….electrolytes, chocolate bar and apricot in pack! Skipped breakfast at 7.30

First up a big climb!!! The goosebumps quickly disappeared…

The first hour was the hill climb as the sun was rising… thank goodness as the goosebumps quickly disappeared…

My french friend Jean -pierre pulled me up this hill – I thought I was hill fit but with 2 days on the meseta it was a chalkenge!

Then it was a bit of “the bear came over the mountain” moment and steep Downhill – zig zagging to protect my my knee….the toe tapeing working well!

Following the path and voila a food truck for my morning coffee at 9am! The best instant coffee ever! Caught up with Claudia from Germany!

Through more farmland and less undulating pathways

A small church before the first village of Itero de la Vega

As I had taken a coffee and chocolate bar (snickers) at the food truck I carried on… feet and legs feeling good!

Almost half way through! Ha!

Irrigation systems for my farmer followers (John)

This guy. Looking for food on the way!

Past a little sprinkling with the watering system which was welcome as at 10.30 am heating up!

It was then a flattish walk over canal bridges where the canals feed the farms with water..

Into the town of Bordilla which was about 6 km from the final destination

This was the second coffee stop of the day(midday) , replenished my water, bathroom stop and replastered the first blister in 15 days! The rest of the feet holding out well …,with 20km down!

Prayers for my friends… and on the road again …..homeward straight!

After a couple of miles we followed the canal into fromista! It was nice…. Pace a little slower this is the longest day so far!

New flora is starting to appear…

And this daffodil like flower on the edge of the canal….

And voila! The lock into the town of Fromista!

More storks nesting!

Another little walk, visit to the pharmacy for more blister plasters…and a beer!

Oh no (Bob) a radler Amistal that tastes like lemon! Swapped with the English couple and they brought me a Heineken …was about to leave the full beer here!

I showered and laundry washed and went to the bar for a real beer…my friend Claudia from Germany arrived and Jean Pierre ( from France had already joined me) – dinner at 6.39pm and bed…. Small day tomorrow 19km… will take my breakfast!

Everyone had been telling me – be prepared for the meseta! But to be honest this was probably my best day yet!