Day 22 - Sahagun to Calzadilla de los Hermanillos (Monday 27th May)


A short walk today - just 9 miles.

The night before we'd heard about someone who had got a very nice "I've completed half the Camino certificate" so we thought it might be nice to try and get one; given that we could only go as far as Leon. After a bit of googling we found out where in Sahagun we could get one and decided that a later start might give us the chance to get one.

Off we trundled to the church on the hill, but no, it wasn't open until 11am. To be blunt, we didn't fancy walking in the main heat of the day so decided to crack on. We'd changed our plans to walk a more rural and desolate variant of the Camino going via Calzadilla de los Hermanillos. This meant 6 or so miles through absolutely nothing.


The church on the hill - it opens at 11am apparently


Walking in the middle of nowhere


More of "nowhere", but nice clouds

We eventually got to our Hostal in the early afternoon. A place that had rave reviews about the service and food. Well it more than surpassed expectations. Run by a young local Spanish woman and her Cuban husband; I can't praise it enough.

We had a wander around the village, which apart from the other walkers Albergue, was as dead as a dodo.

Major rocking in downtown Calzadilla de los Hermanillos


Casa Rural El Cura - highly recommended


The Pelotta court in Calzadilla

After the wander we had a beer back the Hostal, and got chatting with various other travelers; in particular Donna (from Dunfries) and Jim (from Newcastle) - who had lived in Colorado for 10 years. Both retired, but ultra fit triathalon competitors. He openly said he hated walking, but Donna clearly wore the trousers hence they were here. To cut a long story short' we had superb home produced food and plenty to drink. A truly memorable evening also shared with some Americans and an Austrian guy. It really is becoming clear about the other great side of this silly walk - just traveling and socialising with people of all ages, backgrounds an nationalities. A really memorable night.


Sunset at Calzadilla

What else today? Firstly Cate has declared that she's absolutely loving the journey, and that she feels like she's in her 20's again! In fairness, there's something in that. It's really just like backpacking that we did when we were that age - everyone all in it together, sharing their experiences and being supportive of each other. However, we all have a common goal - heading West towards to Santiago; and that makes it that bit more special.

Cate loved the previous day, where we spent much of our time walking with younger people. She coughed to the fact that she'd had a "Mother attack" with Sam from Canada. Not a shock as she has form with "Sam's" who need mothering! I'm considering changing my name to Sam.

Her final revelation was that I really didn't have to get a job when I get back home! I think that maybe her Camino moment; or it was a severe case of sunstroke. I'm not holding my breath.

That's it - quite a dull day of walking; but a magical day

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