The day comprised a 75km ride up a slow incline with a few bigger hills at the end. Or at least that was the hope.
The morning started with a good pace and the obligitory stop after 5km to stretch off my calves and hamstrings. We pottered on for about 20km before finding a little oasis in the heat and had a lovely brekkie of fresh bread, marmalade and juice.
The aim was to get to Carrion de los Condes for lunch, one of the larger towns on todays route. The good pace continued with the camino by our side. A long walk for the other pilgrims in hot conditions which was probably not aided by us 'zooming' past. Aware of the energising boost an 'hola' or 'buen camino' i took it upon myself to spread some cheer and said hello to everyone we passed.
One of our main navigational tools are the rivers running through the valleys, making sure we are on the right side or knowing the gradient we will be travelling. However, the majority of rivers that we have passed have been dry, with the odd damp patch showing where water used to run (definitely no trout inthem!). The hot summer has taken its toll with whole fields of sunflowers being lost due to the lack of water. As a result it was a bit of a surprise when we happened upon the canal (see piccy) that dates back to the early 1800s.
Having eaten out for lunch since arriving we decided to have a home made bocadillo with some ham, cheese and fresh bread - lovely.
After lunch we had just under half the day to go. We had to leave the main pilgrims route and do a bit of a detour, picking it back up about 10km from the end.
We followed the main road and discovered our old friend the head wind. No matter what direction we turned the wind kept coming at us. Mike, not being content with being the lead out man for the pilgrim pelaton is also the team doctor. Periodically stopping to release some knot in my calf/ankle/thigh. It is safe to say the these javelin honed legs dont appear to be made for long distance eventing - something any of my coaches could have told you!!
With a bit of guts, grunting, and sheer bloody mindedness on my part we managed to make it to the hostel for the night. The hostal is on the site of an old hostal where the Knights Templar used to protect the pilgrims on route.
Today we have also seen the maybe 'less authentic' approach to the camino. Organised cycle tours run along sections of the camino, stopping in 5* hotels along the way as your bags are carried from place to place. Whatever you are looking for out here i am not sure that that is the most effective way of going about it. Each to their own i suppose....
Mikes hope of reducing my lead on the post box game failed miserably. As did his attempts to ask for some ice, with the hostess passing him cotton for my legs instead (its kind of like my post box/beer he tells me). In addition, after five days my skin appears to have finally given up and tanned! Although as can be seen, they still dont compare to mike!!
We have also picked up three stamps today, and some nice ones at that. Hopefully some food and rest will help us through tomorrow. We also have the knowledge thay we shall be over half way tomorrow and with the planned end being Leon, have a rest day on the horizon.
James quote of the day.
"Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains."
They are definitely waiting...
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