This morning was another nice one for walking at a cool 50F, with an occasional breeze. The sun was bright and strong by 9:00 but was mostly mitigated by the cool, dry air.
While we are still on the Meseta, we see more structures and clumps of trees, dotting the fields of grain and sunflowers. Small villages/settlements are more frequent but the horizon is still very flat with no mountains to be seen.
crossing a major expressway as we left Frómista this morning the path along the secondary road leading to the first village of Poblacion de Campos, where we have stayed 3 times before but was already booked this time.An initially confusing sign for which way to go unless you read the fine print. We chose left, which is shorter and has potential rest/breakfast stops.
Shortly after we reached today’s half-way point (~4.5 miles) we spotted a sign while walking through Revenga de Campos. It advertised a bar just 50 meters into the village, something that has never happened in our experience. So we took a chance and ended up having a nice breakfast/rest/bathroom break. We also renewed a brief acquaintance we had back in Belorado with a nice South Korean family of 5.
Some 40 minutes later and “Buen Caminos” exchanged, we were once again, on our way.
Moving on to the next village, along the secondary road and on the straight, flat, gravel path.The next village we encountered was Vallarmentero de Campos. We usually stop here, at Albergue Amanecer, for breakfast, but today, it was closed… not opening until 10:00!!! And it was only 9:20, so we took advantage of the open outdoor restrooms and moved on.Albergue Amanecer is an unusual, somewhat primative albergue. Above left: Pilgrims patiently waiting for the bar to open bottom left: overview of the outdoor spaces of the albergue right: interesting artwork and some of the habitacions available for a donative fee, such as teepees, culvert (on or above ground), makeshift shacks, tents, small cottages? etc.Moving on after a brief stop at Villarmentero de Campos
Linda is frequently approached by other pilgrims about her choice to wear sandals rather than traditional hiking/running shoes or boots. She wears them because all other footwear she has tried have generated blisters. And she has over 2000 miles of experience to validate it.
The price Linda pays for walking in sandals is very filthy socks.Almost there…. approaching our destination of Villalcázar de SirgaThe dominating Iglesia de Santa María de Blanca of Villalcázar de SirgaToday’s main meal was our first “typical pilgrim meal” on Camino 2023. (Fries, two fried eggs, chicken, green salad)Villalcázar de Sirga (pop. 215) locals were preparing this mural for the village square for the festival starting tonight and through the weekend.The festival began after dinner in the square outside our hotel. Young and old alike wore costumes of all types.the owner of our hotel had two cute grandchildren who participated.
We watched the festivities from the terrace just outside the hotel bar until 9:00, then called it a day.
Jimandi 