Day 23

Walked from Sahagun to El Burgo Ranero 16 km. then took the bus to Mansillo de los Mulas.
I took

the bus as the Camino between el Burgo and las Mulas  is 26km. And there is no rest stop at any opportunity for help if needed. So to be safe I skipped this part.
Had a very noisy nite and could not take pictures of the running of the bulls as I was out of batterys.
Met up with Monika from Creston and Tao the monk und had a very nice dinner together.
Forwarded my pack, and had a good breakfast before starting the walk.
Sahagun has a lot of history, the bridge dates back ti the 9th. Century. Legend has it that the trees along the river are from when the crusaders put their lunches in the soil thy became trees.
Walking over the bridge  you really feel put back in time as you walk over the same stones as pilgrims in the 9th. Century. I find it very inspiring to see so many young people walking the Camino, and talking to them gives me a lot of hope for the  future.  Met a girl from California who also had trouble wit her feet, she had trained a lot for the Camino and found it humbling to now need assistance from fellow pilgrims,. All her life  she got whatever she needed with money, and getting so much help from strangers made her re-evaluate her life's direction. Having lunch in our auberge a young man from Italy rolled in on his wheelchair and was assisted by two friends, we all cheered and clapped as he came by. Today as I waled in someone called my name and it was Nancy from Holland of whom I had written earlier, her feet are very swollen and I do not know how she can keep on walking. I am off for siesta.
Big Hug to all
Grateful Pilgrim.

Day 21/22

Left Carrion de los Condes by bus to 10km short of Terradillos de los Templarios and walked the remaining 10 km. well I should not say walked but strolled, my pace is now as slow as the french gentleman I told you about in the beginning, but just like him I do arrive at my destination. The Camino is now very flat but the views are amazing, the cloud formations keep changing, and the flowers are in such profusion that we keep stopping to admire them. I think my lesson of the Camino is to slow down, and that I do not have to be first. I met a monk from Tibet and over lunch he told me  that I waste too much energy rushing through life, that I should conserve it for health and study. I will have to remember that. Yesterday I walked with a lady from Italy, she took the bus like me as she has lots of blisters. Had a very nice pilgrim dinner and then did some foot care. Slept in a room of 12 beds, I use my sarong to make a little privacy. Had 2 heavy snorers so did not sleep very well. It is funny to see the snorers put earplugs in and then turn around and begin snoring.
Left Terradillos at 8:30 ( I decided to take my time in the morning) after having breakfast, usually cafe con leche and a croissant. Walked for 5 km. and there in the middle of nowhere was a hostel and it is run by a german couple and thy had real german bread, so we stopped and had breakfast #2 very good. It took us 4 hours to walk 16km. I got a sunburn on the back of my legs, today was 27 degrees. It is supposed to be even hotter tomorrow so I will start walking earlier. I get stopped regularly and asked about Canada or people tell me thy had visited Canada or have family there. I am now known on the Camino as Canada. I am now in Sahagun, and the village has a one week celebration and to nite

 thy have the running of the bulls. I am in a hostel and the bulls will run right by my window, hope it will not be too noisy. Will post the pictures tomorrow if there is
Hugs to all
Grateful Pilgrim

Day 19 and 20

Hi Everyone.
Here just a short note, I am on a stretch of my Camino that is very emotional and I am unable to share these feelings. So there will  be a few days of silence from me. Know that I am safe, and that I have all of you in my heart. I am on my way to Terradillos de Templarios, and the weather is fine.
Hugs to all.
Greatful Pilgrim.

Day 18

Still inCarrion de los Condes.  0km.
Had a good nit

es rest and again watched as all the pilgrims left, this time I did not feel sad. I think slowly I am accepting my slower pace. The feet feel better today and I will walk to  Caldadillo de la Cueza. 17.0km. and will forward the pack to save my ankles as much as possible. It is interesting to see that the village is almost empty  before noon and after lunch it fills up with pilgrims and then the local people also come out. These villages are very poor and the Camino is their only industry. Things are so much easier that I speak spanish and quite often I get asked to translate. This afternoon I went to a pilgrim  service, very nice. Then went out for dinner just a big salad. Met Monica from Germany who just retired and also is doing the Camino alone and just like me is never alone. There are a lot of biking pilgrims all decked out in their gear and as soon as thy arrive they clean their bikes. They do an average of 100 km. a day.
It is now 8 pm. and 20 degrees outside, so all the cafe's are full.
This is the convent where I stayed.
Hugs to all
Grateful Pilgrim

Day 17

By taxi from Fromista to Carrion de los Condes. 26.8 km.
Last nite in Fromista had a very nice dinner with pilgrims from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Holland, Germany, Italy, England and Canada Vancouver. Everyone told their reason for walking the Camino and  their profession when working. What an interesting group we were and the food was very good.
Had a good sleep and this morning took a taxi to Carrion de las Condes with a Danish lady and on the way there there was a pilgrim hitchhiking as he could not walk any further he has huge blisters so we gave him a ride. I am staying in a convent and the rooms are separate for men and woman and special rooms for married couples, believe it or not they check. We are 12 to a room the whole auberge is very clean, no surprise as it is run by nuns. We are expected to go to the service at 6 pm.  Outside my window I can look

 at a stork nest on top of the bell tower, what a racket she makes.
Thank you for the messages, it is so nice to open my mail and read the comments, makes me feel connected to you all.
Big Hug
Grateful Pilgrim.