A rumble had just started emanating from a bunk on the other side of the room. It was still very very dark and I told myself I really should keep my earplugs accessible at night! The rumble increased, and seemed closer…and then in my nocturnal semi-stupor I realised it was my phone vibrating. I keep my valuables inside my sleeping bag liner overnight so by the time I had managed to extricate it from its secure hiding place, it had stopped. Unlike my heart, which was now racing, because I thought something bad must have happened for anyone to contact me in the middle of the night. It turned out I didn’t need to escape from the dormitory and find a spot down the big stone stairs to talk quietly without disturbing anyone. There was no emergency, but we messaged back and forth for a while. Son In Australia noticed I was online and tried to call. Declined that call quickly! A few other family members joined in, mostly suggesting I go to sleep.
Somewhat miraculously, once all the conversations were done, the snoring stopped and I got another couple of hours sleep before people started getting up.
Breakfast time was then enhanced with a video chat with lots of the kids and Rob. I’m missing them more than I had expected to.
When I wasn’t looking, someone put something heavy in my pack. I don’t know what it was, but it weighed a ton.
It was looking like it might be a bit of a Poppy Day.
And there would be more, but first the 14th century ruins of San Anton. I had been hoping to overnight here, but a couple of weeks ago it was closed because of danger.
Round the corner, Castrojeriz came into view in the distance, and slowly (due to that interminable weight in my bag) got closer and closer. The poppies along the edge of the path were the thickest I have ever seen them grow.
I walked straight through the village, one of Spain’s most beautiful villages, according to the sign at its entrance, fully intending to go back and have a look around later. But after checking in and showering I went straight to sleep. It’s a bit frustrating to be in a place I want to explore and have no energy, but that’s the way it is. Besides, I’ll be back here on Wednesday (hopefully) and might be feeling a bit better by then. There is a museum I really want to visit, but we’ll have to wait and see….
This week I was meant to be aiming for no more than 83km, but I’ve already done over 107, so I need to take care of the Achilles too (one is good and one is legitimately niggly).
After an afternoon of hearing the stories of people who are here – everything from new retirees to a homeless Swiss lady…to the raucous Italian guy from last night…to someone whose journey has included raising a son with autism…to a couple from Austria…to a Japanese Buddhist teacher…to the Brasilian lady, who has dreamed of walking for forty years….all that was left to do was cook the pasta I have been carrying for almost two weeks! With an Australian lady and a newly engaged Brasilian couple and an artist from Brazil, we pooled resources and made enough to feed some Koreans as well and still have leftovers.
SoloWalk2024 