Camino Frances | Day 17

Boadilla to Carrión de los Condes, 25.6 km

I think la Meseta screwed with my head. today was one of those days where reality and fantasy merged.

I left town before the crack of dawn, in total darkness, merely trying to avoid the mid-day heat. I was rewarded with one of the best sunrises on the entire Camino by the peaceful canal de Castilla.

A snail, a stork, and a friendly dog welcomed me to Fromista by a peculiar system of locks similar to those on the via Francigena. Café con leche and a Napolitano for breakfast at a bar full of slots, I should have tried the luck of the draw.

A 3km walk next to a busy road to the farming town of Población de Campos where I refilled my water bottle by the Santa Maria church. I took a sharp right turn at a fork on the road. I traded cars for tractors, pavement for a dirt path and roadkill for, roses.

The towpaths rejoined at Villalcazar de Sirga, where I had an orange juice in the company of the Spaniards. A stamp at the church, lathered up with sunscreen, took care of my feet and I was back on the road for the last 6km stretch into Carrion.

You should be familiar with the drill by now: albergue, a stamp, a hot steamy shower, washed my clothes, a snack, a delicious communal dinner with great company and the chance to create unforgettable memories. including that one. Went to pilgrim mass and got quite a show from the sisters back at the monastery.

The perfect way to close the day.