Total ascent today = 197 feet
Cumulative distance = 258.9 miles
Today marks the halfway point on our hike along the Camino de Santiago Franceses. Terradillos de Templarias is the midway point between St. Jean de Pied de Port and Santiago de Compestela. We celebrated by having an early lunch in the village and watching the coronation of Spain's new king on TV.
Our true halfway point is still 30 miles away because we hope to walk all the way to Finisterre on the Atlantic Ocean (an additional 60 miles past Santiago). Finisterre means "end of the earth" and is traditionally thought to be where St. James body was brought to shore before interment in the Santiago Cathedral.
Today was a better day than yesterday. The sun was out again, but the breeze was back. No bugs! Also our terrain was more varied. We walked on a wide gravel path, next to quiet country roads , over rolling hills for most of the day.
Every once on a while something interesting came onto view, like these homes built into the hillsides...
Or a playful message to pilgrims...
Or a shaded prayer circle.
Other times we just watched the everyday agricultural activities as we slowly walked on by.
We are also reminded that even the easier parts of the Camino can claim a pilgrim.
Just a year ago!
The really sad part is that less than 400 yards away, just over a rise but out of sight, was the next village and a medical office. Did he know that? Did help arrive?
The buildings are now made from mud and straw instead of stone or timber, reflecting the natural resources available in this area.
Shortly before arriving at today's destination, Sahagun, we walked out of the state of Palencia and into Leon.
We have new way markers too.
We took a small detour to see the Ermita Virgen del Puenta. The original hospice is in ruins,but we hoped to see the chapel. Unfortunately,it was locked.
But I did get another picture of David on a puente.
The funny thing is, there was only a little water immediately under the bridge. I was able to walk through the field and meet him on the other side.
This place also claims to be the halfway point on the Camino.
We finished our sightseeing and headed into Sahagun to find tonight's hotel. Again we made our way through the industrial part of town,
Past the bullring - every town should have a bullring :)
And after walking through most of town came to the Plaza Mayor, and our hotel.
We thought the day was done when we got to the hotel, but the our hostess showed us to our room. Three floors up, no elevator and we still had our packs on! Leg muscles were screaming when we reached the top.
Bonus: today's wildflowers
These bushes had a very sweet honeysuckle like scent
Pretty flowers! So David has his boots and that's all good. Does he need a razor now -- will FEDEX be called in to assist with shipment? I noted the picture of David (12th in today's set) with a lot of scruff!!
ReplyDeleteDave wants the rugged look for this trip. He decided not to carry his razor and shaving cream.
DeleteHe doesn't do rugged well :p
ReplyDeleteAre you heading anything from your Spanish hosts about their fast fall from world cup grace?
A lot of yelling the night if the last game, but haven't really heard anyone moaning about it. The day after their loss was the coronation for King Felipe VI.
Delete