Day 19 - Friday, May 16 - Castrojeriz to Boadilla del Camino - 13 miles from 7:20 to noon

We got a little later start this morning because we had breakfast (2 slices of toast with jelly, little packaged slice of pound cake, small ham & cheese bocadillo, oj and coffee) before leaving. We wrapped our little bocadillos for a snack later. The moon was visible as we walked out of Castrojeriz. Beautiful. 

The guidebook said to be prepared for a strenuous climb out of Castrojeriz onto the Meseta and it was true. I am glad we had this early in the morning rather than in the middle or at the end of a day. The high point was 2,952 ft. at Alto de Mostelares. 

Two young women asked if we would take their picture. They had met on the Camino and were walking together. Again, it was a very cool morning and we needed our puffy jackets, hats and gloves for a few hours. Looking ahead it seemed a gradual climb and not difficult. 

Once we began our pace slowed. I took lots of pics on the way up but to save time I did not put them up. I'll wait for better wifi speed. 

Several times we rounded a curve and each time I thought this would be the top. Hoping ...

I was happy to see this. 

Finally --the top. As usual, Nick gets a break waiting on me. It was quite flat for a short distance and then came the descent which was very steep (sign said 18% grade). It was on a concrete road for which I was grateful. This pic does not do it justice. 

What a job it must have been to make it. I thought about the pilgrims from centuries ago. The ascent and descent would have been very difficult for them. The descent was much shorter than the ascent. You could see the winding road on the fairly flat Meseta ahead of us; it went on forever it seemed. 

We took a very short break and I ate my small bocadillo at an area set up with concrete picnic tables/benches. A local man had set up a table to sell coffee, fruit, etc. 

After several more miles we came to Itero de la Vega.  We stopped for coffee at a beautiful new bar complete with granite countertop and very nice aseos. 

We had our usual rocket fuel. Seated at the bar were Kathleen from Connecticut, 72 yrs. and her walking friend, Shirley from South Africa. They were just finishing their break. 

Shortly, the two young women who had asked us to take their pic at the beginning of the day stopped at the bar. This time we introduced ourselves. They were Tenny from California and Eva from Holland. Eva is holding the huge sandwich. They met on the Camino and are walking together. They planned a longer day on to Fromista. Oh, youth!

The wind increased as the day progressed. We continued at a pretty good pace but Stoney said the Meseta was boring. At this point in time I don't agree with him. I love the different shades of green to yellow and watching the wheat in the fields move like the waves of the ocean in the constant wind. Seeing the endless road ahead and wondering when we might see a town can weigh on me though. We could see the snow covered mountains again today far off to the North. Today there were lots more wind turbines. 

About 10:30 am we spied our destination and it took another hour to arrive. More beautiful poppy fields before the town always pick up my spirit. 

We are at a lovely, peaceful place this evening, Bocadilla en el Camino. It is family run and everyone is very nice. They have built a new place and we have a room there tonight. Eduardo is one of the young sons who run the business. He is fluent in Spanish, English, German and French. He gave Stoney a private tour of the new hotel. 

Tomorrow will be a long day - close to 15 miles.