This is the map of part our route today.
We got up at 6:30 AM, packed, had breakfast at the alburgue and hit the road at 8:00. Andrea and Marco were enjoying their second cup of coffee and it didn’t look like they were in any hurry to get out and start walking, so I decided to walk solo today.
This is sunrise a little west of Sahagun.
It was a cool morning, just above freezing. Great walking weather. I am taking the alternate route today, the Trajan Way.
This is Calzada del Coto the fork in the road on this part of the Camino. To the left is a long stretch of senda, or gravel path next to a road. To the right is the more remote Trajan Way. This road was built by the Romans during the reign of Emperor Trajan. I am sure it comes as no surprise to anyone reading this blog that I turned to the right and walked the Trajan Way. As an honorary member of the Roman Legion I had no choice, especially on Columbus Day.
This is a sign indicating that we have a little more than 300 kilometers to go to reach Santiago. I think this sign is a little lite on the remaining mileage. I think it is more like 360 kilometers to Santiago.
This is the electrified railroad track running between Sahagun and León.
The landscape is getting more wooded. I think we are approaching the western edge of the Meseta.
This is the first time that I have seen round hay bales instead of square hay bales.
This is the second village on the alternate route, Calzadilla de los Hermanillos.
This is another one of those buildings with a pigeon coop in the attic.
I think I’ve figured out why these Spanish sharpies have pigeons coops in their attics. Last night we went out to dinner and ate off the pilgrim menu. Marco from Italy, Andrea from Sweden and Giorgio who is originally from Italy but now lives in British Columbia and runs the Ruby Lake Lodge with his family, and your humble correspondent, made up the diner party. I ordered the chicken off the pilgrim menu. I got a drumstick and a thigh and it appeared that they had come from a really scrawny chicken. I complained to the waiter that I would prefer my chicken be one of those genetically modified monsters whose breasts are so big that the chickens fall forward every time they try to stand up. He acted like he didn’t understand me but I think he knew full well what I was saying.
Not only was the “chicken” on the scrawny side, it also tasted funny. And I don’t mean ha ha funny. I mean the kind of funny where you need a grande cervesa, or really big beer, to choke it down, and then another grande cervesa to wash the taste out of your mouth.
Then it dawned on me. I think they are clearing out those pigeon coops periodically and serving the pigeons as chicken on the pilgrim menu. Now I am wondering what the ham really is. Who knows what shenanigans these devious Spaniards are pulling when it comes to the other items on the pilgrim menu. I believe that the Spaniards, behind my back, are doing everything they can to put as much “grim” in the pilgrim menu as possible.
This is a roadside cross in Calzadilla de los Hermanillos. We stopped and said a prayer for Anna.
This is the path leading away from Calzadilla. Notice the corn. This corn would be laughed out of the Illinois State Fair. I was out on this section of the trail by myself. The wind rustling the corn was a little spooky.
As you can see, it is getting more wooded as we approach the western edge of the Meseta and the beginning of Galicia.
This is a shot of the approach to the valley of the river Arcos.
Down in the river valley I came across this ranch. This is the first time I have seen cows in the open since the beginning of my Camino.
After a 30 kilometer hike I am now in Reliegos at the alburgue La Posada. I have my own room so I am very happy. Thirty kilometers was probably too much. I will try to limit my hikes to between 20 and 25 kilometers in the future.
I hope everyone had a good Columbus Day. As an honorary member of the Roman Legion this is a special holiday for me.
Good evening from Reliegos, Spain.
AbeAndMarkontheCamino 