September 16, 2022
Sahagun, Spain
Dear Family & Friends:
I am now past the half-way point on the Camino de Santiago. I picked up my Halfway Completion Certificate in Sahagun.
Carrion de los Condes to Terradillos de los Templarious, September 15, 2022 (16.3 or 24.3 miles)
I was warned by the hotel manager in Carrion and by my guidebook that there are no services for over 10 miles after departing Carrion. The entire trek is on flatlands along major roads or on dirt trails. After walking for over four hours, longing for a village with food and beverages, I came across a scene that was like a mirage in the desert. In the middle of nowhere was a mobile food truck. I enjoyed a ham, cheese and tomato sandwich and fresh-squeezed orange juice. What a surprising delight.
The scenery was open plains with not a whole lot of new photo opportunities. When I arrived at Calzadilla de la Cueza, I ordered a refreshing soft drink and checked the mileage app on my i-Phone. It registered over 16 miles. What a deflating surprise since I still had 8 miles to walk to arrive at my next destination, which was Terradillos de los Templarious. After 8-1/2 hours of walking, I arrived in Terradillos in the late afternoon, exhausted and bewildered by the distance travelled. My i-Phone App registered the distance travelled as 24.3 miles. If I had known the distance for the day was over 20 miles, I would have definitely stopped at Calzadilla de la Cueza.
Despite the long distance for the walk, I loved the Albergue Los Templarious where I spent the night. The Albergue was neat and clean, with an open terrace and a huge yard. The dinner was also delicious.
Terradillos de los Templarios to Sahagun, September 16, 2022 (8.3 miles)
Today was a short day, with the distance traveled only 8.3 miles. I left Terradillos at 8 am and arrived in Sahagun at noon. Sahagun is a large city with lots of shops, hotels and restaurants. I asked a local for the accurate distance from Terradillos to Sahagun, and she said 8.2 miles. My i-Phone App registered the distance of my walk at 8.3 miles. So, I think my I-Phone App is recording the correct distances.
Again, the terrain was flat, mostly along a dirt trail, with few new photo opportunities.
Tomorrow, I leave for El Burgos Ranero, which is only 11 miles from Sahagun.
Miles walked: 257.6
Miles remaining: 225.9
Days to reunion with Lisa, Lori, Amy & Elle: 5
Leaving Carrion de los Condes
The Phantom Food Truck
Typical view
Entering Calzadilla de la Cueza
Albergue Los Templarios
Beautiful morning on the way to Sahagun
Bodegas-ancient caves where food was stored and wine was prepared
Entering Sahagun
Halfway Completion Certificate
Sahagun at dusk
Bill,
The open plains photo on the way to Sahagun is fabulous—print and frame quality.
Rick
It’s not Everest, but it most definitely is a W A L K. Beautiful countryside in which to bask and keep your mind busy. Lightweight clothing. Shorts and a t-shirt. A comfortable bed each night. Sandals instead of heavy boots and crampons. Even an unexpected food truck. It seems 80 has it’s privileges…….Thanks for ‘taking us along’.
I’m hoping your family will bring you a new. pair of shoes and maybe foot salve. I don’t know how you ever did the “long” trek. So many questions: do you suffer leg cramps, sore toes, blisters? and more. That food truck was no accident. God sent it! God Bless you and keep you pain free Bill
Wow that is a huge day Bill but it sounds like you handled the recovery well. Stud! Thank God for the food truck.
Cathy and I have 5 days of riding under our belts on the Portuguese – we are following the walkers path and it is serious mountain biking in many parts. Especially with our loaded panniers. So pretty and very uncrowded. We are only passing about 4 to 5 walkers per day and we leave late.
Since you will be in top shape you should head south after the Frances. Have Sharon meet you in Lisbon. Coimbra is also very pretty. (Sorry Sharon)
Keep up your spirit I hear the meseta can play with your head. You are now in the spiritual part of the Camino from what I have read.
Mark
Saved by a food truck, how ironic! Great reporting.
Bill, I so admire your incredible patience and tenacity taking unexpected and frustrating challenges in stride. But am concerned about the inaccurate guidebook or app. This isn’t the Brierley book, is it? (So glad Brierly book comes in Kindle version.) Happy family time coming up before you know it!