Hontanas to Boadilla del Camino

Day 14

Walked out for the day into the mist as the church bell tolled 7 AM. It was thick, wet mist on the verge of a shower. A couple miles from town the sun started to burn through and clear the day. This photo isn’t black and white. The sun is starting to light up the grey.

The path led thru Castrojeriz.  I wish I knew the story of the ruined fortress on the hill. Must look it up when I get home.  Beautiful town. Great place as well for a coffee break … and to reconnect to wifi.

Shortly thereafter we came to what appears to be a gratuitous blip on the altitude map, known as Alto de Mostelares – over 1,000 meter ascent, across a few hundred meters of plateau, and then down the other side.  The views from the top were absolutely stunning. From this vantage point one can also see hundreds and hundreds of huge windmills along the high ridges, generating power for the country.

The rest of the walk was noteworthy for abundant wildflowers and complete lack of shade. I also saw the first few fields of sunflowers – now no more than a foot tall – that will be stunning in their own right in a few months.

After 28k I was welcomed to Boadilla del Camino (Ox of the Camino) by a few beautiful white residents of the four-hooved, naying variety. Took a loft bed (a cot) in what appears to be an old barn. And enjoyed watching the stork culture in the steeple next door while soaking my feet in an ice cold pool. I’ve come to truly admire the storks for their parenting skills. One parent always stands guard at the nest while the other goes off to forage. I can’t tell which is male or female … though I’m sure they’re quite keenly aware. Today I saw why one stands guard. A renegade bachelor circled the church several times and then dive bombed one of the nests. The parent held their ground and protected the chick(s), all the while sending up an alarm to warn others.

Last night at the community dinner I met someone from the states with whom I have a mutual friend from my college days.  He and his friend from back home are at this same hostel this evening.

Right – end of week two of hiking. According to my phone, this week’s totals:

Floors Climbed: 72

Steps: 275,429

Miles: 111.5

Did I mention the ice cold pool water was just the thing for tired, sore feet?  🙂

More later…