Day 1
Last night’s train ride got me to Sahagun at 10:30 pm. Along the way I saw a variety of landscapes, dogs playing together in fields, deer running, and the sun set late (after 10) over the horizon. It’s also time for the hay harvest and I saw field after field with bales of hay and even a baler in action, pooping out a bale of hay off the conveyor belt. It was awesome.
When I arrived, it was too late for dinner and I was just so grateful that the owner and his wife were still up and welcomed me with the last room in the hostel. Lovely, clean surroundings. I ran a hot bath and laundered my clothes afterwards. As I’d washed my clothes at midnight some things were still damp and they had to travel in a mesh bag on my pack while I walked today.
Today felt like a bit of a wash. Still exhausted and dehydrated from three days of travel, I slept late – over 9 hours – and as I was dozing off I was grateful to have a room to myself and didn’t need to wear ear plugs. Today I only covered about 12 kilometers before heat and dehydration got hold of me. I stopped at Alberge La Perala – I’d stayed here last time. After checking in I collapsed into bed immediately and slept for 2 2/2 hours.
When I awoke I looked out the window to see we are surrounded by sunflowers.
Fields of sunflowers have replaced the fields of poppies that were around me last hike.
I’d thought that Sahagun was somewhat near the middle of the hike I’d done last time. Apparently it’s exactly the middle and there’s a marker on the spot.
I think I incorrectly did the math related to my starting point. For some reason I was thinking halfway meant it would take half the days as last time. But realize now there are more stages on the first half due to the difficulty of the terrain. There are several stretches on the second half that are flat plains. Tomorrow is one of them.
Since I didn’t get far today, I need to do about 30km tomorrow. I’ll be starting early, portering my pack, and only carrying essentials to help me make up ground. Essentials include extra water, electrolytes, sunscreen, fruit, sunhat, a shawl, and my waist pack that has all my important documents in it. Also, to prep, I’m eating potato chips this afternoon (for the salt) and drinking copious amounts of water. Pilgrim’s dinner and then an early night.
More later….
What a beautiful train journey to start with. Glad you got the sunflowers I ordered. It was quite a task to replace all those poppies once I realised that you had seen them before! Go well on that long walk, that is quite a distance. Sounds like you are back in your good place.