Two New Hampshire girls hike the 500-mile Camino de Santiago to raise money for women around the world.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Day Twenty: Castrojeriz to Fromista. April 1, 2013


Distance: 25.2 kilometers with 250 meters elevation gain (15.7 miles with about 800 feet elevation gain).

Today felt difficult. We had a stiff wind in our faces the entire day - pushing through the mini-gale for hours wore us out. The temperature was perfect though, and the constant cloud cover prevented sunburn.

We started with a short but stiff climb out of Castrojeriz and onto a Meseta.








We crossed the top leaning into the ferocious wind, then we descended toward Itero de la Vega.



Through Itero de la Vega, then to Boadilla del Camino (8.2 kilometers after we passed Itero de la Vega).  There's a popular albergue here, but we decided to keep going to Fromista (only 3.5 miles farther).






We walked along a canal..all three of us felt very tired at this point so the canal section seemed to take forever. Also, this bit is isolated...I kept thinking of various gangster movies and how this would be an excellent spot to whack someone and dump the body. As I mentioned, I was tired...my mind wandered...




Eventually, one goes over the canal on a narrow cement bridge.


One enters Fromista right after crossing the bridge. Fromista is a modern town with plenty of options for eating and spending the night.

The 11th century Iglesia de San Martin...


The municipal albergue is close to the above church. We were fortunate and got a room that only sleeps four people...this means we'll have only one other person in our room tonight. We like people and all that, but it's always nice to have a bit of privacy. It's a nice albergue - clean, hot shower and bathroom, garden area for drying clothes, common area with wood stove, etc. It's 9.50 Euros and the price includes breakfast the next morning.

Lena, the kind German peregrina we met in Tosantos, is here at the Fromista albergue. She and the girls are playing cards again. Lena is teaching Alex and Sage more German card games and Alex is teaching Lena blackjack.

We met four Americans today - we passed them going up the Meseta this morning. The just walked into the albergue - it's strange to be speaking to Americans besides my kids and Hugh. I've been speaking Spanish and/or German almost three straight weeks.

There's no WiFi here, so I'll post this entry later when I find an obliging cafe.

Life is good. We head for Carrion de Los Condes tomorrow.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's wonderful follow your blog, feel like I'm walk with you. My body is here at home, but my soul, mind and all other stuff is there on camino:-) I left in Logroňo, but it is nice that you gave me address. Girls are lucky to have such a mom like you. Wish the girls and you very nice and successful camino and all the best! Abrazos!

Raili ,

Bob Young said...

Enjoy the blog ... will be coming mid-May. What are the temperatures ranging? I notice that the girls are still in leggings and wear their hats much of the time. Thanks. Bob

Patricia Ellis Herr, Alexandra Herr, and Sage Herr said...

Raili, it is so nice to hear from you! We enjoyed meeting you and speaking with you. We are glad you are home safely. Thank you for being so nice to me and the girls!

Patricia Ellis Herr, Alexandra Herr, and Sage Herr said...

Bob,

It is usually between 40 and 55 degrees when we walk, depending on time of day and cloud cover. Perfect hiking weather. :)