31-05-2018
Walked 20.9 km, 4 hours 21 minutes
Ascent: 80 meters
Descend: 20 meters
Kilometers to be traveled: 419.1
Yesterday was a long day, well longer than we had expected in advance. As previously written, the planned place to stay was a scanty intention, so I went on to Fromista, where I woke up this morning. No surprise of course because I fell asleep in Fromista as well. Yesterday I also ordered breakfast this morning, so I don’t have to look around, look out or search.
Together with Domenique and Valeria we start this day on today’s tour. For a moment we have some disagreement about which direction to take, but I really think towards the west, so the sun is in our back. In the morning this is always easy to determine, at least if the sun shows itself. Domenique hesitates for a moment, but if there are more people walking towards the west, you can actually assume that it is the right way. And to get the west confirmed, just grabbed my compass, the first and only time this camino.
When we have left Fromista we cross a busy highway via a bridge and arrive at a long stretched road. Fortunately there is a bicycle / hiking trail next to it, but it seems like an infinitely long road. It is a bit gray but dry and not too cold. The walkers can be seen in front of and behind you. The average speed seems to be at the same level for everyone. Quite a few raindrops fell last night, because the cycle path has quite a few water pools.
In the first village at the end of the long road there will be a row of directional piles where you can make the choice to go left or right. To the left via the main route, with walking directly along the main road along the cycle path, or to the right via the alternative, slightly longer route through the landscape. The difference in distance is not very large, so we take the alternative route, which is nevertheless less busy than the main route. Just like the main route, it is a long stretch of road, but fortunately not along that busy road.
When we are halfway the alternative route, we see a small connecting road that goes back to the main route. You do not walk further down the alternative path, since there are only few walkers here, but you take a left to the right to join the main route. So along that busy road, it’s not too bad, away, on the bicycle / footpath. And so it happens that we arrive in Carrion de los Condes.
It is not long after noon when we arrive, but if we decide to continue we have to walk a minimum of 18 km to reach an alberge again. Our day distance would then come to almost 40 km and that is not the intention. So let’s see which alberge we choose. It will be Espiritu Santo, Hijas de la Caridad de San Vicente. The alberge is located in the monastery, a separate wing, of the sister order of the Lazarists: The Daughters of Charity, Miraculous Medal.
Given the early arrival, we may come in, but we cannot register yet. Around 2 pm we can register and the first group can join the hospital eros. She tells us in a compelling voice what we can and especially what we should NOT do. It is a monastery and we are guests. Only a few places are accessible to us and there is a private gate that we can use. And as usual, it will be locked at 10 p.m.
They are spacious rooms with large beds, neatly laid out and lots of space between the beds. There are a few tables and chairs in the middle of the room. There are sufficient, very neat showers, toilets and washbasins. There is a large kitchen and dining room for the pilgrims and some washing and drying machines. It will be washing day for me again, nice and fresh and clean for the coming days. Then see where a supermarket is to replenish the provisions, something better than an empty tooth. Then there’s a filling out …
Looking for a supermarket, because the weekly market that we saw on arrival has already come to an end, I come across some acquaintances who drink a beer on a terrace. Whether I will be added or not, why not. But don’t forget to walk to the supermarket, luckily it is found quickly. You may wonder how I find that supermarket, very easy: just make sure that the people you encounter run into it, if they hold a full shopping bag, you are almost certain that you are heading in the right direction.
For the evening meal I go with Domenique, Victor and Oliver to an excellent restaurant. Victor had been told via-via that this would be the best restaurant of Carrion de l.enz… When we walk inside, it is completely packed, with pilgrims but also especially with local people. There is 1 table left for us.
We do not go for the well-known Menu Del Dia but we each order our own meat dish. My 3 companions love to cook very briefly, I baked medium. If the plates are placed and my companions cut their meat, you would almost think that the meat has barely touched the bottom of the pan. Since it is Domenique’s wedding day, a very nice wine is also served, thank you Domenique and many years in good health.
Like every day, this day comes to an end and we must ensure that we do not return to our sleeping place too late. After all, the gate cannot remain open after 10 p.m. Another walking day tomorrow, which brings us closer to the final goal.
Accommodation: Albergue Eclesial Espiritu Sancto
