Castrojeriz – Fromista
16.26 | 227.40 miles
+1,276 |-1,340 feet
I started by 8:00 this morning, beginning the day with the climb of Alto de Mostelares (almost 500 feet of climb in .8 miles).
This is the highest spot in the Meseta. The view at the top was amazing, especially with sun newly up.
I’ve heard that some don’t like the Meseta because they consider it boring. I thought it looked so pretty today. I love the patchwork of fields and all the wind farms. This time of year it is sleepy, but it must have been a hive of activity a few weeks ago.
I enjoy the different bridges along the Camino. The Puente de Itero was impressive. It separates Castilla and Leon from the province of Palencia.
We walked along the Canal de Castilla, which was built late in the 18th century to help move goods and provide irrigation.
I crossed the locks just before entering Fromista. I can’t imagine how long it would take to move a boat through these four locks.
We arrive at the halfway mark (Sahagun) on Thursday. It’s hard to believe I’m almost halfway. I’ve been walking for two weeks. It is as if I have just begun – and at the same time it seems like this has always been my life. I know I’m going home in a few weeks – but it also feels that this is just my life forever.
The Camino seems as if you’ve been transported to another world. With no TV or news, I am living on a separate plane. Like Groundhog Day, each day is the same: walk, find a place to stay, empty your pack, take a shower, wash your clothes, wait for dinner, go to sleep. But it’s also not the same day over and over.
Each day is simple but also all-encompassing of one’s physical and emotional energy. The Camino is a very unique experience. I’m thankful to be here.
Buen Camino
