“Take care with the sun and carry plenty of water while traveling the lonely Meseta” the guidebook warns. I should like to add that the springtime peregrino should also be sure to bring their mudflaps, I mean rain pants, and of course, their trusty poles.
The rains stayed in the sky today but the after effects from yesterday’s storm lingered. The quicksand path became a shoe-sucking mess of wet clay and I battled to keep my trail runners on my feet.
Speaking of shoes, my Hoka trail runners are the envy of the Camino — ok, I mean the two young gear-head Californians. One of them confided that she’s taken to lining her hiking boots with maxi-pads in the hopes of cushioning her poor feet.
My shoes are lightweight, provide plenty of cushioning and today I had the added pleasure of wonderful sounds effects as I squished down the path toward the village of Hontanas in search of my morning café con leche.
The sound effects ended as the path joined the road into the village of Castrojeriz. This is wonderful cycling country, with good roads and little traffic.
Castrojeriz supposedly has only 50 residents and I think they were all in the bar laughing and eating as I came into town. When I saw the beautiful tapas on display I decided I too should be laughing and eating and that it was now time to call it a day.
Staying tonight in a cool room in a Casa Rural. 20€
Rosemont Place 
Fantastic pictures & notes. Look forward to it everyday
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I’m with Karen — your blog is a mini-vacation in the middle of every dreary work day. Thanks for taking us along with you! (And, I’m curious to know if that one pair of shoes will take you through the whole journey or did you pack a backup pair?)
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Wow- what a journey Jan ! I have caught up today – it sounds wonderful and you are an entertaining writer !
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Just got back from a two night backpack to Ipsut…remember when we hiked there as a training hike for your Camino? It was a beautiful sunny weekend with Tina Wang…but I am still not sure if backpacking is for me. I thought of you a lot as we hiked. Perhaps we can go back there in September and hike to the Carbon Glacier (the trail to the Glacier was closed due to downed trees). Anyway, thanks for the “selfie”…would love more! Your muddy days remind me of the mud at Coast Cleanup…I bet you wish you had your Boggs! Your posts continue to be so entertaining and funny! As always, be safe and enjoy the journey…
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Wonderful views again – thank you! I’ve been sharing your blog with my wife and when she saw the picture entering Hontanas, we both remembered the drizzle that met us and stopping for some bread and coffee. Who knew a loaf of bread and cafe con leche could be so good?! Hoping your travels continue to be good and looking forward to your next post.
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I now have the office asking how “Auntie Jan” is doing on the Camino! Missing you but love all the stories. Can’t wait for you to be home ❤
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