Our decision to offset our destination from the stages outlined in the Brierley guidebook seems to have paid off. After an easyish morning’s  walk (a little more than 19 kilometres) we’re at a small albergue in Boadilla del Camino. 

We  were the first guests to arrive. 

Oh, the pleasure of being first in the shower. A pleasure that was a little rushed. It’s a communal shower. I’m not a huge fan and that’s putting it mildly. 

I could hear a lot of excited voices downstairs. I was about to be invaded. 

I was wrong. This albergue has the only shop in town and a lot of people stop off here for food and drink before continuing on to the next town. By the time I was safely dried and clothed that  group of chattering voices had moved on, and I was left with a big smear of mud down the back of my leg – overlooked in my anxious hurry for decency. 

They say the Camino teaches you gratefulness. At the end of our third week  I’m grateful the water was hot, and I’m grateful I had the shower to myself. But most of all I’m grateful for my bathroom at home. The one with decent water pressure, the one with the heated towel rail,  with plenty of room to move, and the one where I get to relax cos I know exactly who is about.

As for the walking, we couldn’t have timed it better this morning – all by accident of course.  We set off in the dark and were lucky enough to complete the climb out of the small valley onto the Meseta by dawn.

Looking towards Boadilla at sunrise

I’d walked almost two hours without my caffeine fix when we reached Fuente del Piojo. This gentleman had espresso for a donation. I was very happy to see him – a true Camino Angel.

A coffee providing Camino Angel at Fuente del Piojo

Not far along the way we came to the restored  C13th chapel of San Nicolas. He’s a popular saint here and, as it happens, a favourite of ours.

Icons on the altar of San Nicolas

Puente de Itero

There is a huge diurnal range at the moment of 20+Celsius. So, although, I started the day wishing I had gloves by the time we arrived at the albergue it was sweltering I was pleased to stop.

John on the way to Boadilla del Camino

I’ve learned from yesterday – the señora has made our reservation for tomorrow. It’ll be another shortish day, a little less than 20ks.