It was a simple case of straight on today,
The Way, today
all morning, from 7:30 until just past midday.
We’d heard story after story about how hard this part of the walk is. Eighteen kilometres without a shop or a place to refill water. And so we stocked up with the essentials: water and chocolate. Oh, and fruit.
But really there was nothing to worry about. At the halfway mark there was a mobile cafe. We were carrying so much food, as well as extra water, we just couldn’t bring ourselves to stop there.
The absence of cafes means an absence of toilet facilities. Let’s just say that if you happen to step half a meter off the trail, especially near any trees, or large rocks which might offer a semblance of privacy, you’ll be confronted by evidence that many, many pilgrims do not understand the principle of take only photos, leave only footprints. It must be really gross for the local farmers to have their properties used in this manner. It’s a problem all along The Way. I reckon the Camino could do with a massive “Pack it in and Pack it Out” promotion.
The relentless straight on path is hard on shoes.
Way marker between Carrion and Calzadilla de la Cueza
Having taken a good look at my shoes this afternoon, I doubt they’ll be coming home with me. I just hope they hold together long enough to get the job done.
We’re in a tiny village of Calzadilla de la Cueza (population 60). There are several albergues, a few houses, and one shop.
Our accomodation for the night
Tomorrow, we’re adding another 4 kilometres to our day. I’m hoping that my feet won’t notice if we step it up gradually.
Categories: Camino de Santiago, Europe, Spain
Jill's Scene 
It looks like tough going here. The lack of toilets must really be a problem. It seems the government, knowing how many pilgrims pass this way, would provide a public toilet of some kind. I lived in Japan for four months where people actually face the fact that people have to go to the bathroom! You can find public toilets everywhere there, inside and outside metro stations, at every 7-ll or Family Mart, at every tourist attraction, all for free. Even in the U.S. we don’t have this and actually have to buy something at a cafe to get a code to use a toilet. In Budapest, Vienna and Prague we had to pay to use toilets. It’s a frustrating situation! Good luck on that long flat trail. 🙂
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The terrain here does look rather bleak. I am full of admiration for you both reaching the half way point.
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Another stunning photo. The sad reality about the human pollution is that people treat the word as a litter, as long as it is not their house.
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Amazing how different the scenery is each day. Hope the shoes hang in to the end
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That’s a long looking road – you guys are my heroes.
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Oh that’s what I was worried about – apparently Mt Everest is a big public loo now! Go well xx
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happy to know that you have taken the Camino ! Marie christine et Hervé (the French Pillgrins of Toulouse)
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And happy to know you have returned home safely. Tomorrow we hope to cross the half-way point.
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As for the human pollution thing…It’s absolutely disgusting! And this is the “first world”. Luckily it’s not along the whole Way.
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Nice work…straight and flat and dry path walking can be/is challenging. The usual Camino mantra…’one foot in front of the other’. Yes support the “Pack in- Pack out’ messaging…….keep enjoying
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