We were first up and first out of the albergue this morning. We’d been told breakfast would be available in the restaurant from 6:00 am. When there was no sign of activity at 6:45 we gave up. Fortunately, the last albergue in town was opening up their bar by then.

Sunrise just outside Calzadilla

For a moment I thought the heat had addled my brain when we came across this sight in San Nicolas.

Bodegas at San Nicolas del Real Camino

But it’s not Hobbiton at all. Rather these are bodegas dug into the side of the hill. They date from about five hundred years ago and housed wine presses. Today, most are disused. A few are used for storing food and, according to the nearby sign, parties.

It’s been a day of landmarks and milestones. Somewhere along the way today we passed the 400 kilometre mark. We also crossed the boundary between Castille and Leon.

The boundary between Castille and Leon

Virgen del Puente near Sahagun

Sahagun has a population of 2,800, a bull ring, a lot of churches and at least one monastery. It’s old, Charlemagne is said to have passed through here.

Buildings in Sahagun

Tomorrow, we go that way : but not by train.

Sahagun rail