Day 16 - 45.7km - Castrojeriz to Carrion des las Condes

The days start the same. The snoring slowly stops as the place wakes up somewhere around 6am (the early risers at 5 and the lie inners at around 7!!). Most people pack quickly and leave though I need a morning shower before I set off - especially as lately the hot water is in short supply in the evening!!

This morning was much the same, though we had breakfast at the albergue so some cereal, toast and coffee before setting out. It's another longer day on the bikes today through the Meseta. It's actually much nicer than we expected. There is green everywhere though there is little shade from the sun as you travel these long dirt tracks in big straight lines cutting through the fields.

The day started with a massive incline up a hill which was a struggle walking let alone cycling. Niks e-bike paid off, whilst I pushed mine up the hill. A tremendous view was the pay off before we rolled down the other side, both singing our Camino song - the grand old Duke of York. We aren't in a rush today so we stopped at a few churches, and statues, and admired storks nesting on top of anything tall. The kilometres flew by on the bikes though as we approached fromista, our halfway point we were definately slower than we started. We bumped into more old pilgrim acquaintances including the 3 Canadians, and then Maria and Florian who are now striding out ahead of "the ladies". We had a quick catch up and promised to meet later at our destination town for a beer.

We picked up some fresh bread and provisions for a lunch and a few km later found a spot on a bridge for a sandwich, before carrying on along the river. The landscape whilst still beautiful and full of old landmarks does not offer the scenic vistas of our previous stages. The final 10km followed a track at the roadside before a long gentle downhill into Carrion des la Condes where we are spending the night in a convent attached to the monastery despite paying only 9euro for the night we are in a triple room with one other chap who seems very quiet which is nice!

We are going to hear out and find some dinner options and explore the town so I will update on anything exciting in the morning.

In the meantime, behave yourselves Pilgrims, you are in god's house tonight!