Day 16, Carrion de los Condes to Terradillos de los Templarios
First 17 km without a town. First went along the road then between farm fields. A whole lot of harvested hay fields. It did have two food trucks along the way. Finally got to Calzadilla and had a banana and coke. Hiked over to Ledigos where I got confused and just started hiking the road to reconnect with the trail. The Albergue at the beginning of town had beds but my pack was at the Jacques Molly Albergue. Ended up sleeping on a mat on the floor there. Church was open before supper and had a diarama of Bethlehem. Town seemed empty. 28.6 km, 16.6 miles
Day 17. Terridillos to Bercianos de Real Camino
Hiked through farm fields over to Moratinos where I didn’t make a turn in the dark. I walked straight fo 1/4 mile until I figured it out. Walked over to St Nicolas where I had a snack in a cafe. Hiked next to a road and a four lane highway until the way takes a right and went to a church and the half way monument. Kept hiking into Sahagun and we all had food at a cafe. Tried to find a spot that sells camera cards, but that was impossible because it was Sunday. Had to film with the iPhone. Hiked out of Sahagun and stopped at a park. Hiked all the way to Bercianos next to a road but there was zero traffic. Got in at a church Albergue. Led the group in singing “We will rock you” at dinner. 25.5 km, 14.6 miles
Day 18. Bercianos to Puente Villarente
Hiking along a not very busy road over to El Burgo Ranero where I had breakfast at a cafe. Kept hiking next to a not very busy road. The Brierly guidebook shows 2 rest areas along this section but there are more like 5. So at one point I thought I was further along than I was. It was 13 km of nothing, not even a food truck. Went under the rail line and into Reliegos. Stopped at the Cantina Teddy for a sandwich. Some people were staying there because Mansilla was full. I pressed on still hiking next to a road. Got to Mansilla and found out there indeed was no beds. The Municipal Albergue is still shut down causing a bed crunch. Was going to take a bus into Leon but found out the Michigan couple got beds in Villarente. Called and got a bed, too. Hiked along a road a saw a bunch of tractors protesting the water supply. The San Pelayo Albergue is a real gem. 32 km, 20.25 miles
Day 19. Puente Villarente to Leon.
Short day into Leon. Had breakfast at the cafe in Villarente. Jonas, Mie and Emily where there. As I hiked it turns into a modern city, but there is an old Roman bridge at the beginning of the town. Hiked up to Archueja and Valdefuente which has lots of industrial buildings. Met up with Brody and the two sisters from Brazil heading into Leon. You hike over a hill and the city unfolds before you. Then you see the Cathedral off to the right. Hiked to the Albergue with the sisters. Since it was a short day I did a bunch of stuff. Went to the Cathedral, bank and post office. A bunch of us went out to the Plaza Torres Omanis for Tapas. 12 km, 7.5 miles
Day 20. Leon to Hospital de Orbison
Started out skipping the Cathedral because I did that yesterday. Hiked past the old walls of Leon. On the west side of town I hiked by an old Palace that is now a Parador. Went over a river and had breakfast at a cafe. The suburban landscape continues through several towns including La Virgin del Camino, Valvalde de la Virgin and San Miquel. I was always hiking next to a busy highway. Had food at Villadangos before proceeding to San Martin. Decided to proceed to Hospital de Orbison even though Jonas texted me it was hot with no shade. Arrived to find a great medieval bridge. Staying At a nice parochial Albergue. 32.1 km, 20 miles