Villalon de Campos to Melgar de Arriba (14.97 miles / 24.10 kms.)

Today’s was a short day, thankfully, because I had very little energy. Last night was a bad night for me because as tired as I am at the end of the day, last night I couldn’t fall asleep. I have been having a hard time getting to sleep early because I am trying to write my blog, while also washing my clothes every day, shopping for the next day’s food. etc., and then, when in an alberque, talking to the other pilgrims, which I did last night but stopped well before eleven.

I couldn’t figure out why I couldn’t fall asleep and I may have slept all of three restless hours, not what you want if you have a fifteen mile day. Then I realized that when I shopped last night I was looking for carbonated mineral water, or plain carbonated water. It’s what really satisfies me since I drink at least two to three liters of liquid. However, finding carbonated water without sugar or artificial sweetener is difficult because it’s not carried and many stores, and I struggle reading Spanish. So yesterday I gave up and just opened a small bottle and tasted it in the store. Nope, it has some sweetener in it so I just threw in my basket. And then last night when I had a late dinner at the alberque I just drank the rest of the bottle! Who knows, it was probably an energy drink or something loaded with caffeine.

I think I finally fell asleep around three in the morning. I knew if I wasn’t up early the hospitalero would come bang on the door and that would only give me a half hour to get out, so I made it a point to get up at 6:30. Was I tired!

As I mentioned before, these nice hospitaleros totally change their demeanor and become this officious policeman. I guess they have to with so many people coming in and out everyday.

My room mate was a nice young Spanish guy and I wished he was waking so I could continue to meet up with him, but with a bike he’ll be there in six days or less.

I was originally going to Santervas de Campos, which has an alberque and was only 16 kms (10 miles), but got a text from Alan and Kim, through the Camino Grapevine, that the alberque there was closed. The only other option was to go all the way to Sahagún, which was almost 20 miles, or to Melgar de Arriba, which is actually away from the Camino and 15 miles away. If I had slept well, I might have considered Sahagún, but as tired as I felt Melgar de Arriba was going to be a challenge.

So, off I went, mainly staying on the quiet country road as it was also the shortest route. The Camino runs parallel to the road and is actually on the road for some of the time, contrary to the literature that states the Camino de Madrid is mainly off the highways.

The terrain for the first half was mainly the typical rolling farm field, and then that last half was fairly flat Meseta, or plain. I walked through several small villages and towns. About two miles from Melgar de Arriba the Camino moved off the highway onto a wide dirt road the eight to ten miles to Sahagún. With a better night’s sleep, I would have taken that direction. Now it will be a bit further to Sahagún, or I could go north-west to connect with the Camino Francis and not go through Sahagún?

I got to Melgar de Arriba, a very small village, around two and was fortunate to have arrived at that time because the woman in charge of alberque and issuing the key happened to be leaving and saw me and stopped. She had me follow her to the office and she gave me the key and stamped my Camino passport.

The alberque looks fairly new inside. It is two stories and had three bedrooms. There are two Spanish pilgrim bicyclists that came in after me. Apparently the Camino Madrid is popular with bicyclists and must account for a good percentage of the only six hundred a year pilgrims that make it all the way to Santiago. They will be there in six days or less. We trekkers, fourteen or more.

There is a bar here but no store. I am staying in and having something I bought for dinner and will just rest my bones for tomorrow.

As always, please excuse the typos, grammar, and spelling, etc., because I am writing this on my phone and don’t always review it.

Best wishes to all,

Ted

Saying good bye to Gregory as he is off on his bike.

Leaving early in the morning.

The Maseta, or plain, fairly flat.

It’s flat but still beautiful.

The Camino on the road approaching Santervas de Campos.

The split. Camino to Sahagún to the right, Melgar de Arriba to the left.

Melgar de Arriba.

The City Hall. Got the key and stamped my passport there.

The alberque, my home for the night.

Joaquin, 70, and riding to Santiago on a mountain bike. Not easy! His Facebook post says, “Seventy, and more I can!”

My room and bed. All to myself. Notice the nice mattresses with thick plastic covers. Keeps them clean but I hope you have a sheet or sleeping bag liner.

Clean and new, that’s what counts.