Another day of the meseta, except today there was one big hill and one small hill and all the while with stunning views. I was up at 5:30am and walking in the dark listening to the birds, I had 30 km to cover and I really wanted to get to a particular albergue that didn’t allow reservations but had a great write-up in the guidebook, “excellent facilities including extensive landscaped grounds with a small swimming pool, typical Castilian pilgrim dinner and a warm welcome.”

Meseta

Once again today became about the destination and not the journey. I envy all the people I see sitting along the path having picnics of wine and bread and fresh fruit with no cares in the world and seemingly no urgency to get to the next destination, they’ve obviously made a reservation! I made it to the albergue in record time and it was everything I could have asked for and more… and they had a bed available too.

​I was relaxing in the sun on the grass when Gert, Andreas & Olek (who I had met last night) came in, it was great to see them again as you never know if you’re going to meet someone for 5 minutes on the track, a dinner, or days of walking together and I knew that meant I was in for another fun evening. I had the communal dinner and was sat opposite a Croatian couple, on my right a Catalan couple (pretty touchy about being called Spanish) and on my left Germans. It was again a perfect evening. I was the last to go to bed in my dorm at 11pm after staring at a sky full of stars and spotting satellites.

​Tomorrow – to walk or to rest? This place is so relaxing.

A chance encounter with this intriguing man who’s walked the camino many times.

Having my passport stamped by someone who looks like St Nic, at St Nicolas Albergue

Catching up with Korean friends at En El Camino albergue in Boadilla del Camino

With Katharina from Germany and the amazing Eduardo who runs the albergue En El Camino in Boadilla del Camino