Hornillos 2

After getting settled at the albergue, I spent nearly all afternoon sat in more or less the same chair in a square outside the bar where I had lunch, meeting a dozen or so new friends, including two genuine Kentucky colonels, who introduced me to a number of their Camino friends variously from California, Colorado, Toronto, the west of Canada, Ottawa and South Africa, plus a young Spanish couple who were cycling. The chap from California (in his late 30s) is on his third Camino (and the second in 2 years!). Apart from one of the Spanish cyclists, the others all started in St Jean. It was great to hear about their journeys so far and to share our reasons for being on the Camino.

Whilst wandering up and down the single road running through this small village, I bumped into the Canadian couple I met this morning. I also found 2 Australian ladies to whom I’d spoken only briefly at a couple of points during the day, and we ended eating dinner together, and chatting properly.

I’ve also just chatted with the hospitalera (host, for want of a better word) from my albergue, who knew this had been my first day on the Camino when she stamped my credencial earlier.

After an increasingly sunny afternoon and a v pleasant evening, it’s got quite chilly now under a cloudless sky. The weather apps seem to be forecasting a low of only 6° for the early morning.

My plan is to reach Castrojeriz tomorrow, about 19km from here and which is where almost everyone I’ve met today is heading.Read more