Day 16 - Bercianos to Reliegos

Day 16 - Bercianos del Real Camino to Reliegos 21 km

In a few days, I will hit the halfway mark.

I woke up during the night with pain in my little toe again. I left the dormitory quietly because I wanted to check my foot and treat it, if needed. My whole toe was one large blister. Ouch.
I saw an image moving along the corridor, slowly approaching me. Could it be Florence Nightingale? Actually, the next best thing. One of the elderly residents had observed my departure and subsequently approached to inquire about my well-being and whether I required any assistance. She was all the way from Australia and a retired nurse practitioner. Kindly, she returned to the dorm and returned with a first aid kit that would have put a casualty department to shame. The result was a very cool, pain-free, comfortable toe.

I left Bercianos after sunrise. There was something eerie about walking through this tiny hamlet in the morning mist. My destination was Reliegos, 21 km. Hopefully, my prayers will be answered, and I will arrive pain free and no additional blisters or injuries.

I picked up a good pace, striding on - a man with a purpose. Again, a flat path surrounded by corn fields.

After 11 km, I sat down on a bench to have some water and fruit.
Disaster struck. My toe started throbbing. I removed my shoe to try and ease the pain and change my socks. A Swedish couple, also Pilgrims, approached me to ask if I was OK. The woman said she had heard about my 'Bad Blister' and would I allow her to evaluate the culprit. So, after another half an hour, I now had a Swedish remedy for my toe.
People are so kind and more than willing to assist in any way they can.

I arrived in Reliegos and found my accommodation. The owner is an Eco Warrior and his hostel is a place of wonder. The diminutive structures evoked a resemblance to the dwellings depicted in The Hobbit. There was a wonderful, central Eco flower and vegetable garden. The sweet scent of the edible flowers was in stark contrast to the smell of the entire array of fresh vegetables.

Siesta time is calling.
God willing, I am walking to Leon in the morning.Læs mere