Carrion de Los Condes to Los Templarios. Distance 25.3 (15.7 mi / 16.5)to go 382.6 km

According to the clock on the wall (or at least the picture) today marked the mid-point of my trek!

Ok, so it isn't a very good photo. But I'm too tired and sore to climb up on the bar and take a better picture!

From the quiet and peace of my private room at a thirteenth century monastery (don't worry Alicia, there was no monking around last night!) I was up with the alarm, packed, stripped linens from the bed, and out the door by 7 a.m.

As I walked onto the "Calle" I caught a flash of green as J.J. disappeared around the corner. I caught up with him as he caught up with the members of his entourage at a local eatery. I, having not studied my guide book closely enough over night, elected to once again hike before I ate. Had I read carefully I would have realized that it was 17.7 km to the next town, one of the largest gaps of the entire Camino!

So I left them behind, but not until after singing Happy Birthday to Pauline.

On the far side of town was another monastery, this one said to date to the era of the Roman Empire. Maybe someone can tell me when that was?

An old street map of the Camino?

Can you imagine trying to fold that into the glove compartment of your new chariot?

As I crossed an intersection a mini-Van type vehicle pulled up. As I walked by, the side door opened and out came this little cutie. Soon after she and her mother walked briskly past me. I asked if they were going to Santiago and, to my surprise, the mother said, "Yes!"

Her mother further explained that "she always wants to walk. So we walk the Camino!"

She is eight years old, and every weekend she and Mom are out hiking the Camino from wherever their previous "tag" point was. They are from San Sebastion, northeast of here in Basque Country.

The morning was long, the terrain flat and the weather unsettled. I did the now familiar change out between rain coat and no rain coat until, finally by mid-morning, the weather made up its mind to pour down on our pilgrim parade.

I walked for awhile with Michael, from near Koln, Germany. He was walking with Huber who the other day tried to converse with me until I said my name was Frog. At that time he had the strangest look on his face, then decided his English was not up to snuff and he dropped back. Michael, on the other hand, was able to come up with the key to Huber's comprehension - Frosch!

Michael was hiking to Leon to complete his Camino. Two and a half years ago his wife left him and took their two children with her. In desperation, and wanting to piece his life together again, he started from Leon and hiked to Santiago. He is now much happier, visiting his children on weekends, and they are staying in contact with him as he completes his Camino.

I reached the first stop by late morning (Calzadilla de la Cueza) in a downpour. A large tour group had taken over the bar, both inside and out, leaving little room for me and no room for my pack under the awning. I took my pack off and covered it with my rain coat, going inside for a very late breakfast. When I emerged I saw Pauline and Carlo approaching, as the tour group made a mass exit. Pauline volunteered to watch my pack while I ran across the street for a Powerade (and breako de banos). As I exited the mini-mart/albergue I saw Jeremy and Sarah sitting down, to be joined soon by the other two. 

I picked up my pack and, as I set out, J.J. hobbled down the road. He was in obvious pain and moving slowly. At that point he was talking about holding up there for the day. 

I continued another 5.1 km where I stopped for lunch (in Ledigos). As I prepared to hit the road again, in walked Carlo and Pauline. We discussed the possible towns for termination of today's trek. I stated that, with it being so early (1 p.m.), I wasn't ready to quit yet. Ironically, it took only another couple kilometers for my hip and left knee to over rule my desire to keep moving.

I am staying in an albergue historically connected with its namesake: Los Templarios. I am in a room of ten, in a top bunk, so tomorrow I may be writing from a hospital with a broken leg!

Even without falling out of bed in the morning, I am in a fair amount of pain this evening. Hopefully some rest and Tylenol will heal my discomfort overnight.

Sights from today:

Patterns in the water

Patterns in the sky

As my father once famously said, "I think it's going to blow over."

I would love to know the age of some of the trail markers we have seen!

Trail philosophy?

At least I have Wifi! Keep your elbow bent my dear Gracie. I'm halfway home!