Madrid Camino Day 14 – Villalon de Campos to Sahagun

May 19, 2017

This post will be very brief as it has been my longest walking day so far. 

Well behaved working dogs along the Madrid Camino – I was never bothered by dogs once

A ten hour walk today covering 32 kms. I actually walked in the company of others for the very first time today – with Jose Maria and Jean – and they were relaxed, engaging fellows. The time flew as we talked, passing through little villages and more endless fields. The mountains came into view and we stopped for a celebratory late lunch 5 kms from Sahagun. I am officially halfway to Santiago.

Sahagun, where the Camino Madrid and the Camino Frances intersect

It was a shock to see so many pilgrims here in Sahagun. We are in a massive albergue, a converted cathedral, and there are more than 200 beds. I am not the least bit comfortable in this kind of environment, having chosen to walk the Madrid Camino to avoid this very thing. But, I am going to suck it up and hope it improves. Perhaps I’ll grow accustomed to not being alone. All part of the experience, I suppose.

Two more 25 km days ahead and I’ll reach the city of Leon, the provincial capital. I’m told it is a beautiful city. I plan to get a little hotel room there and take a rest day – I’ll have earned it!