Where Am I? Calzadilla De Los Hermanillos
How far did I walk today? 26.7 km / 16.6 miles
Today was a relatively light day, but it seemed rather long. It started out really nice with an early morning stretch through sunflower fields. The guidebook had a lot to say about the town of Shagún, but I was pretty disappointed when I got there. It’s a bigger town, but rather run-down. I may have missed something, but I ended up moving right through after a breakfast stop.
A little further down the path, there was a choice between two options. I took the longer one because it is the longest stretch of remaining Roman road in Spain. They’ve covered the Roman paving with a gravel path, and it was rather remote. Still, I liked the solitude away from the highway.
A few days ago in Hornillos, a British guy said he always took the first albergue when entering a town so he would not overthink the decision. Normally, I wait until I feel I’m at least in the center of town, but this village seemed so small that I wasn’t sure there would be multiple options, so I followed the Brit’s advice.
When I made it to the registration desk, I learned it would be €15. I didn’t protest, but this is at least €5 more than normal. However, the hospitalero led me to my bed and I understood why: all the rooms were twins without bunk beds. What’s better than only sharing with one person? Everyone after me went to the municipal albergue, and nobody claimed the 2nd bed. Private room for €15 – Winning!
I spent a lot of the afternoon trying to plan out the rest of the trip. Thursday will be a really short day into León, so it will be a quasi-rest day similar to Pamplona. After that, I’ve looked at a number of scenarios, and decided to keep planning day to day. Barring an injury, I have plenty of time to get to Santiago. A walk to Finesterre may be an option if I push a little, but I’m not planning on it. Even if I bike there, a walk from Finesterre to Muxía along the beach would break 800 km / 500 miles for the trip, and that’s good enough for me.
One area I’ve regressed a little as the trip progressed has been nutrition. I’m getting tired of bocaillos (sandwiches) for lunch, so I’ve skipped lunch a few times this week. There are not a whole lot of options, especially when there is only a small “tienda” market in town.
I’m also starting to drink more Coke than I do at home. Earlier, I would drink more sports drinks (Powerade or the Spanish brand Aquarius), but they’re harder to find here on the Meseta. I’m still drinking a LOT of water (5-6 liters), but I want something with taste here and there. I’ve seen others just drink more wine and beer, which is cheaper than soda, but I just can’t fathom drinking when I know I have another 5-10 mile walk ahead. I know I shouldn’t worry, as I’m burning 5000 calories a day. If Swiss Farms Iced Tea was over here though, I’d be in real trouble.