413 km to Santiago
We had a cozy night at the albergue – finally slept well and felt warm. In the early morning, we quietly moved to the lounge, had breakfast, laced up, and stepped into a new pilgrim day. It was still dark and cold outside.
Our first stop was Frómista. After about half an hour, we reached the Canal de Castilla, a 207 km-long waterway built in the 18th century for transporting grain. The canal has 49 locks that manage a 150-meter elevation difference. The one near Frómista alone handles 14 meters. Cargo boats once traveled the canal, pulled by mules from the shore. Today, it’s used for irrigating fields.
At one lock, we noticed a large stone sculpture in the shape of a book – its meaning, however, remained a mystery.
Past Frómista, the wind took over. The path ran alongside a quiet road, and the cold wind bit into our faces and hands.
In Villalcázar de Sirga, we stopped for coffee and shared a single pork rib – but it was enough! It gave us an unexpected energy boost. The landscape was gently rolling, surrounded by wheat fields. The road stretched straight ahead, our steps fell into rhythm, and our thoughts wandered freely.
We ended the day in Carrión de los Condes, at the Santa María del Camino albergue. The kind volunteers welcomed us with hot tea and cookies. We signed in electronically, then they offered us a bowl of hot soup. We felt deeply grateful.
We settled in, went to get groceries – tonight’s dinner: chicken risotto and a fresh salad. We send warm greetings home and wish everyone a peaceful and joyful Easter holiday.
Take care,
Martina & Ive
