Camino Day 17: Castorjeriz to Boadilla
“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads”
Day 17: 18.4 kilometres - 28,175 steps
We say goodbye to our gracious host to continue our progress through the Meseta. It’s a long steep climb this morning out of Castrojeriz. We all power up the hill feeling strong and great. Donna is walking fit now and enjoying it all so much more for it. At the top of the hill we soak in the view - the clouds clear and the sun streams down on the small town. It’s glorious!!
It’s not a long walk to Boadilla. Our accommodation in this town of NOTHING HAPPENING is a small Hotel owned by the alburgue (hostel). This alburgue has the most lovely garden, full of tulips and bulbs all flowering and is adorned with curious and intriguing contemporary murals. It has a quirky charm.
The Alburgue makes us a great bocadilla (small sandwich) for lunch. The hotel kitchen is closed, so we have no choice but the alburgue for dinner and breakfast. Donna, who especially dislikes hanging around in pilgrim clusters is particularly unimpressed. The dinner is a humble affair, a thin, dreary soup and a simple but edible main. The dreadlocked owner/waiter is completely obsessed with Donna. Ever stylish, she is wearing a dress, which I understand is very unusual for a pilgrim - but in this event it’s hysterically funny. Donna claims to be completely unaware of his fawning attentions, which make Sylvie and I laugh out loud!
We discover there is a funeral in town, terribly sad in such a small community. The wake is in our hotel which keeps everyone but me awake all night.
POSTCARDS FROM Castorjeriz to Boadilla
