Camino de Santiago - Day 19 - Boadilla del Camino to Carrión de los Condes - Camino Frances

Last night I slept at the Hotel En El Camino... well, the albergue room at the top of the hotel BUT it was great!
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It was clean, well spaces out, basic but all that was needed... and there was constant hot water.
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There was also a communal dinner style meal from the hotel restaurant so everyone was talking and getting to know one another. Proper Camino-style!
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We did have a snorer, which was hard to ignore, but my ear plugs did an OK job until I was woken by the chill of an open window above me around 2.30am. Getting back to sleep was a challenge as the snorer slept soundly all night, talking in his sleep every so often.
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So, much like many of my fellow peregrinos, I was up and out at 6am and began my march towards Carrión de los Condes.
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We even inadvertently were filmed for part of a film that is expected to be released next year. I was sure if it was about pilgrims generally or specifically about the Camino. I asked if there were any well known actors involved and was assured not but it will be interesting to see what it is if/when it is made public. I think it was "The Way, My Way", written by Australian author and pilgrim, Bill Bennett.
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There came a point this morning where I could choose to follow the path on the left, or the path on the right... completely not realising there was actually a third option!
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As I was leaving Población de Campos the Camino path had the two sign posted options: one was along the main road, next to the tarmac and traffic; the second was an alternative path which another pilgrim had advised to be only 1km, or possibly only 500m longer but would give more shade.
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Turned out only half of the "alternative route" fulfilled the promise of shaded walking... though I did meet a lovely French lady with gaiters appearing from an unused path just before we entered Villovieco. The path she had taken did indeed provide her with shade virtually the entire way, though the risk of Ticks meant the gaiters were essential wear. One Camino accessory that I must admit I never thought I would see unless doing one of the less walked routes.
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Both of the options do come together as they enter Villalcázar de Sirga... just before 6kms alongside the heated asphalt and warm wind of passing vehicles blast the back of your neck, arms and legs. 6km of monotonous crunch below your burning feet.
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Carrión de los Condes was extremely welcome with its air of life, restaurants and the golden egg on the Camino... an open supermarket - allowing us to stock up for the long 17km path to Calzadilla de la Cueza tomorrow.
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27.59km, and 40, 285 steps... I need a shower, food and sleep.
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#CaminoDeSantiago #CaminoFrances #myCamino #CaminoColm