Day 12 Castrojeriz to Fromista

When I awoke at 0530 I knew all was not well,I felt tired and some of my drive seemed to have left me,I dragged myself out of bed got into the bath and tried to think what was wrong with me,had I peaked yesterday was I homesick or had I just had enough? 

I got myself ready to go put on my robes but everything was feeling like a chore.

I left the hotel at six and got onto The Way,the sun was just coming up and I could not help but notice people were passing me by and I was being left behind which is unusual .

I could see Alto de Mostelares in front of me and it looked a huge climb and I thought do not let The  Camino climb up there,well of course it did.it is amazing when the chips are down you notice pain more,my left foot was not happy and my right knee was already grumbling at me.I thought to myself sod it, I put Led Zeppelin on my IPod and started to chase the field,within 10 minutes I had passed the field.

As I approached the top I gave a huge thank you to Robert Plant and Jimmy page.

I could immediatley notice the countryside was changing and I was nearing the plains,after 20 minutes I started to drop down .

Another warning about what can happen on these long walks

I caught up with a lady who was limping badly ,we got talking she had bad tendonitus.

On I went  I never saw anyone else except this Spaniard looking for snails .

Soon I was back onto Tarmac, after a few miles approached the monastery where the monks wash pilgrims feet before feeding them,they would not have wanted to wash my feet!!!

Just beyond was the RIo Pisuerga with a beautiful bridge spanning it.

It was here that I made my big mistake I started to follow two pilgrims up the road and they had missed The Camino sign but I assumed they knew where they were going and I knew the road went to Boadilla del Camilla which is where I wanted to be,I have now realised there is a road Camino sign for drivers and one for pilgrims going cross county.

This road climbed for two miles I could see the top as it was so straight,I stopped in the shade for a drink and a rest.

Up I climbed and when I got near to the top I thought that will be the end of it,wrong in front of me the longest roman road I have ever seen stretching out for miles.It went on.

And on.

Then on.

By now my knees from all this walking on the road were killing me.

After an hour I arrived .

I made for the nearest bar I needed a drink and to get my boots off fast.

Sadly it was around this time I lost my walking pole it was either stolen or I had just put it down somewhere and left it behind.It was time to leave for Fromista The Camino ran along side a canal.

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After twenty minutes I arrived at a lock and turned into Fromista.

I walked through the town and found my hotel.

I got changed had lunch then back to the room to do the blog.Sorry nearly forgot dog on a blog.

Stats for today

Walked 15.4 miles

Average speed 2.9

Walking time 5 hours 4 minutes.

250 miles to go

How do I feel after today,if I am honest I feel totally exhausted,today has not been the longest walk by a long way,but it has been the hardest.I think I may have hit the wall head on.I am not looking forward to tomorrow ,I think the last twelve days walking has caught up with me big time.

One good thing tomorrow I will go through the halfway barrier,then it is downhill all the way.