Day 15 Moratinos to Bercianos del Real Camino.

I had one last walk around the village before bed and saw this sign.

Which was a lot better than the one I saw 16 days ago.

It feels such a long time ago that Jeremy and I started out on this epic journey.

I have seen so much and most importantly felt so much, I am so pleased that I have done this blog  as I will have a lasting journal,as there is no way I could ever remember everything I have done .I would also like to thank everyone for their emails and posts encouraging me,when the chips are down it makes a  huge difference and really lifts my spirits.

Now that I am over halfway I feel really encouraged ,I know I have some very tough stages ahead of me,but it feels downhill .Only 233 miles to go!!!!!!

Well today I am going to start with dog on a blog and I devote this one to my son Piers because if he had been with me when I took these photos this one would have been coming home with me,a dog with real character and attitude ,my favourite dog so far and he will take some beating.

I got up today at 0630 and went through my usual ritual of looking after my trotters and getting everything prepared for the day ahead.Feet still hurt but they are appreciating the attention I am giving them.They are still in business.

I looked out of the window and it was a another lovely day,I really love this hotels location.

It was to be a quick breakfast of orange juice and some doughnuts I knew I was taking a risk but I got away with it this time,no indigestion.Yesterday my chest strap on my rucksack broke which was a disaster as far as I was concerned ,it stops all the weight resting on your shoulders and yesterday I was in agony,the pain in my left shoulder was excruciating and I was not looking forward to walking today because of it.

I left Moratinos and headed towards San Nicolas.

It really is such a beautiful time to walk when the sun has just come up.I think this persons Camino ended here !!

Soon I was in San Nicolas and I was delighted to see Petra.

We had a quick chat and I was off again,it was not long before the rucksack started to bite and all I could think about was the pain in my left shoulder,it was horrible I felt all my energy being sapped and I was having trouble staying focused it was like a needle had been pushed into my shoulder.

Onwards towards Sahagun.

This particular tree gives off a wonderfull scent which I had smelled right from the start of The Camino .Jeremy I am sure you remember it well.

It was not long before Sahagun came into sight.

Just before the town I came across Emita de la Virgin del Puente.

Ten minutes later I was entering Sahugan and I was desperate to get my rucksack off.This little chap serenaded me in.

It was time for a quick beer and a roll,I was beginning to think I ought to get a taxi to Leon to buy a new rucksack,I was being bought to my knees by a £5 strap.I put the damn thing on and left.

As I was leaving the town, I turned a corner and saw this ,it took my breath away.

It was an arch from the roman period, it was stunning,this country keeps throwing up some wonderful surprises.To the right and left at the top were two roman carved soldiers.I had not expected to see this.

Over the roman bridge  I went.I must say at this time I could have happily thrown my rucksack into the river,I had come all this way and not had any problems with my rucksack ,I  felt thoroughly demoralised and was getting really worried about tomorrow's 19 mile walk.

I walked on for two miles and came across a bus stop and sat down and took my rucksack off,by now it was getting serious,I had been seeing a physio before I left about my shoulder and the pain was far worse,than I had when I had been seeing her.Then it happened to me again,a lady with her daughter came round the corner and sat next to me and we got talking ,shortly after, her stepson Jason walked round the corner.He asked if he could walk with me, so we set off together to go to my final destination Bercianos.We arrived 30 minutes later I bought him a beer, upon my our arrival.I told him about my rucksack problems and the straps and would you believe he had a spare pair of the straps I needed to sort my pack out,we needed to do a bit( sorry he needed ) of improvisation and I am back in business,I cannot believe how lucky I have been.Thanks Jason you are a star.

Then Petra walked past and I called her in a for a drink and hot on her heels was Joe.This little fellow was the most talkative bird I have heard.

I am now sitting in my hotel with Joe and Grace and we are all meeting with Petra for dinner.Grace was facing the window and pointed this out to me ,I have never seen a donkey herding sheep before .

Today has been another interesting day to put it mildly,everyone I have met has always said The Camino will provide and I have always laughed it off,I seem to be proved wrong time after time.

I now am thinking as I  am over halfway through the walk, I am not worried how far I have come ,I am only interested in how far I have to go,every  mile I walk is of huge significance to me.

Everything is holding up,I still get new aches and pains but I think it is par for the course..

I will be walking tomorrow with Jason and Petra and starting at 0600.

Stats for today

Walked 12.6 miles

Average speed 3.1

Walked for 4.02 hours

Distance to go 223 mile.

I thought I would end by showing you what a Spaniard looks like.