Day 20 - Sahagun to El Burgo Ranero - 10.69 miles

Another very short day today. Since I am pre-booked in accommodations, I can only go where they tell me but it seemed quite short today. I got up and actually had café con leche and tostada (toast with jam) at my hotel this morning. I was waiting on J from Canada (my walking buddy for the last few days). She is a 64 year old Grandma of 4 and just a delight!!!

Can’t seem to lose these guys!

We got to the first rest stop and ran into G and R from NJ! They are such a fun couple as well. So we shared a coffee and walked the entire rest of the way together to our destination. I had originally been booked at what appeared to be a truck stop (and indeed was!). We passed it on the way to the town proper, but I kept going so I could get a few replenishment groceries first and see the town.

Trail buddies having fun!

After looking around, I decided to go back and get my room, drop my pack and come back for lunch. Well, after walking the mile back to the truck stop hotel, I found I did not have a reservation there after all. I double-checked my voucher, and I was really booked right where I was earlier - in the center of town! Obviously from the time I printed my itinerary to the time my vouchers were done, they changed the location. So, off I walked the mile back to the center of town. (Anyone who knows me well, knows I don't mind the free exercise!😉). I checked in and decided this may be the night I earn my "pilgrim stripes" because that bed has been here since St. James himself came through! (Springs clearly visible and all!)

We all met for sangria on the patio before lunch. Then we went to the restaurant next door, which had the best ratings in town , but it didn't open til 1:45 pm. Since G from NJ speaks fluent Spanish, we got the royal treatment. Better wine with lunch, apple tart for dessert, etc. That was THE meal for the day, because by the time we were finished it was 3:30 pm, and they were kicking us out! After lunch we walked around the town a little but nothing was open to see, although they did have an area that had man-made Wetlands and a little path around it. They showed you all the animals you might see, but they were obviously having a siesta too. Supposedly you luck out if this town church is open for viewing as they only have limited volunteers to staff it. We did see the four enormous stork nests on the top of the bell tower though.

4 stork nests on the bell tower

After our walk, everyone else went for a siesta, but I went back got my hiking shoes back on, and decided to walk down one of these farm roads for a while. Later, after the shower and laundry routine, I met everyone downstairs. There are two Aussie couples and one of the husbands looks just like John Cleese and is just as funny! He gets that a lot! His wife has a hurt ankle and they have taken a taxi for the last 2 weeks, which he says is the way to see the Camino. He also jokes he waves at us like the queen as he rides by each day.

A church window

Well, only one more stop tomorrow, and then we arrive Friday in Leon. Many people are taking rest days here because there is so much to see. I will have to do a whirlwind tour as I am only staying overnight. The Aussies referred to us as "wankers" for taking days off. Oh how I miss Ted Lasso! And yes, I know that's a British show, but any loyal fan of the show will know what I am referring to here.

Ugh - as I lay down I think "How long can I delay sleeping in this awful bed?"