Boadilla del Camino

My first views out onto the Meseta from my refuge in San Bol. 

It was a perfect day for walking, the thick clouds holding back the heat of the sun. A few drops of rain to keep you cool as you walk. I still have a long stretch of this endless wheat field "hell" to go through, but thus far it's been nothing but beautiful. 

It's always a sight to see when the villages or towns come into view. The steeples and be towers of the church rising high into the sky. 

These are the ruins of St. Anton, where the Antoine Order had a pilgrims' hospital known for its cure of a fungal skin disease. The order used the power of Tau (love) in its healing practice and the symbol has become known as the Pilgrim Cross. The nuns at the Santa Clara convent now make these wooden Tau symbols and sell them. 

Castrojerez was a major stopping point for mediveal pilgrims and also the site of much fighting. It has ruins from Roman and Visigoth occupancy. 

The church from the 14th century has a rosette window from Germany. 

After Castrojerez there is a long climb back to the Meseta and an even steeper downhill. But more green is becoming evident as the fields now contain corn. It was a long journey to Itero de la Vega where I was finally able to buy some fresh fruit at the Supermercado (literally half the size of a 7-11!) and made my way to Boadilla del Camino. A sleepy town with a super alburgue by the church. Atop of towers, storks have made their nests and from my window I can hear their snapping bills. 

The owner here is an artist and there are paintings everywhere. He's also a master of Castellean food and we enjoyed the pilgrims meal with a large group today. Lots of Germans and a few Americans at our table today. 

And now I hear the bells as they ring the hours, time for bed...