Carrion de los Condes to Templarios

Carrion de los Condes to Templarios

Today felt like Martine and me were playing truant from school.

The gang packed their bags and left in the morning as usual, while we headed out to find a cafe for breakfast.

It felt strange not to be walking, but I knew that while I was having a day off with Martine, I was also having a day off for myself as well. There's no point denying how exhausted I am.

The plan was for Martine to spend the day in bed, and for me to potter around the albergue. I soon found that my friend is a 'wilful' patient and I practically had to force her back into bed after breakfast.

We arranged for a taxi to take us to the next albergue later that afternoon and when Martine finally went to bed, I decided to pop into the church next door for some quiet time.

I was alone in there, so I lit a candle and found a bench to sit at. For the first time on Camino, I decided to have a little chat with God, mainly to thank him for the friends I'd made and for giving me the strength to get through the experience so far.

I read somewhere that 'tears are unspoken words' and it seemed I had a lot to say.

Later, I lazed on a bench in the garden of the albergue and felt the warmth of the sun on my skin. When you're travelling with a group, there's not much opportunity for alone time, and I think this time with my thoughts is what I really needed at this point in my journey.

When Martine and I made it to the albergue later that day, we came across an English guy who I can only describe as a 'meat head'.

Noting our early arrival, he asked if we'd walked that day. Martine said 'no, I had a fever, we took a taxi', at which point he just walked away without a word, clearly glad two girls hadn't 'beaten him' but also looking down on us for skipping a day.

If I had any more worries about missing a stage of the Camino, they went once and for all - there I was standing, smiling side by side with my friend and there he was, alone, being rude and looking grumpy.

They say 'do your own Camino' - well today I did, and I'm proud.

Templarios to Bercianos del Real Camino

Templarios to Bercianos del Real Camino

Fromista to Carrion de los Condes

Fromista to Carrion de los Condes