Finding treasure on the Camino de Santiago

Saturday 11th June 2106 – Santa Domingo de la Calzada to Quintanilla del Monte

Km’s walked – 19,78 ; Steps taken – 28337 ; Flights – 11

Day 11 of walking

“When you meet anyone, remember it is a holy encounter. And as you see them you will see yourself” (A Course in Miracles)

The quote for the day from Brierley starts the day.  It reminds me that every human I meet is special and important and that the meeting is meant to be, and above all that if you show love and compassion to everyone you meet you get it back tenfold.

We were up at 6h00 to leave at 7h00.  We are trying to beat the heat, so leaving early is key. Sarah’s first day of walking and fortunately a “shortish” distance. Few Pilgrims to be seen, but beautiful light and no sunrise so a sure sign of a welcome overcast sky. The fields were full of poppies, and the clouds were picture perfect, almost like a water colour painting. By 8h30 we walked into Granon, where we had a delicious cafe con leche, rested and aired our feet. As we were leaving Granon, we came across Panaderia Jesus.  A bakery selling bread and “cookies” ( as the young girl serving us called them). I was not going to have anything and said to Sarah I did not need anything and she answered, “It’s not about need it’s about want!”  I  ordered a piece of Orange cake. Devine! Sarah. Had a chocolate sausage roll and an almond cookie…. Yum!!

Sarah was smiling from ear to ear all day. We passed few little few little villages along the way but stopped occasionally to air our feet. We crossed into Castilla y Leon  out of Riojaat some stage..  The views became more and more enchanting as we walked. The sky was like a painting all day, the fields were filled with ropes and surprisingly peas.  We tasted some and they were delicious.

We walked into Quintanilla del Monte ( A hamlet, 1,5 Km’s off the Camino route) to Casa Aldea Encantada and it was enchanting. Ana who owns the place with Mama, helped us with goodish English. Showed us to our room, and explained when dinner was etc. Our room was lovely. We had a view of the little street. We had a picnic lunch on our beds which consisted of Societe cheese, beautiful ham, saucisson, cucumber and tomato and of course wine, which had arrived in Babar.We had a little afternoon nap before dinner.  What a luxury.
Dinner was homemade by Mama.  Served by Ana. Sarah for roast beef which she said was delicious and soft and melty. I was given a marrow sliced into four with cheese and a batter. Delicious, but seriously rich.  We got a half bottle of wine and water with the meal.  Then we asked for more wine and were told we need to pay extra for that.  We said not a problem. We ended up paying 10 Euros for an average bottle of wine (more than I have paid anywhere on The Camino).  Sarah and I both nearly fell over when she asked for Ten euro, and we are still not sure whether to laugh or cry. It was a lovely place though and in the middle of nowhere, so I guess they could do what they wanted.

We fell into bed after packing as we wanted  to be up and out by 6am.

Camino gifts; Walking through fields of rich green with poppies everywhere, the watercolour skies, the delicious orange cake, walking and talking with Sarah (what a privilege again to have all this time with a friend), a coolish day.