We stayed at a dated and cluttered hostel. If you like ornaments and knick knacks, this is the place for you. A comfortable stay though and the hostess was very nice and secured our bikes in her garage. A delightful lady who explained that May was very busy with the Camino, then business drops off a cliff as the pilgrims avoid the hotter weather.

Today started with picking our way through a huge trail of pilgrims. We have never seen so many, it was as if they had all been congregating for a few weeks and hit the trail to get in our way! But we had cycle bells (in order to comply with Spanish regulations)! So we tried advanced warning with a few ding a lings, then opening up with salvos of rings, but generally the pilgrims took no notice. So I developed a new technique of approaching in stealth mode and blasting out a very loud and firm “HOLA”. This did the trick and often led to a minor scramble to get out of our path. Here is one view of the hoard below, in this instance we were using the road. So normal Hola volume was used to encourage our fellow pilgrims in their toil as we sailed by.

This section of the Camino is often described as dull and boring to walk – it’s a largely flat and shadeless route with long straight stretches that must seem never-ending for walking pilgrims. But by bike it was lovely flying along with our tailwind friend. I also had fun overtaking a gaggle of e-bikes, a rather unfriendly bunch – not responding to an “Hola!”

At one point we met a touring biker going in the opposite direction. She pulled over to engage in a chat. She expected us to be Dutch as she had only met Dutch cyclists en route. We had met none. Then as if by magic two more tourers tipped up and yes they were Dutch. They started taking in rapid hoot with the initial tourer and I did not have a clue what they were saying. Eventually, we were re-engaged to the ‘chat’ when the conversation turned to bicycle pumps. Here I was on firm ground as Karen carried a full size Walmart ‘Joe Blow’ (thanks again Gary). They found this very odd, but inside I ridiculed their tiny pumps and took comfort that we would have the last puncture laugh as we easily inflated out tyres while he used a mouse sized pump. Then at least another 3 tourers rode by. Probably Dutch. It’s the most cyclists we’ve seen so far.

Remember Christian, nice French chap, well we met him again today. He looked a tad tired so I guess his battery may have been low. Anyway here is an action shot, via my rear radar cam of Christian and Karen.

Some more action shot from radar cam:

For me, this is the money shot.

Around 1/2 way we found a small container-cafe in the middle of a field. We had our coffee stop there. Met somebody from Norwich. That’s me at the bar preparing to enter Spanish mode.

This is me entering the Province of Leon:

Lunch stop. Nice and peaceful.

Warming up nicely.

A stroll around Sahagun and we found this artwork..

Bloke with a pitch fork.

Big bloke on small horse, possible mobile shepherd or hockey player.

El rambler meets el farm lass

From last night – me and my greens. A menu del dia (menu of the day) is common along the camino; a reaonably priced 3 course meal with bread and wine. I was a bit stuck on what to go for on the first course menu and went for greens, well the best ever greens as they were accompanied with lots of bacon bits! I’m also looking happy as I’ve sampled a couple of local beers and the majority of the red wine that came with dinner. The menu said wine or water, I expected a glass each and we (I) got a bottle of Malbec.