Tues, Sept 8; Hornillos del Camino to Castrojeríz

Today was our fourteenth day of walking and the easiest so far. Not too far, cold temperatures most of the way, and nicely spaced villages with excellent cafés. The high desert sky was black with stars when we left town, but quickly took on impressionist qualities as the sun peeked over the horizon to our rear. Even more fantastic was the sky ahead, reflecting the sun’s projections behind an array of giant windmills, dozens of them, all waving their arms crazily like they were at an especially good Grateful Dead concert.

After coffee stop number two, the sun’s rays became more focused.

We will spend the night in Castrojeríz. This seems like a lovely village, barely one street wide but 2 Km long, wrapping around a hill that houses a mostly intact 9th century castle on its summit. There will be a lot to explore here.

 

Road Sonnet

(For Isabel)

 

The road is rocky, but our only choice

If we hope to reach our end one day.

A man bikes by tossing an “adios”,

His metal steed a tempting faster way.

 

The pebbles on the road appear quite dead,

But each a living Torquemada coal.

A slight misplace of metatarsal head

Brings searing pain that passes through one’s sole.

 

Even greater need for mercy for the poor

As immigrants seek rest, engendering fear

Once solved with arms by Visigoth and Moor.

We pray a more enlightened day is here.

 

So westward ho, into eternity,

Unless our soles give out; Finis Mundi!

 

Edited with BlogPad Pro