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Mr V's Camino

Day 20 – Fromista to Carrion de Los Condes – 20.5km

May 3, 2015 by gerryv   

Day 20 elevation profile

Day 20 elevation profile

A new day dawns and there is a threat of rain, but we take the punt and leave the wet weather gear in our packs. It is a pleasant morning with a choice of paths ahead. The choice always seems to be a longer option. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. The road finally splits and we are treated to a beautiful walk along a river. Lots of wild flowers and trees line the path and the kilometres pass quickly.

My new friend - St James - keeps popping up everywhere.

My new friend – St James – keeps popping up everywhere.

Turning off from the river takes us along a road heading back to the original track. We have not met many pilgrims along our chosen route but the solitude is very calming. After passing a smouldering haystack, we stop at a cafe adjacent a very strange building. We learn that it is a dovecote. Inside this building are thousands of nesting niches for pigeons or doves. These were used for down (for pillows etc), for guano (fertiliser) and most importantly, for food, for the family and any hungry pilgrims passing by.

Outside our first dovecote - any pigeons on the menu?

Outside our first dovecote – any pigeons on the menu?

We soon join the pilgrim highway ( the Senda) running alongside and parallel to the main road and join the queue into Carrion. During the evening, we are treated  at the pilgrims’ mass with the beautiful singing of the local nuns, who, at the blessing at the end, presented all the pilgrims with a small gift, a Star of Hope. There were lots of pilgrims at this mass, from many nationalities. All acknowledging the same gift in their own special way.

A special treat at the end of the day.

A special treat at the end of the day.

 

Another special day draws to a close.


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