Day 16 Castrojeriz to Boadillo. 19.5 km
The blog photo for you Hugh. Sam the donkey.
A big climb out of town 750m to 950m. 12 degrees up and 18 degrees down. As I crested the hill the guy with the donkey was singing and playing his guitar THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN. The donkey's name was Sam a larger version of Popcorn. The descent from the top was so steep it was concreted. Unfortunately I was not at the right time to see the bikes go down.
I really enjoyed the climb but the rest of the day seemed very slow. I guess I peaked too early.
Had a lovely talk with Alice and Hugh when I stopped for breakfast. Looking forward to catching up soon. I think of you all often I think I enjoy missing you.
A photograph for John the first in a small but important series called "catch the farmer working". Actually it may have been a contractor. There are pivot irrigators here some as big as 4 spans. I wanted to shout "Call that an irrigator" damn my language issues.
Was passed by some English lite walkers, no packs but sun umbrellas they managed to continue their conversation on either side of me as they passed without acknowledging my existence. I made them say hello as I caught up with them and bid a cheery Hola. They were Christian and laughing at some error of preaching. Then as they passed me again, again without acknowledgement they were discussing Ian Paisley apparently a warm and humourous man when not inciting his congregation to murder. One man offered that he called the Pope the Bishop of Rome the woman said in a Oirish accent "he called him man with red socks. " She added as if red socks has anything to do with the price of fish. They arrived on Boadillo to be met by a van in a picnic area and a meal laid out. I wonder what they will take from the experience and what impressions they will leave.
Going to have a lie down before dinner it is now 4:00. May continue later.

Just had a fabulous dinner of lentil soup fish and salad and I scream. Food the best I have had in an albergue. But it was the company. Two girls from the Netherlands two Texas missionary trainers sand counsellors Billy and Laurier living in the south of Spain, victor from checoslavakia on his first day, and Julio and Lisette from Cuba and US. We had a lot of fun. Last table to leave the dining room.

25 km to do tomorrow.