Day 15: A Slow and Painful (Hontanas to Boadilla de Camino)

Having lounged in a pool the previous day I felt my muscles were refreshed and springy as I set off this morning. With a slightly squished banana lining my stomach we set off.

The walk today was relatively flat except for a short and steep ascent and decent after Castrojeriz; a cappuccino at the start fuelled us enough to get to the top of the mountain.

The view from the top of the mountain (Mostelares) was superb as you could see right back to Hontanas and the vast expanse of wheat and sunflower fields below. From then on the walk was the classic Meseta postcard: endless dirt and rock paths that stretched right out and over the horizon.

On the walk our conversations were interrupted by michievioisbeustling and squeaks from the gigantic community if field mice. At one point a shattered little tyke (we named him Frank) staggard out onto the path, so exhausted that he just led there and let me pick him up. After slurping some water out of my hand he seemed a scoach better but unwilling to scurry away. I left him in the shade of a bush with a puddle of water and spent the rest of the walk hoping that he pulled through!

That being said, after rubbing my eye with the hand that picked him up it went incredibly itchy and I had to stop at regular intervals to wash it with water - I sincerely hope that in saving Frank's life I won't lose the vision in my right eye.

Now, I don't want to be a negative Nancy but my leg has been hurting so bad towards the end of today's walk: bless my heart. The last 8kms or so were really hard work as my knee has started tightening up again! My waning attitude wasn't helped by the endless path that we were on which seemed to being me no closer to Boadilla with every passing minute.

Eventually we got here but as I forgot to draw out money I am being forced to live like a porper. The town we are in is a dust ball with no cash points super markets or any such amenity. Dinner tonight has consisted of an apple, a packet of crisps and some tap water. Kill me now.

I'm going to attempt to strong arm someone into giving me a leg massage tonight in the hope that it fixes my leg for tomorrow.

Wish me luck!