Groggy Dave needed an extra nudge to get moving this morning. Jean a vino tinto loving German lass from Frankfurt had wooed him with an empty glass and a promise of free flowing vino. A couple of hours later and Groggy Dave finally made it to bed.

We left Castrojeriz in the early morning light and it wasn’t long before we realised we had one good climb ahead of us. We reached the Alto at 1050 meters before heading down on a 18% grading. I’m sure I read that the Meseta was flat.

On the way up one of the hills this morning and an abandoned boot or maybe lost with a fantastic view of the valley below.

Three climbs and several kilometres later through fields of wheat and barley stubble and sunflowers close to harvest we came to a small building near a bridge. San Nicolás de Puentelitero Hospital de Peregrino, a small donativo with 12 beds. This 13th century building has been restored but with no electricity, no phone and lit by candlelight only. A ritual washing of the feet is offered here.

Just past San Nicolás Hospital is the bridge Puente de Iteros which once marked the historic border between Castile and León. It has twelve arches that have been updated several times since the original bridge was built by Alfonso VI. It crosses the Rio Pisuerga and we follow the Camino across the bridge. Our path runs along the river until we reach Itero de la Vega. After leaving the village we cross he canal Pisuerga. Along the river and canals there is extensive irrigation with crops of maze, lucerne, wheat, broad beans and swede.

At Boadilla de Camino a rest area and an unusual fountain. A wheel on the outside of a long low stone ‘shed’ and turned several times anti clockwise It produces a small stream of cool drinking water.

We leave Boadilla de Camino on tree lined farm tracks and begin to follow the Canal de Castilla. After crossing the canal at one of its many locks we arrive at Fromista.