Thursday 12 October same weather

National holiday, Hispanic day, C.Columbus arrived Castille 1497. 

There are three ways out of town: shortcut over a large hill with an 18%-25% grade descent, a road around the hill adding another 8 -10 km of road walking, or a taxi to that location at the foot of an old bridge.

We choose the latter approach.

Garmin 20.1 km

Puente de Itero, 11 arches, wide span needed here. QB on top. The bridge is from the 11th century and, naturally, guarded the entrance to Castrojeriz.

The terrain became a little more green with one field of dried out maize.  Not clear to me if it was every harvested; QB thought it was.

Still no sheep. Did see, once, some cattle but only a few in a pen.

Entered Palencia. Agricultural area with Rivers and canals for irrigation. Rich soil for wheat.

In Boadilla del Camino we found an interesting bar-hostel with another charming host.  Family home since 1995, murals by the owner, sculpture, and good food.   We each had a soup.  Both good.

Approaching his bar with an 11th century church in background. The dark walk has murals.  Not the best pic.

Fromista is at the end of  a canal.

Once again we catch up to the donkey. Not much else in the way of wildlife to report.

The canal ends at an interesting weir where we enter Fromista.  It has a deconsecrated church, the century, described in books as the best remaining Romanesque example.   Closed today but, on Flickr, October thirteen twenty ten, our previous visit, many pics can be found.  A stunning place without a retablo or other adornments.

Hotel tonight is a fine one.  Friendly, modern, and with a good restaurant.