Mon 26 Sep. All fine last night with a meal that included veg for the first time since we started the walk!  Sara, Cs friend arrived safe and sound at around 2100 so now we are 5.  COP in the morning on the way to Calzadilla de los Hermanillos (pop 200 so a big town!).  Unfortunately, after about 5 kms M had to declare himself out of the game as his blisters were bleeding.......  He now intends to stop at Sahagun and get a bus or train to somewhere else on the route so that his feet get a rest and so he can get to his plane OK in Santiago.  So buon camino Mark and we hope the rest of your journey goes well.  Then again maybe the troll disliked the sunlight and had to go back under his bridge.

A fairly straightforward walk today of 27 kms, with a couple of awkward turns to take over motorways and roundabouts.  The last 9 kms was on a very flat and empty path which felt like it was going on for ages.  Flies again a pain, but decided to wear my cap backwards to confuse them - plan did not work, flies are clearly stupid.  Arrived at CdlH at about 1230 having booked 5 beds yesterday (yep Spanish is improving) that said there was much confusions when I tried to explain that yes we did book for 5 but nw we were only 4!  Ian solved this by holding up 5 fingers, shaking his head and at the same time making 4 fingers whilst drawing his hand across his throat!  Much hilarity, but still not sure if they think we have killed the last person for snoring too much!  The AdP is called Via Trajana and is by far the best so far.  It appears to be new and everywhere is very clean and smart.  A four bedroom room that shares a men´s and a separate women´s bathroom with 3 other rooms that would look good in any of our houses.  In fact Christa would be content in this place and it is only 15 euros pp.  Lunch was excellent so we are looking forward to dinner tonight.  Maybe the wine will not be chilled this time!  I will try to find an alternative way to post the photos this afternoon, but I need to sort out the washing first.  Off to Mansilla de las Mulas tomorrow.