Day 10 - Azofra to Castildelgado

I probably had the best night’s sleep so far last night. I had the small room to myself so I think this must have helped. I left my damp socks hanging by the open window and thankfully, they were dry-ish by the morning.

Rain was forecast for the day so it was of great relief to see the forecast had changed to a few showers in the morning. With the low clouds, there was no beautiful dawn today, just a gradual lightening of the skies. But before it was light, I was walking along a remote lane, towards something reflecting in the light of my head torch. I wondered what it was, clearly it was an animal of some kind, sitting on the ground near the hedge. The suddenly it lifted off the ground and flew away. What kind of bird could it be?

I continue on and then I saw it again (or it’s relation) and again as I got close it flew off. And further on, there were 2 of them! Reflecting on it as I walked, I wondered if it was a NightJar? I think it was, and I have certainly never seen one before! Did I say that  yesterday (or the day before?), walking through a nature reserve outside Logrono, I saw some red squirrels! It is surprising what I have seen just with being outside for 5 or 6 hours each day.

At about 8:30, the rain came in quite quickly. I grabbed the poncho from my pack, put my pack back on and threw it over my back. It worked! Well, with a bit of tugging to get it to the right position. The main thing is, it kept me and the pack completely dry.

As I entered Santo Dominic De Calzada, the rain eased off. I popped into the supermarket to get provisions for my breakfast, found a bench and had a rest while I refuelled.

The blisters on my foot have been nagging me all day and can make it difficult to get walking smoothly. My biggest concern is that they will get infected so I clean it every day with the hand sanitiser at the albergue. Then I put a plaster over it to try and keep it clean whist I am walking.

Apart from the blisters, I am finding that I am exhausted way before my destination for the day and have to push myself and make the albergue. I’m not sure why. It could be not eating enough or an accumulative effect of consecutive walking days. Maybe as I get fitter, it will get easier or maybe I need to have a rest day / short day? It is difficult to take a day off as I have made bookings 5 or 6 days in advance. I think the next booking I make will be a short day to see if that helps.


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