I woke up on the right side of bed this morning. Yesterday’s walk was gloomy and I think it put me in a gloomy mood too. When I saw the sign saying ‘Santiago 463’ all I wanted was to be at home with my creature comforts. Today turned out a lot different. Amazing the difference walking out of the same town we walked into yesterday. The oppressive gloom wasn’t there like it was yesterday. Admittedly the sky was blue this morning too but this side of town looked and felt a whole lot better too. Yesterday’s towns we passed through were dumps (no offence to anyone there) and we weren’t walking next to the highway today either.

A hiker standing outside a hotel with a backpack and trekking poles, surrounded by greenery and a building covered in vines under a clear sky. — Feeling more upbeat today

A close-up view of a rustic wall with a lantern attached, framed by a blue sky and a green tree in the background. — Our hotel peaking over the wall

Facade of an ornate building featuring statues and a large door, against a clear blue sky. — The original entry

A sunny morning view of a winding road with trees lining the side, a clear blue sky, and a car driving along the road. — Leaving Carrión

The road today was flat and easy. I felt today that my body has come to terms with the walk and is no longer complaining and shouting at me to stop. The feet were best behaved today too. Continuing with the Vaseline on the toes though.

Road view with a gas station in the background, displaying a blue sky and trees along the side. — Wasn’t long before Carrión was behind us

A lone traveler walking on a rural road with a blue sky above, passing a sign that indicates a hiking path, with trees lining the side of the road. — Bitumen road to start with

A green tractor driving on a rural road surrounded by trees and clear blue skies. — Shared with the farmers and occasional car

A person walking on a flat, sunny road lined with grassy edges and trees in the distance under a blue sky with faint clouds. — Bitumen continues for quite some time

An open country road with a clear blue sky, flanked by bare trees on the left and fields on the right. Road signs indicate directions and a speed limit, creating a peaceful rural landscape. — The arrows direct us soon enough onto a gravel road

A person walking on a gravel path lined with bare trees and greenery under a blue sky. — Ron contemplating the leaf from afar

Such a difference to yesterday’s walk. The sun was shining and the vibe from the landscape was so much better. This part of the track today was kind to the feet. It services the fields next to it which we assume are grain crops.

A person walking along a gravel path bordered by sparse trees and open fields under a clear blue sky. — Creek Crossing

A dirt road lined with leafless trees under a clear blue sky. — The occasional trees

A gravel road stretches toward the horizon, flanked by fields under a bright blue sky with a few clouds. — Our first hill climb for the day, I can’t cope

A black and white landscape featuring a solitary tree standing in a vast, open field with distant wind turbines on the horizon and a cloudy sky. — Solitary tree

A gravel road lined with bare trees on one side and a tractor working on a field on the other, under a clear blue sky. — A farmer plowing his field

A gravel road leading through a rural landscape with fields on either side and houses in the distance under a blue sky. — Our pit stop for the day Calzadilla de la Cueza

We stopped here for a cafe americano and a cheese boccadilla. The breaks do help. I think Ron more than me as I tend to just power on through the day without stopping, same thing happens at work back home sometimes. I just like to keep walking and get to the destination. The feet screamed at me here after the break for some reason once we got going again but were soon back in the rhythm.