This is an honest description into what can best be described as not my finest hour as a 'grim. There I was at 8am in the cafe near the municipal Albergue of Sahagún, sitting in the half light having a breakfast CCL + SB, quietly contemplating what I was going to do to amuse myself for the first few hours until it became warm, or the scenery improved (and believe me the scenery was not going to improve for several days), when suddenly two men of my age came past one wearing a red anorak and matching rucksack, the other in blue, clearly mates. They were heads down not looking right or left and powering themselves along with their walking sticks (I have a plan, which involves a small guillotine, for all people who use metal walking sticks on hard surfaces, without rubber tips)

I thought...'I know, we are going to have a race!'. The two gentlemen didn't know it but they had just been entered into the
'First to the next village bar for a CCL+SB + Z (veterans division) 10Km' race. I had a black top with black and grey rucksack, to match my beard and hair, so I was as well colour-coordinated as the opposition. If we are going to do this right, it is important we all understand the race colours for the TV.

So being a good lad I gave them a few minutes start while I paid the bill and we were off. I was in for the long hall as they had disappeared from view but I powered along the track besides the road, when I was in sight of them they were on the tarmac.... clearly this was serious stuff. At the 7Km mark I caught up with the blue man at the rear. He was not pleased to see my shadow and started to accelerate (somehow the details of the race had got out and it was becoming serious). After playing mind games with our shadows for a few moments  he eventually fell behind. I then caught up with with the man in red, he looked over his shoulder as I neared him, put on a bit of speed, but pulled over for a pee as I passed him, clearly devastated in defeat.

I celebrated with the full CCL+SB+ Z. Retelling the story on the phone home that evening my Leader queried  if it was in the spirit of the Camino....Absolutely not, but it was great fun.

While recovering from my race, a Spanish rural activity unfolded in the farm opposite. Two Donkeys suddenly appeared (I suspect Mum + child) stopped and waited just outside the farmyard. Mum was carrying what looked to be haversacks of supplies.

 Then a flock of sheep came to the edge of the yard stopped and waited, then the farmer appeared with his dogs, who are there to guard the sheep, not guide them.

They then processed with all the dignity of a Church of England Easter procession, out to the day's pastures. A delightful 10 minutes in my life.

The other observation from my outside coffee stop grandstand was a replacement for the church tower that had fallen down in the 90's The ringing of the hour is considered important enough to erect two huge steel girders place the bells on top with an electronic chimer. Like all church bells seemed to be in Spain they were not tuned....but on the hour they clonked out....perhaps not very elegant, but very practical.

The rest of the walk was as the picture on the above left....so was the following day. The local government had kindly planted the row of trees to give the 'grims some shade, even in mid October I was glad they were there.

Then I arrived at El Burgo Ranero at lunch time and enjoyed an afternoon of hanging out, chatting, reading. It was Sunday and I attempted to go to mass (usually short, in a language you do not understand and you get left alone.... my sort of service) But after a bit I realised the words were different and suddenly the statue of Mary was picked up and a procession through the village started. Being from a Presbyterian background I peeled off the edge and watched them pass by as I was having a beer at the bar (for this I will probably end up in Purgatory for longer, but remember I receive a 'get out of jail' card in Santiago.)

This is now starting to worry me ..... I am starting to take an interest in all agricultural machinery.