The first part is of the route is next to a tar road.  In El Cubo de la Tierra, we stopped at a bar for a short break. With Mike’s beer, he received a saucer of pork crackling. After a lot of dust and sweat – it’s delicious. The tar disappeared and made way to vineyards.  At one stage, we spotted a comfy red chair with the Camino arrow carved out of the upholstery. The plan was to sleep in one of the small villages but we preferred to push on until we reached the fine-looking city of Zamora. As we saw Zamora in the distance, we became very sad to end the amazing trip. The pain and slight discomfort was forgotten, memories of fun, sun, silliness, laughter and total happiness will be with us forever.

We stayed in the most wonderful hotel, Hosteria Real De Zamora, and Sonia, the receptionist was amazing. http://www.hosteriarealdezamora.com/  We had to ask them to store our bikes, paniers, helmets etc for collection by the courier and nothing was too much trouble.

Zamora lies on a rocky hill in the northwest of Spain, crossed by the Duero River. It is called a “museum of Romanesque art”. Zamora is the city with the most Romanesque churches in all of Europe.

That night we managed to get a reservation in El Rincón de Antonio, a Michelin Star restaurant. Fine dining in a seven day old T-shirt and jeans, is not really my style but what to do? I ran into a shop and bought a scarf to try and upstyle my outfit but hey, it’s all part of the fun.

Next year I am planning to cycle or walk the Camino Del Norte alone. The route follows the Northern coast of Spain from San Sebastián.

Watch this space…