Carrion to Calzadilla de la Cueza

We were blessed again today. The sun was shining and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.
We left about 8:30 after joining friends for breakfast in the hotel dining room. 3€ for toast, juice and cafe con leche.
Walking out of town was lovely, as it often is in the larger villages. We walked over the Rio Carrion (photo 1) and by the old Real Monasteria Benedictino which is now a luxury hotel known as San Zoilo. (Photo 2)
The first stretch of our journey was on an original Roman road still intact after 2,000 years of use -- save for a new gravel covering. (Photo 3). What is more remarkable is the fact that this section goes through an area of bogland that has no stone for construction. The Romans had to bring it from somewhere else. Amazing.
We passed by a place called Abadia de Benevivere, which would have been a great place to stop but was probably private.
Then we started the trudge to Calzadilla, an 8 mile track of farmland with no villages. However, there were 3 picnic areas, and at the middle one, an enterprising entrepreneurial Spaniard had set up shop complete with grilled sausage sandwiches and assorted other goodies.
The rest of our journey was on a very flat, featureless country road with little or no shade. On all sides were farm lands as far as the eye could see. Occasionally there would be a thin row of trees to border the fields, but that was all. (Photo 4)
We reached Calzadilla de la Cueza around 2 pm after only 10 miles, but it gave us both a chance to really recuperate from the wear and tear of consecutive days on the road. We checked into Hostal Camino Real for 40€ for 2 with private bath, a really good deal. Then we met other pilgrims for an afternoon drink and long chats. Dinner was at the Hostal restaurant (10€) again with friends Brent, Mike, our friend Perry from Holland whom we met in Santo Domingo and new friends Rene from Reno and Mike from Tahoe.
Today we reached our 200 mile mark on the road!