Carrión to Calzadas day/stage 17

After a substantial dinner that included Spanish rice pudding (much cinnamon), nine and bit hours sleep and dos huevos fritos for breakfast I was ready to tackle one of the more daunting stretches on the Meseta. In fact it was straightforward, and I had the company of a chap from Wales who was happy to talk about storks for many kilometres. He has photographed every nest along the Way which is a bit more dedicated than me. His pace must have been close to 5.5kph because I arrived at my hostel at 12.30. 
I indulged in a bean and chicken paella and a glass of Rioja for lunch, which I blipped since it was so good. While I was having lunch the two horses with the riders from France turned up. I last saw them on May 13 in Roncesvalles.
Calzadilla is a tiny community of 60 people, apart from my hostel, an Albergue which is owned by the same person and a small shop, and of course a church (no bell tower so no storks) there is nothing. It’s a good opportunity to rest up, read, and I caught up with both boys.
The route tomorrow looks a bit complicated with several optional routes I’ll need to suss out.