To Sahagun and Bercianos, Days 5-6

Posted on by Pete Schloss

From the Camino an open letter. June 8, 2026.

Dear followers, friends, and family.

Again I share with you an open letters to my wife Christine. It is meant to be read by all, yet also to conveyed a feeling of intimacy. Please look over my shoulder and be within the closeness. Buen Camino!

Dear Christine.

It is our eighth day on the Camino and the start of our second week. Charlie and I are beginning to find stride within the limits of our abilities. I am listening to my body! So far I’ve managed to avoid blisters. Charlie is managing a couple and being proactive.

I woke with some disquiet this morning. I found myself thinking that before we had left on our respective adventures I had often commented that all I had to do was walk 300 miles while you had the difficult task of “herding cats”. What was meant as humor I now realize is all too true.

Charlie is an excellent Camino partner. Our abilities are similar, as are our outlooks on life. As adults we are responsible for ourselves, yet we watch out for each another. As a grandmother accompanying teenage grandchildren, you are responsible not only for yourself but for them as well. You are their guardian angel. In the 52 years that we have known each other you are still able to amaze me.

You know that in offering condolences I am reluctant to say “I will pray for you“. I find that to be a phrase overused and often given without intention.

I have learned of yet another friend who is faced with a serious and possibly life ending disease. I have on this occasion offered my “thoughts and prayers“.

I mentioned to Charlie that I carry many people in my thoughts, but I do not formally pray. He has given me an insight that is not the formula of the words that matter, but the thoughts given from the heart that constitute sincere prayer. It is a new piece of wisdom for me to consider.

I hope you will enjoy these pictures from the last two days. I love you.

To Everyone: Peace and Buen Camino! Pete

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This is one of a number of models painstakingly created and housed in a church museum. It is not the largest.
These are the statistics on the model pictured above. 
I was able to take a picture looking through the small doorway. The interior is as real looking as the exterior. 
King Alfonso VI and his queen. 
The convent chapel where we attended mass and later received a wonderful Pilgrim’s blessing. 
Charlie gave the first reading at mass in English at the request of the priest. 
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A huge private albergue. We enjoyed a private room with bath. 
One of many gatherings of Camino friends met on The Way. 
Dinner with Camino friends! A three course dinner with unlimited wine was only €15 per person 
Sunsets are occurring at nearly 11 o’clock at night. 

9 thoughts on “To Sahagun and Bercianos, Days 5-6”

  2. Bill says:

    Hi Pete. I’ve been following your travels but only now found time to talk with you. The country looks spectacular and you and Charlie appear to be doing well. I’ve been really busy in the garden, picked my first tomato of the year-it’s the earliest I’ve ever had. Weeds have given me a real fight but I think I’m starting to get the upper hand.
    Love to you and Christine. We’ll have to get together for a garden dinner when you return.
    Peace, Bill.

  4. Margaretha Finefrock says:

    Outside Sahagun is where I whistled at the gorgeous legs in front of me and it turned out to be you and Bernard. You made me walk the Roman Road. All thoughts are prayers that wing their way to where needed. Buen Camino.

  5. Bert says:

    1. The Arch of San Benito, Sahagún Southern door of the Monastery church. You may be interested to know the derivation of the name “Sahagún”. It began as San Facundo (Sanctus Facundus) whose monastery ruins are nearby. In spoken colloquial language, Sanctus Facundus naturally slurred together. It became San Fagun or San Fagund in Old Spanish. This gradually morphed (don’t ask me how; I only know what Google tells me) into Sahagún.
    2. The Church (or Sanctuary) of La Virgen Peregrina, an old Franciscan convent. This stands on a hill to the south of Sahagún.
    3. Interior of the Santuario de la Virgen Peregrina.
    4. View over Sahagún.
    7. The tombs of King Alfonso VI of León and Castile and his wives (including Queen Constance of Burgundy) in the Monastery of Santa Cruz
    8. The High Altar of the Monastery of Santa Cruz.
    9. Charlie near the High Altar of the Monastery of Santa Cruz.
    10. Bridge over River Cea, leaving Sahagún with cruceiro.
    11. Bridge over River Cea, leaving Sahagún.
    14, 15, 16. . Albergue La Perala at Bercianos del Real Camino.

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