Today, Bro. William travels from Terradillos de los Templarios to El Burgo Ranero - a distance of almost 30kms or over 16 miles.

A wonderful 75% of the recommended route is by earthen track with the last 8 km through remote bush country. We ensure we have water, especially for this last part of the journey from Calzada de Coto.

The first part of this stage is parallel to the N- 120 into Sahagun, a town full of artistic treasures and monuments. If we start early we will have time to visit some of them before they close for the afternoon siesta.

A well-earned lunch and rest should allow us sufficiently to continue on the final leg to Hermanillos. The path is level but with little shade and few water fonts outside the towns.

If we decide to stay in Sahagun there is certainly plenty to occupy our time and a beautifully restored municipal albergue to stay the night in or a selection of other guesthouses and hotels.

There is also an alternative route to MansillA de ]as Mulas (overnighting in El Burgo Ranero. This latter route runs parallel to the new Autopista via a long and soulless stretch of senda.

The largest town Bro. William will pass today is Sahagan. In medieval times Sahagun was a seat of great ecclesiastical power, largely courtesy of the influence of Alfonso VI who, along with his various wives, is buried in the Benedictine convento de Santa Cruz.

Charlemagne was also linked with the town, which from these earliest times has given shelter to the pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela, so we follow illustrious footsteps.

Monasteries, churches and pilgrim hospices abounded. The foundations of the town however extend much further back to its Roman past. It was here that Saint Facundo was martyred which gave rise to a monastery bearing his name as early as the 9th century.

Despite Arab invasions and counter attacks that destroyed the monastery on several occasions, it was ultimately the loss of interest in things religious that finally reduced it to the rubble that now lies to the west of the town.

However, the martyr lives on in the name Sahagun itself, a derivation of Sanctum Facundum, and lies buried in the church of St. John along with fellow martyr Primitivo.

Despite decaying edifices we will not be at the loss of religious buildings and art to admire. If we follow one route shown on the town map in this guide we will pass the following: Baroque Church of San Juan (just past the albergue) with a sculpture of the town's patron saint San Facundo.

Continuing down the c/del Arco we come to Plaza San Lorenzo and its outstanding l3th century Iglesia de San Lorenzo - a fine example of the brick Mudejar style and whose prominent tower is a good landmark.

From here it is a short walk to the Plaza Mayor where we can refresh ourselves in its array of cafes and bars and admire its handsome Town Hall Ayuntamiento. Finally, onto our destination and a nights' rest in the Alberque.