Mother Nature is really dishing it out on the Mesata!!

The pictures are not wanting to upload, so my words will have to do this time.
Yesterday was my first day on the Mesata, a 100 mile stretch between Burgos and Leon (haven't walked before and after today I am ready to NEVER walk it again) that is flat,for the most part, and arrid with fields of grain, no trees for shade and a village or town every 5-10 miles. It is suppose to be unbearable in summer because it is very hot and there is no shade or source of water until you get to a village. No problem, I'm walking in Spring and it should be fine. NOT, yesterday was just VERY windy and I walked to Hontanas and stayed at a very nice place where lots of peple I knew were also there. Had a great dinner with lots of choices- I had insalada mista (greens with vegs, tuna and eggs) and a hearty garbonzo bean stew washed down with excelleng red vino. Sleep was a real problem last night, our room of 8 had at least 4 snorers and one "shook the room" so tonight I am tucked into my own private room ( in Itero)with a bathroom and TV and after the day I had I needed a comfortable place to rest my weary, cold body.
This morning started out sunny and cold with the usual mesata wind in my face. Arrived in Castrojeriz and others stayed, but i stuck with my original plan on walking 6 more miles to Itero- BIG mistake!!
As soon as I saw the "hill "I had to climb I had second thoughts, but up I went. I timed myself and it took 30mins to scale (the sign at the beginning stated "12% grade and up to 1050m" and since what goes up must come down, the sign at the decent stated "18% grade and doen to 350m".
That was when Mother Nature decided to make things a little more interesting !! I could see the storm coming- black clouds and then it hit with rain and sleet all hitting my face with winds that must have been gusting 30 miles an hour! It went on for a bout 30-40 mins and since there was no place to go (remember I was surrrounded with fields of grain) I just kept my head down and struggled to stay upright!
When I arrived in Itero I was exhausted and after having a bite to eat, I went to my room-threw myself on the bed and woke up 2 hrs later. All said and done - it was a great day on the Camino.
"Bring it on- I can take it!!"
My body and spirit are still strong and intact. Kathy, I do keep a journal and will go write in it now before I go to sleep.
Love to one and all, Francesca