A funny thing happened on the way to Burgos today. We walked all the way. We had intended to walk some 20+ kms and then catch a bus in from an outlying village, except that there were no buses, so we walked onwards to the far end of the city limits where the outside edge of the airport runway ends. We sat at the trail divide and discussed options and the various routes into town, about 9 kms further on...obviously we made the decision to walk on...Annemarie was feeling very strong today...she's floating in a lovely tub of hot water presently:)
So back to the beginning of the story. Yesterday as I mentioned we arrived in Villafranca and snuck into the hotel only to discover that many of the folks that we have really enjoyed the past two weeks also had a similar idea. We had a very nice late lunch with Barney and Noreen from Ireland, and while sitting outside digesting in walked Jack and son Dermot (also of Irish fame) and thing fell nicely into place after that. Somehow after having eaten a full dinner at 2:30pm we all managed to consume an equally large meal at 7:30pm...with desert both times! Total system shock, but we all needed the boost and the results showed during the walk today...much higher energy level.
Off to sleep in our 3* luxury and an early 6:15 awakening to get ready, bandage Annemarie's sore toe and find some breakfast. We had a heck of a deal as our online booking came with a better breakfast than was served to the folks who had to pay separately. Then it was some quick good-byes and off we went up into the hills with rain and driving wind to slow us down a bit.
It was a bit of a harsh start to the day, but after 12 kms we arrived San Juan de Ortega where we were fortunate enough to find a bar open (Sunday) and sitting there enjoying a cafe con leche was no other than Barney and Norreen...then in walked Jack and Demot. Hey Caitlin...Barney carries a duck on his travels named Patrick...sound familiar?
Off we went again into the elements, but things were finally starting to dry out a bit although the wind continued to blow head on. A couple of small villages along the way including Ages which is apparently little changed over the centuries.
One final climb after Atapuerca and from there you you could see Burgos many kilometers away, and the beginning of the Meseta.
Not sure what this says, but looked interesting...
A long walk with a nice lunch break in a small village bar...
I might add that today I thought often of our Calgary family as the terrain was very similar to the foothills which direct one from Canmore towards Calgary. I expect the coming 10 days on the Meseta will refresh those thoughts and many past memories.
We are now at the 300 km point...only about 500 to go. Feeling very good to this point and looking forward to more walking. What an excellent way to see an area. Tomorrow we will rest our hooves and see Burgos.
By the way many thanks to those who have made positive comments and send us numerous emails. You may not realize the boost they provide us, but they do!
Buen Comino!
Hi Geoff and Annemarie from good old Victoria having arrived home from Calgary last night (saturday). We came home a couple of days early as the snow level was creeping down the mountains - Banff minus 5 degrees - and we managed to arrive home in the midst of a huge storm that has shut down some of the ferries (80 to 100 knot winds forecast over a 2 day period)
ReplyDeleteplus heavy rainfall over the same period. Our new tires worked very well Geoff!!!
Really enjoying your daily reports - they are really really good and I must comment both of you for your ability to record your thoughts and emotions as you progress on your Camino. As I said earlier - good stuff keep it up - look after each other and take care of yourselves. Looks like the mice are now well along the way to consumming that elephant!!! Keep trekking
Cheers Mom and Dad