Day 11 Castrojeriz to Fromista

Another day down. 26km today but seemed a little longer. Leaving Castrojeriz heads up a mountain range to Alto Mostelares, was good to do in the early morning,  with the sun slowly rising behind me.

Today was a lot of just one foot in front of the other.
Travelled through the little town of Itero de la Vega which only has a few albergues for the pilgrims.  I should have stopped there to use the toilet this morning as it was another 10km to the next town and as yet I refuse to use the bushes.
Sunflowers are everywhere. 

Lunch had me stopping in Boadillla del Camino.  I stopped at a little albergue to use the facilities, it was a delight. Had some water and a piece of the best apple pie.  I sat under the apple tree from which the apples had come- lovely. Had a chat with my sister Kath while I was there, nice to hear a voice from home.
It was only a 6km walk to Fromista from here and very lovely. Followed a canel almost all the way. 

Fromista is another sleeply little town. Back in the albergue tonight – 12 in our room. Once again shower,  wash and than something to eat, than hours to look around town or have a nap. I think it will be a slow night. 

 

Day 10 Hornillos to Castrojeriz

Today is another short day, I headed out of Hornillos about it was 6.30am. It is impossible to sleep in at the Albergues, people start moving around from about 5am, those that leave really early are gone by 5.15am. Mind you the sun does not come up till 7.30am. I usually give up hope of any sleep from 6am onward. I only travelled 21km today, arriving at my destination of Castrojeriz around 11.30am. I usually walk till about 1.30pm but decided that I am slightly ahead of schedule so would stop early and rest.
Last night there was a lot of pilgrims in Hornillos and there is not a lot of accommodation. I was luckily to have a bed in the Albergue but those that didn’t ended up in the sports centre.

Today and for the next few days I will be walking across the Meseta, which is wide plains with little shade, so is good to do early in the day. As I headed out the moon was out with give some light as it is almost to the full moon. In front is the moon setting and the sun coming up at your back. It is very peaceful.

The moon setting with sunflowers waiting to lift there heads when the sun arrives.

Sun comes up at my back. Sunrise takes about 1/2 hour and the sky continuously changes.
Stopped for cafe con leache about 8.30 in the little village of Hontanas. I often wonder what the locals think as we all walk through. I try to always say Buenos Dias and usually most will reply.
From Hontanas it was a short 5km walk to the ruins of San Anton, which has a small Albergue

I arrived at Castrojeriz only an hour later a beautiful village on the side of a hill, with ruins on the top of the hill.

Tonight I am staying in a room above a bar on the edge of town, this will be my last private from until I reach Leon in 6 days. I went for a walk around town, very sleepy little place with exists for the Camino, mostly little hotels and bars serving pilgrims. I spent an interesting hour or so talking to an older English man, John, who now lives in southern Spain and spent time helping pilgrims on the Camino. Also had a cerveza with a man from the Sunshine Coast who was telling me about the bypass he had at St Andrews a couple of years ago.later this afternoon I will wonder into town for dinner and a chat with whoever is around- there is always someone to talk too.

Day 9 Burgos to Hornillos del Camino

After spenting a less than lively afternoon yesterday in Burgos, which is a beautiful city, lots of parks, churches and plazas to sit in, I had to move on and give up my lovely room. I did stay in bed this morning not leaving til 8am. I was feeling very special. After a quick trip to the bank I hit the road. Leaving Burgos is much prettier than coming in.

Lots of tree lined streets, than I was out in the country again. There seem to be more pilgrims on the road than I have seem since I started, but no familiar faces. A few people I know are spending extra time in Burgos or breaking ulp the days a bit more. The Camino is funny though just when I think u dont know anyone someone turns up.
Today was only 21km, so no so bad. I originally planned to just do 12km but wd thee early so marched on. I arrivef in Hornillos del Camino about 1pm and have a bed in the albergue, very basic but shower and bed. Hornillos del Camino is a very quiet town -just 1 store and a bar, lots of time to think of life.
I am sitting in the town square having a cheese roll and grande cerveza, really very nice and in drives the butcher to sell meat to the locals.

He is selling and cutting whatever you need right there.
A few pilgrims are taking taxis as all accommodation in town is full. The Camino is the only thing keeping this town alive.
Miguel had just wondered in, there may be mattresses in the town hall. I have just discoveref he is Belgium not french. He has been walking with another Belgium that ee have labelled George Cloney, very goodlooking older guy, who is always well dressed- real name is Christof but we prefer George. I will try to get a picture next time I see him.
Pictures for the day.

Is now 7.30pm, dinner was menu de dia- a special pilgrims menu beand with chorizo, veal and potato than creame caramel with wine and water not bad for €9. Had dinner with new people Cedric from South Africa, Marg from Stockholm and a lady from Sydney, nice!
There are some sleeping in sports hall.

Day 8 villafranca montes de Oca to Burgos

I am sitting here in my hotel room, enjoying the piece and quiet- there is no share a room for me tonight. I apologise for spelling and missing pictures in blog over the last few days, I had been using my phone which makes thing a little harder. Not sure where yesterday’s pictures went but seem to have vanished.
Today I walked to Burgos- it was 30km of walking over few mountains, and boring roads, than 10km on the bus(could not walk anymore). I left Villafranca and headed up hill for the first of 4 peaks that needed to be crossed. At 6.30am, it doesn’t seems so hard, I had put in a couple of longer days so that I could tackle the hill in the early morning instead of the heat of the day. It was all very strange because usually you pass or are passed by lots of pilgrims but today I saw very few. For the first part of the day I walked with Mark from Florida, older guy who is a very experienced hiker,which was good as we,set out in the dark, with the sun coming up around 7.40am. Made a coffee stop at 9am, Mark finished his day about 10.30am , but I plodded on.,I was not sure where I would end the day but walked throughout lots of very small towns which had very few if any facilities, so had to keep going.

I have noticed that the signs can be very unreliable, as a day ago saw a sign the said Santiago 550km, than the next day and 30 later another sign said it was 576km to go. Not sure what happened to the 27km I was sure I had walked.
Today I feared I may have broken myself…. I have been injury free so far- no blisters, scraps or limps. But today I reached a town called Atapuera and found my right hip was gone, and I had a hill a head of me. Just a small hill1080m, but I was already 900m up, so not to bad. I needed to resort to panadol for the first time, was lucky also to be distracted my 2 guys I had met yesterday who are riding push bikes on the Camino. They are from Columba but live in US, one is a renal physician who walked in Melbourne for awhile. Timing was perfect, we even managed a photo opp at the top.

Today I didn’t take many pictures as the scenery seemed unchanged, it was a one foot in front of the other kind of day.
I reached Burgos about 3pm to find all albergues full. This was a sign for me, so headed to closed hotel where I got a room, with my own bath, bed with sheets and a view of the square.

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Time for a shower than walk to loosen up. You are never alone on the Camino if you don't want to be. Drinks with Warren and Miguel.

Than ran into Colin for dinner. Big day but now feeling better.
Tomorrow I do it all again but hopefully a few less km!!

Day 7 Granon to Villafranca Montes de Oca

Very big day again – 30km. But stopped at Villafranca which made it all better. Long walk and today will be very short blog. Staying at albergue which is part of a hotel. Was going to stay at the municipal albergue but ran into very nice french guy I have seem over last few days who advised me that this albergue which is all of €10 was better. Is like staying in a hotel, we have all the he hotel facilities but not the cost. I think I will just do some photos and later will do stories for the day.
But first I just have to talk about last nights albergue. We had a communal dinner, 50 close friends, was great – salad, potatoes and chorizo main with watermelon. Than into the choir stalls at the back of the church for reflection.

Picture of the church. Was very lovely.
This morning out at 6.30 for start of the day. Sun coming up at 7.30

It really is odd to have the sun up so late but is great to walk in the dark. Today was just foot after foot of walking so now just some photos.

At one stage we followed the sunflowers, was like the yellow brick road.
Tonight I had dinner with Heidi( her 33 birthday) , her mum Jenny ( both from ACT), Colin(English) & Wolfgang (Austrian living in Chicago)

Tomorrow there are 4 peaks up to 1100m to get over! Mt Cootha will be a breeze after this.
I think I failed to mention my feet, my knees, my hips, my shoulders, all of me hurts! I may be broken! But I have meet some great people. More tomorrow.

Day6 Najera to Granon

Last night ended with another sing along.  Young guy from the US has a guitar and played a few songs. Tom from England was leading the charge.

They had to resort to the Internet for some of the words. We did a lovely version of Waltzing Matilda. Unfortunately some people recorded it and we all know I do like a tune.
This morning started abouy 5.30ISH with a good nights sleep (5 or 6 hours), left the albergue about 6am so had a few  hours walking in the dark. You walk along not knowing who is around but when the sun comes up you discover people everywhere.
The time today seemed to go realitivly fast. Stop for cafe con leche about 7.30am,  the cafe had the biggest croissants I have ever seen. Not much happening during todays walk, I have started stretching in the evening and morning for about 15 minutes and found it is helping.
Stopped to look at the Cathedral in Santo Domimo De Calzada, they keep a live rooster in the church. An old legend about a rooster coming back to life to prove the the innocence of a young boy.

Than on again for 6km to Granon.  Staying tonight in upper annex of the local Church of Saint John the Baptist.  Mattresses on the floor 25 to a room.

Tonight is a communal dinner and reflection,  looking forward to it.
Granon is interesting,

church was at 1pm and the locals are out. This is the first time we have really seem lots locals out but I suppose it is Sunday.

Day 5 Logrono to Najera

Well what a day it was today. Was up early with little sleep, thanks to the snoring that was going on. Anyway that is part of the fun of the Camino. Headed out at 6.15am and tuned west. Was dark walking out of Logrono which wss find as we were going turn the suburbs, sun started to come up about 7.30am, by which time I was out into the countryside again. 

The Camino followed the edge of a lake, was very beautiful. thsn it was uphill  through fields of grapes.

Late morning I srarted walking with Robyn from Colorado and Colin from England.  Its funny everyone usually gets a first name and a country. And that is how you are known.
The scenery is stunning but when you are walking in the sun, it just seems to go on and on.
Big highlight of today wss when I was offered a pear that some girls had pick straight from the tree. It was sweet, juicy and cold- best pear ever.
Arrived at Najera about 1.30pm so did good time for 31km. Getting the pack of is amazing, followed by shower.  My pack should be getting lighter,  I seem to keep forgetting things- towel but was replaced , now a top- give me a couple of weeks and pack will be empty.
Tonight I am sharing a room with 100 of my closest friends, I even know some of there names, forgotten name of the guy I am sleeping next to tonight but know he is from Melbourne.
Physically I seem to be holding up – no blisters,  knees ok, shoulders today are suffering but a hot shower and some stretchers, a rest and I will do it again tomorrow. 
Now I will just add pics, sometime down the line I will have to do a whos who on the Camino.

No chance of getting lost with markers like this. As long as you are looking down. 

Lunch.

Day 5 Logrono to Najera

Well what a day it was today. Was up early with little sleep, thanks to the snoring that was going on. Anyway that is part of the fun of the Camino. Headed out at 6.15am and turned west. Was dark walking out of Logrono which was hard as we were going through the suburbs, sun started to come up about 7.30am, by which time I was out into the countryside again.

The Camino followed the edge of a lake, was very beautiful. than it was uphill through fields of grapes.

Late morning I srarted walking with Robyn from Colorado and Colin from England. Its funny everyone usually gets a first name and a country. And that is how you are known.
The scenery is stunning but when you are walking in the sun, it just seems to go on and on.
Big highlight of today wss when I was offered a pear that some girls had pick straight from the tree. It was sweet, juicy and cold- best pear ever.
Arrived at Najera about 1.30pm so did good time for 31km. Getting the pack of is amazing, followed by shower. My pack should be getting lighter, I seem to keep forgetting things- towel but was replaced , now a top- give me a couple of weeks and pack will be empty.
Tonight I am sharing a room with 100 of my closest friends, I even know some of there names, forgotten name of the guy I am sleeping next to tonight but know he is from Melbourne.
Physically I seem to be holding up – no blisters, knees ok, shoulders today are suffering but a hot shower and some stretchers, a rest and I will do it again tomorrow.
Now I will just add pics, sometime down the line I will have to do a whos who on the Camino.

No chance of getting lost with markers like this. As long as you are looking down.

Lunch.

Some pictures of the countryside

Day 4 Los Arcos to Logrono…..

I am trying to remember where I left it yesterday. …. Los Agros trying to photograph a stock nest….. Anyway was a very quiet night last night, cooked myself a vege dish, very boring but needed some vege so did the trick. Chatted with a few of the pilgrims around the kitchen table and off to bed by 8.30pm – I find by 8 or 9pm I am exhausted. Good sleep.
Early morning today up about 5.45am. You quickly get into your own routine, up, no need to dress as you sleep in the clothes you wear the next day, bathroom, repack(quietly as not everyone is up), take your pack and off the the kitchen for breakfast, than hit the road. Today I was out the door at 6.45am, not the only one, there was a few of us out there following whoever is in front hoping they can see the markers. Sun was up a out an hour after I left.

Is funny you almost feel you are out by yourself, than when the sun comes up and pilgrims are everywhere.

I have managed to wonder in the wrong direction a couple of times, to a Carlos from Barcelona was around to tell me I was heading down into the wrong field. Not an overly exciting walk, few hills, lots of bush trails and a bit of walking down the main road.
Stopped in the town of Viana for lunch about 11.30am or 19km, sat with margaret and Barry, a nice older couple from Ireland. We walked together until Logrono where they have headed off to find some private accommodation and I went headed to the municipal albergue. Te Albergue opens at 1pm, I arrived about 1.30pm and it was full 8 people after me. It is always fun to arrive at the Albergue (if you get a bed) to see who else is here. Waiting in line was Lithuanian sailor, Carlos with his directions, 2 Canadian girls who are paramedics, Andrew the very shy Hungarian, coming in behind me was also young couple from Newcastle, Mick the slightly odd guy from Florida was already here and lots,of others, you know the faces, every says hi but at this stage not all stories have been shared.
Out for dinner tonight with a group. Logrono is a largish town and I am told Friday is party night, it’s a same that by the end of the night we can not party for long. The albergues have curfews and look the doors by 10pm, lights out 10.30pm. I am now off to get food for breakfast for tomorrow, have a look around town and do whatever it is we do.

Last photo is Irish Barry trying to take a picture on my phone, I had done a selfy last time so he ended up with himself.
Tomorrow off to Najera, a nice 30km walk……….