September 24 From Burgos to the Meseta
September 24 Burgos to Hornillos del Camino 20 km / 13 miles
Meeting Harriet for breakfast and then we walk. Bidding this couple adios in Burgos.
September 23 Tomorrow: The Meseta Begins
September 23. Tomorrow starts the meseta. Long stages. No shade. Scarce water refill options.
“The meseta is the name given to the large and expansive flat plains of central Spain. Beginning just after Burgos, and ending in Astorga, the Camino Frances travels through the northern point of the meseta for approximately 220km,”
September 23 Burgos Rest Day – Street Sculptures
Shopped for a jacket and another layer of warm clothes-sort of a very lightweight sweatshirt. It will be nearly a week before I’m in another town with stores and it suddenly got cool! 46 this morning with a high of 68. Should warm somewhat this week but thought I should be prepared.
Taking it easy today. Found a laundromat and washing all my clothes. Hand washing doesn’t get them all that clean.
Taking it easy today. Found a laundromat and washing all my clothes. Hand washing doesn’t get them all that clean.
September 22 & 23 Burgos for Two Nights
September 22. Burgos for two nights. Arrived and my room was ready early. Much to see in this city, but this is rest period so must limit my curiosity. I’m near the city center across from the cathedral, so not far from the happenin’ places.While in
Ibeas de Juarros, I had breakfast with a young Spanish woman who stopped on her way to Burgos with her full pack. And I had thought this route was off the Camino. She showed me this was an optional route-4 km longer than the main path, but this route is flat. Main route is hilly. I’d be more attentive to alternate routes, but after Burgos it’s flat. The views in the hilly areas are breathtakingly beautiful, and long days of flat in front of are monotone. My knee will be happy for flat, but my mind will miss the surprising vistas.
I’ve learned my fatigue barometer:
-Not tired-focus on destination begins about the last 1-3 miles.
-Very tired-focus on the destination begins before I get my boots on.
That should be my signal for a short day or a rest day. Who wants to walk all day with a bad attitude!Spain wakes slowly and stays up late. The restaurant in last night’s village opened at 9pm, but 7-8pm seems to be more usual. It’s 12:10 pm and stores on the plaza are still sleeping.
September 21 Ibeas de Juarros Blog Bulk Update
Today has been a little unusual, for a number of reasons. Conveyance between points has been through combined travel modes of foot/leg and taxi. Further, the EU SIM card contract ran out of minutes, disabling interested followers from keeping abreast of travel updates. And then there is a sore knee thrown into the mix, now having some time to recover for tomorrow’s continued adventure.
Paraphrasing Mary:
“I had to wait until I was in a village where I could use WiFi to recharge the card. I left Abelard this morning, walked about 8 miles through four villages and am now in the fourth one, Villafranca Montes de Oca. My knee is hurting and there’s a big hill and a 4-5 hour walk to the next village, so decided to call this a short day. Just 8 miles which is about halfway from my original plan. All is well. It’s just getting time for a rest day which happens soon.”
Here are some photos that were taken along the way.
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| Villages of Tosantos and Villambistia just a little over a mile apart. |
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| Wine while waiting for taxi |
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| and it’s here already! |
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| Home Sweet Home |
September 21 Belorado to San Juan de Ortega 24 km / 15 miles
Plan du Jour
9/21 (Saturday)
– walk from Belorado to San Juan de Ortega- – 24 km / 15 miles
– take taxi to Ibeas de Juarros for the night
9/22 (Sunday)
– taxi from Ibeas to Atapuerca
– walk to Burgos
– 21.5 km / 13.5 miles
– probably another 2 miles to get to hotel
– night in Burgos
9/23 (Monday)
Rest day in Burgos
9/24 (Tuesday)
-walk to Hormilla Del Camino
September 20 Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Belorado 23 km / 14+miles
September 20. 8:33 late start. Leaving Santo Domingo. No cafe on the way out of town! Breakfast and coffee must wait until the next village – Grañon.
September 20 Belorado Evening Updates
Not an abundance of restaurants in this small town. Some of those listed are closed. Found one with outdoor dining but the weather is taking a turn for the worse.
Thunder. Lightning. Leaky canopy. No rain gear.
September 20 Arrived Belorado
It started to rain at the end of this walk. Not one of my better days. Staying at the Pension Toñi. They have a shower. And that’s the first thing.
