Day 16 - to Castrojeriz

The road to Castrojeriz took us by the iconic San Bol albergugue with the wonderful tank we dunked our feet into last trip. We did it again, finding the albergugue much improved over three years and a place we would stay on our next Camino. 

Then it was on past the ruins of the Monastery that the Camino literally runs through- again with an interesting Alburgue attached run by interesting people and worth a longer visit.

Monday - Out of Burgos to Hornillos & Isar

Monday morning took us out of Burgos via the ST Martin gate we used in 2013 and over the big escarpment that is in so many pictures to Hornillos. 

Our hotel was actually in Isar, a few KM away, so we got a ride to & from. Pix above is the gate seen in the Way movie when Martin Sheen is leaving Burgos with the Roma fellow whose son stole his backpack.

This pix is a lovely Virgin Mary statue we found in a nondescript church outside of Burgos, another hidden gem of Spain. But the real hidden gem was the church in Isar, which the hotel proprietor had opened for us - what a lovely altar and church, off the Camino... Total accident we came to it.

Rest Day - Day 14 in Burgos

Sunday was a "rest" day in Burgos- without a lot of rest. We slept in and went to the beautiful noon mass at the Cathedral. Our companions Helen and Robert toured the fabulous Cathedral while we scouted out a desperately needed laundromat. After laundry and dinner at tasty Restaurant Moroni, we got an early bedtime. But Burgos still offers much more to see, so we must return!

Over the Hill, River and Woods to Burgos

On Saturday, May 7th, we walked the 15 miles to Burgos in the rain. We particularly remember this part of the 2013 trip from the diverse terrain- woods, hills, a long wide path in a forest and the striking sight of Burgos in the distance as you crest the last of a long hill- and then the never-ending walk into town around the airport and along the river.

Day 12 - to San Juan de Calzado

We are discovering new gems this time on the Way, including Friday's San Juan de Calzado, outside of Burgos. In 2013, we looked in the semi-deserted Church, noted the Saint's sarcophagus, and walked on. This time we found a real center of spirituality and Catholicism that is too seldom encountered on the Camino.

This trip, we found a newly refurbished church with a parish-sponsored hostel and a comfortable Casa Rural hotel. The priest, Fr Francisco, offered daily confessions in 4 languages, followed by mass before dinner and, after dinner, a well-attended evening prayer at 8:15 before the early bedtime all pilgrims have.  Best of all, there were mass and evening prayer booklets in 6-8 languages so that all could participate, allowing a real spirit of worship, even by non-Catholics. What a change from 2013 when we looked for 49 days for an English-language confessor!

This is a must-stop if you walk the Way!

Santo Domingo to Belorado

Trying to catch up on the blog after several challenging and tiring days...

On Tbursday, 5 May we walked the 23km from Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Belorado. 

Here is our group leaving town.

On the way we visited a lovely church in Granon that had this stained glass window of a pilgrim 

Then we crossed the border into Castile again. Can't say what a difference the dry weather makes from the 9 day wet patch of our previous trip.

Belorado was a very town from the quiet and spooky place we stayed at 3 years ago, with lots of new alburges, a 7pm mass in a lovely church, and newly refurbished homes and paint jobs all over town. Even the dark "Bates Motel" we stayed at before was lighter. The below is the bridge at Belorado.

Santo Domingo de la Calzada

Wednesday we crossed another mountain to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. In our 2013 trip, this section was the part we called "the Mud March" due to the rain and endless mud of the dirt trail, but this time it was gloriously sun drenched!

We arrived in time for dinner and an 8 pm mass at the cathedral which was packed by local folk as it was the annual feast day of their local Saint, Dominick of Calzda who helped Pilgrims on the Camino. Pix of the local folk singing to their Saint in his tomb.

After mass we talked at a outdoor bar til bedtime. Weather may turn tomorrow, but we have had a glorious patch of blessed sun!