DAY 14 : SPAIN : SAN JUAN DE ORTEGO to BURGOS - 26 kms - 6 1/2 hours

Distance walked so far in France and Spain :1043.8 kms

Weather : cold, drizzle : 12o

Our destination today is Burgos, Gothic capital of Spain,
and it was seat of Franco's government until 1938.

 

Some serious climbing. Another day of facing my demons.
Six years ago when we walked this section, we tried to
walk 36 kms in horrendous heat and with blisters.
Today it was cool, we stopped for breaks and walked a
sensible distance.

 

Breakfast at a little village 4 kms from San Juan. We sampled
the cooking of the bar owner, who had music and a great
atmosphere for walkers at such an early hour.

 

We walked through the small town of Atapuerca.
Here they have prehistoric caves which
 hold the earliest human remains
ever discovered in Europe dating back over
900,000 years.
 

 

Ascending Alto Cruceiro (1,080m) with a friendly flock of sheep.

 

The long 8 km walk into Burgos along the river towards
the Cathedral. It is a thriving city of 200,000 with a
medieval heart, industry, new airport and modern
outlook.

 

The Gate of Santa Maria, one of the 12 gates of the
medieval city walls. Rebuilt in the 16th century and
it shows the Emperor Charles V surrounded by
the most significant characters in the city's history.

 

The spectacular Cathedral de Santa Maria.
First stone laid in 1221.

 

The municipal albergue in the cathedral
precinct. A very modern building with
excellent facilities. 5 euros.

 

 

The albergue's outdoor areas.
Great in summer but not on a wet, cold
day like today.

 

Claudia and Miriam show Maugie the warm
clothes they've just bought to cope with
the wild weather of the Meseta, which
we enter tomorrow.

 

A delicious meal at Pancho's.

 

Desolate on a cold afternoon but as it became dark
the whole population came out and the place was hopping!

 

 

M&M

20/10/12