Burgos Cathedral - simply magnificent

One of the truely stunning athedrals of Europe

Burgos Cathedral is a gothic style building, its construction starting in the 12th century. 

Its an outrageously flamboyant cathedral, dripping in gold alters, priceless paintings and  carvings.

Everywhere you turn, its a feast for the eye. No wonder it was so revered in the middle ages. Its staggering to see as a modern person, I can only imagine what it must have been like as a peasant or pilgrim.

There are fifteen chapels (!!!!) and many naves.

I had heard about the really cool 'Papamoscas' (Flycatcher), which is an articulated statue which opens its mouth upon the sounding of the bells every hour..but we missed it the first hour and didnt want to hang round another hour.. Will just have to take thier word for it.

Breathtaking visit none the less.

Atapeurca to Burgos

The steady climb out of Atapurca tested my already strained achillies heel. I hadn't had a fabulous sleep last night as one if the guys in the dorm got really sick at about 1 am and couldn't make it to the loos before vomiting across the floor.  Being a mum I guess I was attune to the noises of someone ill way before the vomiting started.

Despite this ikky start, we were well on our trek by 7.45 am, feeling a little thankful that it wasnt as hot as it has been in the last few days.

The kids stuck in thier onsies for much of the climb up the mountain, and I must admit I was a wee bit chilly in my little trekers skirt!

I waa pretty slow today as it was shaly and the roads full of loose gravel. The stablisers on my ankles are feeling the strain and they really hurt last night.

We stopped briefly a few times in pretty villages.

This is a church tower ruin along the way. Its fairly typical sadly, seeing ancient monuments fall to decay.

This is a shot of is ontop of the mountain. Pretty cold.. Brrrr

The trek into Burgos does it no justice. Over eight km of factories and industrial sites. Walking along hot stinky roads really kills the camino spirit.

The saving grace of course is the medieval city and its outstandingly beautiful cathedral.

We arrived in Burgos by 2 pm and wree really surpised that the three Albergues were already full. The largest had a huge line up outside and we were bummed out that we missed out by two spots. 

However what it did mean was that we splashed out on a hotel, with magnifient views of the cathedral.

After soaking in a hot bath, and snuggling in clean crisp sheets, I dont even care how much it cost.

Wildflowers

Springtime is always the most delicious time to feel refreshed, rejuvenated and alive. Its  certainly no different here on the camino. All along the pathways and in the fields , there have been flowers peeking out from under thier winter hiding spots.

Today, I decided to photograph just the flowers in the pine forests and mountain we walked through. I'm just sorry I dont know enough to say what they are. Primroses are the only things I recognised.

There is beauty everywhere, even in the moss covered birch forests. Spooky and eerie, but beautiful all the same.