Hontanis to Castrojeriz

I slept pretty badly last night, the pain in my ankle keeping me up, coupled with the snores of thirty others( through earugs) and the ever vigilant ear of a mother - Lilly has been fluey all day and had a persistant cough.

We decided ounly to go 9 km today as the next town with an Albergue was another 10, and I didnt think I'd be able to make that on my ankle and a wingy Lilly.

After breaky, I doubted I was going to make 9 steps. I struggled a few Km before getting my boot off and medical kit.far out. My ankle had blown up and wa Farout.. all puffy. Goes to show how much pain I was in as I didn't get a photo of it.

Patched up though, I was able to walk the rest of the way -slowly.

Around a bend, near to our town, we came across the ruins of San Juan Monestary.- ansolutly breathtaking. It must have been some sight  for themedieval  pilgrims.

Our rocky mountsin path turned into a smooth roadway- much more pleasant for my ankle to cope with.

The sweet view of our next town, overlooked by the ruins of a castle. 

I love seeing the interesting details churches add..several of these were on the outside of the church in  Castrojeriz.

Despite getting in before 1, many places were already full.

We scored a wonderful spot in a 15th century house, run by a real Larikan of a hopitellier. 

To Hontanas

Walking the plains of the Mensetta today. The green fields stretch for miles, tiny red poppies in direct contrast to the rest of its surrounds. 

The weather is still extremely changable, with the winds chilling to the bone, but the sun scorching sunburn onto unprotected spots.

This is just one of the amazing structures constructed by pilgrims as they pass by. Everyone builts a little piece, the monument growing every day .

The long dusty road stretches out before us, snaking out over the hills.

Our lunchbreak sign. So glad to see it clocking downward.

The sweet, sweet view of our night stop.

Burgos to Rebe de las Calzadas

A very relaxed start time this morning. I just didn't want to get out of that lovely soft bed..... Or leave a bathroom only we had been in. It makes you really appreciate the small things, thats for sure.

Much of our walk today was along stony pathways skirting grimy towns and busy highways; really not a fabulous day for photos.

To add to the grey misery, it was so cold, the thermals had to come out; making it an additionally grim walk.

We passed one of the oldest pilgrim hospitals, Hospital del Ray; now swallowed up by the university.

It was wonderful to see pilgrims we bump into all the way still chugging along. We bumped into a few who are seriously looking at packing it in as well. What people dont realise I guess is, that this is not just (or even) a test of physicality. There are marathons and fitness comps for that. Its a test of courage, tenacity, of patience and surrender; a test for the spirit and emotions. 

We arrived on Rebe by 2, and once again found all the Albergues full. However, some industrious villagers have converted their garages to cope with overflow, so after paying our princly sum of eight euros each, were lead up into the  hilly pathways of the village  and into soneones home. Its clean, good beds and hot water.. So all we need.