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.

Long climb to Atapuerca

Beautiful day for walking, perfect temperature and just the right amount of hills and flats.

It was a welcome relief too , to have regular water fountains and plenty of shade through the pine forests.

I think we walked 18 km.

Trying to wake my two kids is akin to waking the dead, despite a rest day yesterday and early bedtime.

Even so, we managed to leave just after dawn to start our climb up one of the dreaded mountains.

As we climbed, the mist clung to the valley giving the whole atmosphere an eerie, sureal feeling. The morning birds greeted us and it was delightful to hear Lilly identifying many. Her favourite is the cookoo. I love the blackbird.

As we got to the top of the mountain, it got very cold; so the kids got changed into thier onsies.. Best idea yet. They got alot of notice!

A quick break in San Juan where there is major renovations being done on the church.  Incredible really, given the vacancies and dead villages we have passed through.

We reached Atapuercea by 4 this afternoon, just in time to get the last beds in town. On a side note, Atapuerca is famous for its archeological digs. A few years back, the oldest human remains were found - a great excitement as they have been dated from at least 1.2 million years ago. I'd have loved to go to the caves and digs,but its all in Spanish, so not much good for an info deviot like me. 

We have had some awesome Albergues for five euros a bed lately. This has to be the most 'rural' and basic. Its an old cowshed, about 300 years old, converted..no hotwater at all. A real disappointment to find whe you get into the showers. 

Still it was a relief not to have to walk another 6 km to the next town.