Buen Camino 2017/6: The meseta, Days 1-3. Burgos to Fromista.

Some people avoid the meseta as being boring. Others love the beauty of it. So, boring or beautiful?
Day 1 was Burgos to Hornillos 21 km.

 Burgos cathedral splendid as ever.

 Alburgue in the village of Rabe enroute.

 Start of the meseta.

Path leading down to Hornillos.

Coffee stop in Villabilla on the way - with Alison (Aussie) and  Will (Arizona).

Day 2: Hornillos to Castrojeriz 20km.

 The path down to The village of Hontanas.

The ruin at San Anton

 The way stretching ahead.

 Views of the meseta.

 Coming into Castrojeriz.

A small shared meal: 1 Colombian, 2 Brits, 2 Germans and me.

Day 3: Castrojeriz to Fromista 24.9 km.

 Morning departure from Castrojeriz.

 Hard climb ahead up to the meseta.

Looking back towards Castrojeriz from top of climb. Tough way to start the day!

 Looking down onto the meseta.

 A nice shady stopping point.

Some people make their own shade.

 First stop for the day at Itera de la Vega after 11km.

 Boadilla del Camino after another 8.5km

 Canal del Castilla along the way.

Finally arriving Fromista for a relax!

So far, is the meseta boring OR beautiful? Will continue in a couple more days.

Buen Camino 2017/5: The journey so far.

For those Camino junkies out there, here are my night stops so far.
- St Jean Pied de Porte to Valcarlos- 12km.
- Valcarlos to Espinal  - 18km.
- Espinal to Ilarratz - 18km.
- Ilarratz to Villava(near Pamplona)  - 15km.
- Villava to Uterga - 22km.
- Uterga to Villatuerte (near Estella) - 24.5km.
- Villatuerte to Los Arcos - 24.9km.
- Los Arcos to Viana-  18.4km.
- Viana to Navarette - 22.1km.
- Navarette to Azofra - 22.6km.
- Azofra to Castildelgado - 27.3km.
- Castildelgado to Olmas - 20.4km.
Today was the first accommodation malfunction with nothing available in Atapuerca - the planned 18km stop before 20km into Burgos tomorrow.

A few foodie photos to show the variety. 

Hopefully the next wifi will also allow me to download some photos quickly as well!

Buen Camino 2017/4: Some pictures from the way.

It continues to be a beautiful journey. Even though it is starting to get very hot after midday, the scenery is worth the 'pain'.

At times I see a really good photo shot ahead and then realize it is one I took last year.
Coming out of Pamplona, wasn't sure if the hills would be clear. It cleared up for me to get across but bucketed down soon after. Some pilgrims turned back because of lightening strikes soon after.

It is good to finally be able to download some photos. 

I am in a little village/ bar (Olmos)  just before Burgos. I just managed to communicate to the landlady I am from NZ and she just about collapse with joy. But for some reason she doesn't like Aussies!!!

Update: I think her son is in NZ but Oz is definitely not on her Christmas card list.

Buen Camino 2017/3: Steady progress.

Time really does slip by and I had not realised the last post was a while ago. I will do my best to blog every couple of days.
I am managing to stay with my promise of not walking too far or too fast each day. The distances each day have been a mix of 18km, 22km, 24.9km, 15km. I am following the routine of Vaseline at the start of the day and stopping every 1 1/2-2 hours to air my feet and re-Vaseline.

The sticks are like an extra pair of legs - good for driving on the uphill but even better for support going downhill. Some of the downhill sections can be a bit knarley at times so the sticks save the knees and ankles.
The alburgue are quite mixed in quality but most have been o.k..  The main problem is the snoring in the dorms though. Currently, two of the three bunks around me are giving a championship performance. I will put the earplugs in when I have finished.
 ( next day). The place I had reserved was actually 31 km walk- my mistake in calculating distance,  so am in a municipal alburgue after 26.6km today.  It is great though because it is  purpose built with 30 2-bed rooms.As long as my Italian room-mate does not snore I should be able to get a good night's sleep.

The price of a bunk bed has been around €10-12 - I have paid an extra  €2 a couple of times to be in a 4-bed room - less chance of a snorer!

Earlier on there was not a lot of pressure for beds but the last couple of days it has tightened up. With the increase of social media a lot more people are booking ahead-  It guarantees a place until 4.00 pm so the walking can be a bit more leisurely and less stressful wondering if you can get a bed. 

Buen Camino 2017/2: From Valcarlos.

Although some choose the Valcarlos route as an easier option to the high Napoleon route, the last couple of hours uphill to Ibaneta (just before Roncesvalles) is as hard as anything on Napoleon. The main advantage is you can stop about half-way in Valcarlos. The scenery is great as you look across the fields and forest and back down the valley from Ibaneta.

The Roncesvalles monastery/ hostel is as grand as ever but I am moving on to Espinal - just 18km total today. 

So how is the food? You definitely have to like bread and no sign of muesli  ( there is yoghurt though). 

Breakfast: 3.70Euro.

Cafe con leche and choc pastry:2.80€

O J with potato frittata: 3.80€

Pilgrim menu (vegetarian). 3 courses of vege soup, omelette with potatoes, apple crumble AND a demi of red wine:12.80€.