Again, like crossing from the Pyrenees into Rioja, the entire landscape of the Camino has changed. And not just the physical landscape; apparently a lot of people start their walk in Burgos. It seemed at least 50 people a day, although someone just pointed out to me that the Camino is always busier on the weekends (Spaniards walking it in little pieces on the weekends). We left Burgos with the loose plan to walk 32 k, since we had after all just taken a rest day. And thank goodness we had that in our heads …

Yesterday we walked into the small city of Burgos. We took a longer way in which was along the river in a nature preserve instead of through the industrial park. It was much more enjoyable and we needed the shade. Even with my spf50 I can feel the sun damaging my face and arms. I don’t know why it is so strong here! James ended up jumping in to the river off a small bridge to cool down, but it was still a long trek for both of us. We also walked through a huge …

After 4 days I’m already out of Rioja and in to the region of Castilla y Leon, supposedly named because of all the castles that used to be here.
After I last posted (I was writing in a bar enjoying my post-walk beer because the albergue didn’t have wifi), I went back to the church to help get dinner started. We made up a ton of potatoes but the kitchen didn’t have an oven. So we brought the pans down the street to the baker! Apparently they do this every night, and at the eight …

Been doing 22/23k for a couple days now. Knees are pretty good. Still not 100% but mostly pain-free during the day. Still with the group of 5 that I met up with a few days ago. I’m thinking about taking a short day tomorrow but most of the other folks we see are french or german so it would probably be lonely if I got off from the group. Anyway, here are some photos! We’re in Rioja now and it’s wine, wine, wine as far as you can see! And red soil! When the sky …

First: finally got some paella:

We’re almost out of the Navarra region of France, should be crossing in to Rioja tomorrow! I ended up convincing my new friends not to walk the 30 k today so they hung back with me and we had a nice relaxed afternoon in the town of Viana. Nice cool day (60s) and the forecasted rain held off. Some incredible architecture here. This church is from the 11th century and was partially destroyed during a civil war. Today it’s a lovely park:

Had a great bread cheese and tomato lunch with this …