September 4, 2011

Departed Burgos on Sept 3, and walked to Hornillos del Camino. A walk of just over 20 km. A very small medieval village with no internet access at the albergue. Actually, very little at the albergue. Three small dormatories crammed with bunk beds. Mine had 6, and my bunk was shoved right up against the next one.... great way to meet your neighbour, especially in the middle of the night!

At the bar across the street, they served a pergrino menu. Plain but very tasty, and, of course, wine included! Before that a group of us sat in the courtyard in fromt of the small albergue and the church and the bar (very small village) and had a few beer. An exclectic group, a New Zealander, three Aussies, and three Canadians! The bar never new what hit them! It was a great way to end the day.

Today, I walked to Castrojeriz, across the rolling Meseta. Which, truth be told seems less like the Prairies then I was led to belive. It´s like them in some cases, but on other parts it more like a collection wide mesas and flat valleys.

On the way, I passed through Hontanas, home to one the more recommended albergues. But, at 10:30 in the morning I wasn´t about to stop, except for a caffe con lech, of course.

I also passed San Anton where the Camino passes through the ruins of a gothic convent, now the site of an albergue.

Castrojeriz is an interesting place, about 2 km long. Pass something at the start and you´re not likely to want too back track to it. The town curls around the base od a large high hill with a ruined castle at the top.

The albergue San Estaban is at the far end of the town, located on the top of a municipal building with great views over the town and the meseta. Newly renovated, the dormitory is bright, airy and not at all crowded. Otherwise, only very basic condictions for showering and washing.

I am now 488 km from Santiago de Compostela having covered 212 km!