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Published: June 22nd 2009
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Najara to Ciruena - Canas. Cistercian abbey of Santa Maria, in the internal grounds with visiting nuns from Burgos, Maria Jesus on Lt and Fatima on Right. Well it’s been a while since I have had internet availability so will be quick today also,
I have been meeting a lot of locals along the towns and all are very friendly. In Redecillo, that night we had a very severe storm with hail stones. My friend called it a ¨hail Mary¨. Belorrado was a lovely town and the walking amongst the beautiful tracks with clouded skies was special. I got a happy birthday candle stuck on an apple on the 6th of June for my birthday, it was a nice thought and the apple was crunchy too.
At a town called Tosantos the Albergue was run a Spanish man who lived in the old wooden and mud house that had recently been renovated. The was an ancient pilgrim hospital in midlevel times. It was one of the most rewarding times. I got to go to a special opening of a small church up on the hill that had been hidden for hundreds of years and looked after by hermits. Later we made dinner (paella), that is all the pilgrims helped and then ate together. An Italian pilgrim donated bottles of wine for all. After dinner we went up into
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Tosantos to San Juan de Ortega - Around Villambistia. the loft which was set up as a chapel where we read other pilgrims prayers from different nations. These prayers were read for 20 days then in August each year during festival time, these are all burned. I shall have special memories from here as the emotions were strong and somewhat touching.
Tosantos gave pilgrims that rare spiritual Camino feeling that provided respect, atmosphere and opportunity to feel, think and reflect on you. We slept on thin mattresses on rickety floor boards.
The trails next day were very wet and muddy. There was a very steep sections and I managed to see a deer and also find some wild strawberries of which I picked several and ate them too. They were quite sweet. I also photographed a lot of wild flowers, views and some great shots of bumble bees.
After many km I arrived at St Juan de Ortega with very sore feet and thankful for the rest that I would get.
I met up with the Belgium couple who spoke very good English and had a great night. We visited the Cathedral and I also got the privilege to see behind doors what the old part of the
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Najara - The impresive Monasterio de Santa Maria La Real from Paza Navarra. The Monasterio is partly built into the hill side. One day the son of Santo the Great followed his falcon into a large hole in the hillside and found a statue of the Virgin Mary. cathedral was going to be renovated into (new Albergue and terminally ill hospital).
The albergue was quite old and very large so we had it pretty well full up with pilgrims by the end of the day. We had the special gift of Soup bread that night. We went out to dinner afterwards.... but it was a nice gesture. Now we know what the old pilgrims used to get fed...... ‘sopitas de ajo’.
Then off to Burgos.....
The next day was very wet and extremely windy with very cold wind chilling the skin of my face. Some pilgrims wet ponchos disintegrated by the time they reached the next town. The views of the storms however were great and of course I have some great shots and film to prove it.
At the top of the high summit there was a great ring of stones that pilgrims add to when they pass this summit. I do not know the meaning of it but will find out if I can.
Well Burgos is certainly a huge city and the cathedral is absolutely magnificent. I spent over 2 hours and could not see it all. The old part of town is very old
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Najara to Ciruena - Detour from Azofra to Canas to see Cistercian abbey of Santa Maria founded in 1170. of course and is the part I love best because it helps you feel the Camino as it was in ancient times and it can have a special feeling when you walk amount the old buildings.
Well it is farewell to my friend from here. I will be walking on my own from now on. So onwards westwards, one foot at a time.
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nellpilgrim
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Worth a detour-special places
Hi Begonia, We also made a diverseo to visit Suso, Yuso and Cana and like you were very glad we did. We went to Suso and Yuso first but by the time we got to Cana the convent was shut for lunch (2hours) and so we only got to see those marvelous Gothic alabaster windows from the outside, so it was a real treat for my to see you photo that shows them from the inside-thanks! We couldn't wait as it was going to snow so we legged it back to Santo Domingo de la Calzada as quick as we could walk. All in all we found that detours to Eunate and to Suso, despite the extra kms were the most memorable and special places we visited. We also stayed in San Juan de Ortega in April 2009 so I was surprised to learn of the plans for the old Augustinian monastery as nothing seems to have started to happen on that front. It's such a good idea for the building to be made into a hospice I hope that it happens sooner rather than later. Really enjoying reading the blog by the way. N