Blogs from Burgos, Castile & León, Spain, Europe - page 4

Little late but it was a long day yesterday. We, Vi and I, decided two nights ago that we wanted to walk vlear to Burgos. This would be a long 52.5km walk covering two stages of the 33 stage way to Santiago. So the alarm went off at 5am yesterday. We got up while the other two, Thomas and Kelly could sleep in a bit, since they were bussing the two stages. It was still pitch black out when we left and my head light was not strong enough to see the traps and rocks on the way. We were going at a good fast pace since we wanted to hit the mountain before the sun came up about 10km in. The first 25km were hard and fast but we made it to the half way ... read more

Our holiday is nearing an end. We woke early and said goodbye to our own toilet. It was dark at 7 in Spain – very different to Portugal or back home. We drove through a barren landscape full of dead sunflower plants again. We noticed that there was some building work albeit slow on a new railway line. We guessed funded by European money and would eventually link by high speed London to Paris, Paris to Bordeaux and Bordeaux to Madrid. It looked as if it had come to a standstill though due to the recession and money problems that were going on in the Spanish economy. We stopped for dinner in a BP service station and parking area. Glenn had chicken covered in an oil and I ate a hearty beef stew. Not expecting much ... read more

Spent the morning at the next best sight in Leon, after the Cathedral, the Museum at San Isidoro Monastery. The great claim to fame here is the Romanesque frescoes that adorn the ceiling of the Royal Pantheon of tombs. They are so well-preserved that conservationists have not had to even add extra color. Some appear as if they were painted yesterday, which is impressive considered they were painted almost 1000 years ago. Unfortunately, though, they don't allow photos. I tried to take a few, but got horribly yelled at in Spanish - it's during such times I'm glad I don't understand Spanish as well. The paintings tell, once again, the Christian story, going along the ceiling from the Last Supper to the Crucifixion to the final Resurrection. You'll just have to take my word for it ... read more

What a day, 26km in the heat which must have been 35 degrees. Not too much climbing and a beautiful start to the day leaving San Juan but man did it get hot and very boring the last 8km into Burgos. We learned that Yvette had spent an extra day in Burgos for a rest so it was very exciting to catch up with her and to share all our stories. Rob and Carminia were also in town - remember we shared a cab with them from Biarritz to St Jean. Everyone is tired and it is generally agreed that from here on in it is a mental game rather than physical. It is a funny feeling knowing we are not going the whole way. We are so pleased we made that decision at the beginning ... read more

SEE TEXT IN ENGLISH BELOW Invierno - primavera 2012 Fueron varias veces, en concreto tres, las que di un paseo por esta zona esta temporada. Poco más o menos, los montes de Ayago cubren el area entre Belorado y el alto de Pradilla, el puerto dividiendo Burgos y la Rioja desde el cual ya se accede a las altas cumbres de la Demanda. Los montes de Ayago son modestos, no superan nunca los 1400 metros, y suponen un mirador estupendo sobre la Demanda burgalesa y parte de la Riojana. El primer día que fui, tomé el autobús hasta Belorado, y después de desayunar en la plaza emprendí la ruta por las marcas del GR. El Gran Recorrido 290, que cruza la sierra y llega hasta Barbadillo de los Herreros. Era un día de febrero, y había ... read more