Blogs from Burgos, Castile & León, Spain, Europe - page 5

Hornillos 21kms We left at 7.00,had our cafe con leche and tostado and walked 11kms beforem we stopped for more cafe.Aiden could'nt believe how far we had come.We made such good time that first part,we stopped twice more and slowed down.It was sunny,with a little wind,more fields,flat,Meseta country.We saw a shepard with his sheep,and then 2 guys with a donkey loaded down.They were stopped drinking beers when we passed.This was a very quiet town in a peaceful way.We had lunch with 2 Aussies,Judy and Hugh and supper with Olan and Suze from Norway.They had a lot of questions about Canada. Sept 23-Castrojeriz 20kms our time today was good,left 7:15 to 12pm.We stopped in Hontanas for cafe and pastries (seems like we are always eating?)Small town,but seems busy.After that more Meseta,some cloud cover and wind.The last few ... read more

Not actually Burgos yet but close! I have not long ago arrived in a lovely little town called Redacilla in the area of Castille Y Leon. It was a big day today leaving from Canas where I visited the 12th century Cistercienne Abbey and later went to the twin monasteries of Suso Y Yuso which date from the 6th century. In the monastery at Yuso there were bones of ancients. In the one at Suso , Spanish Castillian language was first recorded by the monks! Tonight is as usual cheap in fact 5 euro for the place not including meals. I will go out shortly to hit the bars for a meal. I really should be more into wine as the area I have just left is La Rioja a wine district and the wine is ... read more

I know I SAID I was going to continue chronologically - but I just want to include the pics taken in the Cathedral in Burgos - I couldnt upload while on the road..... The sheer riches inside here are astonishing and such displays are evidence I think of the Catholic Church's 2000 years of hypocritical wealth accumulation .... The craftwork and the artistic abilities , the physical work and the talents of thousands of people over the years was given either freely with good will, or under sufferance and coercion....but there is no doubting the beauty of it all.... I especially liked all the mandalas on the ceilings, in the stained glass etc....After we walked and walked - sightseeing on our 'day off' we had churros and chocolate...... read more

After our breakfast the next morning we set of at about 8.30....... It's Jacquie's birthday in Spain...... We both still had our colds and our room was really hot and stuffy combined with hot flushes and coughing wasn't the best nights sleep....I am sure if we were at home we would have only had the cold for a couple of days but because we keep walking we aren't giving it a chance. Its not that bad just annoying and a pain in the a.....se. Once we were on the road again out in the fresh air we were good....cold and bad night forgotten.Our backpacks on our back again we were happy. The weather is still very cold and windy but that ok. Did quite a bit of climbing....but then what is new .....stopped in a small ... read more

We are now leaving France to see Spain and the first place we will look at is Burgos. Things have changed so much for just driving towards the border you suddenly realise you not in France anymore, for the language has changed. Stopping at a service station, everything is different. Worse of all the people do not understand you anymore. No English. You now know, that you are in a different country. We have to use sign language to obtain the things you are after. But we manage. The Tom Tom took us directly to the place. Burgos is a lovely place. It was founded in 844 as a stronghold against the Moors. You can spent a week there to see it all. Of course the churches play again a big roll. They direct the history ... read more