Belorado to San Juan de Ortega – day 11 Camino Frances…
As I take one day at a time…last night when I checked out today’s schedule…my Camino buddy pointed out that I was walking through the village where I was staying tonight 11.5 kms before I reached today’s finish line! Where I was due to be picked up by a shuttle and transferred to my accommodation!
So I had a choice of walking distance…12kms to my hotel in the village of Villafranca Montes de Orca…or the full day of 24kms to the end only to be then collected and brought backwards! My feet screamed “Rest Day”, my head argued for a moment…but a three hour foot day before an 8 hour one tomorrow really was a no brainer…
Today’s story begins with last evenings activities! Laundry done, and ready to head out by 5ish…although had planned to meet my friend Jan around 6pm for dinner …. I headed towards the square..where I ran into a couple of fellow pilgrims and (having acquired a taste for the Spanish “Rose” ) I ordered a wine for myself and one for my friend …€2.80 ($5NZD) for both!!! One could easily become an alcoholic in this country!
Jan Arrived, and we went in search of an eating place, most not opening for dinner until after 7pm…however as we were wandering around and getting the same result, we decided to just enter one that looked good and found they were already taking dinner orders ….a three course meal and a wine or water (bottle) for €16.50 (around $30 NZD) each!!! These next two pics are for my foodie followers…entree was a dinner plate size fresh salad! Then…
The main course for me vegetarian lasagne…plate adorned with aioli artwork!! followed by…
Baked cheesecake with chocolate artwork…I chose the water option for liquid refreshment as I had had my beer in the afternoon and a pre dinner Rose!! Water and wine hold the same value!!
We all then had an after dinner coffee…mistake for me as I was wide awake until almost midnite! So pleased this morning I had opted for a shorter day…
Another piece of wall art!
Hitting the road at 7am…the proverbial exit bridge! This time I was on a wooden footbridge at the side of the vehicle one. And off into the countryside, without the knee brace for the first day since I began this adventure!
Cotton wool trees lined the path and white fluffy cotton wool on the ground (don’t actually know if this is correct) but this stuff has been floating around for the last few days…then there were more wheatfields and gravel pathways…
I’m guessing a lot of flour is produced from this region!
It’s a big job to hoe the fields full of stone…These tractors seem to be one of the primary modes of transport in this area, apart from the steady stream of foot soldiers!
The first village cafe, and donation table was a little too soon into my day to partake, so I carried on to the next village
Which provided some much needed shade although only 9.30am…
Two churches in one town and just before leaving this village, “Villambistia”, an Albergue…with a garden cafe beaconed me in for my morning coffee…very pleasant umbrella covered terrace and a great coffee for a mere €1.80! I joined a nice Dutch couple and got to meet “Biru”
The Mexican street dog, “living and loving it in Spain” He was actually waiting (patiently?) for the stick to be thrown!!!
Leaving this cute village with a mere 5kms ahead ….
The homes were adorned with more physical object art…which was a change from the wall murals.
And team…here I am…chewing up the miles…with help of new friends company and support!
In the 500’s now…the Proclaimers song I used to dance to, keeps rolling through my brain!!! (Even though it refers to miles)
A little further along, as I navigated the downhill into my village stop, Rosanne and Micky…the gals from New Jersey caught up with me…
And we chatted for half an hour as we walked to the end of my journey for the day, they were going on to the expected destination of San Juan De Ortega…
My day had been a really relaxed snail stroll taking time to really smell the Roses…
Arriving at my hotel at midday…and able to check in pretty much straight away…
I feel like the Queen! The room is so pretty and the hotel amazing…
The view from my window…
And the relaxing (or reading or writing stories place) courtyard…so far, I’m sure there’s more … it kind of feels like an old castle and is furnished accordingly…now that I have had a couple of hours legs up … it may be afternoon beer time, so time for a wander..
Hasta mañana (until tomorrow)
All who wander are not Lost girls 