This is my Journey

San Juan de Ortega to Burgos – day 12

Sitting in the bar last night with a couple of fellow wanderers….

They were trying to book their next days accommodation – and I was smelling the roses sipping my beer……or was I? Trying to get my head around a 9am pick up for transfer to today’s starting point and walking 7-8 hours in the heat of day???

While the hotel reception had told us there were no early buses and a taxi would cost €50, the barman, a much nicer bloke, told us there was….so we looked it up but the bus route avoided the Camino route!

One thing about this journey….is we learn very quickly set plans do not always pan out!

And as I am walking the next few days….we decided (collectively of course) an 8.50am bus to Burgos would give me (at least) time to explore this gothic city! And avoid several miles of pavement pounding on my sore feet!

We left the hotel after a leisurely breakfast, and took a short stroll to the bus stop….the bus was 20 minutes late….and we were doubting the website information there for a bit….but sure enough along it came…full of people, hardly a spare seat, aside from the locals many pilgrims had also decided to rest their blistered feet!

Arriving at the central Burgos bus station around 9.30am! My mission for the morning was to buy a new suitcase, as now mine has not only lost a wheel, the zip is broken….after 15 years, one just has to let some things go! Along with the winter PJs, the worn out gortex jacket…and a number of other items I have gifted on the way!

Crossing the bridge into the old town towards the main attraction here.

Burgos, is a provincial capital in Spain’s autonomous community of Castile and León, it is marked by its intact medieval architecture. Its most recognizable landmark is the French Gothic Cathedral of St. Mary, whose 3 main doorways are flanked by ornamented bell towers. 

This is just one side, the enormous structure actually covers a whole block! But as the shops were open until 2pm, I had a bit of supply shopping to do….first the suitcase! I resisted the temptation of entering any of the fabulous boutique shops as I was on a mission!

Accomplished!!!! Then I was towing a new case around! So I decided that, before any more exploring, I would check in and dump my new accessory at the hotel before I wandered any further!

Next job was to stock up on toe plasters, and as luck would have it …. There was a pharmacy just around the corner! Actually there are more pharmacies in this country than any other retail shops…Job done!

Wandering the streets…heading towards a supermarket for some walking supplies (nuts and chocolate) I could take in my surroundings…

Burgos is a very clean, pretty city, with a mix of Old and not so old!

Storks nesting on the church spires! The nests are as big as Jaxon’s mini! …. This spire….

Obviously they don’t have a problem with heights!

Supermarket shopping done…which was now another heavy bag to cart around…as water supplies for tomorrow were included! A quick shop in an emporium shop full of junk – in search of a cheap umbrella as I believe my next four walking days on the meseta provides very little shelter from the sun!

Back to hotel with the next round of supplies, I could now check in, the broken bag taking its last journey to my room…where I could swap to the new one!

Then it was back out on the streets to explore…by now shops all closing and cafes ramping up for the mid afternoon lunch rush!

I walked the last mile of today’s Camino trail…just so I didn’t feel I had completely deviated from my path!

Soaking up the street art…

And hopping from side to side of the street to catch the shade.

This path took me to the other side of the infamous cathedral…

Cobbled streets of old town…

Stone walled steps…with holes to peep though!

This certainly is impressive architecture!

The Templar knights of Burgos…

The Order of the Templars was founded around the year 1118 to provide security and facilitate the Camino de Santiago for pilgrims of the time. It consisted of a medieval Christian military order responsible for protecting pilgrims in the most dangerous and unpopulated stretches of northern Spain.

Another iron statue…this one’s for you Trudi and Julie….and all the other avid readers out there!

Here is one panning for gold, a world wide historical pastime.

I am now sitting in this shaded park with tree sculptures and birds singing…and it’s 5 O’clock somewhere…,actually almost here…a cool drink is much needed!