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Dear Christine and Renee.
Today was a long day, often soulless as the Camino tracked for many kilometers alongside a busy stretch of highway.
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There were bright spots. A wonderful little food truck, permanently in place with a garden and picnic tables.
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Soft music played in the background as a peaceful accompaniment to coffee and a chocolate croissant.
The surrounding hills and farm fields were eye candy, the cars and trucks thundering along on the nearby highway were not so kind to the ears.
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There were four small communities evenly spaced between our start and finish.
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Each features its own unique church. Viloria de la Rioja is reputed to be the birthplace of Santo Domingo (1019-1109). The baptism fount (9th century?) by which he was christened is displayed in the church.
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As we entered Belorado we passed a “different” albergue. Large colorful wood cutouts of pilgrims “trucking along” like the 1970’s Mr. Natural are the advertisement of choice. How I date myself!
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Our hotel in Belorado features a nice restaurant where we ate a better than average pilgrim’s dinner. We are in a region where each town features its own version of Morcilla, blood sausage with rice and spices mixed in. Britton loved it!
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Somehow we rated a room with four beds and a private bath.
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There is a real bathtub. I enjoyed a hot soak which was real medicine for my back.
We are next to the town church and cliff caves which once were home to medieval hermits.
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Atop the church bell tower are huge stork nests.
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Tomorrow is much shorter than today and precedes our arrival into Burgos.
Loved you both. Peace. Dad.
Liz says:
Good morning! (for me anyway).
Ah – soulless and and so hard on the soles – those stretches of walking on roads are so hard on our feet and our brain. At least it is so for me. Not to forget the occasional truck driver that flies by (doing their job of course) that leaves a draft in their wake that makes one shudder (and pray). I hope you were able to research the “short cut” into Burgos through the park. Admittedly- idk if it is shorter but it is supposed to be easier on the eyes and the feet. I had a dizzying dehydration incident and did not walk into Burgos, I had to cab it – so I have no clear directions for you. I am guessing that you may be there today. Blood sausage – I have only tried it a handful of times and it has become a hard pass for me. However with your recent account – perhaps I will try it once more. Love the stork nests – we saw some when we were in Amsterdam in May – such a pick me up! Stay groovy you two!
Pete Schloss says:
Hi Liz. I know that blood sausage is not for everybody (black pudding in the UK). I just happen to like it. I’m not sure that Britton understood that was what he was eating. I’m not going to go out of my way to explain it to him. I’m looking forward to experiencing the difference in Burgos.
As always, thank you for your thoughtful commentaries!
Mary Alexander Day says:
The alternate route into Burgos is worth the extra effort. I missed it the second time I walked and was so disgruntled with the road walking that I hopped a bus into the Burgos city center!
Pete Schloss says:
Thank you!
Charlie Murphy says:
“How often I date myself? Never!!
Keep on truckin’! 🙂
We luv ya!
Pete Schloss says:
Thanks Charlie!