Overnight - Albergue Juan de Yepes
My earliest start so far, at 5:45am, with a long day ahead. The path out of Burgos was a little gloomy with a few twists and turns through the city before passing through the outer suburbs and then into the countryside. I stopped briefly for a warm slice of tortilla for breakfast at a shop in Tardajos before pressing on to Hornillos Del Camino.
The Meseta straddles Hornillos and takes full effect on the way to Hontanas, where the temperature started climbing and the wind blew warmer and warmer. I have to say I found the endless barley fields and flat, desolate, landscape a wonderful experience, but I can see how it can work to unnerve many a pilgrim.
The arrival into Hontanas was the end of a great journey, shared mostly with a very interesting and over-packed Belgian I met on the track. Kim was just starting her Camino at Burgos. (Somewhat embarrassingly, I only learned her name days later in Leon - until then, just about everyone I met was ‘the guy from Denmark’ or ‘the girl from Russia’ etc.)
Hontanas also offered the prospect of a cool shower and a restful sleep. The albergue had a communal dinner, featuring paella and other delicacies so I made sure to book in.
The afternoon stroll around town was a brief one, past the temperature gauge that showed 35 degrees at around 3:00pm, then back to the albergue (top bunk, all six bunks full).
After a nap, it was time for the very convivial communal dinner, with a Brazilian, the Belgian, 2 French, 3 Italians and me. Apart from the paella, which (according to those who know paella much better than me) wasn't the best, the food was generally good. A brief walk through the local church, which is in serious need of repair, ended the evening.
Weather - Nice and hot as the day warmed up, although most of the trek was covered in the more conducive early morning weather.
Health - Again felt very strong. I drank a lot of water, but the feet are holding up well and - happily - there's nothing of any note to report at all.
Food - Gel; Tortilla slice at Tardajos; Pot of tea at Hornillos cafe; Biscuits x3; Apple; Pots of tea x2 at albergue; Albergue communal dinner (bread rolls, big salad, meat paella with bones, rice pudding)
Expenses - Accommodation - 8.00; Food/Drink - 15.50 Total - 23.50
Walking time - 7 hours, 30 minutes (start 5:45am, arrive at accommodation 1:15pm)
Brierley distance - 31.5km (total 314.7km)
Daily Steps - 47,517
Total Camino steps - 520,756
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