Hitting the big smoke with no puff!

Day 13 VillaFranca Montes De Oca to Burgos
Just under 5 hours
291.36km walked so far
375356 steps so far

This morning I woke at 4am, but I had slept well from 9pm so I was happy with that. The view out of the bedroom window was the best morning view I’ve had so far, a beautiful pale sunrise and a bit of birdsong.
Had breakfast and hit the road at 7.30am.
We were heading for a town called Atapuerca that was 20km away. A beautiful walk today through forest and on trails. It’s so much easier on your feet than the road.
A very relaxed morning as we strolled through another little town that was holding its Saturday market. If you were looking for Pokémon cards or Pokémon cards then it was the market for you. Lots of locals were out strolling the paths this morning too.
Once we arrived, we took a 17km transfer from Atapuerca into the city of Burgos, the reason being that the remainder of the walk was along highways. Pretty dangerous and not very pretty. It felt strange being in a vehicle, but watching the walkers along the road, it was kind of nice.
Checked into the motel and then headed out for something to eat. More walking, more stairs. You can often hear me saying ‘I fuc$ing love stairs’
The cathedral popped into view and was imposing and impressive. There were two weddings happening and it was a beautiful spring day.
We went into the first café we saw because we were starving and, as I’ve been told many times before, don’t go to the first café or restaurant you see. The chips were reheated from last night, I think, and the hamburger was very plain. The young waiter was really sweet though.
There was live music playing, people out and about, and a nice vibe, but once again I feel too tired to really be a tourist, and that tears me in two. I want to see it all, but I’m using my energy to walk.
It’s funny, as I wander along the way I think about how when I arrive in the cities I’ll go shopping and buy a dress, some new undies (I’ve lost a couple of pairs along the way 😳), and a new pair of merino socks. Once I’m in the city though, I realise the desire to be a tourist and get caught up in the rat race isn’t really there.
Give me a little village any day.
Tomorrow we hit the Meseta, which is said to be the mental stage of the walk, long flat roads where a lot of thinking is done.
The beginning, from St Jean to Burgos, is the physical stage. It’s all about getting your body used to walking day after day, climbing mountains, managing sore feet and trusting that you can do it.
The Meseta which is Burgos to Leon is where the mind takes over. With fewer distractions and endless horizons, there is time to have a think about things.
Then comes the final stage, from León to Santiago, often called the spiritual stage. Not necessarily religious, but a deeper understanding of what the walk has meant and what you want to take home, or maybe even leave behind when the walk is done. x
All my talk about going out for dinner tonight, we have a baguette, jamon (prosciutto) and cheese that we got at the supermarket, we will spread a towel over one of our beds to catch the crumbs and it will be fine dining in our room 🤓Read more