Day 12 - A day for the umbrella

Belorado to San Juan de Ortega
25.0km
Accumulated distance 289.1km
A slowish start today knowing there wasn’t much to do at my destination. I left around 8.30 in search of breakfast. The Camino lore is never stop at the first bar as the second is likely better , and if you’re brave enough then the third might be best. I tried this at the first village, boldly walking past the first bar having seen a sign to the second. It was closed of course so tail between my legs I returned for a very average tomato toast with coffee.
The first half of the day was the wheat fields of the Tiron river valley, and it was sporadic mist and rain.
A picnic lunch at Villafranca Montes de Oca, then climb climb up to the pine plantations. It was very enjoyable walking through the fringe forests in the mist before reaching the top.
The forestry roads were nice easy walking, but the heavens really opened with thunder and hail. My umbrella worked a treat.
Sporadic rain for the afternoon including the last half hour with thunder as I entered San Juan, population 20, three bars, a monastery, and a church, it felt like a scene from a Clint Eastwood western.
Very friendly people and great pork chop with blood sausage for dinner.
Moment of the day was the peaceful walking through the misty forests, with birdsong and the occasional cuckoo call, it was quite magical.Läs mer