- Show trip
- Add to bucket listRemove from bucket list
- Share
- Oct 24, 2024, 8:07 AM
- 🌙 9 °C
- Altitude: 3,806 ft
SpainCastille and LeónVillafranca Montes de OcaAlba42°21’59” N 3°21’26” W
The universe always has a plan for us

The first sound of life in the albergue was 4am as Caesar was up early. He motioned to me as he passed by my bed...my reply a simple 'No' crazily he planned walking a 27 mile day stopping in Burgos. He is such a lovely gentle soul from Columbia. A real privilege to have spent time which such a warm young man.
For so many people the excitement of Burgos is a pull. I'm not a city kinda girl and never will be. I will pass through tomorrow, allowing some sightseeing time.
My alarm went at 5.45. For the first time, today I really wasnt feeling it. I simply did not want to walk, but rather go back to sleep. Physically I felt good, but today is the 13th consecutive day of walking. It was not helped by looking last night at the profile for today with a horrible hill climb straight away. I am grateful I did it in the dark! What you can't see can't hurt you and all that...
It never ceases to amaze me just how resilient we become. How quickly our body becomes conditioned. My feet remain blister free. A tad sore today as there was a fair bit of road walking. My knee? It felt every step today.
The climb to the top of the hill started me off coughing one of those coughs that spasms. My saviour? Viktor a young Ukrainian man with a hard boiled lozenge. We passed a couple of hours chatting as we talked. I practised some of my ukrainian, and he his English. He escaped to Poland 2 yrs ago. A young man with impeccable manners
After the horrible hill, the walk was easier, through gentle forest, and down hill. The first coffee stop aka as breakfast was 7miles in, and much needed sustenance.
From here the trail became rocky and more exposed, and uphill. It was purely signed in part because it had been diverted- signs indicated no entry for military reasons. So was the first lengthy diversion of the day, adding distance.
It was certainly easier going on for than for Vanessa, a Spanish cyclist I met last night. She had to dismount and struggled to get her bike up the path.
Today's walk was supposed to be 17 ish miles. It ended up 24.5 miles! (39.42 km)
I arrived at my destination, only to find the albergue closed! I ranted a little, and headed back to the previous town to find accommodation for the night. It added extra distance that I will again cover tomorrow.
The thing that strikes me the most? 3 weeks ago, I would still have several hours later be holding on to this and peed off. Tonight? I am sat here enjoying the company of my fellow pilgrims wondering just what lesson the universe wishes to impart today.
The Camino has renewed my patience. I feel at peace. I feel happy, and relaxed despite the long miles. May the Camino forever be my happy thing, for I am already planning for the next part of the journey.....
Miles today 24.51
Total miles 256.95miles. (413.5 km)
Steps today 51017Read more
Traveler Well done Helen I am full of admiration to you. I felt for you to have to go back to find a bed for the night.
Traveler My feet felt it as it was a 3 mile backtrack on the road
Traveler Strenuous day for you but overcame the problems. Your daily diaries need publishing
Traveler Been telling her that for years!
Camino taught you many things, I think main one is resilliance. You have done so well. [Pearl]