Spain
Villafranca-Montes de Oca

Discover travel destinations of travelers writing a travel journal on FindPenguins.
Travelers at this place
    • Day 16

      San Juan de Ortega, pop. 24

      October 3, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

      Okay, this is a very small place! Only 24 people!

      We decided to walk halfway here this morning and taxi over from Villafranca Monte de la Oca, which would be about 12 km of walking. But it was cloudy and cool for once and the first half was virtually flat through dried sunflower fields in various stages of harvest, and when we stopped at the midway point for a sandwich (bocadillo) and a soda, I told David I was feeling good and I’d like to do the rest of the walk. I could see on our mapping apps that it was a little uphill and then through forests. So we did it. Amazingly I’m feeling 100% like I’d normally feel if I’d walked that far, only I have a bit of a cough and still haven’t regained my voice so I kind of sound like a raspy Mickey Mouse when I try to talk. David appears to be completely back to normal now! So for our friends who offered up prayers for fast our fast recovery, thank you! ❤️

      The countryside here in Castilla y Leon is more dry than where we’ve been previously. We were thinking some parts of the scenery here look like the chaparral in California.

      Once we arrived in San Juan de Ortega we stopped in to the church before finding our lodgings. It’s a surprisingly big church with ornate stonework for such a small place. A group of older Germans on some sort of tour were there and they began to sing what sounded kind of like a Gregorian chant. It was very pretty. We’ve been having some interesting talks about our spiritual and religious beliefs while on our walks, which is new for us for the most part.

      We’re going to get dinner at the only place in town in a bit, and we’re walking into the city of Burgos tomorrow. We’re going to get COVID tests and see if both of us test negative yet. I’m guessing David will.
      Read more

    • Day 22

      Villafranca Montes de Oca (11.9km/245km)

      May 4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 19 °C

      “A Smelling the Roses day”
      Having a private room, we were able to wake up at a leisurely time, knowing we only had a short walk today. We had breakfast in the town we were at before setting off at a gentle pace and throughout the day we did everything at half pace. We normally manage to pop into a church either before leaving or shortly thereafter to offer a prayer. More beautiful farmlands with the main road a little further away than yesterday so it did not interfere with our tranquil setting. We passed by Ermita de la Penna, which is a hermitage built into the cliffs. More little villages to pass through today. We had a cup of coffee at Villambistia with a beautiful setting overlooking the farmlands. We approached our village, passing another hermitage, to Villafranca Montes de Oca and booked ourselves into the beautiful Albergue de peregrinos San Antonio. It sits at the foot of a pass, with a climb beckoning us for the start of our walk tomorrow. We had a very lazy afternoon, planning for our coming days and chatting to other pilgrims before setting off to dinner for the pilgrim menu of the day at our Albergue which we shared with the Canadian Grandfather and Grandson who we first met in Pamplona, which feels like a lifetime ago.Read more

    • Day 23

      Atapeurco (18.2km / 263.2km)

      May 5, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

      A perfect sunrise to get us ready for a steep uphill climb after many days of gentle rolling hills. The climb wasn’t bad and we enjoyed the tree lined path through the forest. At the top of the hill there was a local who made our day. He had strong coffee and lovely fresh oranges. He was so friendly! He had painted lots of wooden stumps with birds , piano keyboard, chess board, etc. Jane spotted a painted bird that looked like a hoopoe. She asked him about it and he got really excited and pulled out his bird book. It turns out the Hoopoe migrates from South Africa to Spain. We also saw a pied kingfisher! Anyway a lovely unplanned coffee stop.
      The rest of the walk was uneventful although the landscape is becoming less green! Just before Atapuerco, in the caves outside of town, the remains of early humans have been discovered, some as old as 800,000 years.
      We arrived in Atapuerco, our village for the night. I think it is the original “1 horse town” and was half expecting to see John Wayne walking down the deserted main road toward me with his revolver! (A cowboy movie star for the younger readers).
      It’s a pity because it is a lovely little town that obviously survives on Camino Pilgrims and not much else. The church is Saint Martin and large but sadly locked.
      While we were sitting on the stair outside the church, hoping it would open after Siesta, a Canadian lady came to check too and we got talking. We mentioned a detour we are planning tomorrow (more on that tomorrow), she got really excited as she had planned the same detour (and even staying at the same hotel) and was looking to share a taxi - they say “the Camino provides”.
      Well, we have just returned from dinner and Wow! A fine dining experience! We had an outstanding 3 course meal and wine at Camino prices. It didn’t make sense in this tiny town but we believe that it is the restaurant that tour groups visit when doing sightseeing in the area. Lucky us!
      We joined an American couple, Robb and Susan and the Canadian lady we will share the taxi with tomorrow (Danielle). A lovely evening! Beunos Noches.
      Read more

    • Day 9

      9.DAY | 30 km

      May 7, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

      Mir fehlen die Worte...

      Besonders hier gibt es diese Tage wo deine Füße einfach nein sagen und du nicht weißt wo du die Kraft her bekommen sollst und dann bleibt dir nichts anderes als alles an Stärke aus deinem Inneren zu ziehen, was bei mir mit meinem Glauben echt nicht wenig ist. Es ist wirklich unglaublich, aber dass was ich mir über den Tag wünsche erreicht mich. Als ich auf der Hälfte der Strecke war und mir die Kräfte gefehlt haben kreuzten drei Italiener meinen Weg und sowie es hier Gang und Gäbe ist, fingen wir an uns zu unterhalten bis wir zusammen vor einer Bar saßen und einer von ihnen meine Füße massierte und wir den ganzen Weg entlang vor Lachen nicht mehr konnten. Dann bekam ich eine SMS meiner Camino Familie die mir sagten "Elli wir laufen gerade zurück und holen dich" hier ist mit holen aber tatsächlich nicht mit dem Auto gemeint, sondern sie liefen einfach um mich zu entlasten einige Kilometer zurück. Nun sagte ich zu meinem Engel hier auf dem Camino "Pit wie soll ich dass wieder gut machen ? Ich gebe viel lieber als zu nehmen" und er antwortete mir "Elli du hast es dir verdient und nun ist die Zeit in der dein Leben es dir zurück zahlt" Was soll ich sagen du kommst an deine Grenzen aber hast nicht die Zeit für negative Gedanken, weil du hier zuviel gutes siehst. Heute schlafe ich mit 30 Menschen in einem Zimmer, meine liebsten sind natürlich mit mir, aber mir ist durch diese verschiedenen Herbergen definitiv klar geworden, was ich eigentlich habe und was man letzten Endes braucht.

      Weiter geht's ich bleibe stark !

      Mi mancano le parole...

      Soprattutto qui, ci sono giorni in cui i piedi dicono di no e non sai da dove prendere la forza e allora non hai altra scelta che tirare tutta la forza dal tuo interiore, che non è davvero poco per me con la mia fede. È davvero incredibile, ma ciò che desidero durante la giornata mi raggiunge. Quando ero a metà strada e mi mancavano le forze, tre italiani hanno incrociato il mio cammino e, come si usa qui, abbiamo iniziato a parlare finché non ci siamo seduti insieme davanti a un bar e uno di loro mi ha massaggiato i piedi e non abbiamo smesso di ridere per tutto il percorso. Poi ho ricevuto un messaggio dalla mia famiglia del Cammino che diceva: "Elli, stiamo tornando a piedi a prenderti", ma qui non si intende prenderti in macchina, si sono fatti chilometri a piedi per darmi un sostegno. Ora ho detto al mio angelo qui sul Camino: "Pit, come farò a ricambiare questo aiuto? Io preferisco dare che ricevere" e lui mi ha risposto "Elli te lo sei guadagnato e ora è il momento che la tua vita ti ripaghi". Che dire, raggiungi i tuoi limiti ma non hai tempo per i pensieri negativi perché qui vedi troppo bene. Oggi dormo con 30 persone in una stanza, i miei tesori sono con me, mi sono resa conto di ciò che ho e di ciò che hai veramente bisogno nella vita.

      Continuo ad andare avanti, ed essere forte!
      Read more

    • Day 26

      Lose your mind, find your soul.

      October 7, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

      "Loose your mind, find your soul." That's my favourite Camino graffiti for today. I don't know about the finding your soul bit but I can see how the first bit is possible. I'm about a third of the way through this journey and waiting for the big shift where this stops being about my body and starts being about my mind. I don't think this theory (first third body, 2nd third mind, last third spirit) is working for me. I think it's been mind and body from day one and will be until I reach some level of fitness that I am still a long way from reaching.

      So tomorrow I'm looking forward to a day in the forest and today I had to focus on every step that my body didn't want to take which was all of them.

      Good news, I'm Covid free so can hostel and socialise again although I'm blaming Covid for today's weariness. And my bag got lost and is now found after spending a night without me, so definitely always keep your essentials with you, and your pjs and your newly acquired collection of Spanish drugs.

      I found myself a pork knuckle and veges for dinner tonight. Suitably yum and only 10 euros with a Vino Tinto.

      PS. A RAT test only cost me $4.50 so why do they cost so much in Australia?
      Read more

    • Day 20

      12k over Alto da la Pedraja

      October 7, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C

      Today's big climb started right out the back door of our hotel. About 5k climbing to the top of a ridge list as 1100 meters above sea level (about 3600 feet I think!)

      We got to walk through a forest for the first time in over a week. Taking a late morning coffee break in San Juan de Ortega.Read more

    • Day 19

      Chilling at Hotel San Anton Abad

      October 6, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

      We have walked around the tiny village of Villafranca Montes de Oca ( The Rio Oca flows down from the mountains through town) . Everything is closed for Siesta. At 5PM, the super mercado opens, and we will get a bottle of local wine.

      Update: Villafranca has a Jai Alai Fronton!

      Meanwhile we have found a small terrace with shade and sun to chill out. Two members of the staff just just us some walnuts, right out of the trees out back, to snack on.
      Read more

    • Day 14

      Day 15. Villafranca a Montes de Oca

      May 13, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

      I woke up this morning hoping to be halfway to Burgos - 48 kms away- by now, but I reached today’s hotel 12 kms into my walk, by 9:30 am, so I have a 36 km walk ahead of me tomorrow. I’m in a beautiful village of 60 people, staying in a hotel that’s a converted old hospital built for pilgrims in 1377. Much of the original design has been retained with classic furniture and elegant rooms. There’s also an auberge connected to the same building as the hotel. I’ve included some photos.
      I’d like to be walking by 6:30 every morning, but my starting time often hinges on when breakfast starts. Skipping breakfast has not been a good idea. At this place, breakfast starts at 7:00 , so tomorrow I’ll likely eat when it opens, then start walking after that. On my walk, I usually have fruit with me and some protein or nut bars. I, usually, reach my hotel no later than mid-afternoon, then chat with and eat with fellow pilgrims during evenings.
      The weather has been cool and cloudy, although there were a few sunny breaks today. It was 5 degrees when I started this morning and it didn’t get higher than 12 degrees. Rain is projected in the forecast for the next two days.
      On today’s walk , I did spend some time with Doug from California who has done 4 Caminos and he has his 19 year-old son with him on this one. His son wasn’t around when we were chatting. When I asked him what draws him back each time, his response was the physical challenge and the peace of mind that stays with him a long time after he completes it. He did share that his son, who has Asperger’s is enjoying this walk, but was extremely critical of the California education system for the damage they did to him. I could feel his frustration and sadness. It led to arguments with his wife, a subsequent divorce, and a lot of pain. I did a lot of listening, not disclosing that I was a teacher.
      Common questions we pose to each other of this journey are, “What prompted you to do this Camino?” And “What do you hope to get from it?”One guy from England I was just chatting to, who has done eight Caminos, told me that pilgrims who stayed at the Roncesvalles auberge (2nd night) are given a questionnaire before leaving asking them the reasons they are on this journey and the options are physical, mental, social, and spiritual. He says the response, on the second day is overwhelmingly “physical,” with about 10% who checked off “spiritual.” For those who finish the Camino in Santiago, they are given the same questionnaire, their responses are 85% “spiritual.” Interesting! I’ll let you know what happens to me. Right now, I would say physical-30%, mental-30%, social -30% spiritual-10%
      Read more

    • Day 14

      Etappe 11 - Burgos 1

      September 25, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

      In der Nacht hat mir mein Körper gezeigt was er von den Anstrengungen der letzten Tage hält. Bin erst gegen ein Uhr eingeschlafen.
      Heute alles okay. Habe wieder einen guten Lauf. Es ging jetzt seit halb acht Uhr fast ausschließlich durch Kiefernwälder. Die Ruhe und der Duft aus der Natur sind richtig wohltuend und beruhigend. Der gestrige Regen war eine Wohltat für die Natur. Unterwegs habe ich an einem Food Truck eine kleine Frühstückspause eingelegt.
      Jetzt bin ich am eigentlichen Tagesziel San Juan de Ortega.
      Pilgere jetzt weiter Richtung Burgos.
      Gegen 16 Uhr gemeinsam mit einem schwedischen Pilger am Stadtrand der eigentlichen Stadt angekommen. Zuvor waren wir ca. 1 1/2 Stunden durch das Gewerbegebiet gegangen. Die bisher längste Etappe, da ich an zwei Tagen drei Etappen gelaufen bin, ca. 71 km.
      Waren dann ca. 17 Uhr im Stadtzentrum und haben uns ein Hotel/Pension gesucht.
      Zimmer bezogen, geduscht und Wäsche gewaschen.
      Gehen jetzt nur noch eine Kleinigkeit essen und dann ist Zapfenstreich.
      Morgen habe ich einen Ruhetag in Burgos, einfach die Stadt genießen. Dienstag geht es dann auf die nächste Etappe.
      Read more

    • Day 12

      Day 9 - Misty Misery

      September 24, 2022 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

      “Some people walk in the rain; others just get wet.” – Roger Miller

      Day 9 - Belorado to Villafranca Montes de Oca - 12.1km

      Neither Linda nor I actually wanted to walk today. We felt very righteous giving it a go when seeing all the people heading to the bus stop to take the bus to Burgos. Apparently, there are no rooms today at the next town from here - San Juan de Ortega, so they are heading to Burgos instead.

      Cloudy and overcast day with the promise of rain. We headed out just after 8 am to a cool morning. Normally I love to walk on a cool, crisp day. But, add the overcast sky and intermittent drizzle, and I was wishing I was on the damned bus too.

      Halfway to our destination for the day, we stopped in the small town of Villambistia for a drink and breakfast. We dawdled as we were still feeling tired and disinclined to continue. At the same time, we wanted to just get the days walk over with. As we sat there watching the drizzle, the wind picked up and the rain started pelting down. Hhhhmmm this place was also an Albergue…. It did cross both of our minds to just grab a room and stay put having a quiet reading day. But as it happens so often, the wind died down and the rain let up. So, we geared up and started putting one foot in front of the other again.

      We eventually reached our destination of Villafranca Montes de Oca. Appears to be a lovely little town too, with a quite impressive hotel / pilgrim’s Albergue. We of course checked into the Albergue side. Something finally to be grateful for: both were given lower bunks!!!

      It is cold out today too, to add to the misery. In the Albergue, I have not been able to get warm - I have been here 3hrs and still freezing (even after a hot shower!).

      Tomorrow is a bus day to Burgos where I will stay for 3 nights - if I can find a bed that doesn’t cost me an arm and a leg! Have an email appointment request in to a physiotherapist and will follow up with a phone call or personal visit, on Monday morning! I think I may also use the time in Burgos to look for some warmer clothes and a jacket. I can also take the opportunity to send a small package of things I won’t use now, ahead to Santiago to be held until I get there.

      Dinner was a prepackaged pasta meal and vegetable soup, with some chorizo slices. Couldn’t be bothered to pay 18€ for the pilgrim meal!

      Early to bed tonight!!
      Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Villafranca-Montes de Oca, 09257

    Join us:

    FindPenguins for iOSFindPenguins for Android