Time Arrived: 12.15 pm
Distance: 19 kms
Cumulative Distance: 289
Percentage Completed: 35%
Weather: Cloudy and cool, little rain
Accommodation: Hotel Meson del Cid
Feelings: Henk - Excited, Neil - Excited , Di - Fine
It is now quite dark when we set out at seven thirty. We left Artapuerca (for the second time!) steadily climbing up a hill for about thirty minutes to 1050 metres. Apart from the many walkers it was quite barren at the top with the sun just making its appearance.
In the distance we could see Burgos and it looked so close across the vast plain. We had seventeen kilometres to get there.
We chose an alternate route across the hills and we were on our own. It was lovely not to be surrounded by other walkers. We could see many large wind farms on the surrounding distant hills. It was a beautiful, peaceful path which took us down to a tiny village called Orbaneja.
We had a coffee break at a little cafe as it was 9.15am and we had completed 8 kms. From here we had no breaks until we arrived at Burgos. It was flat walking the entire way around the perimeter of an aerodrome and through industrial sections before reaching a very long stretch of promenade alongside the river, Rio Arlanzon. The busy promenade was filled with Burgaleses who were walking, jogging or cycling and the promenade although pleasant walking seemed to go on forever. It finally led us straight into the old city to our hotel.
We were very pleased to see that our accommodation is on the Plaza de Santa Maria where the Burgos Cathedral is also located. Our rooms look straight onto the cathedral.
We quickly booked in to the hotel and went to lunch as we were very hungry. We were enjoying being at an outdoor cafe at the plaza when we were forced inside by a short, sharp storm. The extra time inside the cafe forced us to have churros and hot (melted) chocolate!
A visit to the Information Centre followed where we found there is no laundromat in town. Our walking clothes need a good wash!
The Burgos Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, reopened at five o'clock and we spent two hours with our audio-guide taking in all the wonderful features of this magnificent cathedral. There were so many wonderful things to see that it was hard to take it all in.
Neil and Henk have not had a rest day since Day 4 when we were in Pamplona. We will now have a rest day in Burgos to give us time to have a look around this beautiful city. We are looking forward to a sleep-in and a late breakfast.
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