Author: Thom

Marking the top of the hill we just climbed, Cruz de Matagrande stands at an elevation of 1082 meters. This is the highest point we’ve reached so far in Spain. Higher elevations, of course, were to come, but not for another ten days. Date: 12 April 2013Place: between Atapuerca and Orbaneja (Province of Burgos, Castilla y León, Spain)Today started: San […]

After what seemed like a long, long climb to the top of a hill, we are greeted by fencing and barbed wire. The Camino runs along the border of a military zone, which somebody told me was an artillery range. In any case, we were not expecting this at the top of the hill. The road here is broad – […]

This is Viola walking on what may or may not be the remains of a section of Roman road. It was seriously hard going, and I don’t recommend it for long. In a way, I hope it was a Roman road. Two thousand years or so would certainly excuse its poor condition! Date: 12 April 2013Place: between Atapuerca and Orbaneja […]

Shortly after leaving Atapuerca, we came across this sign. It’s chiefly of interest to me because, while both of these places were on my map, neither of them had quite the same name, being designated as “Matagrande” and “Olmos de Atapuerca” respectively. Also, they were located in two different directions following a fork in the road. Date: 12 April 2013Place: […]

We arrived in the town of Atapuerca about ten in the morning. This little plaza, with its fountain and cantina, is about halfway through the town. I imagine it’s quite a popular spot for a break, particularly in the summer when the sun is hot and the trees are shady. When we were there we found few pilgrims. I can’t […]

This sign marks the UNESCO World Heritage site of Atapuerca, and you’ll see this face everywhere in signage and collateral throughout the area. In the background of the photo, you can see the tiny town of Atapuerca itself, crowned by the Renaissance-era Iglesia de San Martin Obispo. Date: 12 April 2013Place: approaching Atapuerca (Province of Burgos, Castilla y León, Spain)Today […]

After Agés, the Camino follows a one-lane asphalt road. Though I’m not sure it exactly qualifies as a “highway”, this is very much what is known as “highway walking”. These are my least favourite parts of the Camino. Cars whizz by, sure, but that’s not usually the problem. The problem is the surface you’re walking on. This stuff pounds your […]

Part of this morning’s second breakfast was pistachios for just a euro. Huzzah! Here we see Henny, my mascot from Santo Domingo, posing with the pistachio machine. There was a pistachio machine! Date: 12 April 2013Place: Agés (Province of Burgos, Castilla y León, Spain)Today started: San Juan de Ortega (Province of Burgos, Castilla y León, Spain)

We picked up a quick snack in this local shop, which sufficed for second breakfast. There were outdoor tables and a goodly number of pilgrims coming through. Truth be told, there were several cafés in evidence in this little village, and they all looked pretty promising. Date: 12 April 2013Place: Agés (Province of Burgos, Castilla y León, Spain)Today started: San […]