My intention was to walk from Ages to Burgos. Easier walk as it was one hill and the rest was relatively flat. I woke up feeling good and energized to get going. I left at 6:30am and once away from Ages the sky was amazing. No earthly lights and no clouds meant I could see every star. Some say why leave so early, you miss the scenery. The scenery is not going to change in an hour, but I get to see a celestial celebration!

The trail was in my favour and I arrived in Burgos relatively early, however it was walking about an hour and a half through an industrial park and suburbs of Burgos (not great scenery). I arrived at the cathedral and yes it is magnificent but the city is big, busy and noisy. I really like the smaller villages, they are quiet and are a better representation of Spain I want to see.

I asked my body how are you, do you think you have another 10km in you. I had no pain, just the usual aches. The only concern were the blisters. I rested, cleaned them up, put on fresh patches. I had lots of water, sunscreen was applied and off I went.

Again the topography was in my favour. I arrived in Tarjados! I checked in to an albergue (hostel) and put my feet up and my head down on a pillow.

I have now entered the Meseta area – open wheat fields that go on forever.

I was expecting that as I walk I would also be thinking of something. While I do at times, but sometimes, like today, was really not thinking! My brain was working but nothing special was in there. It was a nice feeling of turning off and just be!

A gift from the Camino is Mindfulness.

My route for today, blue pen to black pen.

I wanted to add to my Faith list: my Faith in humanity. There are many times I have seen pilgrims helping or assisting other pilgrims, but two stand out. Early one morning as I was walking the trail I came across a table laden with a basket of apples, nuts, water, oven roasted bread, paper towels. No one was attending it, the table just was there! A sign said take what you need and pay what you want, we volunteer to help pilgrims on their journey. I did take an apple but wouldn’t touch the bread. I am still confounded that animals left it alone!

The second was climbing one of the larger hills and at the summit was a table set up with fruit, water, sweet treats, coffee. My first thought was this person is an entrepreneur. What a great business model, no overhead, captive clientele and charge elevated prices. But no, this was also donation only. I’m sure they didn’t cover their costs. So I have faith in humanity in that there are still people out there who do things, not for money, but for giving back.

Their Camino is helping others accomplish our own Camino.