Day 15 - 43.1km - Burgos to Castrojeriz

We are mixing things up for a few days. Nik has seen some good improvement in his achilles however it is still a twinge so we will move onto bikes for a few days. This means we are still covering the distance, though saves a few days whilst resting the sore parts of our bodies.

Our bags were due to be collected at 8 but we had little faith so we left them as instructed in the bedroom, with our day sacks to one side. We had a coffee and returned just after 8. Panic ensued. Our bags had been collected but so had the day sacks. We now have nothing for a long bike ride. No glasses, no cycle shorts, no sun cream, no passports. 20 minutes back and forth in stunted Spanish and we finally could relax. The driver will bring them back to us at 9.

Reunited with our day sacks after an hour of stress was not the start we had envisaged, luckily arriving at the bike shop Diego put as at ease as he guided us through the bikes and got us all set up. So off we go. We have bikes to help heal Niks injuries and put is in good stead to finish. So imagine my dismay when he fell off after only 30minutes!! Stopping as a car was not letting him out he lost balance on the slope and ended up on his ass. A few grazes and a bruised ego was fortunately all the injury!

We got back on and continued (thankfully with no more drama).

We are entering the Meseta - the northern flatlands of Spain, known for being an often dull section of the Camino stretching over 170km from Burgos to Leon and beyond. We aim to complete this 8 day walk in 4 days. We pushed over a few inclines as today is still a bit hilly, but made good speed on the bikes, stopping at the top of the second large incline of the day for lunch. After a chorizo sandwich we had a nice long downhill to a small church, where a nun gave us a blessing and a small sting bracelet with a metal emblem to protect us.

Throughout the day we passed a number of former pilgrim acquaintances and stopped for brief hellos as we whizzed passed.

castrojeriz is a small town much like many other pilgrim towns, and we are staying in albergue Rosalia, a nice small place with no bunk beds. I am glad to not be climbing into the top bunk again tonight!

Nik stayed for Pilgim dinner and a rest whilst I went to meet a few other pilgrims for a walk up the large hill to the castle. It was blazing sunshine so only Amy (the American cruise ship chef) and I walked up, talking about future dreams and passed experiences. It was a great, though strenuous, walk to a beautiful spot with castle ruins. A few sets of push ups with great backdrops and a can of Amstel topped the journey.

We returned to the town and visited a 1000 year old wine cellar before grabbing simple food (sandwichs and wine) and then saying farewell.

A great day all round, and a big leap forward along the Camino.

Goodnight pilgrims. Tomorrow we don't walk, we ride!