Day 12. Belorado – San Juan de Ortega. Up the hill and over

So every now and then you wake up and go, do I really have to walk today? But you do! So you do! Got prepared and had a quick breakfast in the bar of the hotel. Cafe con leche and a croissant, for 2.6€.

walked out of the hotel followed by a guy in a pink shirt. I say hi and asked how he was. He had sore knees. Go figure! We walk at the same slow pace…..we start up a conversation. Where you from? San Paulo Brazil, how long have been walking? About 2 weeks, but from another staring point in France. He had done the Camino 10 years ago and had a ton of tips. Speaks 4 languages. Anyway Arnoldo and I spent the day walking together and chatting as 2 old guys do when they go out for a walk. Sport, families, kids, interests, work, countries, etc etc etc.

we hit Villafranca Montes de Oca and this is the hotel and cafeteria we found. OMG what a haven before you go up the hill.

The hunting lodge style bar is a real highlight. And the background music, modern cathedral monk style ambience. They played ‘ In the Air Tonight’ which took me back. And also ‘I need you tonight’ INXS in that Renaissance style. Very gothic orchestral instrumental. You could describe it as monk rock. Ha.

The first climb takes you to about 2-3km up up and further up. Good for the knee, going up. This is the view from the top.

Then up through the forest. We came across this stall on the track. It is a donation thing. Take what you want and pay what you want. Obviously works for them. No stingey here! Paid way too much for a piece of watermelon and a banana.

Then finally down for about 5km to San Juan de Ortega. The monestary is a treat. There is nothing much to the town? Actually it is an assortment of buildings which they call a town…..

So called the hotel and they came to collect us. I am now with Craig, Ross and Robyn from Geelong. Robyn is a sad bulldogs supporter today and Ross and Craig are long suffering cats fans. So nothing like a couple of glasses of vino tinto will do the trick. La Rioja is buen. And I am almost ready for bed.

knee feeling a bit better. Nothing like a bit of lubrication to help!

Down to Burgos tomorrow though Atapuerta, the home of the homo sapien. Almost 1 million years ago this is where we started…..they must have liked the wine!