Well I trekked about 20 miles today and made it to the little village of Hontanas, population of less than 500.

Monica was not sure if she wanted to continue and stayed behind this morning in Burgos to make up her mind. She wil either catchup with me or either go back to Amsterdam or explore elsewhere. Has has completed over 180 miles of the Camino and can always come back and start again at her ending spot as May people do.

I decided to go a little further today than the 13 miles to Hornillos de Camino, which was the village noted in the guide as the general stopping spot for this stretch of the Camino. The temperature was cool in the morning and waned slightly in the afternoon, perfect for trekking. The terrain today was fairly flat and mainly on a well graded dirt road and I felt I had a good walking rhythm.

I had actually planned to go to the next village a few miles further to make sure that I would break that cycle of stopping at the major pilgrim stops, but found the Alberque (hostel) Juan de Yepes here in Hontanas. I was told there was one other hostel and hotel in town, but this looked really new and clean, and I was concerned that the hotel would be full and I’d have to walk back here anyway. I guess that’s the chance I am taking with lodging by going further and stopping in the smaller villages.

I was pleasantly surprised how clean the place was, and I’d almost say spotless. There are separate rooms of eight bed. After my upper bunk experience I asked for a lower bunk against the wall. The usual rules apply such as taking your shoes off before going in, and of course, lights out at ten.

I got here early enough to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the surrounding hills and the little village below from the patio area. It was warm and felt like I was back home in California.

The hostel has a nice little market and restaurant, and as usual, they have a pilgrim menu. The food was reasonably priced and was good.

I was hoping to get away from the crowd but apparently a lot of people had the same idea and the hostel started filling up later in the afternoon. Tomorrow I may even go further if the is a village with lodging because I’d like to break away even further from the groups of pilgrims.

Best wishes,

Ted

Leaving Burgos

Leaving Burgos

Leaving Burgos

On the Camino approaching the sheep crossing

On the Camino the sheep have the right of away

If I can’t fall asleep tonight I’ll count sheep

The Camino

The Camino entering Hontanas

My hostel

My hostel

My bed for the night. Notice it’s a bottom bunk, and no one above!