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You don’t choose a life. You live one. – Martin Sheen from the movie “The Way”
Day 15 – Burgos to Hornillas – 12.4 Miles
Happy June 1st!
E: “See you at the next cafe” is a saying we humorously, but realistically use a lot. We seem to naturally run into many of the same people at a cafe – the common stopping point for a coffee, to eat, take your pack off and meet up along the day’s trek.
Onward and upward is the common phrase, but a British couple “corrected” me and said: onward and awkward. 😉 Almost everyone’s feet hurt, blisters here and there (not my feet, thank goodness!), a hip or knee is giving someone grief, but walking for 6 weeks across a country is a bit awkward.
Burgos is a common starting place for many bikers and section hikers on the Camino (doing a portion of the French route, not the whole 500 miles in one walk). The sidewalks and paths had more boots on the ground this morning.
View from our room in Burgos at 9:30PM! Sunset is 9:45 here, 7:32 at home. 
A “mirror” pilgrim walking out of Burgos. If you look closely you will see Gary in the shell. 
Tons of art on “The Way” out of Burgos. 
Another Burgos city park 
Where the backpack is returned in the movie “The Way”. 
Burgos Camino Art 
Walking out of Burgos 
Lots of storks. They build nests on all the high places, typically churches. 
Lots of flowers today 
“He” was lookin’ right at me!!
We stopped for breakfast at mile 6. I had one of my favorites on the Camino, basically a grilled ham and cheese with a fried egg sandwich. This cafe’s cook cut a circle/hole in the bread where the yolk was for a personal esthetic touch. Cute. See photo.
Poppies as we entered the town of Tardajo. 
Elizabeth’s breakfast sandwich, ham, cheese and a fried egg, grilled and on “regular” bread. She has to order it all in Spanish and doesn’t always get it the way she wants. 
Lot’s of fun Camino signs today. 
New wall art and ancient church 
Back to walking. E loves her anti sun protection! 
More poppies!! 
Where did everyone go? The lodging in town is full tonight. 
A very cool moth/butterfly
Gary saw a good rest stop on his App, 3 miles down the road from breakfast. The walk to and after the rest stop was open, rolling hills…Wheat fields, windmills, weeds and wild flowers. It was wonderful. The rest stop had a lot of trees and picnic tables. A cool breeze made this park-like oasis a welcoming break spot.
We like Martin Sheen’s quote above and also in the photo of Gary with Sheen’s quote on our Casa Rural entrance. Gary was commenting today that people need to take the opportunities that come before them. Often people will complain that others are more fortunate than themselves or others are “lucky”. We think you need to see and take opportunities when they come your way. Which reminded Gary of a joke that goes something like this:
A guy was in a flood and asked God to save him. A neighbor came by and offered help but the drowning man refused, saying God would save him. A man in a rowboat came by and asked the drowning man to get in…the drowning man again refused, saying God would save him. A helicopter came down encouraging the man to accept help to evacuate…no! God will save me. The man finally died and went to Heavan. Angry at God, he asked God why he did not save him. God replied, I tried!! I sent you a neighbor, a rowboat and a helicopter but you failed to see all who offered to help you!
We enjoyed another pilgrim mass in Hornillos del Camino, population 58! There are more Camino walkers staying here for the night than residents. There were about 25 -30 of us in the church! It’s a 1/2 hour service in Spanish followed by a pilgrim blessing with all Camino walkers moving to the front of the church with the priest. See pictures. People in many languages got their turn to read the Pilgrim Blessing handed out in German, French, Italian and English. Some sang hymns or a resighted a poem in their native tongue. It was fun to feel part of a common community when you’re over 5,500 miles from home.
Gary and I are fighting a bit of a cold, which I got first and believe contributed to my sluggishness, weakness and aches and pains these last few days. But, today was good! Continuing to rest during the day (stopping a bit more often), a tub last night, sleeping better and fewer miles has helped. I am stretching and drinking plenty of water, eating a banana each day, taking my vitamins, etc. My spirits are high and will be better soon!
Day 16 – Hornillos to Castrojerez – 12.5 miles
June 2,2023
E: Enjoy the slide shows below with, as usual, explanations at the base of each one. We are both quite tired. Fighting colds but all good. Another fabulous day of walking, socializing, eating great food, contemplating life and appreciating each other.
If walls could talk! 
Albergue San Bol’s backyard. Cold pool for “icing” sore muscles! 
At the entrance to San Bol. My Camino arrows pedicure after 200 miles!! 
A Knights Templar flag (1100-1300 era) 
Entering Hontanas. It’s rare to go down to a town as most are built on hills for ancient military protection 
Camino directional 
Interesting translucent poppy, thought this shot was cool : ) 
New white gravel path since 2019. We like this section – Burgos to Leon – The Meseta.
Castillo (Castle) on hill in Castrojeriz (see explanation next pic) 
A church as you first enter Castrojeriz 
Iglesia Santo Domingo, now a museum with a fun light show and exhibits. 1euro to get in ($1.08!) 
Public water fountain…tough to reach for E : ) 
E doesn’t like stairs after walking all day but very common in towns built w…a…y before cars! 
Some of the Sellos (stamps) we collect along The Way Usually 2 each day.
Unlike the old saying , “Do as I say, not as I do”… We teach our adult kids to do as we do and learn wealth and happiness for yourself. – Elizabeth Parkinson
Not all those who wander are lost.
J. R. R. TOLKIEN
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Gary and Elizabeth's Adventures 