We made sure that we took the correct route following the path that would bring us to Castanares.
The path was like a lunar landscape in places with just sharp rocks to the top of the ridge.
From the top of the ridge is a spectacular view of the outskirts of Burgos.
We met at the restaurant el Descanso and had lunch before going to the Hotel around the corner where the taxis would collect us - one for the group to take them to Santo Domingo de la Calzada and another to take me to San Anton.
Their taxi came on time and I said goodbye to the group. They promised to pop in at San Anton in three days time. I then waited an hour for my taxi then decided to phone Javier at Caminofacil who told me that my suitcase had gone with the group to Santo Domingo and they were sending a taxi for me but I would have to wait for my case.
Pedro arrived shortly after and we went to the railway station to collect three men who we would drop off before continuing to San Anton.
I arrived at San Anton at around 4pm and met South African Kevin (who I trained to be a hospitalero) and Robert, who I would serve with until they left in three days time. The three of us would be sleeping in a small container - a new experience for me after sleeping with one man for the last 46 years! Robert and Kevin shared the double bunk and I had a bed.
Kevin gave me a tour of the place and explained the daily routine. We needed to do shopping so he invited me and a pilgrim to walk to the village 4km away to do some shopping. The supermecado only opened at 5pm so we would have time to get there, shop and walk back again.
As we walked to Castrojeriz, Kevin explained about the daily routines, preparing dinner and some of the traditional rituals at the dinner table. With no electricity, the hospitaleros made their own entertainment with the pilgrims taking part.
We bought provisions, bottles and tins, and bags of vegetables and struggled back to the albergue with the stuff in our packs, walking against a rising head wind. I told Kevin that when Kristine arrived and he and Robert left, we would have to get a taxi back with the shopping! According to Rebekah's outline, Ovidio would bring supplies but he was away on holiday and so the hospitaleros did the shopping.
Back at the albergue we got the pilgrims chopping onions and peppers, setting the table, helping with the candles. Just before dinner, Rebekah (the person in charge of the hospitaleros) arrived with a few friends and a Norwegian Classical guitarist to give us a concert. It was too windy to have the doors open so we added a round table to the long tables and ended up with 21 people for dinner! The guitarist was superb but with having had such a long day I couldn't help nodding off during his performance.
When everyone had left, we locked up and went to bed with our torches and the solar lights I had brought with me, illuminating the way.
You bring it all to life! 8-) - Ginn
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