Bed early and don’t scare the kids!

Well that´s what we suggested to our big Swedish momma but she’s just so large and so blond and so full of life.

“Get me another brandy” she encouraged my peregrino pal – while I ran away upstairs to the dark of the dorm.

We walked so far today I felt Simon deserved his 43 wee beers and tinto with the meal. He will undoubtedly put weight on – its official. I now walk in his shadow as its much cooler – the only problem is I have to keep up. This has meant going to the donut shop every hour – and yes with it – my diet in tatters.

A bit like my football pundit tipster attempts. I thought I’d get all four right, but then I usually do think that way!

We were followed for a few km by the dreaded bird of prey – two of them. “One each” they probably mused – but we live to fight on!

Glory Glory oh Glory Be

Oh its sunday again.

That day of rest. I leaned over to the alarm at 7am – saw that the drain was still blocked and unlikely to wake owing to some late night Tapas as we watched the game.

I duly turned it off and reset it for 7.20. I looked out the window one more time at the cathedral. I’m sure there was a few more poles than the old Pope involved in building that. Absolutely beautiful.

As it was the sabbath Simon wanted to walk 400 miles – I said that’s too far so he settled on walking until 3.50pm – it was after only 30 degrees and there were no water stops for 5 miles.

We arrived Hibs were 2-1 up nuff said.

 Hibs went on to win 3-2 (Robin… the webblogger)

Day 13 – Atapuerca – Burgos

Had very good meal last night in michelin quoted restaurant for the princely sum of 9euros. Said au revoir to Silve and Bruno as they head back to Toulouse tomorrow. Good nights kip then up at 7am this morning.

Had breakfast at 7.30. Doughnuts and fish bridie.
Today we have 20 km to Burgos. Uphill start. We whizzz pass everyone and keep going. All that sugar has done something to Al. He is motoring!

No stops except for me to remove stones from my boots. By 10.30 we have covered over half the distance and reach the point where we can choose either of two routes into Borgos. We had already decided to go the quieter route avoiding walking on the main road. I was convinced we had in fact taken this road and carlessly put my money where my mouth was. Never, never, ever bet against Mcewan where direction are involved. The money is now in his pocket.

Reached hotel by noon. Not as good as previous ones, but view is fantastic.
Spent afternoon going from bar to bar drinking and eating tapas.
Back in hotel now preserving worselves for evening onslaught!
This is the way of the Camino.
Adios amigos.

Burgos. Nick ‘Pancho’ Pearsons secret li

Bottom half. Man in black in bottom right

Day 13. Top half of burgos cathedral

Class is permanent – Burgos Cathedral

It’ll be no. 1 in the all time churches league.

No doubting it.

Si and I have taken 4 pictures but it won’t do it justice.

We arrived at 11.30 having hoofed it up the road. We eventually crossed town to a hotel by 12.20 whereupon we luckily got a room – such is the way of the camino and we look onto the Cathedral entrance.

We’ll try and post a picture although a link to burgos cathedral would make more sense so here it is.

Whc.unesco.org – actually just google it – it’ll be easier – but it is a world heritage site for a reason.

As well as numero uno for cathedrals – its also tip top tippity top top prices for the saturday afternoon swally.

Normally we hand over 5 euro and get change or at least 2 pints – here in the Plaza Mayor its 2.40 a half. I’m trying to get my picture next to Carlos III’s statue but there’s tourists everywhere. The things us Peregrinos have to endure.

We’ve been sat here nursing our half pint to get at least an hours worth of value from our chairs – but I’m absolutely gagging on a drink.

I’m sporting my new Atapuerca man t-shirt which I had to buy because the thunderstorm last night interrupted my drying tango and black t-shirts. Luckily I brought enough other things although small disaster.

I was washing my socks yesterday – as you do – and I noticed I’m wearing them awfy thin, and that’s the thick ones. First Si’s boots, now my socks, is this journey going to destroy all our world goods?

Tune in next week and find out.