Villafrancia Montes de Oca

A short walk today, just 13km, in an attempt to balance out distances over the next few days, but I'm not sure it's going to work! But the Albergue at Villafrancia is rather good - it's a hotel on one side and a pilgrim Albergue on the other.

I'd ended up booking six beds here yesterday afternoon, do it was a bit of a relief when the last of the six turned up.

The landscapes are gradually changing. Much more in the way over cropped wheat fields now, and less of the towering mountains in the distance. Today's walk, though short, involved meeting, walking with, then moving on from (or being left behind by) various people I've seen before. And some friendly sunflowers!

Tomorrow, if the Albergue chosen responds, will be longer - 26km and close to Burgos. If they don't respond I'll have to think again...

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My Camino

Starting in late August 2025, I'm going to be walking the Camino Francés from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostella in Spain - a total of around about 480 miles. This is a simple blog really just to let people know that I'm still here and where I'm up to, but I may add some thoughts and reactions as I go along. I'll aim to update at last the location daily, but of course it depends on having a connection!

At St-Jean-Pied-de-Port

Up betimes, to quote Pepys, and an early breakfast before a flight at 7:45. Landed in Biarritz where there was heavy rain but it stopped while I was waiting for the bus to the station. Here I met t wo Canadian ladies, both heading for the Camino, though they had started in different parts of Canada and only met in the airport in Paris. We got the train together, and I arrrived at St-Jean-Pied-de-Port 24 hours after leaving home, more or less to the minute. Which was too early to book in to my accommodation, so I went to the Pilgrim Park office and am now equipped with my Pilgrim Passport and a shell. Lunch at one of the many small eating places - where a German pilgrim joined me for a chat and a beer - then booked in. There's dinner for those staying here later. Now I'll go and get some Euros, and explore the village a little.

First steps

So, I'm on my way - even if not all that excitingly yet! The first overnight stop is in the delights of a Stansted Airport hotel, since my flight is rather early tomorrow morning. I'd add a picture, but there's not much to see; I'm on the wrong side of the hotel for aircraft! But I have walked today, albeit only from home to the station. There was something significant about starting out on foot, carrying the pack, even when it was in the familiar streets around where I live; past the Church where I attended Mass earlier this morning; past the tram stop and the pub... And the pack was heavier than it will be - I'm wearing conventional clothing rather than walking gear for travelling to France, and a change of clothing for when I reach Santiago and want to feel more civilised again. I'm going to entrust all that lot to the 'Donkey Express' which will take stuff from one end of the Camino to the other. Perhaps there's something significant in tha...

David's Camino

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