Kristina, my waitress at La Cueva, impressived me with her English & for making me feel really welcome thru my stay. My bike had been stored overnight in the garage which was full of model buildings. Kristina explained they were of ‘Catedral de Burgos’ in Burgos City, a principal stop on the “Way of St James” (Pilgrims Way). Models were the efforts of Jesus Duque, the proprietor’s nephew.
After a photo shoot I took off south into the 90% rain forecast.
My ride today to Frómista took me through a gradually flattening landscapes also the lush greens of the north were being replaced by browns & plants more suited to a sunnier, drier climate. The limestone rock was now sandstone, rivers crossings were often dry beds, and large expanses of withered sunflowers were everywhere.
The track was a good mix of dirt and paved roads but, despite having less hills, the persistent strong headwind & drag from the wet dirt roads still left me working for every mile.
Arriving at Frómista was a very pleasant surprise. Accommodation was easily found & I discovered the town is bigger than the insignificant name on the map suggests.
According to Google- It is a major overnight stopping place for pilgrims traveling along the Camino de Santiago, the Way of St. James. The church of San Martín de Tours de Frómista was underwritten in part by the widow of Sancho el Mayor of Navarra who imported artisans to build a church in the style of a Jaca cathedral.
Jack, an American from Wisconsin was stopping in the same hostel. He was walking the Pilgrims Trail alone & as keen as me for a good chat in English. Nice evening was spent chatting on USA stuff & travel generally. He’s a surgeon specialising in osteoarthritis and, like me, close to retirement.
John's Epic Cycle Adventures 