Not a great deal to report today, most of it was spent travelling. Just had a nice cold beer (well you had to when it’s pushing 28°) and something to eat. Start walking tomorrow so an early night. (This is dull stuff, I’ll try and find something more interesting in the future.)

Didn’t take any photos today but here’s two anyway. One of the glass window at Bilbao railway station, taken last May and one of my daughter Laura’s new kitten (I’m sure Helen will like the latter one).

Back tomorrow.

Time to crank up the old blog again after the ignominious stop back in May. Maggie and I came back from Scotland yesterday evening after a week away so today I’m spending rushing around doing the things that need doing (like packing) before the taxi collects me at 3.00am tomorrow morning.

It’s a flight from Gatwick to Bilbao and then bus from there to Burgos. I start walking Wednesday morning, heading west. I’ve got about 310 miles to cover and as with my previous stint I’m hoping to do 15 to 20 miles a day, possibly more if the weather’s favourable.

Watch this space for further news….

Had toe checked. Not broken but badly bruised. Still very painful. Funnily enough (but not that funny) I did a similar thing last year when I slipped on the stairs at home, again not wearing shoes, and caught my other small toe on an upright spindle. That time I actually took the whole nail off which I just manage to avoid this time.

Another result of my walk was that I lost about three kilos in weight in the short time I was walking. As most of you know I’m not the heaviest of people or anywhere near it but apparently it does happen, a combination of sweating, exercise (like crossing the Pyrenees) and small meals. I better get back to Wetherspoon’s for Steak Tuesday!

Well, until next September, Buen Camino, as they say on the road.

Unfortunately I have to postpone my further adventures due to a suspected broken toe. I did this in the early hours of this morning when I went to the loo in the dark without shoes on and my toe came into contact with an immovable object. Needless to say it hurt but luckily for the other travellers I kept my swearing at low volume.

Rather than sit around Burgos for however long until my toe was OK I made the decision to bale out at this point. In addition , the road ahead for the next 60 miles or so is sparsely populated with accommodation or supplies.

I propose to resume my walk in September as the next three months are both very busy and very hot on the Camino.

In ten days I managed to do 189 miles, an average of almost 19 miles a day. Before I started I anticipated a daily figure of 15-20 miles so I wasn’t far off.

I met quite a few people on the way who had started at least 4 or 5 days earlier than me and were at the same stage as me so I think I was ahead of the game most of the time.

I’m really grateful for all the support and positive comments that have been posted and I hope you will resume following me in due course.

I also now know what I don’t need to take in my backpack next time.

I’m currently sitting in Bilbao Airport waiting for a flight to Gatwick, having got the train up from Burgos, so should be home later today. Then its a bath and a good night’s sleep (without any snoring!).

Normal service will be resumed in due course.

Bob

P. S. No photos today unless you want to see my toe. Not for the squeamish.

I got to Burgos really early this morning as it was only 13k from the previous stop. Weather excellent and up to 24° temperature.

Was thinking of stopping two nights but having seen the cathedral, climbed up to the castle and crisscrossed the streets I’ll be moving on tomorrow. Burgos is well worth a visit but not an extended one for me.

In last night’s accommodation I met an Australian couple, Bob and Susan, very nice but Susan must be the world’s loudest snorer. Unfortunately, her bunk was just across from mine so I got the full force of her output. And, I’ve just bumped into them again in Burgos and discovered they’ve booked into here.

Photos are two of the cathedral and obviously one of me.

Left Tosantos in brilliant blue skies and immediately had to climb a mountain (well a small mountain). Did some good mileage today and will be in Burgos tomorrow. Might stop for two nights and have a day off but you have to keep moving to a certain extent or else you’ll seize up.

Last night in Tosantos was memorable as there was a gathering of many nationalities at the communal dinner. The most memorable moment was the giant paella coming in through the window as it was too big to go through the door.

Sleeping on the floor last night was something people of my vintage shouldn’t be doing!

Just about to have dinner where I am tonight so see you tomorrow (probably).

Left this morning in a heavy drizzle which gradually eased off mid morning. Through plenty of wheat fields and vines but we’ve actually now left the Rioja region.

Managed 18 miles today but stopped earlyish as it was another 5k to the next town.

Staying in a parish hostel which means we can donate however much we like and we get a communal breakfast and dinner thrown in.

Only took one photo today and that’s my sleeping place on the floor of the loft. Very cosy!

Left Ventosa with blue skies and a cold breeze and it was much the same till mid afternoon.

After a slight unplanned detour (took the wrong turning) managed to do another 30k today. No outstanding features except the road that went on and on and on….

Currently booked into a convent (!) and sitting in front of the fire talking to a Frenchman who seems to be cycling all over the place.

Photos are of the fireplace, lines of (Rioja) vines and a stork nesting on top of a disused factory chimney.

Well, it’s been a lousy day weather wise as the temperature dropped by about 10°from yesterday and it drizzled for a good part of the day. However, that didn’t deter me and I managed to put another 27k behind me.

Now in Rioja country as can be seen by the two attached photos. The one with the Rioja bottle suggests a normal size bottle but actually it was about 8 foot tall. It was standing right at the front of the vineyard grounds, behind the fence fronting the property. A matter of perspective or what!

Went through Logrono which is the capital city of the Rioja region but didn’t linger. Narravette was more interesting with its ancient buildings.

Forecast not good tomorrow but as long as it’s no worse than today, no problem.

Nothing really to report today except that I covered about 20 miles which took the total from the start to just over 100 miles. Only another 400 to go but thinking positive as it only (!) took 5 days.

Left again at 6.00 and saw a great sunrise a short while later (see photo).

About the other photo – what was at the brow of the hill? Answer: Another long road.

I won’t bother with details of tonight’s sleeping arrangements but let me just say the women outnumber the men again!

After a very hot day today 26° it’s supposed to rain tomorrow and Saturday. But we’ll see.