Castilla y Leon: The largest Province on the Camino and the most varied from Meseta to Mountain Ranges

From Burgos to Leon through the Meseta to the Mountains beyond

After a good rest and the magic of 'Fisioterapia' Ngaire was good to go, but still far from 100%. From Burgos we enter the Meseta or Plateau, in Spain's wheat belt, which continues for the next 10 days. The plateau varies from 800m to 950m in short very steep ascents and descents. The landscape varies from flat wide open shade less expanses to  undulating fields and hill side villages.  The mid section of 4 consecutive days is known as the Camino's mental test. Some peregrinos bypass this section of the Meseta to avoid this challenge which is exacerbated  by the heat of the summer months. We found this section no worse than similar crop country on our doorstep but not a scratch on Port Augusta to Alice Springs. From the Meseta, we slowly re enter mountain country with the highest point of the Camino still to come.

Early morning leaving Burgos

Take each opportunity for a break before being few and far between

A rare sight, extremely old way mark 

A taste of what's ahead

Since our last Camino in 2018 we noticed lots of murals along all sections of the Camino which were a great addition. These examples were all in a relatively close proximity.

'Happens all the time?'

My Camino worldly possessions

One of the numerous memorials along the way dedicated to those who have passed away on the Camino. This was one of more than a couple of dozen we saw plus those we missed. Three had died so far this year prior to us commencing.

Colourful distraction

Guess who?

Sections of most welcome shade

Castrojeriz (great name)

Nothin like good ole Aussie Macadamia's

More early morning starts. In fact they were the majority different to 2018 when they were a minority. Start early,finish early!

You get to the top of the hill after walking 10km's and are greeted with.......

Oasis

Hold ya noses!

Welcome mobile rest stop. A few pop up on the longer stretches.

We have tree huggers, Spain has tree warmers.

Inviting

Down off the plateau approaching Leon, capital of the province

Post script: Decided to break this into two. 

Wine country: La Rioja, the smallest of the four Provinces comprising 75kms of the Camino Frances

 La Rioja

Leaving Logrono into La Rioja was when Ngaire's physical ailments were at their worst. The first stop was Najera, a long and arduous 29 km's. Entering this next stage not only introduced us to one of Spain's many wine producing areas but a more significant change in the countryside. Although still plenty of up and down, the more challenging mountain terrain was now behind us, for the time being.

Upon completing this stage, the next morning had us decide to seek medical treatment for Ngaire's serious blisters on her right foot which were at a point where attempting to continue was not an option. After the visit to the medical centre and with advice of no more Camino for a few days we decided to keep to our itinerary  as much as possible and travel by bus to Burgos where we had a scheduled rest day. We were able to stay at two of the three villages on the schedule with the third well off the bus route, exiting La Rioja and entering the next and biggest Province of Castilla y Leon which had us arrive in Burgos a day early and with the rest day had us off the 'way' for 5 days missing a total of approx. 90kms.

Burgos

Roman ruins in Burgos