Day 31 Tue 22 Apr
Leaving Hornillos del Camino on a cold overcast morning, we were surprised to find ourselves alone on the Camino.  Cool weather and a fine dirt track made for easy and quick walking.  We stopped in Hontanas hoping to see the old man drinking wine by poring it on his forehead, but he has retired.  After Hontanas a lovely footpath bought us to Castrojeriz, where we ate a wonderful home cooked meal and were introduced to the delicious white Verdejo of Ruedo.  21 kilometers.

Pilgrims place stones around the Cross

An isolated Albergue

Hontanas

Ruins of Convento de San Anton, 15th century

Albergue inside the ruins

Virgen de Manzano, 9th century

9th century Medieval castle, Castrojeriz

La Taverna, Castrojeriz - great home cooked food and wine

Potato soup, yum!

Water fountain, Castrojeriz

Lovely red stone of San Juan

Day 32 Wed 23 Apr
Soon after Castrojeriz we crossed an ancient stone bridge, now in the middle of a field as the river has changed course; then a steep climb to the flat treeless plains.  After an hour so, in the middle of nowhere we could smell coffee.  An enterprising man had set up a stall behind a stone wall; great coffee too.  A short day today, 12 kilometers into a strong cold wind to Itero de la Vega.

Ancient bridge now crosses fields; the river has changed course

12% gradient for 1.5 kilometers

We could smell the coffee 100 meters away

Ermita de San Nicolás, 13th century Albergue

The magnificent Puente Fitero

Rollo de Justicia - symbol of jurisdictional independence, prisoners were chained to it

San Pedro, 16th century, Itero de la Vega