The Meseta is sublime. Pure heaven.
Julia beat me to it, recommending Liberanos Domine.
You can rent me out as a friend. Limited schedule though, and not always cheap either.Is it possible to rent some friends ??
Awww, that is sweet, Bernie!!! Well, you know I have Irish roots, from North Tipperary, Borrisokane and Terryglass. I was the first member of my Family to return (2 years ago), since 1832.I met a Canadian friend top of Pyrenees Sept 2013,she's not cheap either,but hopefully bit cheaper after we marry in Oct
Well, in 1832, that was before the Famine. My 3 X Great Grandfather must have got a good penny for the land he sold just before leaving Ireland. When I get back and meet with the present owner, that will be my opening offer to purchase it back, a good penny.I'm glad the banished are finally allowed home lol
Is it possible to rent some friends ??
One of my favorite meseta towns was Hornillos. Stayed in a great little plave called De Sol a Sol. The guy running the place was great. Had landry wash services which were nice. Hornillos is a one-street town, but has great places to eat. One of my favorite Meseta stops.
I cannot answer for other people but I can say for myself that it feels very different. Very empty and bare. Little shade and little to interrupt the rhythm of walking. In summer that can make it physically challenging: heat and thirst are greater potential problems than in most other sections of the CF. But the physical challenges are probably not the most important difference. Perhaps more significant is the psychological effect of walking day after day through a landscape which varies very little. It can be quite hypnotic. Those who walk in company may not experience it but as a solo walker I find that I become very introspective on the meseta. My body switches into autopilot and my mind goes off in some rather odd directions!
The only stretch I found to have less water was that bit out of Carrion, but otherwise plenty of water available and it was no hotter than anyplace else on the Frances, and I wore a brimmed hat anyway so shade wasn't an issue.
I then looked it up in a guidebook and saw it was indeed not a desert, but quite the opposite, farmland.
I agree. I hear so many avoid it, and for me it was among the most enjoyable. The way the light hits the countryside in the morning is just wonderful. I tell people do at least three or four days just to experience it. My opinion.
To those already recommended, I add Via Trajana in Calzadilla de Los Hermanillos, on the Roman road route after Sahagun. It’s a little oasis, family run, very friendly and with great food. And this alternative route is a splendid part of tge meseta, one which many folks seem to miss....
I was walking that day on El Norte between Ribadesella and El Pito......the rain was something but the frickin hail and wind was out of this world. But obviously we both made it and are thus truly anointed authentic pilgrims
I loved en el Camino albergue in Boadilla . Great communal evening meal. Lovely accommodation and they forwarded my sun hat to the next town when I forgot it.
Lucky You! And your enjoyment is palpable! Although I walked it in late September it was spectacular. Memories for life. En El Camino, Boadilla is a must. Buen Camino
I had made a note of La Finca after reading about it here on the forum, and when I was having lunch in Boadilla I realized that it would be a good place to spend that night. I wanted to make sure that I got a bed there, so I asked the guy at the albergue in Boadilla to call them for me to make a reservation. It wasn't necessary, as there were only three other pilgrims there that night.
Im glad you decided to do this part of the Camino. Depending on the time of year you are going ...its beautiful desolation. You can go long distances...and it builds your stamina for the hills in Galicia. There are quite a few wonderful ALbergues - dont miss the Hosel in Sanbol. Its a primitive Albergue, and the towns people bring dinner up to feed the pilgrims. Another one is in Hontanas. That city appears like Brigadoon out of the Mesita. You see ads for the hostel and city, but cant see it on the horizon until you descend into it a km away! Hospital Obrigado at the end of the Mesita is a wonderful stop as well.
Quite right, but I think Peaceable Kingdom in Moratinos deserves a mention as well as Bodega el Castillo. Bernie, you might enjoy a night of conversation with the distinguished British newspaper editor who resides there.
As an Irish person i trust no British newspaper and even less so the editors
The Meseta was my favorite part of my Camino. I know others may disagree but I dream of walking the Meseta. It’s magical to me.
I walked into En el Camino to get a coffee my last run down the CF and was very impressed - I booked there for my third Camino this August! Very nice place!
more info on this as far as costs would be great - this sounds intriguing to me!
Thank you as I am also making notes. Starting from Burgos on 22nd May so this info is really valuable.
You will be ahead of me as I head out May 29th from SJPDP.
Sherry I will let you know. We may even catch up with one another. Buen Camino
As far as I know it is donativo. I have always passed there too early in the day to stop, I don't think they open their doors until sometime between 2 and 4. There are usually back packs lined at the door and pilgrims go down to the river to cool off waiting for it to open. There is an ancient ritual of the priests washing the feet of pilgrims.
Eduardo is such a charm. The grounds are so well cared for. I stopped see him last year and when I was on the Pig Dig a few years ago dropped in with his brother Michael, the Wise Pilgrim.
Is this the one where the house is over 400 years old, parochial, and night prayer follows a wonderful communal meal, and the table has a card saying that your donation today pays for the meal for tomorrow’s pilgrims? If so, although it was maybe 12 or 13 years ago _ yes, lovely! Spirit of the camino.
I remember that charm very well! And the mother... a quite wonderful oasis on the camino
There is an excellent outdoors shop called Base about a 10 minute walk south of the cathedral, just outside the old city centre. Put "Base deportivo Burgos" into Google Maps and it should come up.Thing is I may not stay there as I get into Burgos about 18:00,but I guess there is no harm in asking,leaving a donation
I need help with remembering the 'Santa Clara' in Bercianos del Real Camino. My wife and I stayed there on 01 Oct 2017, even had a private room, and it's the only place out of our 46 day trek from SJPP to Santiago that if don't have recollections or pictures to help me. If anyone has some pictures to share, we would appreciate any help in jarring our memories.
If you stayed upstairs at Santa Clara you would have seen the stair railing which i think was a metal sculpture of the world. They had a lovely courtyard with outdoor lounge chairs and a dog (i think a dalmation?) called Linda - I remember this as that is my name too! There was a separate dormitory area and pilgram kitchen where we cooked our dinner but breakfast was downstairs in the main house and was very good. Hope this helps
