April 18, 2025, Castrojeriz

I was up early this morning after a marginal night of sleep. Malcolm and I thought we had built extra time into the train station hustle, but with the Easter holiday travel it turned out to be just right. Of course, we found our train coach and seats with other people sitting in them, the people had made the simple mistake of being in the wrong coach. Our ride will be a little over 6 hours, then we will for a taxi or Uber to set us to Hontanas so we can walk about 6 miles to Castrojeriz. Depending on weather and timing it may be better for up to skip Hontanas and go directly to Castrojeriz, our final destination for the day.

Rolling through the countryside and pulling into the stations, I take note of how different structures look from the area that I live in. I think it has mainly to do with the difference in building materials and how then weather in these conditions. Throw on to that is the migration of people away from the countryside into the big cities.

As our train pulled into the Burgos station the skies opened up and started a very heavy rain. There were no Ubers to be found, but luckily there was a taxi line.

Our driver was willing to take us to Hontanas, we decided that if it was still storming in Hontanas, we would ask the driver to take us on to Castrojeriz. The rain did lighten up some by the time we make it to Hontanas, but the wind kicked up. Our decision was to continue onto Castrojeriz by cab. Our accommodations are very nice, the hotel is located in a 16th century building that is protected by the government, I think the proprietor reminded us of that at least 4 times.

After making dinner and breakfast arrangements, Malcolm and I set out to church to get our first stamp on our passports. It was closed.

We walked around town, technically we walked on the Camino, as it passes in front to the church.