As today would be only 24km, a short day, we had a lie in. We had breakfast at the albergue where the waiters would give Laurel and Hardy a run for their money.
After 8am we left into then cold morning air. It was jumper weather, but thankfully we had a big hill to climb to warm up; Villafranca sits at the be bottom of Monte Oca (Goose Mountain). The route passes through woodland as you ascend.
This used to be a dangerous area for pilgrims as bandits and robbers preyed upon peregrinos making their way to Santiago. Although this was centuries ago, we still kept alert and stuck together just incase.
The changes of scenery was welcomed. The array of colours were so vibrant making it an enjoyable stretch. The 12km to San Juan seemed a walk in the park.
We had second breakfast at the first bar in town where I met familiar faces. Iván recommended the ‘pinchos de tortilla y potata’. I butchered the pronunciation but got what I ordered.
The route continued through more woodland however the path was uneven cobbles that were not kind to our feet.
We reached Agés where we stopped for a drink with Dwayne from America, before following a road into Atapuerca where we had dinner.
Marcus had a chorizo sandwich that attracted a couple of cats. One in particular was insistent on getting a bite.
The last 6km stretch was up hill following the boundary of a military zone. There were purple flowers growing out of the rocky ground adding colour to the path.
We arrived at our albergue Via Minera, where we were greeted by new and familiar faces. The albergue even has a swimming pool, however I had been informed it was very cold.
Stu's Camino 
You’ve been walking “ages” 🙂
Weren’t you tempted to put one of the kitties walkies with you
A new blog “stu & kitty’s travels “
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