Day 10 - Santo Domingo de Calzada to Belorado

The weather's not for turning. Raining again and cold. We leave our fabulous hotel after certainly the best meal on the Camino so far and a very quiet and restful sleep in the convent (no jokes please Blakey).


We cross the River Oja on the bridge originally constructed by St. Dominic.

You can see snow on the hills in the distance.

We track on across monotonous fields of wheat and barley, now beginning leave the Rioja region behind us, on through the little town of Granon.

It's heads down and march on, a time to reflect on our journey so far and all the interesting people we have met, like the French couple we keep meeting in each town we stop in. They started their pilgrimage in Vezelay in France 900km to St Jean then 800km to Santiago. I didn't ask them if they plan to walk back again (mad French).

The scenery doesn't change much today, but it certainly will tomorrow.















Not far to go now, I wish I hadn't seen this (only kidding).

We arrive at our Hostel for tonight in Belorado, small clean and newly refurbished with a bar and in the centre of town. Back to a single bed and a room overlooking a busy street.

We are cold, wet and tired, I'm just so pleased it's got a bath.

The town is cantered around the ancient market square of Plaza Mayor with its medieval arcade lined with shops, bars & restaurants.

It is situated in the steep valley of rio Tiron and home to the 16th century church of Santa Maria. I don't think you can quite see the huge Storks nest on top of the church bell tower. The hermitage of Our Lady of Bethlehem “ Nuestra señora de Belen” is on the outskirts and is all that remains of the pilgrims hospital, so you'll have to give that one a miss Tony (he does like a hospital does Tony).

The church of Santa Maria is said to have a fabulous altarpiece but was closed for refurbishment.

I know you're a pensioner Tony but with all the money you've got I thought you could have done better than this.

Tomorrow we head for St. Juan de Ortega, it will be the highest point on the whole Camino 1150m a climb of 500m, let's hope the weather clears as the views should be stunning.