Day 9 - Najera to Grañón

Today was a long day (27 km), given that yesterday was over 30 km. Today, again, I went past the usual stop in order to a) enjoy a quieter albergue and b) enjoy a historic albergue. I'm staying in the church belltower in Grañón. Unfortunately, I think the bells ring every quarter hour all night long. But the building is older than dirt and really amazing. The stairs to get up to the sleeping area and the bathroom are a bit of a pain, however.

The walk today was long, going over gravel farm roads between fields of grapes, hay, and potatoes. There was very little shade and rolling hills, some of which were quite tiresome to climb and descend. I stopped in Santo Domingo de la Calzada for lunch and wanted to stop in the church. I heard it was beautiful and had two live chickens in it (based on some legend). Unfortunately, it was closed for siesta when I tried to see it, so I'll have to look it up on the internet when I have more time (i.e. when I'm not paying for it by the minute).

I'm busting ahead in order to try to have a shorter walk into Burgos in a few days. Since it's one of the bigger cities I'll go through, I wanted to get in earlier without being tired so that I could explore it a little, even if that's just sitting in the central square watching the locals go about their daily lives. The Spanish (and for the short time I was in France, the French) have been amazing hosts, helping us pilgrims out whenever we need it. The Irish lads got lost in Logroño and some lady stopped them, recognizing their backpacks and scallop shell symbols of a pilgrim, and walked them back to the correct path. The food here is amazing and way not good for me. If my PCP is reading this, ignore the next sentence: Everything is soooo salty and fatty...but soooooo good!

On I walk.