Atapuerca and Burgos

Internet has been a bit of a challenge but I have just posted a message which I wrote 2 days ago. Yesterday Jenny and I hung back so that we could send Holly´s pack on so set off just after 7am. Rain has been the issue of the last days with temps about 8-10 degrees - bbrrrr! The trail yesterday was steep out of Villafranca. It was mostly through trees, not the most exciting. The rain was heavy and coffee was not until 10km along but when we got it, it was soo good! You may have guessed how important food and coffee are for us. We covered about 22km to Atapuerta. The hope was that we would be able to see ancient caves but we were not able to get a tour. The hostel was very compact. We are always appreciative of the facilities whatever they may be. It was 6 of us to a small room, bathrooms 3 sinks in a row with no space between. We had a ratio of 4 women to 6 men as opposed to the night before which was 7 women to 1 man. There was lots of outside seating but it was raining! We wandered around the town looking for an open restaurant but only found one in which, despite the no smoking sign, the owner was smoking. Ended up back where we started and had a great dinner which wasn´t a pilgrim meal. This morning we were on the road from Atapuerta by 6:30 in the pouring rain. The terrain changed to more open meadows with sheep. The trail was very muddy and slippery. I think we sped up looking for that morning coffee. Of course when we found it about 8km in it tasted amazing. We somehow missed the turn off to the scenic route into Burgos and came in through the commercial area. It was long - very long. I was quite sure we were close to the hostel only to see a sign that said 2.5km to go. Arrived about 12:15 but had to join the line up to get in. It took about 45 minutes. Another Camino expereince. The hostel is a very modern facility and we are just settling in. The Camino contiues to offer its challenges, certainly not a walk in the park. Today we have walked for 2 weeks - amazing. In the pouring rain we passed a house that had painted "Buen Camino Pelegrino" on it´s driveway in huge letters. A real lift to the spirits of drenched and tired pelegrinos. Tomorrow we begin the Mesata traditionally long and hot but unless the weather changes the heat won´t be a problem! Lots of hugs especially for the little ones. Thanks for all your messages of encouragement. They are really appreciated when the going gets tough. Daphne