Day 16

We left our hotel in Burgos this morning with my feet heavily bandaged (Muriel).  I was not moving very fast but thought I could manage.  There was more pavement to get out of town and I soon realized I was going to have to stop!  We got about 10 k m to Tardojor.  I had decided to tell the girls I wanted them to keep walking and I would take a bus ahead a couple of days, rest up and hopefully heal blisters and walk again by the time they caught up.  Turned out Jan was also having foot woes and she wanted to do the same.  After much discussion it was decided all 4 of us would bus.  We ended up having to cab back to Burgos as it wasn´t possible to bus from the small village we were in.  Arriving back in Burgos we had to wait for the 4.30 bus and had to travel on to Leon as we were at the start of the meseta where there were long stretches between towns.  Leon is about 170 km from Burgos so basically a 4 day walk at least.  Again after much discussion Joanie and Sandy opted for the bus also.  We had heard the meseta was both boring and could be dangerous (banditos!) Joannie particularly did not want to walk it - so it was a majority rule decsion.  We went back to our former hotel in Burgos and had them book us a hotel in Leon.  The bus ride was a couple of hours arriving about 6 pm.  We took a taxi to our hotel - where filming of a soap opera was in progress.! We wandered around the tourist area for a bit, did some laundry and foot doctoring and went to bed, feet raised up with pillows and blankets.  The ruckas of the Spaniards partying into the wee hours of the morning did not make for a restful sleep. 
Next moring we discovered we had to find a new hotel, Joanie wandered off to see what she could find.  She was back soon saying everything was full....again her and Sandy went out looking while I soaked blisters in the tub and Jan lay with her feet up on the wall!  Success!  They found a hidden gem - a hotel in a former monestary connected to a church.  It is absolutely fabulous and blessedly quiet.  We are so happy to have found a place that is perfect!  If only for one night!
We went out for lunch - 3 course meal with wine starts at 2 pm - this is turning out to be the main meal of the day for us as we can rarely find dinner before 11pm (yes 11pm!) which is way too late.  After lunch everything closes for siesta until 5.30. We rest too and then about 6 pm went to an internet cafe.  Next we went to the church of Santa Marina for a choral performance in Spanish but still enjoyable - A very young conductress and also a youngish fellow who may have been either downs or mentally challenged who played the tambourine. 
After that we were off to the cathedral for an organ performance at 10pm.  >The man playing was very old and very good. We enjoyed it but all of us expected it would have sounded more dramatic and powerful - perhaps it was where we were sitting.  There were hundreds of people attending.  Out of there at 11pm and on to the church near our hotel for a light show played on the facade....it was unreal!  Did manage to get a few photos......but missed the eagle that was on it when we first arrived.  By then we were all ready to hit the sack....up way too late for us!
Next morning Sandy and Joannie are walking to a village 20 km away and Jan and I will meet them there after travelling there by taxi......one more day of rest for our feet which we think we need.  Most blisters are healed.
Thanks again for your support and messages.....they really lift us up!
Hugs and kisses all.......pilgrims 1, 2, 3 and 4 xxxxx