Day 12: Cardeñuela Riopico to Burgos

It was a short walk today, about 14 km in the end, so there was no hurry to get moving early

I  saw my first stork nest on a church...

I took M&K's recommendation to take the river route into Burgos, and it was a good idea. The signage was very sparse though, and I was reliant on my phone app to confirm that I was on the correct path. The initial turnoff to the river route had no signs at all as far as I could see, so maybe the powers that be are discouraging the use of the 'old' Camino aka river route

I would have liked to go to the recommended museum of human evolution, but the sign on the door made it clear that it was closed on Mondays

So on to the cathedral via the Arco de Santa Maria, the main gate into the old city from the river

The cathedral: 'twas big, and 'twas quite impressive both overall building-wise and in its contents

But it was a little too grand for my taste; maybe I'm getting a bit jaded already, but it's difficult to not think of where all that wealth has ultimately come from, both locally and colonised America

A new work: creation.. 

Accommodation tonight is a little odd, but is quite well located. I tried to book via WhatsApp, but got told to use their website. So, I booked on the website - chose English, but the only effect that had was to change Euros to GB pounds. I charged ahead anyway, translating each prompt as I went. When i arrived at the hostel, I was told in mostly Spanish that check-in was not until 3pm. I think because four of us bedraggled pilgroms were cluttering up reception (no-one was keen to wait outside in the rain), at 1pm we were asked if we wanted to check in now and wait in the dining room until 3pm. Si, gracias! As soon as check-in started, the fire alarms went off. Much running around by the receptionist and the renovation workmen who must have set the alarm off. 15 minutes later, once the alarms had been silenced, I finally checked in to be told that my on-line payment had not gone through. So paid (maybe) again, went upstairs and waited in the dining room. We were eventually invited to go to the bedrooms, but alas the receptionist had failed to give us the required electronic door keys. It was all sorted out in the end, but Fawlty Towers comes to mind