Day 17 - toughening it out to Burgos

When my pebble watch vibrates at 6am in the morning it provokes the usual questions of  "the where am I?" , "where are we going?" , "do I really have to get out of bed ?" . ... then some clarity comes and the answer is always a.. Yes lets go !! then we click into automatic mode.
Last night we stayed in a quirky Alburgue . in Ataperka ... were were in an attic in the 150 year old priest accommodation building, decorated in an arty way ... we even had our own budgie singing its song to us.☺
Today we walked 21km to Burgos under a beautiful blue sky and a cold wind ... after a tough climb out of town over a very rocky path in a landscape bare of the beautify trees we walk through yesterday.
Highlights included Cruceiro,the stark cross surrounded by pilgrim rocks and a laberynth made from rocks ... drawn to engage in the walk around it to its centre but alas had to move on..there is always this challenge on the Camino.. the journey vs the destination.
The second half of the walk was more a grinding it out past Burgos airport and industrial suburbs on generally hard surfaces ... it was a point where my feet said enough is enough and every sinew scream out STOP but still 6km to go ... this is a time we thank God for Neurofen pain killers -.. I only allow myself one, just enough to get going again.
A note to self - take the alternate route through the park and along the river into the centre d Burgos , the tradition route is ... uninspiring concrete and road walking.
So here we are,finally ensconced in the 4 star Silken Gran Teatro hotel, only 300 mtr from the Burgos cathedral in the heart of the restaurant district ... some well deserved luxury for our day off and preparation for the Meseta. We enjoyed a soothing bath then a big burger at an American styled restaurant as we were a little sick of pilgrim meals.
So a late afternoon stroll in the park watching Spanish people enjoying life in the early Summer late even warmth.
A great end to a tough day.
Ps: I feel i am starting the attached pilgrim cartoon.