A few take the longer, less crowded alternative routes alongside Camino. Sometimes it is simply to get away from the loud rush of trucks on the modern tarred roads. The roads often hug the Camino because that is usually the fastest and flattest route between the towns. At least here, away from the vanity and thirsty for power of cities like Burgos, the "senda" has not been improved with concrete and fancy paving. Earth is so much easier on the feet.
I veered off at Polación de Campos costing me an extra kilometre.This path followed the shadowy meanders of the rio Ucieca a source of the water irrigating the surrounding farmlands.
Looking into the distance ahead and behind I could see no one. But it was dawn and had found the right spot for a photo. That was just enough time for another walker to appear.
He quickly overtakes, a younger and faster pilgrim. After a short time he turns and assures himself that I am dropping behind, he pulls out a rosary and ticks off the kilometres with beads. The sun, now rising into the blue grey day, glints on the small crucifix dangling at the end of the beads. A moving meditation.
Posted from Lee Shipley's phone
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