Today was only the second day in a month when I didn’t need to get up, pack, and start walking. But, of course, walking was to be involved, starting with the cool shady path of  pollarded trees along the river.

We were to meet a forum friend (who runs the Albergue Maralotx in Estella) for mid-day meal at an asador/grill on the outskirts of town.  So we combined that with a tour of the Monesterio de las Huelgas, where some 23 cloistered nuns still live (and run a laundry). We weren’t allowed to take photos in much of the interior, but I was surprised by grandeur and historical detail inside. After all, the outside just looks like another big old stone building.

Lunch was very good in the Asador Los Trillos, where we had suckling lamb, and Juanma told us about life on the Camino Frances these days.

In the evening I found myself at the staging point for a Corpus Christi procession. The “gigantes” that I’d seen the day before had gathered. As they moved along to the cathedral, I followed. It seemed like everyone in Burgos who owned a uniform or costume had joined – religious robes of various types, ceremonial military, Spanish señoras in mantillas, first communion celebrants, brass bands, dancing jesters, officials in suits, etc. Finally the plaza in front of the cathedral had filled, some speeches made, and the jesters had followed the religious robes up the cathedral steps.

Tomorrow – bus to Madrid, another day there, and flying home the day after!