Hontanas

Mist and warmer temperatures greeted us this morning (June 21) as we left Rabe for the town of Hontanas. The landscape became flatter with a few rolling hills, and vast fields of grain (and maybe beans?) extended across the horizon.

Wild flowers and songbirds were our companions. Lots of cyclists passed by. The small village of Hornillos del Camino offered a cafe break. 

 

Dad bought an apple, cheese, and pastry for breakfast.

Shells at the tienda 

Main street in Hornillos

A chicken topped fuente

Daisies for Mom

Hontanas in sight

A backdrop of blue skies and puffy clouds appeared in the afternoon after our arrival to Hontanas. We also stayed here 2 years ago -- this time there seemed to be more albergues and bars lining the main street. 

After cleaning up and washing a few clothes we strolled the streets. On one of the casas was an heraldic crest (shown above), which included shells, gourd, and a pilgrim with walking staff. 

Below are pictures of the Albergue Municipal San Juan, a renovated medieval structure -- some of the original stone foundation remains.

Conversation flowed at the albergue's communal meal with Andrew & Jaana along with peregrinos from Holland, S. Korea, Romania, and Bulgaria. The Bulgarian walker played basketball and was coached by an American. Dad talked sports with him while I chatted with Joel, a Dutch documentary film editor whose grandfather had walked the Camino from Holland many years ago. Joel was retracing his steps.