Comfort

Today I walked from Burgos to Hornillos and started the second stage of the Camino, across the Meseta. It has been a shorter stage, just over 22km. For me it has been the most beautiful day of the journey so far. Not for the physical landscape, but more for the experiences that I went through today and what they meant for me.

In the small town of Tardajos, I passed a small chapel where a service seemed to be going on. I went to continue my journey, when a group of Madrilenos came out of the chapel and asked me to take their picture as a group. Having obliged them they then encouraged me to enter the chapel to meet the sister that “manages” the chapel and to receive a benediction. I was overwhelmed

The chapel was very simple with piped music throughout. The sister gave me a blessing which was broadly along the lines of ” bless your journey to Santiago, bless your journey through life and bless your family”. It was incredibly beautiful and I was moved to tears. This nun’s blessing meant so much to me, and I didn’t know why. I think the feeling was summed up by one of the Madrilenos who surmised that the sister was so special because she is so rare in our word. “Whilst she has nothing, she has everything ” – a powerful sentiment. Each of us who visited the chapel today was moved to tears. I saw people sobbing as they left the chapel today. The Camino route has been described as having a number of thin zones – where heaven and earth come close together. Today, Tardajos was one of these.

Buen Camino

PS: It seems that the Danes also enjoyed and understood Dave Allen’s comedy – apologies to them. Thanks Hanne

PPS: Daphne and Maggie went looking for Bluebells today – they found some behind our house