Day 13 – Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Date: 14 September 2018
Departure Time: 07:05 am
Arrival Time: 12:50 pm
Distance: 21.5 kms
Cumulative Distance: 229 kms
Percentage Completed: 24.77%
Accommodation: Parador de Santo Domingo Bernardo
Weather: Cloudy at times – 24 degrees
Today was a day of mixed fortunes for us pilgrims. It was mostly very good but the bad part was a few injuries have crept in. Debra has a blister on her left heel which is not healing. She was forced to buy a different pair of shoes and has arranged to have her backpack transported tomorrow to relieve some of the pressure. Mark seems to have aggravated a very old Achilles’ tendon injury. However, so far so good , as he is ok to walk once his foot warms up.
The walk itself was very pretty and included some classic Camino landscapes. One of the most interesting features of the day was walking through the town of Cirueña which was a failed golf course development. It truly could be used as a set in a zombie movie. The 22 kilometre walk passed very quickly and we are staying in the beautiful small town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada. Our accommodation is in a Parador and at €81 per night it is simply amazing value.
A highlight of the afternoon (apart from shoe buying) was a visit to the Santa Iglesia Cathedral which began construction in 1158. There is hen house built into a cathedral wall, which houses live chickens. It relates to a story of a German pilgrim called Hugonell – it’s worth a Google. The cathedral also housed an unbelievable museum for a town this size. As we are writing this we are having beer and hamburgers – we like to be multicultural. The weather is absolutely beautiful.
Tomorrow is a 23 kilometre walk to Belorado.










2 thoughts on “Day 13 – Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada”
Hi guys, it was great talking to you the other day. Sorry to hear about the injuries. Hopefully they don’t get too bad. You have to love those Paradors. I remember that golf town. Maybe you should buy a house there. Keep going strong as you have a day of in Burgos, which should help you. I can recommend the hospital there.
Great going, Mark and Deb! Hope the beer, tapas and beautiful accommodation ease the pain of any injuries. Buen Camino!! xx