Hello everyone. We set off this morning from  Villa Franca around 6:15 

it was dark when we started and we had to use our head lamps. The sky

was clear and the stars bright andbeautifiul. Without the ambient light

the stars are luminous. We walked until around 8ish when we stopped to 

have a picnic breakfast and watch the sun rise.  We were at a higher 

elevation today so the sun rose a bit later AND it is the Autumnal equinox.

A very auspicious day.  So much so that we made an impromptu change of plans. 

Here in san Juan there us a church called 

Happy autumnal equinox everyone. !!  We have had an impromptu change of plans 

on our journey. We were intending to walk from Villafranca to  Atapuerca today 

but when we walked through St  Juan de Ortega we realized that this was a special 

day here in this small village.   There was an Augustinian monastery founded here 

in 1150. The chapel is dedicated  to San Nicolas de Barri who saved San Juan from 

drowning on his way back from pilgrimage to the Holy Land and Is constructed in 

such a way that at each equinox, Spring and Autumn the rays of the setting sun 

strike the Virgin Mary in the scene of the annunciation that is carved into a 

pillar.  This was only re-discovered in 1974. So, what are the chances that we 

would be passing through this particular village on this particular day ? 

We thought about it and although it will make for a long day tomorrow to Burgos, 

we decided to stay here in San Juan attend the pilgrims mass and be present for 

he miracle of celestial light. There are about 4 or 5 of us  who decided to stay 

over just for this.  There is really nothing here in this village but a cafe 

the old monastery a well worn refugio and the church.  So, the Camino works in 

mysterious ways.  Our friend Connie from Canada took a bus to Burgos because 

her feet were hurting her too much with swelling and blisters.  We hope a few 

days rest and a new pair of shoes will enable her to join us for the rest of 

the journey. I am sitting outside the church in a shady nook overlooking a 

verrrry sunny plaza. The only odd aspect to this otherwise famiiar picture 

of pilgrims sitting at a cafe bar and backpacks lining the walls is a large 

tour bus   I imagine there are people here waiting for the equinox event thus 

evening although  for the life  of me  I haven't seen any people other than 

pilgrims. We will probably spend an extra day in Burgos as we won't get in 

there until mid afternoon tomorrow. It will  be our longest  day of 25 kilometers. 

I'm grateful for the simple pace and place in this village  before our entry 

into a big city.  In the meantime honor this day of balance in your own way 

knowing that the wisdom of the cycles and seasons is constant in our lives. 

Much love to you all. Carpe Diem Camille on the Camino