We are progressing along the Camino. We have been so busy and tired that there has been a gap in communication. Here is the summary of the past couple of days.
Day Two we arrived in Larrasona late, around 5 pm, only to find that the Albergue was complet (full), so we were directed to a Pension, where we had a small room to ourselves, but very cramped. However it ws antiseptically clean, and we were able to wash ourselves and our socks, before heading out to a pilgrim´s dinner. Here we met a very interesting Australian couple who may stay with us for a day or two when they visit Toronto in November. We were exhausted by the end of the day and my back was hurting....but not too badly.
Day Three: We were up at the crack of dawn to the smell of coffee, had a quick bite to eat then departed in the frosty cold to the crowing of roosters. At our stop for coffee along the way, we chatted with our Irish friend Matt. We decided to walk through Pamplona, but had a picnic complete with wine in the main park.
We rejoined Matt, by accident and walked with him to Cizur Manor, where we decided to stay the the first Albergue we found, a small one run by the Knights of Malta. We had hot chocolate in the bar in town and found our Australian friends, laid low by blisters. It is true that you do keep bumping into the same folks. Another pilgrim´s dinner with Matt and another Irishman who was feeling lonely because his daughter, who had been walking with him for the first three days, had returned home (work).
Day Four: Not the greatest night´s sleep, due to two ladies on the bunks above us, suffering from coughs and sniffles. Awakened to the sound of Gregorian chants, had a quick cupof coffee and a piece of bread, then off in the semi-light. It was a damp drizzly day and the first stop for a more complete breakfast, was very welcome. We mounted to Alto de Perdon, descended and wandered slowly onwards. Needing a bathroom we ended up in a small bar/restaurant and decided to have lunch. We were joined by a rather disgruntled gentleman, the only other patron in the place. After a beer his spirits improved and he also had lunch. He proved to be very interesting and he and Richard compared notes extensively on walking the Camino at ages 82 and 83. Then the footrace to find accommodation. That has been the only real downside to our travels. Anyway, we are in the large albergue on the way out of Puenta la Reina. It is huge and rather impersonal, but we do have our own cube, with a door, so it feels very luxurious.
Overall we are doing well. Our bodies are holding up remarkably well, despite our having set a fairly aggressive pace, because once you get in a rhythm, it is easier to keep going for a while. No blisters.
We have met some very interesting people, all with their own stories and reasons for walking.
Off now to shower and wash a few clothes. Buen Camino. I think we have walked about 100 km!
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