Day 9 Ciruena

We are still alive and well.  Yesterday we walked 40 km, again without packs, to Najera.  It was a killer day, as we departed Viana at 6:45 in the dark, and did not arrive until 11 hours later.  We had breakfast in Logrono which smelled like a giant pissoir after the revelries of the wine festival.  We walked on and on through the Rioja - fantastically beautiful countryside - but   towards the end it was just a matter of putting
one foot in front of the other.  Richard developed shin splints during the afternoon.  But our bags were in our room, and we were greeted with a bottle of vino tinto.  Amazing what a glass of wine and a shower will do to improve your spirits!!! Dinner by the river on Saturday  night with young punks throwing giant firecrackers out of cars, but the police put a stop to that.  Back to the hotel in the backstreets where the ladies of the  night were just beginning work.
Today a short day to Ciruena, carrying packs, and the bodies are not complaining.  Wonderful weather, brilliant sunshine, and everyone seems to be settling into a rhythm, or maybe just getting tired.  I am sitting in the bar near the casa rural, stuggling with the keyboard, and watching a car race in Singapore.  I have several technical difficulties, including an almost broken bootlace, a problem with wear on one part of a boot and a camera which is not reliable.  Now using my i phone and keeping a close watch on my boots.
Irritants - everything is Complet (Full) and the kleenexes on the Camino are the best route markers, sadly.
Joys - the warmth of the sun as it comes up each day and takes the iciness out of the air and my feet are in great shape after 230 km.