For the second night in a row, we both had a decent nights sleep, but that morning still hits you in the face like you just put head on the pillow. Also for the second night in a row we had our own room and bathroom, so no jostling for facilities was required. Our morning routine:come to think of it a post on a typical pilgrim day would be worthwhile; takes about half an hour from waking, give or take. Out the door by 6:45 there was already a stream of pilgrims moving. It's a bit of a race at times, partly because its good to get as much time in before the morning sun starts to heat, and partly so you get to the next destination and not have to fight to find a bed. The Brisk pace slows as the walk goes on.
It was still quite dark but the lights of Pamplona made it so a flashlight wasn't necessary. As is our custom, we walk until a cafe calls our name. This morning though, it was the Freddy girls who had called, obviously beating us out the door this morning. A quick cafe and egg tart with them, then off again. The girls had reserved a spot at a private alberque in Punta la Reina, but they had to be there by 4 or lose the reservations, and since the day was 24 km long they needed to move. We don't reserve at all as it in my mind is way less stressful finding a bed than meeting a deadline.
Both Mary Lou and i liked this walk from the start. A few km and we were out of the City and had a good glimpse in the horizon of our destination. The rows of wind generators was impressive, and the top of the hill where the path came out is at the Don Quixote pilgrim statues, as seen in The Way. Even though they were a fair distance away, it is nice to measure progress. The countryside is mostly farmland and we passed the usual livestock, farmers fields, sunflowers with faces and the " mother of all hay bales." We also ran into Hillary and Bill Clinton, Juanita is a dead ringer for Hillary, who we had met in Roncesvale, and seen briefly in Pamplona. Terry, who lost 100 pounds in three months while under medical supervision, was using the Camino as part of his rehab training. I am suitably impressed by what he did.
The first half of the day was uphill, and was a big rush when we arrived. The mountain top was about 100 feet wide and was unique on the trip so far in that you could see Pamplona from whence we came, all the way to Puenta la Reina. We enjoyed a quick peach on the top, then headed straight down the steep path for the second half of the journey. The down is always a bigger challenge, not as difficult physically as up, but trickier as it is easy to lose your footing on the stones. My technique developed after a few days experimenting is to lean forward, counterintuitive I know, placing my weight on the two walking sticks and stepping like one might when walking with crutches. Great system as long as the sticks hold.
The walk was hot and scenery was beautiful, as it has been everyday. We ran into our Camino friends at many points, and made new ones. One lady Emmelinne, was two months into her walk having started from her home in Holland. Most impressive.
The days and the scenery are the same and different all in one, and are really what you make of it. In a discussion with a lady from Australia, we agreed it will be nice when we are able to open our minds to something other than the ability to handle pain and keep the feet moving in searing heat.
We arrived at Puenta la Reina after a 7.5 hour walk and booked into the first place as you entered the town. By coincidence it was the same one the Freddy girls had reserved the day before. Guess we started and finished our day with folks from down home.
That night it rained like cats and dogs, and we slept through he night. Yesterday's issues had been addressed with the help of the Pharmacia.
Distance 24 km
Time 7.5 hours
Weather Hot and sunny again
Left to go. 709 km
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