And I will walk 500 miles... And I can walk 500 more. I aimed for a longer distance today just to see how I kept up.
Too easy ;-)
Except that I did get my first blister today. On my left hand. From the hiking pole. I half expected that may happen. I did bring gloves, but it was way too hot today to wear them.
I was on my way at 7.30am as no breakfast was included in last nights albergue deal. A mandarin and plenty of water would do and the remaining breakfast later.
Soon I came to an Autopista underpass where the always present politics / nationalism was yet again in play. A bit more direct graffiti this time.
I had to walk through that pilgrim portal. Mission accomplished with a selfie.
Shadows. Long.
I arrived in Puente La Reina for breakfast. A morning cuppa, juice and a pan with a very nice cured ham in a busy cafe.
A peregrino...
Today was the day for Spanish walking companions.
First, this is Berta from Madrid. Yes, she had a German name but she didn't want to elaborate.
Berta used to be an air hostess for Iberia so her English was very good. A great opportunity for me to practice my Spanish when I had a "private" interpreter.
This planted world map just beyond Cirauqui almost brought a tear to my eye. Austraya!! The best country in the world to live in!! No debate!!
There are quite a few of these memorials along the Camino. The cross below was for a Danish bloke who had died just here. Presumably from a heart attack or heat exhaustion (my guess). This cross was along a reasonably tough stretch of today's Camino.
Fuentes / fountains. Most towns or villages seem to have one of them in Plaza Mayor or similar. A pilgrims relief.
Today's "The Way" movie setting was these hay bales. This is where the gang encountered "Jack from Ireland" the first time.
A donkey mask hung outside of a church in Villatuerta. There has to be a background story to this. Or just for a laugh?
Approaching today's destination Estella I chatted to the 2nd Spaniard today David who was also from Madrid.
David had lived at Burleigh Heads, Queensland, Australia for 3 years so his English was also very good. We talked mostly football and Australia (he liked it a lot).
Tonight's albergue in Estella was Anfas.
ANFAS is a society for mentally handicapped persons so for a good cause.
I got the 34th bed out of 35. Popular but probably because of price. 7€. No food included or offered.
First time I have a top bunk bed on the Camino but in a corner tucked away from it all so not so bad. I am totally surrounded by Spanish young people only.
I hand washed some clothes and they dried up in a very short time given the dry Spanish heat.
I include a couple of final photos from Estella. A nice enough town although I didn't explore too much. Many towns and villages where the Camino cross have some lovely old stone bridges.
No alcohol either. Probably the first night since I arrived in Europe totally sober. I needed to have a break.
Tomorrow, of course, is another day.
Footnote: I saw lots of sunburnt people today. The sun was ferocious but many pilgrims still exposed lots of lily white body. I think that many will have problems getting to sleep tonight.
I managed myself to get a little bit burnt on my left hand from holding the hiking pole. Right hand, away from the sun, was OK. More sun screen on hands tomorrow.
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