Moving on Camino

   We're still on The Way and blogging once per week (a reasonable goal at this stage).  By the time we find a place, we have to shower, wash our clothes, get something to eat, go to the pilgrim Mass, get ready to leave early in the morning, go to bed and start over the next day.  This is repeated unless we have a short day.  Then we can blog.
   Starting where we left the blog a week ago, Mon Sept. 9 we returned to the albergue at Cizur Menor to a meal cooked by our hosts Paco and Estelle for all the pilgrims.  Next to the albergue was a small chapel where a woman in the group who sings professionally gave an impromteau concert where she sang some medieval songs and sacred music.  The acoustics were incredible.
   9-10-13
   We crossed the "Hill of Forgiveness" and at the top saw the wrought iron representation of medieval pilgrims in the middle of the wind turbines.  Impressive.  The down descent with the loose rocks was hard on Kathy's black and blue toe.  We saw a young man skipping down rather quickly: looked like he was rock dancing--very graceful.
   Stayed at Puente la Reina.  We got the last 4 (out of 5) beds.  Ran into Howard.  What is so great about this walk is we meet the same people over and over again at different stages.  It's like meeting old friends again. 
   9-11-13
   Walked into Estella after 25 km's (with Kathy carrying her pack!) and found all the albergues full.  There are so many pilgrims on the walk--September has become the new August-- it's hard to find a bed.  We finally realized that private albergues take reservations.  The young pilgrims leave at 6am and walk twice as fast as we do, so they get to their destination by 12-1pm.  We were strolling in at 3-4 and found everything full, so now we are reserving ahead of time and trying to get going sooner in the morning.  This is hard work!!  Packing and repacking, sleeping in a different albergue every night, thinking that at the end of the day we couldn't walk another step, and then we do it all over again the next day!
   The scenery is beautiful.  We've been walking through grape and olive tree fields the last couple of days.  The churches are magnificent.  We have been managing to get to Mass most days with a pilgrim blessing. 
   Walking along looking at the changing scenery, picking wild blackerries, stopping for coffee, hot chocolate, Spanish omelets, pilgrim meals etc.
   We finally ended up in an albergue with beds overlooking a gymnasium, where we watched team soccer practice before bedtime!
   9-12-13
   We left the gym and reached the famous wine fountain outside of Estella, but no wine because it hadn't opened yet.  Disappointed with the trickle of wine when it finally came.
   Slept in Los Arcos in a room for 4, which was a nice change from a room for 20-30.  We bumped into Howard again and shared some time relaxing in the plaza.
   9-13-13
   We walked through Logrono, another beautiful city like Pamplona.  The Way leads you through the historic parts of these cities.  Walked on to Navarette and spent the night.  Bumped into two Irish gals that we had met the first day out.
   9-14-13
   Walked to Najera.  Arrived early and enjoyed the city.  Planning to walk to Santo Domingo tomorrow.
   An added memory from the first blog---When we were travelling towards Zubiri, there was a music festival in Larrasoana, so all the sleeping accomodations in both towns were full.  This is why we ended up on the gym floor. 
   As we were walking towards Zubiri, it was raining, thundering and lightning.  Kathy wiped out on the wet rocks.  As we were walking along the path we came across a herd of cows with HORNS, and we were wearing red ponchos.  Had to laugh! 
   Another memory-- Nick (an older gentleman) was telling us of his walking over the Pyrenees and having trouble with altitude.  He fainted a couple of times.  Two young girls came to his rescue: one carried his pack down 6km and they stayed with him until the next town of Roncesvalles.  He said Camino to him means being there for each other.  "They saved my life".
   Last memory-- when we were walking through Logrono, how friendly the locals are.  They pointed out the Way if we looked lost, they wished us "buen Camino" and were patient with our bad Spanish.

Adios and God bless!  You and your intentions are in our prayers,
Kathy and Tom