Day # 9 Torres del Rio to Logroño

Day # 9 May 30

Torres del Rio to Logroño (20.6 km)

 

Passed churches Ornate, obsolete

Big & small dogs out on the street

Got a stamp in a pub

Where we stopped for grub

And four pilgrims from Dublin did meet.

 

Torres del Rio is a fairly small town with little to see. The hotel where we ate is only weeks old & the staff seemed eager to please(Worked for me) so service & food presentation was excellent. The two two bottles of wine (Rioja) were none too shabby either. (note to TS nice local wine-. Rioja-eh).

There was a church charging l€ for entry... nobody went. The hostel (Auberque) had motion detecting light switches in the loo with a very short 'on' time so you could be"doing your business" when the light would go out. You had to flap your arms like wings to turn the lights on again. It's a strange sight someone sitting doing their business and flapping... Monty Pythonesque.

The walk Is encapsulated in the limerick.

For more details check out Fran's blog at

http://francestomcamino2014.blogspot.com/

You might have to cut & paste.

We got an early start... Note the long shadows. 

Day # 8 Villamayor to Torres del Rio

Day # 8 May 29

Villamayor to Torres del Rio (20 k)

I once met an old Peregrino

One day while doing the Camino

I said do you know

Which way to go

He said no, I'm too drunk on the vino

 

Villamayor to Torres del Rio was largely uneventful. No major hills. A really nice walk in very nice weather with wonderful company. We wandered through vineyards and farmlands starting out just after nine and arrived before 2 pm... Our best walk to date . We are both getting stronger and Frances was really fast today. We' re just relaxing now with a bite & a beer before dinner at 7-pm. neither of us is too tired today

Chris the Irish guy we met on day # 1 gave us several riddles: I thought I'd share.

Riddle # 1 : What goes in dry and comes out wet and satisfies two?

I'll give the answer once you've had a chance to think about it!

Jez that's a long road

John Jordan's Spanish chickens!

 

Day # 6 Tuesday 27th

Day # 6

We ate with the pilgrims last night

As a bunch I'd say they're alright

Met a Spaniard on Camino

His name was Rodreigo

Then to bed for to walk at first light

Today the weather was great. No rain and a little cool when starting... perfect walking weather. We were on the road at 8 and walked until around 10:30 We met a bunch of people along the road. They were from "all over ". Irish ( Dublin, Belfast) South Africa , New Zealand ... everywhere) . What was supposed to be an "ok" hike turned out quite tough.

Last night's meal did not agree with me & I was feeling a little sick all day. Tonight's meal was exceptional but I still could not enjoy it. Hopefully all will be well in the morning

We found Annette again this evening.

Buenos Noches

Photos will follow later

 

'

The World

Day # 5 Monday 26th

 

From Pamplona on down to Obanos

Stopping only for treats once or dos

A day with no rain

And a modicum of pain

Tonight we'll have beer and tostados

 

Before leaving Pamplona we had a little tour. We saw the cathedral and the town hall; both very impressive buildings, edifices perhaps. It took quite a while to "get out" of the city so we got a flavour of the "busy" time in Pamplona. A very nice city, maintained very well with lots of interesting arches & parks

It would seem there is no stage of the Camino without hills & they (the hills) make the going tough & very slow. 3hm/hr is about all we can expect. Each day's walk so far has been at least 8 hrs. Of course we stop to rest along the way ; coffee or beer (depending on time of day) and a sandwich. We could stop for up to lhr if the going was really tough. Frances does not have any feet problems but I've managed to get a couple of blisters & a swollen ankle from my boot. I did today's 20Km in sandles which was not too bad. We lost Annette today

Day # 4 Sunday: El Domingo, May 25

In Pamplona we saw where bulls run

Being tired wet and lost was no fun

But Isabel came

An angel the same

And her joy & her smile brought the sun.

Today we were hoping for a day without rain and we nearly got it. The day started with a fairly flat portion which cheered us up a lot: we are quite feed up with hills. Our humor was dashed shortly thereafter with a long steep hill. For the rest of the day the going was OK. There were some challenges along the way but most of the trip was along the river Arga. I suppose I should say Rio Arga. With the passed few days rain this river was in fabulous form ; fast & furious... I enjoyed every step along its banks. We passed through several quaint villages and stopped a couple of times for food & beer. We met with Annette early in the day and she accompanied us for the rest of the day. She is great company and her pace is similar to ours. We met the four sisters at our first rest stop... they are great characters. We had no rain until about 5 km from Pamplona when the heavens opened with thunder and lightening. We got soaked again and we might still be wandering around Pamplona were it not for Isabel: a wonderful Spanish lady who insisted on guiding us to our albergue. She was so cheerful and helpful a simple thank you seemed hardly enough but just as she appeared out of nowhere she was gone just as quick but not before making good on her prophecy that the rain would stop & the sun would appear just as we found the alberque - she was right .

This was a tough hike of about 25Km but we made it to Pamplona where the bulls run.
We had tapas for the first time this evening... nice; really nice. G'night John boy!

Day # 3

Day # 3

Today I found my first blister

This evening I found its big sister

But Frances had moleskin

And a bag to bath feet in

It felt so good that I kissed 'er

Walking from Roncesvalles to Zubiri a total of 21k we experienced another test to our strength of character. The day started out quite pleasant with a walk of about 3 km before we could get breakfast. ( We had to leave the hostel by 8). The first part of the hike was fairly flat and through fabulous forests Then the hills began: tough, unforgiving hills that nearly killed us both. Soon after that the rain came; followed by hail.... yes hail again that created rivers where the trail was supposed to be so we were literally walking down a mountain in a river. Good news is we made it:.. we had a lovely Pilgrims meal of Chicken noodle soup followed by a Spanish dish of tuna: tasted great. A couple of beers & a glass of wine  (came with the meal) Total bill for 3 people  50 euros which included 2 beers for me & one for Frances & one for Annette (will explain)

Day # 2 May 23

From Orrison we started to walk

Hills so steep we couldn't talk

Then came the rain

Snow & hail what a pain

Leaving Frances & me so distraught

 

The trip from Orrison to Roncesvalles was arduous to say the least. We had been warned that this trek across the mountains was"challenging". They weren't joking! We thought the first climb (right outside  the door) was going to be ok but we could only see about 200m. It went on and on and after that it only got worse. Of course it didn't help when the rain turned to hail and then snow. Well sure then we felt right at home.

Photographic evidence to follow.

Day # 1 St. . Jean Pied de Port

First day, we met Chris and Joe

Two Irish guys, don't you know

Shared pints and great fun

And this thing's just begun

I think I'll enjoy, El Camino

The first leg to Orrison,  which I mistakenly assumed would be a" walk in the park" was anything but.  An uphill climb for approx. 10k with inclines of close to 40° and while the going was tough the scenery was spectacular. There was a spot to rest at around 7 km where a dog taught me to throw a sick so he could retrieve it and then again.  I miss Ellie.
Reaching Orrison we had a great meal,  plenty of wine and great company.  The Pyrenees are spectacular. And the setting sun enhances their splendor. I'm so glad I'm on this adventure. Thanks Frances.
Early to bed and early to rise has new meaning. I hope to be on the road by 8.
Tomorrow's walk promises to be even more challenging than today's with a climb of 800m over 13km. I hope it goes Ok.
Got a bit of a "hot spot" heel today... Seems OK right now.

The day has finally arrived

Temporary madness I think you'll agree

Brings an upside sometimes, you'll see

I'm doing the Camino

With someone we know

 It's six weeks just Frances and me

Following a photo op at 1122 we set of to Pearson stopping along the way for supper at Kelseys in Milton. Thanks to Pete and BJ for driving.
Photo op here: