Blogs from Logroño, La Rioja, Spain, Europe

We got up and on our way just before 7am. Just over half an hour later, we passed the Ermita de la Virgen, a pretty nice rest stop, but we didn't stop. Another half an hour and we passed into the communidad of Los Riojas, famous for their grapes and wine. We walked just under an hour before we entered Logrono. Logrono is a pretty big town, and has the factories and plants to prove it. Just before entering, we saw a cute little house the offered water and a stamp, but we passed it up. We wound our way through Logrono to the main cathedral, then found a good place for breakfast. I don't remember the name, but we had coffee and sweets. After our breakfast, we headed out of Logrono, but it took a ... read more

Kathy and I spent our last day in Barcelona walking and busing around town. We visited the northern portion of the city around the business and high income areas as well as scoping out our logistics for getting to the Sants Barcelona (Barcelona train station) for our trip to Logrono. We also enjoyed (tongue in cheek) a ride on the Barcelona subway. Getting around in a city where you don't read or write the language is very difficult, both on you and them (them being those on the receiving end of our endless questions). It goes something like this.. Me: "How do I buy a ticket?" Them: "Habla Espanol?" Me: No! Habla Ingles?" Them: No! Then you stare at each other for a while wondering how do you talk to someone that doesn't have a clue ... read more

Forecast for Seville is 44 degrees tomorrow. Good thing we are heading north into southern France soon. Only 34 and 37 for the next two days here in Logrono. The drive from Madrid was a little more enjoyable than the typical trek down motorways. We crossed over some mountains heading toward Logrono hitting 1100 metres at about 4 separate locations. The last 30 or 40 kms was through an amazing, very ancient, glacial valley. Huge steep rock faces provided some spectacular scenery with a few small mediaeval villages nestling in among the rock. We were also very impressed by the tiny village we found for a lunch stop with some very old (medieval again?) house and inns. This is a great part of the world to explore far from the tourist crush of recent major city ... read more

After a delicious breakfast in Los Arcos, we walked out at 6.15am. I had only walked for about 2kms and I switched from sandals to boots. My feet were sore but seemed to improve throughout the day, in spite of the many hills that had to be crossed. The scenery was amazing but the villages were rare. We passed through a gypsy settlement about a kilometre past Viana. There was about 20 or so vans and cars covered with blue tarps that completed the 'we're ready to pack up fast' look. We lost Masa today. He has a bad fever and was staying on at Los Arcos. last night we had a meal and a lot of laughs, often at my expense, with a multinational table; we had japanese, Croation, dutch and a guy from Norway ... read more

So back to Viana I went to Albergue Izar to spend Monday night . The lady that owned it said she no longer had my booking forgetting I booked ahead . I sucked air hard for a moment when she upgraded me to a private room ..sweeet! . Later I went down to ask her about restaurants . She jestered for me to sit then she made me dinner.Nice! Savory green peas, Chirezos, fried eggs toast coffee and yogurt ..yum Next morning I left early ,heading for Logrono 8 miles to my next bed. Beautiful walk ,flat mostly . Before leaving Viana I stopped for cafe leche and a bagette .I met this 80 yr old Italian guy smoking a cigarette and drinking coffee . He started in St Jean crossed the Pyrenees and was headed ... read more