Blogs from Estella, Navarre, Spain, Europe

We left again at about 6:30am, and quickly left town and entered Ayegui. At the entrance to the town they had a sign saying 100 kilometers. Hmm, I'm pretty sure its been more than 100. The towns are basically right next to each other. In 2015, we passed through Estella accidentally and stopped at the municipal albergue of Ayegui. Just like in 2015, the store on the corner where you turn to go uphill to the monastery was the only thing open. I don't remember then that they had coffee and a seating area, but now they did, so we quickly took advantage of it. Afterwards, we walked uphill to the famous Irache Monastery, stopping briefly at an iron workers shop. We then continued uphill to the wine fountain, where you can get a free sip ... read more

Today the impact of the 28°c heat was softened by a cool breeze that accompanied me all the way to Estella. It was a varied walk, combining steep hills, lovely villages, long slightly undulating paths and good company. I walked alone most of the time which I enjoyed immensely. I’m back to a good pace and catch up with known accomplices along the Way. It’s a good mix of time to think and time to chat. I spoke to two South African women at a pharmacy today and they were over it. Not quitting, but certainly never recommending the Camino as a good thing to do. I think that approach will change and they are still hurting from the first 2 days. They were there for blister patches, I was there for Cortisone cream. You can ... read more

Today we started a little later at about 7.15. Wearing sandels, I am enjoying more freedom in my feet than yesterday and may continue in them tomorrow . We ate breakfast at the alburgue and it was yoghurt , toast with jam and coffee; pretty good. Today we walked with a Japanese language teacher, Masa and Irena, a self described 'crazy Croation' . However, she is really quite nice. Masa has become our ninja and John is his intern ninja. While Masa bestows us with insightful wisdom, the best Irana had to offer was ' never stay at the Jesus and Mary Alburgue at Pamplona and never accept advice from an elderly English couple who have done the Camino 7 times. The last bit of advice relates directly to the alburgue advice. The walk out of ... read more

29 August 2015, Saturday. Stage 6 GPS: 11.78 miles, 4.36 hours moving and 7 hours total time for day. Fitbit: 14.12 miles, 32,317 steps and 125 stairs. Another warm day. We leave Hospederia Chapitel early after our breakfast and are off in the cool of the morning. The day looked ominous with a 250 meter climb. From the hotel, we walk past the church through town and on up into the countryside. We skirt the mountain instead of going over the top to save another 100 meters of climbing. Shortly after leaving Estelle we pass an old monastery which is no longer in use. But across the path is the Bodegas Irache with its famous wine and water fountain. We get in the line of pilgrims for a sip of wine (it is really much to ... read more

Days are melting together .. walk walk walk ..stop eat sleep wake up, stretch pack ,find coffee and something to eat hopefully within the first hour of heading out then walk walk walk The scenery is dream like , so beautiful, so historic. The Pilgrims we meet on the Way now are the ones that are struggling with some aliment , The healthy young energetic ones have moved on and are way ahead.The common theme now being blisters or a pulled this or strained that . I have a bum right knee but am making do. After 16 miles since leaving Pamplona with many long climbs and slippery descents its holding on with only modetate pain occasionally Since leaving Pomplona we have stayed in Puente la Reina, Lorca and now Estella in Hotel Yerri Tomorrow we ... read more