Blogs from Pamplona, Navarre, Spain, Europe

Dinner last night was okay. I had spaghetti with tomato sauce and cheese, with a decent salad, water, and an ice cream bar for dessert for 11 euros. I was afraid I would have trouble sleeping again, but soon after 10pm I hit rack and only got up once around 2am to use the restroom, then slept until 6am. We were packed up and on our way soon after 6:30am. We had decided to wait until Larrasoana to eat breakfast. As we were leaving an older lady from Denmark asked if she could join us and so now we are 3. We had decided last night to try for Cizur Menor instead of the typical stop in Pamplona. When we reached Larrasoana, we stopped for breakfast, but almost gave up when we found no place open, ... read more

We got up at 6 am had breakfast with the other pilgrims at 6.30 packed and on the bikes by 7.30. We made good progress up the mountain through beautiful forested areas on a very quiet road. Then the rain started; by 8.30 we were soaked. It was still warm until after 4 hours of uphill climbing from 200m we reached the top 1300m then a cool breeze chilled us. We visited the spectacular monastery at Roncesvalles , them began the descent. Two more hills, then an amazing descent through 20 or more switchbacks. We met loads of fellow pilgrims, met a Spanish cyclist who guided us into Pamplona and found our b&b by 3pm. We explored Pamplona this evening visiting the citadel and the cathedral, tried local wine and Pintxos bought food for breakfast, now ... read more

7 September 2016 Wednesday. Weather: Blazing hot in the high 90´s Distance from Pamplona to Cizur Menor: 7.1 km or 4.4 miles I caught the 7:30 AM train from Barcelona Sants, arriving in Pamplona at 11:17 AM. Here I would begin my pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago. When planning my pilgrimage, I debated whether to spend the night in Pamplona or start my walk right away. In the end I decided to walk the 7 kilometers to Cizur Menor where I had reservations at the highly rated Albergue (hostel) de Maribel Roncal...they care for perigrinos (pilgrims) blistered feet...not that I would need help having just started the walking part of my Camino. And besides I was anxious to get started! I figured the walk to Cizur Menor would take two hours, which would leave me ... read more

After a night of lighting, thunder and rain we wake to a clear morning and we are on the road to Pamplona and the festival of San Fermin. The drive today was great due to the lack of trucks for about 50km, they had their own road next to ours. We also drove through an area where on every ridge there was a wind farm, there was probably more Wind turbines than the whole of Australia & NZ together. We have spent the afternoon walking the streets of the old town centre taking in the atmosphere of a festival and get our bearings so we are ready for the big day tomorrow. Today’s great finds where the monument to the Bull Run which is a 11-metre-long bronze monument that shows 11 runners, 6 bulls and 3 ... read more

The problem is where to start! There are so many cool things happening here. it's hard to figure out at what point to start describing what I have been experiencing. I suppose the most interesting part is the variety of people .. Thousands come out and walk the streets between 8 o'clock and 10 o'clock.mostly young men and woman but also couples , families and the elderly. The restaurants aren't open until 8 o'clock though :( . The Plaza de Castillo has many cafes that are outside with tables under umbrellas which is crowded by 5 o'clock with people drinking talking , people watching other people and having a good time. I suppose the cafes are there as a warm up until the resturants open ? If so very clever . My hostal is one street ... read more