Blogs from Navarre, Spain, Europe - page 2

Photos as promised!... 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

Last night ended with a recital by a French women’s choir after we had finished our meal. They sang traditional songs, and the harmonies from the 15 or so members was very moving. French people at the meal joined in and added to the emotion that we felt. I automatically thought of someone who would have loved it; sorry Sue, you had to be there. Today we walked through rocky crevices, light filled valleys and oak lined tracks to arrive at Cizor Minor. I walked mainly with John from Colorado and Karem from Brazil. John and I share common views on many things so he was great to walk and talk with. Karem is a delightful young woman with a backpack as heavy as mine, and the shoulder and calf injuries to prove it. She claims ... read more

Just a couple of questions first. Is it bad luck if your glasses fall off your head into a communal toilet? Any suggestions on the best way to clean E.coli germs from a pair of multifocals? I wore my sunglasses all day today. If I ever decide to walk across the Pyrenees Mountains again, remind me that today was the most physically demanding day of my life and I never want to repeat it. I won’t be writing much today because my keyboard finger hurts, as does everywhere else. Also I have a pair of glasses to clean. The morning began with fresh croissants and coffee ( sounds good so far) and I walked out of the albergue alone at 7am. Already I’m a better person; no rush, no alarm set. I knew the pack was ... read more

Es war bei der Abfahrt trocken und kalt. Leider brauchte ich ewig, um aus B heraus zu finden. Das quadratische Strassenmuster ist zwar gut. Aber das Einbahnstraßen System ist schwierig. Faszinierend, wenn direkt neben der mautpflichtih9Autobahn eine 6spurige Strasse verläuft, die nichts kostet. Ich wählte letztere Strasse. Die Mautgebühren sind recht drastisch, 80 km kosteten für Paul und mich 8 Euro. Montserat: ich war besonders beeindruckt von der Masse der Parkplätze. Sie lassen übles ahnen. Auch Kosten sie ziemlich viel, Außer man fährt über den Bürgersteig und vermeidet die Zahlstelle. Dafür eignet sich Paul gut. Horden von Japanern.... Sie machen eh nur Selfies, die können Sie doch einfach daheim machen. Dann ist es hier nicht so voll und sie haben keinen Stress. Ich hatte Glück und kam gerade noch in die Kirche, vor der Zutritt gesperrt ... read more