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Published: September 27th 2014
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We rose today a little later and ate breakfast together at 7am. It is ideal outside; a little chilly but clear and sunny. We travelled the short distance to Akarreta, uphill of course but what else. It is a lovely hamlet set on the side of the hill on the way to Zuriain.
Set on the River Arga, Zurian is a nice stop for a drink stop or whatever. There is very little there but it was abuzz with fellow travellers, happy and glad to have day one's confidence deep inside them. By the time you arrived there the aches of yesterday were gone, or deadened with painkillers, and everyone had a common bond if not a common language. We still seem to be able to communicate but how I can be confused for an Englishman i do not know. It's happened a few times now.
From Zurian we walked along the road for 600 metres and recrossed the Arga on our way to Irotz. This is a great place on a hillside where 2 guys run a pizza cafe operating 2 woodfired ovens. Check the pics because this was my ideal job. We got chatting about al hornos
and I showed them a picture of mine. The guy with the beard became a bit animated, showed the shot to his mate and asked me to come and cook lunch on Sunday. He said he would bring a gift, probably wine. Oh, al horno is a woodfired oven so I have another term in my Spanish vocabulary; it's growing. Unfortunately , or not, I will be walking to Puente La Reina on Sunday and declined his offer.
Trinidad de Arre, on the rio Ulzama, is our next village and is on the outskirts of Pamplona. It has a magnificent mediaeval stone bridge leading you into short term delight before we walked through Pamplona. Again the girl on the horse appeared as we entered town. It seems people come and go on the Camino, and then pop up again when you least expect it.
The walk through Pamplona was pretty mundane except for crossing the Arga again on the Puente de la Magdalena,, the most important of all bridges in Pamplona, as it has a cross, probably placed in the 16th century, with the image of St James on it, to guide pilgrims through Pamplona on their way
to Santiago.
We entered Santiago across the 12th century draw bridge and made our way into a town in the middle of a festival weekend. Well planned and a fitting welcome from the good folk of Pamplona. The six of us had lunch together in the Plaza Consistorial next to tha old City Hall and bid farewell for the time being as we were staying over to pick up Tim, our son who is joining us for the remainder of the Camino. We have arranged to meet in Leon but either way, we have each other's details and will communicate and catch up again for sure.
It's strange but you form close bonds on the Camino and it is really hard to part company. I will be in touch with them again; hopefully in Leon.
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Liz Payne
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Fantastic Adventure!
Well what a spectacular adventure!! Whilst I certainly do not envy you the walking I do envy the experience. I am so proud of you both...to leave your comfort zone and embark upon this pilgrimage is awe-inspiring. Sue you are fading away in each day's photos! Make sure you eat enough to sustain you...have a cake or five for me! Steve I really love the prosaic descriptions of your blogs. It almost takes us long with you. Enjoy every minute of this lifetime journey, even those filled with aches no pains. They too are part of your journey's rich tapestry. Be safe, fulfilled and happy as you travel together. Liz x