Day 11.. we have walked over 200 km
On day 9 we left the beautiful Navarre Region and came into the wine growing region of Rioja and its capital Longrono.
A few snaphots ( sorry can´t post photos here)
*** An Englishman sits in the awning of his white van next to the Camino track just outside Longrono.He runs a pilgrim support service, very friendly, helpful, and we have a chat and move on. I have heard of his kindly presence on the Camino in discussion groups.
***Terribly geographically embarassed in Longrono City despite masses of phampletts and directions from the couteous tourist information. We have trouble finding the out of city centre albergue but we come across other pigrims later standing lost on corners looking for signs and wonders.
***There is a single occupant in the albergue and he is snoring at 2pm like a chain saw with a faulty motor.. Honestly there were vibrations all around. Pilgrims had scattered to the four walls of the large open spaced double bunk beds area. Someone said later that he had the flu s
*** We have decided to lighten our load and send on luggage 350 km to leon. What followed was a comic international exchange in the Post Office but the assistants were very kind and we came out 7kg lighter.
*** Well the packs felt a bit lighter the next day but still heavy ( I kept thinking about the weight of the two apples in my pack for dinner..)
****And yes the chain snorer did not appear again but we were ambushed by a snorere next to us. All part of communal living and we have had some really good experiences so far.
After a 19 km walk on day 10 we came to ventosa set in the wine fields...yes on a hill...The Albergue was so really homely...new,clean,Bach playing, incense smoke drifting through the reception, small rooms,large patio and garden, and large lounge....home away from home.
**** We had tea with Julie a pyschologist from South Africa. We had crossed trails many times in the last few days...It was a delightful three course Peregrino meal in a local restaurant....I had hardly eaten during the day and eating a large meal at 8pm is a Spanish Cultural happening.
*** On Saturday we moved through more vineyards and saw many whole families out working there picking. There have been many tractors with trailers laden with grapes sharing our tracks
Today at Azofora a short 15km walk we have our own two bed room in a designed Pilgrim Albergue...it is LUXURY ... big garden.
We arrived here at 1pm and have had a three course meall in the middle of the day.
Walking does become quite a self pre occupation... However in the churches it has been good to reflect quietly on life and people so our thoughts are often with loved ones, friends, acquaintances, work friends etc.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Dear Nan and Pa,
ReplyDeleteWe miss you so much and you we hope you are having a great time. I hope that you like all the people you meet and I will see you very soon later on. We think you are both very special for walking all that way.
Love Olivia, Audrey and Rose.