August 29, 2011

Typing this at an albergue and may have to limit my time.

The walk from Estella to Los Arcos was truly pleasant and enjoyable. More winding than precepitous ups and downs. A lot of the path goes through olive groves and vineyards, the vine heavy with dark purple grapes. I stopped for lunch at a bar in Monjardin. A caffe con leche and a warm slice of tortilla were delicious and hit the spot. Chatted with a young Mexican couple about Camino stages and best places for rest days.

Los Arcos is another medieval town with narrow winding streets. The Camino enters town through one such and takes you to the parish church beside the one remaining gate out of town. The Camino exits here.

Tomorrow, Logrono. Actually today is in Logrono, but times up on the computer and someone is standing over me waiting to use it.

Adios for now!

August 28, 2011

Been a bit of time between entries. Had some cellphone problems to work out as I couldn´t contact my wife. All fixed now, hopefully.

Puente la Reina was beautiful. A sleepy little town with narrow, centuries old streets. The puente in Puente la Reina is a centuries old high-arched bridge over the river. Very picturesque! The Camino out of Puente la Reina begins with a lovely and quiet country path through fields and farmlands, cool and shaded. Then, it gets a little nasty. It climbs up almost 45 degrees for a good 200 yards (those who have done this stretch before may quibble with the distance, half way up I ceased caring.

The entire Puente la Reina to Estella strech has some absolutely lovely scenery. Included in this is the medieval hill top town of Ciraqui.... spelling may be off! Also some lovely climbs and quite precipitous descents.... the latter not particularly loved by my right knee.

Estella is a town with some of the best of medieval and modern Spain. Bueatiful churches and old buildings. The main square is surrounded by out door cafes filled to overflowing of an evening with townsfolk out celebrating life and families. A certain joy to watch.

I stayed at the municipal albergue and will not bother you my rather tainted perceptions of the crowding and noise. Suffice it to say that the next night was spent in a hotel to catch up on my sleep.

August 26, 2011

First full day, walking from Pamplona to Puente la Reina. It rained for the first half of the day. More importantly, it rained while we were climbing up to Alto du Perdon. So a nice, if invigorating, climb up a rustic trail was turned into a slip sliding affair on slippery rocks and very clinging mud. Not sure, but I think I might have been personally responsible for shifting several pounds of the finest Navarran mud (on my boots).

Standing on Alto du Perdon was breathtaking! the views were simply amazing. But, having probably seen a hundred or more photos of the peregrino cutouts, to be standing there looking at them was undescribable. So I had someone take my picture in front of them, complete with silly grin.

The afternoon was sunny and hot, more like I´d expected. That made the walk through Uterga and Obanos more pleasant. The churches are fantastic, of course. But I also admire some of the newer residences with their beautiful stone and tile work. In Muruzabal, I stopped to watch some stoneworkers restoring a centuries old house; one of the obvious restorations I saw.

It´s now mid-afternoon, time to go and enjoy a beer and log the pictures I took today (surprisingly few, actually).

August 21, 2011

Three days to go and I'm double checking what I will be carrying. I've got the weight down to just under 20 lbs, including a three-quarters full water bladder. Still a couple of minor things to finalize, like a haircut. I fly out Wednesday night and then spend Thursday traveling to Pamplona.

Very eager to get going after all of this preparation. I also find I'm feeling a little nervousness at the start of this great adventure/experience. I hope that this will quickly give way to a greater feeling of excitement as my foot finally hits the ground on the Camino. 

August 16, 2011

One week tomorrow! After a year and a half (at least) of researching and planning, I'm a week away from leaving. Next Wednesday, August 24 I fly from Toronto to Madrid. I arrive the next morning and take the train to Pamplona. The walking starts early on the morning of August 26.

Now that I'm so close to starting out on this great adventure, I can honestly admit to experiencing both elation and some trepidation. I'm eager to experience the Camino. I'm also eager to see the beautiful places that until now I've only read about. But, it'll be close on to 6 weeks when this is over and I am once again back home. To say that I will miss my wife, and our family, would be a serious understatement.