Pamplona to Puente La Reina. 19.08 -24-something kms

For some crazy reason people at the hostel started getting ready at 5.30 already! So much for my plan of sleeping in a little (an extra half hour) since it was my birthday.

I started get ready as well and was out at 6.00 already. It was quite obvious that I overdid yesterday. My thighs were very sore and I started fearing the challenges that lay ahead. Around half way to Puente la Reina I would have to cross Alto de Pérdon. The descend is truly crazy and it is important to bend the knees this putting the weight on the things when walking downhill in order to not damage your knees. However, so wasn't quite sure I could trust my thighs enough for the work that lay ashes.

Oh well, first I had to get there. The Camino is harder for me this year compared to last year and I think it is due to the fact that mentally I am not at the best place at the moment and that I haven't trained my legs the same way I did last year. The route last year was also demanding with two hard and long mountains to climb so it isn't because the route this year is harder. Walking long distances in hilly terrain day after day can be har mentally and I truly feel I need the extra brainpower I had last year. Furthermore, I never experience sore muscles last year whereas I certainly do this year. Enough with the complaining I just wanted to share my experience. :-)

I didn't take many pictures as I once again just focused on taking one step after the other. While listening to music.

The weather was gorgeous. Somebody apparently needed my sunscreen and my sunglasses more than me so I was without the fibre day. Luckily I didn't burn and the sunscreen has been replaced. The sunglasses will have to wait since I am simply to cheap to pay €30 for a pair of no name hideous sunglasses. I hope I will come across other places that sell them.

Up up up

 

And more up..

Pilgrims at the top.

  

And another one. I forgot to take a picture if him do this one I actually borrowed from somewhere I don't remember so I can't even credit the person. Sorry. :-/

The walk into Puente la Reina was like this most of the way. And yes it is flat. :-) 

I passed lots of fields and it is clear that the scenery is slowly starting to change to fields instead of mountains. Right now I kinda like that change. ;-)

Almost there!

 

Puente la Reina is a small village with narrow streets. And a church of course!

A river runs through the village.

Whenever there's a river there's a bridge and this one is very known on the Camino. And it is quite clear why that is.

Birthday equals food, right? I started off with a tortilla with crab salad. Sounds our but it was actually ok. My beloved black coffee on the side. Those Spanish people really know how to make coffee! I would more here simply because of that.

I had another cup of coffee and had a chocolate on the side. It wasn't that good though. Tasted a bit like the cheap chocolate you buy for cooking (kogechokolade), so I actually only ate half believe it or not.

Another place another tortilla and coffee. This time it was a tortilla con chorizo y jamon. Very nice!

I had tapas for dinner but since I didn't bring my phone I have no pictures to show. But think cheese, sausages, olives, peppers and the like and then you get the picture.

 

I finished off with this bad boy. And now I am full and slightly nauseous. Good thing my next birthday is a whole year away. ;-)

I am spending the night at a private albergue which is run by a very nice and helpful lady that actually speaks decent English. 

It is called Albergue Puente and is €12 incl breakfast. Breakfast is bread with bread so she offered me the bed only for 10. Very nice.

Last night I slept with 50 other people. Tonight only with three. The bed is good. Not too soft.

View from my room.

The best feature of the albergue must be this roof top terrace though. I wanna take it and the view home with me!

Now it is time to sleep. I wanna make it to Villamayor de Manjarin (or something like that. Too lazy to look it up) which is 31 kms away from where I am now. For the first time ever I have actually booked a bed. It is quite busy on the Camino and I would hate to have to walk on because there are no avalaible beds. I don't like the "bed race" and I am actually against booking ahead because that keeps the race alive and removes some of the charm of the Camino. But due to the state of my legs I don't want to risk walking all day to find a place.

Thanks for reading! :-)

Espinal to Pamplona 18.08 - 34,9 kms

I woke up at 5.40 already and decided I might as well (check Facebook, Instagram and what not and) get going.

Unfortunately my clothes weren't dry, so Ursula was given an extra task today.

By 6.00 I was out in the road. It was a little chilly but after walking around 15 minutes it wasn't a problem anymore. 

Today I walked in forests most of the tines meaning that I missed the sunrise (bummer) and the view of mountains in general. The paths I walked made sure that I was never in doubt that I was indeed walking in steep hills still. The entire day it was up and down and I hardly encountered a flat piece of land. I am starting to feel it in my thighs and beee-hind that I have walked downhill quite a lot the last few days meaning sore muscles. My knees are fine though and muscle soreness over joint pain any day.

When I stopped at a bar (cafe like) for my first cup of coffee I had to smile when I visited the bathroom. The bar owner was really pampering the pilgrims by having installed some aid for tired and sore legs. ;-) Came in quite handy I must say.

Cute little newish village along the way that clearly catered a lot to pilgrims. I wonder if the village would be there had it not been for the Camino actually.

I didn't take that many pictures today. Mainly because the view wasn't that spectacular (I mean, if you've seen one tree you have kinda seen them all, you know) but also because I really had to focus in the path. It was very uneven filled with rocks of various sizes and one could easily trip or snap an ancle. So I laid attention to the road and listened to music. Today was challenging for me (for the head more than the body actually) so I needed all the distraction I could get. Whenever my lungs would allow it I also sang out loud. So if you've heard about some crazy girl singing loudly (and off key) in Spain chances are it could me. ;-)

Every now and then a glimpse of mountains.

A little hard to see perhaps but at times it was so steep the cyclists even had to get off and walk.

A little encouragement when the going got tough.

After what seemed like an eternity I finally started reaching Pamplona. I am actually not sure why or when I decided on walking that far and I am afraid I have overdone it a bit today. Time will tell tomorrow I guess. ;-)

Entering a big city on the Camino is always a little nerve wracking since the signing can be pretty bad (Ponferrada I am talking to you here!! It was no fun walking around for two hours trying to find the right arrows.) but Pamplona presented us with big signs you couldn't miss. Me guesto as I believe they sat around here.

In the suburbs of Pamplona I passed a rather dodgy area. The above houses stood out due to the artistic look. The rest looked more like a ghetto with graffiti. 

However, the entrance to Pamplona was very nice. 

.... And hilly obviously!

The streets are cute and narrow and the cathedral is not too bad either.

Bull souvenirs EVERYWHERE!

And Pintxos of course!

I opted for a tortilla though.

Earlier today I had some cheese as well. I snack quite a lot here. I prefer that over having a bigger meal in the stomach when walking. And I am a big fan if snacking in general so now when it seems more legitimate I won't pass the chance. ;-)

After my snack I was being a real Spanish person and had a little siesta in the (damp) grass. I like the idea! Let's bring that concept to DK.

Tonight I am staying at Jesus y Maria. I think it is an old church or something like that. It is a rather big place but quite decent (and the wifi is fast :-)) and only set me back €8.

Now I hope to sleep soon. The last climb for the next few days wait tomorrow (well, and my birthday as well.. ;-)) Followed by another crazy descend. Poor poor thighs!