Sansol to Logrono...short day of surprises

Today was the most civilized early morning so far! People were quiet leaving, we were up and out just before the sunrise because we knew it would be a short day (only 18 km) no rushing.

Just before sunrise out of Sansol

Sunrise on an OLD church

Then more olive groves and vineyards... today Blair's grape break turned out to be our first green grapes, so good. Yesterday Blair nearly had grapes and fresh escargot, he wasn't paying attention and nearly ate a snail that was nestled in the bunch! LOL!

Olive groves and vineyards out of Sansol in Navarre

We are constantly reminded that we are in Basque Country and of course there are many different signs that tell us we are on the right path but today we saw some really nice graffiti.

One of the many Basque reminders

We are on the right path

Yesterday when we were on the path we heard the roar of engines on the other side of the hill around Los Arcos and found out today that it is a course for racing one level lower than F1, it was hard for Blair not to stop to check it out.

This is the weekend so there is many events happening everywhere. We stopped for our morning coffee in Vianna and when we were walking through the town and out into the country we noticed police and traffic cops just and wondered what was going on, we soon found out.

As we were crossing a bridge over the highway came a parade of motorcycles, motorcycle cops and a van with Spanish blaring, following that were the stars of the weekend, the peloton of the last stage of the Tour of Spain headed out of Logrono, so that's one event.

Lead rider just out of picture, last leg Tour de Spain

Beginning of multiple support vehicles, including 2 medico trucks and 2 ambulances

We arrived in Logrono and found out they are also holding their first half and full marathon so a wellness fair with that, the upside was we were able to purchase some sport drink powder to help us through the hot afternoons. As expected much was booked, we had thought about getting a private room but all were booked up so went into 10 bed room in central Logrono at lunchtime.

Unfortunately another event seems to be a wedding. And it also seems the ALL the wedding party is booked into this hotel. Should be an interesting night.

Ate lunch in the park then went for a beer in the plaza in front of the cathedral Santa Maria de la Redonda where we were treated to ring side seats of a wedding. Looked like they only opened the cathedral to a select few as many of the guests were waiting outside, when the couple came out we were treated to explosive confetti, firecrackers and booming fireworks that reverberated through the plaza.

 

Flower girls collecting confetti after the guests had moved on.

 

Turns out that there is also a food festival of some sort. It's actually easy to tell when there is food happening in Spain the VOLUME rises significantly!

Looks like a fun time we are going back tonight for supper.

I want four of those!

So it is some kind of festival ( food and otherwise) here tonight, went out for tapas as appies then a pilgrims dinner, walked the streets, watched street performers, now going to try to get some sleep, we'll see, tomorrow we head to Najerra, we have already booked a room as we hear that it is their festival tomorrow, fun but tiring after walking 30 km.

 

Drum corps performing on festival night in Logrono

 

 

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