Zariquiegui to Sansol Two/Too LONG HOT DAYS

Up and out again before dawn, this time WAY BEFORE DAWN! Hiked up the hill to the wind farm that straddles the ridge of the mountain. We were lucky to be by ourselves and watch the sunrise with the whoop whoop of the wind mills and a great sculpture that chronicles the history of the peregrinos. The way down was somewhat treacherous with large loose boulders. However, Sharon, the walking machine, had us down the hill in no time. Each turn of the Camino surprises one with a fabulous vista, which we have come to realize can really be appreciated by walking.

Farmer on the way up Zariquiegui

 

Overlooking Pamplona in the early morning

Windmill farm on the ridge.

Sharon, the sculpture and the wind farm at sunrise

 

Going down, if each one of us puts a stone on the pile will they all go away?

Once down the hill we realized we were walking on an old Roman road, over an OLD we are sure was Roman bridge into Punta La Reina which is the place we stopped for our morning croissants and coffee, they were so good (it was actually a bakery) that Blair went back for a second croissant! There is some debate as we have read 2 different accounts as to whether the bridge (Punta) of Punta La Reina is Roman or Medieval. Later in the day we were also walking on another Roman road where we met up with some people from Carnduff Saskatchewan, no they were not wearing their Rider Pride :)

Punta la Reina

Blair on Punta la Reina

 

We have also realized that the mileage signs on the Camino lie the last 2.5 km of our 36.5 km day was actually 8!

 

Wild dill with snails line the roads and paths.

Blair getting water at many fountains on the way

Sometimes it feels like you are on the Yellow Brick Road

 

We had a quick 2 dirty beers, thanks to our friend George for that terminology, which means: beer before shower. We are having a nice Peregrinos Special supper in the main square being serenaded by a horrible trombone player*, only his family is clapping :(. Have to get back to the municipal alburgue ( 6 euros) for 10 pm curfew...

Dinner in Estrella

 

So people quieted down as far as voices went but between snores, coughs, snorts, farts, there was not much sleep to be had AND there was one woman who had slept all of the previous evening and started packing and repacking her pack at 4:30 am! Well everyone started getting up, so out of self defence we got up at 5:30.

 

Estrella cathedral in the EARLY morning

This was a 29 km day of olive orchards, vineyards and, new for us, fresh figs. Blair made a couple of detours into farmers fields for a hand full of grapes, very sweet. They ranged in size from the size of peas to globe grape size, all purple. We also passed a winery run by monks that have a fountain for water and a fountain for red wine. Peregrinos are invited to fill up both flasks:)

Vineyards

Monastery at Estrella

Winery at the monastery at Estrella. Take your choice or both!

 

Sharon and Blair heading out of Estrella

Happy feet and tomato, lunch in Los Arcos

Later in the day we passed a shepherd who was tending many sheep with his 2 border collies he said there were 1000 sheep there under the trees unfortunately we did not get a picture as it was close to Sansol and we were ready to be done for the day but he offered us fresh figs, a bit sweet for Sharon but Blair loved them. This is not an uncommon thing for farmers to leave fresh produce for peregrinos at the side of the road. There was pears in a box the other day.

Path to Sansol

So now we are at The Alburgue Sansol, a smaller private place, that is clean and spacious with a WONDERFUL footbath pool. Bed, dinner and breakfast come together, you get a free beer and washing if you take the package. The people are telling is that it is uncommonly hot for this time of year, it was over 30 again today but this is a great place so well worth the hike in the heat!

Alburgue Sansol, Italian riders having "dirty beers". You can walk ride or horseback ride the Camino, many bikers, Brian?

Door into dining room at alburgue, footbath on the right :)

Courtyard in Alburgue Sansol, old shell, interior styled in old Spanish but modern conveniences

Happy feet and "dirty beer" in Sansol

* The next day we stopped for lunch in Los Arcos and heard the same trombone player in the square there! (Still sounding bad.)

A final word on Kylie Manogue: You never know when you will hear her - and once you do - she will NEVER leave you.

 

 

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