Day 4 - The Running of the Pilgrims

Sept 15

Destination - Pamplona

Distance - 21km

Hours of walking - Five, including a wonderful lunch break

Terrain - up, down, rocky, smooth, paved, natural = everything!

Weather - see yesterday - also a mixed bag

Nature - one very scary looking German Shepard dog 

Misadventure - Waiting for coffee for our mid morning snack, the bartender dropped a mug from above shattering and a near miss for Edith's eye. 

After a near miss with beds yesterday, we were up and away early, with a rapid pace being set. The trail was good and we were ready to roll. 

Maybe the bridge from the movie, but no one knows for certain

The path was gorgeous and lush and made for easy walking. 

Dee in the forest of green

I have to add Wendy's cheer of the day here to make the post work....

Cheer of the day from Wendy - the best part of the day was anticipating wood fired pizza that we had heard about. It put a spring in our step all morning. When we got there after 10km it was a gorgeous outdoor restaurant and the smell was fantastic. We shared it with our Orrison family. 

Fire oven with pizzas made in front of us 

So very good!

After lunch we had over 10kms to do, tough with a full belly but 

worth it. 

The terrain started to change as we hit the Basque region and got closer to Pamplona. We had a climb and a descent just to make it a day. 

Tough soil conditions 

We tromped into Pamplona and found refuge in a hotel run by German volunteers. It felt like another country, in another country. Once again, Edith was a saviour, speaking her mother tongue getting us beds for the night. The accommodations are a little tight but warm and friendly. 

We had some time before supper to putter around Pamplona and 'run with the Bulls'. 

For dinner, 10 of us found a great bar and threw in money to share a feast of Tapas. The food was fantastic and the conversations fast and lively - even considerably more after the Irish arrived. 

All in all, another fufling day on the Camino. The distance is starting to catch up on limbs and feet. We are tired and very susuptible to both laughter and tears. It feels that is the way it is supposed to be. 

A shout out to Vicky and John May - happy anniversary!! Congratulations!!