Time for a break

We weren't going to walk today but pushed ourselves as far as the wine fountain. 

Here we are as captured via the webcam:

And here's a photo taken by a fellow pilgrim. 

In case you are wondering, the wine is not good!

We then started walking to the next town but I was really struggling, Penny is also having some difficulties with her knee. So we decided to turn back to the bus station about 1km behind us. 

The timetable suggested a fifty minute delay so we waited in the freezing cold until the bus didn't arrive. It turns out that you need to phone to get them to pick up from there on that run. The next bus was 3&1/2 hours later. At that stage we caught a taxi to Los Arcos where we are still waiting for a bus but in a nice warm bar. 

A nice tochino & quesa bocadillo (bacon & cheese sandwich) and a hot chocolate, loosen the boot laces and I'm starting to feel human again. 

Penny looks happier too!

Anyway, for today after a 5 km walk we are finished. 

We will catch bus to Logroño where we stay for two nights and resume walking on Wednesday.  This will put us back on schedule as far as the guidebook is concerned. 

Estella

We passed the Queen's bridge on the way out of Puente la Reigna this morning. It was built in mediaeval times to help pilgrims. 

Today we walked to Estella, it was a day of constant climbs and descents including some very tricky paths. 

There was a cool vending area with free wifi that I'm sure Andrew and I stopped at as well. 

I remembered this from last time:

Poor old New Zealand. 

I'm going to have to take a rest day tomorrow, it is getting increasingly difficult to walk mostly due to a 50¢ coin size blister on the ball of my foot but also general aches and pains. I think we will take a bus to the next town and start again from there. 

Alto del Perdón

This is the first iconic place on the camino. Despite what Mr Hockey thinks I think wind turbines look OK.  They are noisy up close (<50m) but from a distance OK.

D02 - Stats

For those interested in the stats

Back to my old stomping grounds

 

Two years ago Andrew and I stayed at this private Albergue (Pensione Uso) in Zubiri.   It's really well done, all day long I was looking forward to getting here. 

Unfortunately last night we decided to do some laundry but couldn't dry it, wet laundry is heavier than a broken heart!!

The walk today was easier but downhill sections on poor ground is not easier I think both of us have lost a shoe size due to compressed toes!

Tonight we are sharing the albergue with a lovely couple from Germany & Italy. They cooked a wonderful dinner for us while we were having a post walk nap. 

Here are some photos:

It's a long way to Tipperary 

Still smiling!

Some of the walk ways were flooded over boot height:(

D01 - Stats

For those interested in the stats:

Very wet in Roncesvalles

The well dressed (and still dry pilgrim).

A very hard first day, I think it's meant to sort the men & women from the boys & girls!