It was very nice the first few miles....flat going through Logorno downtown and the into the suburbs it was all parks for quite a while. When we got into the country, it was park like for a long time and still quite flat....a nice way to start the day. We walked around our first lake and then started going up high. Overall we gained about 900 feet today. I am sure it was not as bad as yesterday...or I am just getting used to the uphill.
We were in wine country the whole day...rolling hills with vineyard after vineyard and winery after winery. Very few cereal fields today. We saw some very old vines and the several new vineyards they were still working on. We just went through two towns today. Stopped for Andy's coffee in Navarette and ate a pecan Danish we got at the bakery last night and ate our lunch Ventosa. Had a beautiful view of the countryside while eating lunch...so quaint and relaxing. Andy thinks he needs to loosen the laces in his shoes, too...his feet hurt today, but we really pounded out the miles - and we were on asphalt a good bit.
I have to say that I think I have a little more stamina and energy than Andy at this point. He gets pretty worn out in the afternoon sun and has to drink lots of water with electrolytes. It was nice and cool until about 1:00 today...very pleasant. Tonight it is already getting chilly by about 6:00. I am on a park bench by a cafe that has free WiFi and I am shivering as I write.
Had some frustration when I tried to get money at an ATM for the first time today. Years ago when we went to Englad we could get $500 a day if we wanted. So, silly me, I tried to take out 500, then 400, then 300 Euro....and got rejected. Called the emergency number to Wells Fargo and found out we only have a $310 limit. Really wasn't happy because in a lot of of these little towns they have no access. I had planned to get $500 every 10 to 14 days - now we will have to remember to get it much more often and when we have access. Plan to talk with the bank again when we get home. But, we can manage. In the bigger scheme of things, it is not such a big deal....
Our Albergue is just one big dorm room with about 80 bunk beds in it. Need some heavy duty sleeping pills, I think. Could be a rough night. But we are grateful for a bed....all 5 places in town were filled up by about three...with many pilgrims arriving later...tired and beat up. I am convinced that a lot of people come with little training and think they can take it slow and do it all.
We had another nice pilgrims plate for supper....shared our table with two very nice German girls. They were surprised when we invited them to join us....that is very common in Germany but they were shocked Americans would do it...until we told them we had spent 8 years in Germany. Was fun Connection. They started the walk in Pamplona...only have limited time. They have already sent 7 Kilos of stuff home that they decided they didn't need to carry...we all laughed over that!
I must admit I didn't take a shower today. My feet did really well though the 18.7 miles, but I thought getting them soaked and soft might not help the healing process. I promise I will take one tomorrow. Did I write that in most places we must leave our smelly boots in a special room? You cannot taken them In to the sleeping quarters...they are dusty, dirty, and smelly! It is inconvenient but really necessary!
All for now. I am really cold now and keep loosing the signal. Don't want to loose what I have written!
The Albergue, along with upscale shops and cafes were along the River Najerilla.
2 comments:
Love your blogging:) I hope bill meets mice folks like you when he goes!
Praying for your sleep and your feet. Praying for stamina and strength. I love the Prayer of the Pilgrims from your previous post. It is a prayer we could all pray as we journey through our day. I was especially struck by the phrase that the Lord be "the power of our intention." A good reminder that I can intend to do many things but without the involvement of the Holy Spirit my intentions can be futile.
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