Camino de Santiago

Day#4
52 mi total since day one
1425ft elevation changes

During the night there was a large thunderstorm. At one point the crack of thunder was so loud it shook the hostel and I jumped up hearing rattling and clinking of dishes. One women jumped and then promptly fell out of her bunk. Luckily she chose the bottom. She did say a few choice words. Knowing more rain was predicted to start some time that day and hearing sunrise at the high point on this leg of the Camino was great I set off at 4:30am. I am getting very practiced at packing everything I can before going to sleep, then picking up my belongings and tip toeing to the bathroom where I stuff my liner and sleeping bag in the stuff sack do a few things and quietly go out the front door before I wake anyone. There was one pilgrim right behind me only he drug his stuff to the kitchen. I donned the headlamp and start down the path. I learned to scout how the path leaves town so I don’t have a repeat of day one (getting lost). Not long after exiting town the kitchen pilgrim caught up to me. He had on high beams so I stepped aside and let him pass. All I had to do was follow the glow of his headlamp and check his navigation. Also a lesson from first day. Don’t assume the pilgrims you’re following knows their way OR are going your way. At the top, right at sunrise, were cutouts of pilgrims over the centuries, a cross to lay your stone you brought from home. This monument is called Alto de Pardon, a place of forgiveness. I laid my stone there and got back on the trail, a steep decline that was really tumbled and loose with big roundish rocks. Nearly fell twice. But those walking sticks are life savers. The rest of the walk was pleasant with a few sights to see in this agricultural area for cereal grains and wine vineyards. Cool snail about the size of a golf ball. I tasted the grapes. Mighty tasty! It was about 10am and the clouds started opening up. When I saw lightning nearby I decided to grab a room and head for cover. I am so glad I did as it just began raining buckets. I slept for an hour and then went in search of food, which I found at a nearby grocer. The restaurants have weird hours because of a festival so grocers it is. It was a shorter day that I may be able to make up some of tomorrow. Got in about 9.5 miles even with the rain. I only had another 2mi to get to my destination (Puenta la Reina) however, this tiny room is private and comfy and has it’s own bathroom with warm shower, and no snoring. Oh, what I would pay for a soak in a very hot tub. I’ve started to earnestly look for that hot soak and a massage . Looking ahead the leg to Estella tomorrow may have some more hill climbing. Last photos are of the town church and preparation for a bull running festival. The drown bug is how I felt after being out in the rain.Read more