Now at Puente la Reina

First day completed!! According to my watch and phone we did 24.74 kms and 37,690 steps (but that does include walking to breakfast and dinner!). But we have survived, and it was a great day. Beautiful green waving new growth of the grain crops, the bright yellow of the rapeseed fields…and clouds that scudded and were blown around delivering sprinkling rain between bursts of blue sky and sun. Rachel and I put on ponchos at one point when it looked as if it might get serious, but it never did - where we were anyway, there was pouring rain in some parts by the look of it.

It was 6°when we started and my hands felt freezing and stiff…so surprising as I was focused on the heat predicted in Madrid before I left! But cold weather is ideal for walking, and I loved it. It did warm up but I did wear my puffer jacket all day - just removing the fleece layer. The highlight of the walk was the long ascent to the alto del perdon which is always a challenge, but we made it, and from there it was downhill all the way…we are staying at the same complex of albergue/hotel we always have stayed…it has been renovated and tarted up, but basically the same, and good. Just had a hearty meal…finally some fresh veggies…and an arroz con leche which I love. Tomorrow we walk to Estella which is slightly shorter than today, but I always remember feeling quite tired on arrival there, so we’ll take it easy, like we did today, stopping, pausing, taking our time in a comfortable way. All good. Off to bed.Read more