Day 6: To Biskarreta

Today I headed out pretty early from Roncesvalles.

I stopped at the little chapel on the way out because the door was open, and the light was on. It sure is pretty.

It was still dark and I was hoping to get coffee in Burguete. But there was nothing open and I mean literally nothing. The supermarket didn't open until eight and I didn't want to wait. None of the restaurants were open, even though it was after seven when I finally gave up. I couldn't even find a fountain to fill up my bottle. I would've done it at Roncesvalles at Casa Sabina, but last night when I was washing my clothes every time I turned the water on a lot of black gunk came out of the faucet. So I was afraid to drink it, and the bar wasn't open when I left. I figured I would fill up at the fountain in Burguete. But it was out of order.

I continued walking another few kilometers into Espinal. I stopped at the first bar open and had a nice piece of tortilla, a glass of juice and a café con leche. I visited for a few minutes with some friends and then continued walking toward Biskarreta. I was trying to hook up with Andrea who I had loaned my China bag to so she could return it but she was way ahead of me on the trail. I told her where I was staying and she dropped it off and it all worked out great. It was here when I showed up.

I did that because I think tomorrow I will carry my pack but put a lot of heavy things in backpack transport because I remember that walk into Zubiri being a bit of a tough one. I've heard that they've upgraded the trail, but I'm not sure how upgraded it is until I walk it.

The walk today was beautiful. The sun was hot, but much of it was in shaded forest, and the wind was blowing quite strongly, which actually was nice because it cooled my back when it would blow between my pack in my back.

I had to chuckle when I came to that place in the trail where the water flows and you have to walk over those blocks to get past it? It was like a traffic jam. There were so many people standing there not knowing what to do so I just jumped up on the rocks and went across and said this is how you do it! A few people followed me. I don't know what happened to the rest. They were quite befuddled by the situation.

I stopped by the supermarket, which is way at the other end of the village. I got some bread, some tuna, some cheese and a couple of cold drinks. I also picked up a jar of jam so I can have bread with cheese and jam in the morning. Food is a lot more expensive this year than in the past so I need to start picnicking even more.

I checked into Casa Batit. I had walked right past it on my way to the supermarket so I had to walk clear to the other end of the village to find it. It is a lovely Casa Rural and the lady of the house has given me the entire top floor. The common areas include a kitchen with the microwave and a gas range, a coffee maker, a refrigerator and freezer. There's also a sala if you want to watch TV, as well as a dining room. I share a bathroom, but so far there's no one to share it with. I got my shower early and got my clothes washed and now I'm enjoying a cup of hot chocolate trying to stay awake so I can get a full night sleep tonight.

I will post photos of the Casa.

Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be a little bit cooler. I'm looking forward to that walk. So far, so good.Read more