Camino Baztan

Set off at 8.45 in the rain and arrived 8h later at 16.45. Total hiking time of nearly 4h with long breaks in the morning to avoid the rain, then steep hill 500m up and similarly steep 300m back down. Luckily no more rain but rather chilly at the top. Ina also got lost briefly and found her mobile was running out of battery. When trying to reload with her new battery pack, suddenly had meltdown in her mobile’s charging point. Back in hotel tried with Andrea's cable in normal socket but mobile seems the problem. So now need to see if we can find cheap mobile along the route or in Pamplona, or wait until back in Brittany. At least the mini iPad still working when hooked up to WiFi.
Overall this has been an excellent day since I have had no problem with my feet or knees, did not notice them at all. The extremely long ascent was trying - whenever I came round a bend in the path thinking this is it, going down at last or at least going flat, it continued up! And then when it did go down it was not a large track any longer, but a narrow stony extremely steep path which Andrea flew down like a mountain goat and I tried as best I could. And I did manage reasonably well - later she told me that she had gone deliberately slowly so I could keep up with her! Although this was a short stage I am tired (as usual) and glad to have reached a nice room with a comfortable bed!Read more