Aizkorri and on to Salvatierra/Agurain

Last night I got a call that Joe had fallen. Steve was right there, and within a few hours, Joe was back at Amber Glen, with some stitches and bruises, but he says he feels OK today. The staff is being extra vigilant, but I’m so glad for the ViewClix, which gives me instant access. Seeing each other every day seems to make him much more peaceful.

22K and 800 m elevation —in my comfort zone, right? I am now a much wiser peregrina when it comes to knowing my limits. Those first 6 km took me five hours! That included a half hour stop up at the top, and many short stops to gaze at the wonderful mountains all around me, and I did go extra slow on the way down. Mountain kms are a horse of a different color!

I was once again the beneficiary of a lot of first hand knowledge from a Basque member of the Camino web forum. The mountain he suggested for today is Aizkorri. It is much loved by the Basque people and is one of several mountains where many people climb to the top on either New Year’s Day or New Year’s Eve, with hot chocolate being served. One of the people I met on the way up today told me that champagne is not out of the question either.

I took a taxi to a good starting point, and off I went by about seven. It was really beautiful, through a dense beech forest with lots of moss covered rocks. When I got out of the forest, there were just views all around me. Lots of rocky crags, lots of views of towns and big fields below with shepherds’ huts. I met two groups of young people on their way down. They had slept up there, just on mats and a sleeping bag. It seems to be a popular custom for young people in the area.

Once I got to the San Adrian tunnel, where I picked up the Camino, it was after noon, and I still had about 14 km to go. Some of it was pretty much of a slog, a lot on sunny untraveled roads.

I am in Agurain/Salvatierra (Basque/castellano). I was able to reserve a spot in the tour tomorrow that will take us to four beautiful little churches. I am hoping very much that I meet someone in the group who will give me a ride, otherwise I’m not sure how I’ll see these places.Leia mais