Day 3 - The forests of Navarra

Burguete Auritz to Urdaniz
23.3km
A wholesome pilgrims breakfast at Hotel Loizu and on the road by 8:15 on a chilly morning but perfect blue skies again. My morning walking buddy was Roy from Quebec and discussions ranged from Lord of the Rings, to policy analysis, to Trump, and Machu Picchu. Also bumped into Kiwis Richard and Denise from Auckland.
Walking conditions were perfect through the beech forests, mid teens temperatures, good underfoot but with some puffing Billy hill climbs and stream crossings.
Some pretty villages on the way until the morning coffee at El Dragon, and then lunch served from a caravan at Alto de Erro.
The downhill to Zubiri was a killer, very stony path and relatively steep with jagged shale rock shelves to navigate. My toes took a hammering, blister country for sure.
After Zubiri walked the last few km to the guesthouses at Urdaniz.
Took a walk to see the nearby Abby but was all locked up.
Walking distance so far = 8.2 + 22.5 + 23.3 today = 54km.
Moments of the day was the peaceful dappled shade walking through the forests with birdsong and wind pushing through the leaves. Also, having the flock of sheep being herded past us, a Navarra traffic jam.
Lesson learned so far is from Bruce the Australian, 88 years old on his 5th Camino. “I have a box waiting for me. I’m walking to keep ahead of it.”Read more