An easy walk today – 18 km and 3:48 (see map).
The country is opening up now, out of the high passes and deep valleys of the past week. Land use is changing gradually too, from predominantly wheat, barley and rape to grapes and groves of olive and almond trees. Good weather for walking – mild, warm (but not excessively so). Not so many peregrinos on the path either through the day – numbers seem to have thinned out since Pamplona.
With Bill (from Ireland) at a coffee stop.
25.5 km and 5:57 (see map).
A dull start to the day. Cloudy and with a cold wind.
First stop out of Pamplona was a panaderia in a side street off the camino. The centre of early Sunday morning life in the small village. The kids took great pleasure selecting their pastries.
Rolling meadows from then on, with a gradual climb up to a ridgeline. Showers became a little more insistent from here on so it was on with the rain coat. Countryside still beautiful though, despite the weather.
A vending machine totally dedicated to the needs of the peregrino – blister pads, nail clippers, tape, wound dressings, etc. Not a pack of potato chips in sight, but there were condoms (€7) – did wonder whether they would be useful on toes to prevent chafing.
