Day 6 Trinidad de Arre to Zariquiegui

After an extremely good nights rest, we departed Trinidad de Arre at around 8ish.
The weather looked threatening so I geared up in raincoat etc. Just as well as rain did fall.

Unfortunately my knee was not playing along so I took it really slow to start with.
The walk through the suburbs of Pamplona was better than I expected, spring has sprung and the people are gardening and making their homes look good for the summer.
The route we took was through old town past the Town Hall (see pic) ,really beautiful although it was raining.
I popped in at the Chemist to get a knee guard, what a huge difference it made.
Just because of that I managed a lot more kilometres.
On the way out of Pamplona we had a cup of coffee and small Tortilla.
A bit of energy was required for the next +- 10 km's.
After that we walked to Cizur Menor.
Cizur Menor is an affluent dormitory town of Pamplona.
On the way up we met up with Lynette another pilgrim Linda had met on her first day. We had some lovely chats about our pilgrimage to date.
From Cizur Menor we climbed up a long way to Zariquiegui.
The walk up was totally amazing, the views, the colours in fields blew me away. It really feels like I am on a pilgrimage now, everyday I reflect more and today I got into a zone like never before.

Checked in at Albergue de Zariquiegui. Little more expensive than normal, 22 Euros for bed and dinner.
Unpacked bag, shower, then washing, yippie they have a washing machine, cost 3 Euro, so Linda and I shared.
After all that I met a lovely lady from the US, her name is Lauren and she can speak Spanish, huge bonus when I needed an ice pack for my knee.
Interestingly Lauren has also left her job, this is the second person along "The Way" having done the same thing.

Other than that it is now chill time.

Day 5 Zubiri to Trinidad de Arre

I woke up relatively early this morning as did Linda. I made my own breakfast as I was not in the mood for bread and jam. Polished off the left over corn cakes and divine Spanish cheese. The lady working in the Pensiòn could not speak a word of English. My broken Spanish did not help much but somehow sign language worked. At breakfast we met up with an elderly British couple, the man was rather rude, I just went to shower. I think my tolerance levels for hot air has become zero. I know I should not judge but I will not subject myself to that behaviour any longer.
Shame poor Linda had to eat breakfast whilst listening to him.

I was now at a point where I could do the hostel thing again. In essence it means you share a room with a lot of people and minimal bathroom facilities. The worst is a cold water shower and yes it does happen if you get in late. As I am a slow walker I need to plan carefully.

We set off at 8:30am, not too late.
Once we were past the industrial area the pathway winds through the farmlands to Larrasoaña which were spectacular, this was approx 5.3kms walk from Zubiri. We crossed over the Puente Larrasoaña medieval bridge and sat down on a bench in the town.
Linda doctored her blisters and I did backpack work. My backpack now has a mind of its own and re-adjusts itself whilst I walk. It may just get traded in for a new one soon.
After that we climbed a hill to Akerrtera with a beautiful hotel, an old basque restored house.
The old stone buildings are amazing it puts me in such a lovely mood, feels like medieval times. This is something we do not see in South Africa.
We then arrived in a beautiful town called Zuriáin, we stopped at a little restaurant/pub called El Horno. I got stuck into a Tortilla (Spanish Omelette) with ham and cheese and a beer.
We then walked around the farmlands with young wheat plantations growing.
Then we headed straight up the mountain on the opposite side of the main road. The problem for me is that which goes up must come down, my right knee does not do coming down well at all.
From there we walked under the N-135 through a tunnel onto a disused road that went down to Trindad de Arre. The first magnificent view was the medieval bridge over the río Ulzama.

Adjoining the bridge is the basilica church Convento de la Trinidad. Albergue Hermanus Maristas is run by the church. Needless to say Linda and I checked in after approx 15km's. The priest very kindly gave us a bunk bed in separate section with a door.
It's rather funny a lot of people ask if she is my mother.

After we had showered we headed into the quiet little town for supplies.

Tomorrow we head into Pamplona.
Given the issues with my right knee I may stay over or purchase knee guard and push on.

That's my story for today.

Day 4 Viskarret to Zubiri

Woke up this morning after a decent nights sleep, the first since I left home. The body needed the rest.
Guess what ?? Sunshine, how totally fabulous.
Keep the comments coming everyone, I love it and need all the support.

After a lovely breakfast we said goodbye to our fellow Pilgrims and the fabulous Pensiòn owners.
On the way out of Viskarret we popped in at the supermarket for some padkos. It's not so easy to find a shop open on a Sunday afternoon in the rural parts of Spain.

We headed out of town into some dense woodland until we came across a tiny farming town of Linzoáin, from there it was uphill in a big way. I found it relatively easy at this point, probably getting stronger.
The path continued along a ridge and the Pasos de Roldán to Alto de Erro (Altitude was then 810m).
The experience of walking in these woodlands (forests) was amazing.
The wind was whispering through the trees like I have never heard it in my life. Linda and I decided to stop and smell the roses, actually the flowers.
The colours of trees with sun shining through were a golden colour, it was beautiful. At this point I felt so profoundly blessed, a tearful moment. I knew then it was time to place the two stones Rob gave me for his Mom and Dad. I found the perfect spot on one of the Camino signs (many people do this) It was rather an emotional moment for me.
After doing this we headed straight down to Zubiri, a bit heavy on my right knee this time not sure why normally it's my left.
I could not face a hostel so we headed for a Pensión, a room with two beds just what the doctor ordered.
Off loaded the bags and muddy shoes, got our Camino stamp from Pensión Goikoa. Then headed straight for the shower.
There was a washing machine, 5 Euro a load. Hung the washing outside the windows, had to be careful not to drop anything as we were 4 stories up.
The owner told us to hurry down to the supermarket as it was about to shut for Siesta. I found some very lekker corn cakes, Rob they were even better than Woolies. Then I bought some butter and good mature cheese. Quick lunch made in our pensiòn kitchen. I ate half the packet.
One thing about the Camino, you certainly know all about eating, I feel like a teenager again, just want to raid fridges as much as possible.

We only walked 10km's today, listening to our bodies, thanks for the tip boet.