18 May Manuera.
I was last to wake this morning. I had tossed and turned from about 4am until an alarm went off at 5:30am that was my signal to fall asleep waking at 6:30.
Had a great session at dinner with the 5 Dutch pilgrims all sharing why we are on the Camino. It is interesting that once I reveal others are keen to do so as well.
Lorca 9:30am
Yesterday there was 1 or 2 vineyards between Uterga and Peunte la Reina. Since then there are many. Today and tomorrow are still in Navarre. After that it is La Roija which has a bigger reputation for wine. From St Jean Pied de Port to Peunte la Reina the Camino runs Southwest. It has now turned west. Between Cirauqui and Lorca the Camino passes under or over the A12 (autopista) 4 times. The route of the Camino is ancient and I can understand the reluctance to move it but could the A12 have an extra bend to avoid 2 of those crossings in only 200m. One of the tunnels has been done in stonework to look old. The earlier one was in concrete and had graffiti. As well as the usual stuff there was a shell and a peregrino.
Villayuerta 11am
I had not meant to stop again until Estella- still 3 km away but the Camino was calling me. It passes Eremita de San Miguel a stark stone building that no longer has any fixtures other than a stone alter and a high undecorated wooden cross. The walls were about a Metre thick and the windows had mesh not glass. I could feel God was calling me. After Lorca there was a wheat field that had many poppies growing in it. It reminded me of the WW1 poems.I picked a poppy and wore it for the rest of the day in memory of the ordinary people who died in all the wars - fighting the moors or each other as it was many centuries before Spain was a single country. I'm still a pacifist. I don't give a shit what happened to the generals and nobles- they asked for it. Today there are many who want to see Spain broken up again.
Estella midday.
I am glad I was slow getting here as my arrival coincided with a parade to celebrate the Carlist victory in 1853. Glorious 14th century military costumes being worn by men and women. Pipe bands and drums . I doubt the guns were loaded. Some on horseback too. I got several photos but I won't be able to share them until I get to Santiago or England. A small roll with bacon and cheese and half a pint of Amstel for lunch. Glory be to God for bacon.
Villamayor de Monjardin 6pm
Another warm day but the final climb up the hill wasn't a problem today. The albergue is full. I got the last bed. Not at the one I planned that was already full. I feel sorry for Maria, Anneke and Giuseppe (not his real name but what he looks like) they had especially wanted to stop here as Maria is friends with some in the group in Holland who run it. Amy and Doug also turned up . Yesterday when I was trying so hard to catch up with them I was in front and was an hour earlier getting to Eunate . The taxi has been very busy and done at least 4 trips to Los Arcos.
Time for dinner so the trip to Viana will have to be another post.
I was last to wake this morning. I had tossed and turned from about 4am until an alarm went off at 5:30am that was my signal to fall asleep waking at 6:30.
Had a great session at dinner with the 5 Dutch pilgrims all sharing why we are on the Camino. It is interesting that once I reveal others are keen to do so as well.
Lorca 9:30am
Yesterday there was 1 or 2 vineyards between Uterga and Peunte la Reina. Since then there are many. Today and tomorrow are still in Navarre. After that it is La Roija which has a bigger reputation for wine. From St Jean Pied de Port to Peunte la Reina the Camino runs Southwest. It has now turned west. Between Cirauqui and Lorca the Camino passes under or over the A12 (autopista) 4 times. The route of the Camino is ancient and I can understand the reluctance to move it but could the A12 have an extra bend to avoid 2 of those crossings in only 200m. One of the tunnels has been done in stonework to look old. The earlier one was in concrete and had graffiti. As well as the usual stuff there was a shell and a peregrino.
Villayuerta 11am
I had not meant to stop again until Estella- still 3 km away but the Camino was calling me. It passes Eremita de San Miguel a stark stone building that no longer has any fixtures other than a stone alter and a high undecorated wooden cross. The walls were about a Metre thick and the windows had mesh not glass. I could feel God was calling me. After Lorca there was a wheat field that had many poppies growing in it. It reminded me of the WW1 poems.I picked a poppy and wore it for the rest of the day in memory of the ordinary people who died in all the wars - fighting the moors or each other as it was many centuries before Spain was a single country. I'm still a pacifist. I don't give a shit what happened to the generals and nobles- they asked for it. Today there are many who want to see Spain broken up again.
Estella midday.
I am glad I was slow getting here as my arrival coincided with a parade to celebrate the Carlist victory in 1853. Glorious 14th century military costumes being worn by men and women. Pipe bands and drums . I doubt the guns were loaded. Some on horseback too. I got several photos but I won't be able to share them until I get to Santiago or England. A small roll with bacon and cheese and half a pint of Amstel for lunch. Glory be to God for bacon.
Villamayor de Monjardin 6pm
Another warm day but the final climb up the hill wasn't a problem today. The albergue is full. I got the last bed. Not at the one I planned that was already full. I feel sorry for Maria, Anneke and Giuseppe (not his real name but what he looks like) they had especially wanted to stop here as Maria is friends with some in the group in Holland who run it. Amy and Doug also turned up . Yesterday when I was trying so hard to catch up with them I was in front and was an hour earlier getting to Eunate . The taxi has been very busy and done at least 4 trips to Los Arcos.
Time for dinner so the trip to Viana will have to be another post.
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