HOW HEAVY IS MY PACK ?

On day one I walked 32 km and on day two 18 km with the approximately 12 # pack.  At the end of day two in Zubiri I was exhausted, and I looked it. A pilgrim gentleman carried my back pack up to the 3rd floor bunk room I would sleep in.   I stayed at another wonderful Albergue that also served a Pilgrim´s Menu(PM). No need to walk further. 

Some Albergues such as this one have charming diningrooms for breakfast and dinner.  The community atmosphere helps you connect with other pilgrims. The Pilgrim Menu is usually a 3 course menú: appetizer , entre and sweet and it includes a bottle of local red wine.  The Price varies from €9.50 to 12.00.  and is usually very filling.  Most have been very good.  I have had whole fresh trout, rabbit, paella as entres.  All usually come with fried potatoes of some kind. They are filling and even better with a glass of wine. Here are some pictures showing sights of the past week.

Alto del Perdon with windmills and the wrought iron sculptures of Pilgrims progress

Later I walked through Puente La Reine where there was fragrant pepper roasting in progress.

 Bushels of peppers to be roasted

Tumbling out of the red hot hopper

Hot and smokey

 Residents came by to pick up bags on just charred peppers to take home and peel.

Where am I now... Logrono.  625 Kilometers to Santiago.  How did I get here?  I listened to my body - an aching right side and a shin splint but fortunately no blisters.  I learned from others on the journey how to ship my backpack to the next sleeping place and ride the local bus for a short distance every day so that I can walk and learn from the best parts of the journey.  Today I started walking at 7am.

This sunrise is about 8 AM.

 It was not quite light but there was some Street lighting and there is always someone not too far in front of or behind you.  I walked 12 km at a good pace without a backpack (it took the taxi) and with poles.  Then I took the local bus for 8 km and visited the beautiful town of Viana and then walked into Logrono. My pack was waiting at the Albergue.  I showered, got clean clothes  and set out for Tapas tonight.  aAglass of wine and 4 interesting Little plates for €7.00!  Tomorrow I have a similar journey planned for Najera.  And we are to have our first day of rain.

The weekly market in Viana

Frisee and apples

Local cheeses

Many olives fixed in many ways.

I am excited , euphoric and overwhelmed by this journey.  But I will keep walking!