Vincent's Camino

Day 5: 09 Oct 2024 Distance (kms): 22.0 Elevation gain / loss (m): 498 / 426 Managed to leave Puenta La Reina before 8 and before day break. The first town was Mañeru. It had a rainbow: Stopped in town for coffee. Heavily symbolic logo for the bar. The shell represents the Way of St. James: You are encouraged to support the business instead of simply using the restroom: The next town is Cirauqui: Leaving Cirauqui, the path steps down (yeah) and then steps up (sigh): Then, making progress towards Estella: Vineyards along the way: And hunting grounds: Oh, goodies for pilgrims. Wonder what they have: Yes it is organic but it is also looks rotten. Not sure I want to partake! The next town is Lorca. What is going on with the carving? Man and monkey are talking? In Lorca, quiche Lorraine for lunch: Looks like the bar is tired of gender wars over bathrooms: A modern aqueduct / canal: From a pedestrian over bridge on the way to Estella: A pump / irrigation station that could as well be from so...

Day 5: 08 Oct 2024 Distance (kms): 24.1 Elevation gain/loss (m): 483 / 581 Leaving Pamplona meant another long hike through city streets. While crossing a park I was in the wrong path and an old gentleman pointed that out to me in Spanish. I did not understand much of what he said but when he said peregrino and pointed out a different path, I knew what he meant. There are signs like this buried in the sidewalks sometimes once every 2 meters: The path then climbs to the top of a hill called Alto de Perdón before descending. Today had the most climbing since the first day. There are some windmills at the top of the hill: On the outskirts of town, there was a map of the walking path today: Of course before I could get to the top of the hill, I had to get though this elementary school group: It was funny that so many of them were wearing white sneakers and freaking out every time they had to step on mud. On the way to the peak looking back at some old buildings outside of Cizur Menor: The ...

Day 3: 07 Oct 2024 Distance (kms): 20.4 Elevation gain/loss (m): 456 / 542 The official map for the path from Zubiri to Pamplona:  It is not all meadows and farms here. A manganese mining plant outside Zubiri: The path was relatively easy but very muddy due to overnight rains. A 12th century abbey along the way:    This wild berry was all over the place, which someone later told me is toxic and will cause a serious case of upset stomach: Tried to get food at Larrasoaña, but none of the stores were open. Graffiti / mural showing that the Basque have strong opinions: Just when I thought I might never come to a meal stop, I came across this bar in Zuriáin, which was making plates of eggs and ham to order. Yeah!  They still have figs on the tree here:  Signs telling pilgrims which path to take: It is amazing how well marked the Camino. When in doubt there is always a sign. When I was sitting on a park bench trying to catch a break, this four legged creature came aro...