Had another nice hotel in Estella with a great buffet breakfast. On the road by 8:30. Will walk 21 km today

As we started the walk we came across a vineyard that a a fountain with wine flowing for the Camino walkers for free. It was only 9:30 so we took a taste not a glass. Met the Barcelonans there. So fun

The first of many poppies

Met Meredith and Jeanine at a rest stop and found out their phone and money was stolen at the hostel. They are still happy as you see. Great attitude!

As we leave the rest stop two guys on their horses com galloping towards us. Very cool.

Long roads, Churches and castles. We saw it all today.

Has to wash clothes today. It was a full load.

Had dinner with the Barcelonans tonight. So much fun. There are three guys and two women. The guys are all named Joseph. What are the odds

Long day tomorrow with 30 km to Logrono

Hasta manana

Joe

Stayed at the Hotel el Cerco in Puente La Reina. Nice hotel but it was close to two churches that rang the bells every 15 minutes. Glad I had ear plugs. Had very unique dinner. Tuna strips on baked red peppers, cold white asparagus for salad, cheese with sliced green grapes as desert

Crossed over this old Roman bridge to get out of town

This is a cross we saw as we left town. Thought it was so different. Beautiful morning. About 40 degrees but warmed up quick

Walked by this fence made of crosses. Made mostly of sticks. So cool!

Great trails through lots of vineyards with the blue sky in the background. Met so many of the same people again. The five Barcelonans, Aaron, Meredith and Jennifer.

Ran into Julios from Germany juggling. Great Spirit and Enrique from the Basque region that is a chef. We talked his favorite foods to cook

Neat cross…

and a friendly horse as we were getting into Estella. Another great day!

See you tomorrow ❤️

Got up and had breakfast at the hotel. The room was amazing. Great food

Long walk out of town. Such a beautiful city! Great paths to walk on. The weather was all you could ask for.

When we got to the top of the of Alto del Perdon we saw the wrought iron pilgrims and the monument to the Basques that were killed during the civil war.

Saw Aaron again. Such a great spirit. Saw a group from Barcelona we met two days ago that took me and Mikes picture. Met Julio from Germany. He brought three juggling pins with him. Very neat guy. Also saw Robert and Patrick from Great Britain. Amazing all the people you meet because you all have the same thing in common

Got into Puente La Reina at about 3:30 and went to the hotel. Another great room. Stopped at the Church, beautiful!

Just showered and washed my clothes. Going to get dinner. Buenas Noches.

Had breakfast at 7:30 at our hotel. Very good.

Great scenery at the start of the day. As you can see we are in Basque Country. Everyone we’ve met has been terrific. We got of to quick start.

Met this herd of Shetland ponies with this beautiful view

The trails were amazing

Met the Basque American selling water and food for a charity there. He is standing next to a picture of him and Martin Sheen.

Got to Pamplona hotel by about 1:00 pm, had our customary beer with salad and pizza at the square.Doesn’t get better than that

Met Earnest Hemmingway. Very quiet guy!

Went to the Pamplona Cathedral. Breath taking

The street above is where “the Running of the Bulls” takes place.

Off to Puente la Reina tomorrow. Hasta la vista!

Started the day with a great breakfast. Set out for Zubiri which will be 25 km.

As you can see we have 790 km to Santiago. Much easier day. Not the climb we had yesterday. Beautiful scenery

Som

Got to our hotel Txantxorena. Great hotel that was remodeled two years ago

Met a guy by the name of Aaron from US for the third time on the trail resting with a guy from Ireland. The guy almost collapsed from the day before. He also ran out of water. Having a restful afternoon and dinner tonight.

Mike and I got to St. Jean Sat. Mar.23rd at about 4:00 pm. We took a train from Barcelona to Pamplona at 9:30 am then took a bus from Pamplona to St Jean. We checked into our hotel and then went to the Pilgrim center to get my credentials. We then walked the city for a while, stopped at the church of Our Lady and prayed for all in need. We then went to dinner and had a terrific steak and a great time

Woke up early and had breakfast and started out hiking to Roncevalles at 8:30 and immediately got lost for the first mile. Got back

The hike was 35 km and was all uphill to 4300′ and at times thought I would not make it but Mike told me a cold beer was just around the corner as I ran out of water.

Made it to the hotel at 4:00pm and finally got my beer!!!!!! Got showered and went to dinner and will go to bed early. Looking forward to Day 2

Hi Everyone!

Today I start my adventure on the Camino de Santiago.