Viana to Navarette, October 10

A  quaint, beautiful and lovely little Camino town that captured my heart. There was something so warm and welcoming about the town as soon as you started to walk down the cobbled streets looking for your albergue. 

The alburgue  for the night is the building on the right below.

Directly across from one of the most magnificent churches I have seen

But just as important, of course, the most wonderful cafe. I sat with a fellow pilgrim enjoying tapas, a glass of wine and each other’s company. 

We then toured the 16thcentury Church of the Assumption which we later went back for for 8 pm mass and a blessing from the parish priest. 

And here is the view outside my window for the night:

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.   

Psalm 121:8

Los Arcos to Viana, October 9, 2016

Yes, it was one of those Camino Days, starting one way, ending another.  It is early Sunday morning around 730 as we headed out on our 12 mile walk. And this is how it started. From behind me:

And ahead of me. The rising sun kissed the hills a beautiful red hue. 

I put in my ear buds, hit shuffle, and the song that started to play was the song  Good Morning, from Mandisa:

It’s a good morning!

Wake up to a brand new day

This morning,

I’m stepping, I’m stepping, stepping on my way

Good morning,

You give me strength,

You give me just what I need

And I can feel the hope that’s rising in me.

It’s a good morning

The path took us mostly on natural paths and dirt tracks through open farmland with little reminders along the way of how much this country cares for pilgrims. 

Our alburgue tonight was in one of the most historical places so far. It was originally a monistery right next to the ruins of the Church of St. Peter (damaged in a war in the 15th century). 

Ended up sitting in the shadows of the ruins laughing and sharing stories with other pilgrims from different parts of the world and finding a wonderful connection  with three wonderful ladies- Anne, Dawn and Jade. We were all going to go to dinner but the restaurants were closed until 8 and it was only 5pm. 

And as The Camino provides we saw this sign 

Ok,  I will be honest, the carrot cake, cushy chairs and candels were a big draw. We sat and meditated while our hosts read passages from the Bible about trusting in our path and place in the world. Afterwards, we sat, drank tea and continued to share, not as pilgrims, but as new friends. 

Estella to Los Arcos, October 8, 2016

Yup, coming out of STELLA! I saw a sign. Could it really be? A fountain just for pilgrims that gives you wine?

Ok, it is only 830 in the morning, and there is a line, so I had better get in it!

But my water bottles are filled with water!  What do to, what to do….oh, how nice of them to put a vending machine with glasses and bottles. So of course I bought one, it would be rude not to (ok the guy next to me demonstrated the water part)

Today’s hike was just beautiful and the wine fountain was just the first gift. Look at this scenery. 

Came across this cafe for breakfast. A cafe con leche and tortilla every day so far, but who is counting. 

And then I come around a bend and I hear music. The gifts keep on coming. 

Here was a gift of absolute beauty and tranquility. 

Hey! Hay!  Just wanted to show you the hay stack. 

Los Arcos is a beautiful town, with history dating back to the 900’s. In the main square is the Church of Santa Maria. 

After dinner I was able to sit out in the courtyard, listen to the belles chime and talk to my Mom and Dad. The greatest gift of all. 

Oh wait, there was one more. When I got back to my bunk I had a little gift of the furry kind. 

May your day be filled with gifts of beauty, family, wine and song…and a little one to snuggle with you in your sleeping bag. 

Puente La Reina to Estella, October 7, 2016

Our first few steps on our 14 mile hike took us over Puenta de Arga, Bridge of the Queen. In the 11th century there was only one way of crossing the River Arga, by hiring someone to take you across in their boat. Unfortunately, seeing an opportunity to make money, these people overcharged the pilgrims for the privilege of being ferried across the river.

Queen Doña Mayor the wife of Sancho III ordered a bridge to be built over the river and thus gave the town its name. I thought it was interesting to be standing on this midieval with a modern bridge in the distance. Which one do you think will last longer?

And if you think that is old. We walked on an original Roman road that is over 2,000 years old. Really?

Our path started taking us through beautiful vineyards and olive tree groves. Just add a wheat field and we have the makings of a party. 

We came across this man who was very happy to have us try this weird looking thing

It turned out to be a fig and quite tasty

Estella was a beautiful town founded in 1090! It has literally been a walk through and over history today.