Stage 4: Zubiri to Pamplona. 23kms 4 hrs 45 min

Getting into the rythum: Four days of walking under our hooves and we are beginning to find our rythum now. With the rain the past few days its been hard to find, but with our first stay in a hostel last night things seem to be settling in. The evening began with a pre-dinner visit with a father and son team from Ireland which was just great...Dad is 65 (Jack) and son Dermit somewhere into this 30's. The conversation found its way into the communal dinner where Annemarie found herself at a table where she was the only lady present. Thus began a wonderful evening of discussion with folks from all over Europe and a fellow from S. Africa. At the end of the evening we all parted ways a bit better informed...perhaps, and I'm sure we shall see some of these folks along the way. 

Strangely we both slept poorly last night, but woke feeling ready to get underway...a quick breakfast at the hostel and we were on the trail by 7:30, about 20 minutes before day-light. The walk today was the first easy leg so far, with comparatively minimal climbing. 

After about 3+ hours and some 17kms we stopped at Trinidad de Arre for a cold drink in a small bar and watched the local comings and goings with great interest. Then it was off to Pamplona where we had some chores to attend to mixed in with a bit of sight seeing. I've wanted to visit Pamplona since sister Kathy visited there in 1974, so finally the wait was rewarded! 

The cathedral was brilliant and we paid the Pilgrim's price of €3, a nice €2 reduction each! We then managed to fluke out and find a small store that I had read about on-line where we were able to buy a knife with the all important cork screw...and a Snickers too! We then stopped at a tapas bar where we enjoyed our first cold beer and a nice selection of the tapas...brilliant!! 

Not  done yet, but well watered and fueled, we moved on to purchase a cell phone...yes, Geoff now owns a mobile...never thought you'd see the day did you? A very simple model that we can use all over Europe on up-coming travels. A quick visit to the bull fighting ring where the running bulls of said fame end up at the end of their daily stroll through the streets of Pamplona for 2 weeks each July...still on my bucket list, so a reason to return. Now sitting in our little, and very cheap apartment that we found on line...€45 with all conveniences...will keep this one in mind for that next visit and as a reference for others...took pictures. It has a brilliant view of our challenge for tomorrow...the notorious Alto de Perdon, a 1,000 ft climb which is reputed to be pretty heavy mud on the way up with a steep decent on a shale slope. I've included a photo, but it doesn't probably do it justice. 

We also hope to detour to see one of the most amazing churches on the Camino at Eunate (more tomorrow) before we walk on to Puente la Reina and its 11th C bridge. All in the walk tomorrow should be about 26kms, a pretty stern test for Stage 5. Will we be up to it...don't know for sure, but there are few choices. Annemarie's knee brace has performed well when needed, so we are positive about tomorrow. Laundry all washed, we are showered...Geoff even shaved. Ready for a night out and then some hopefully restful sleep to recharge the muscles. We are having the time of our lives!!