Last evening, lunch time down under, we had the second video gathering of the virtual Camino walkers as we all stopped for the night in Logroño. Turns out Ken and Marianne stayed there in 2013 while Sarah and Neil only stopped for lunch on their way through from Viana to Ventosa (I think I have that correct). Nonetheless, we all had memories of the broken glass and garbage on the streets after the night long celebrations during the wine festival. Ken apparently didn’t have a particularly good time because he didn’t realize what all the noise in the streets was about. We remember walking out through the early morning clean-up that only the Spanish city crews can do so efficiently. They have these great little street sweeper vehicles and there are folks hosing down all the streets. As we departed the last of the revellers were just wandering off to find a place to sleep it off before beginning all over again the next night! Part of the colour of Spain.
In
In the meantime, everyone in the group is managing to complete a decent amount of walking which is of course part of the program. It acts as a catalyst to encourage what otherwise might be a considerable amount of repetitive walking in our communities. It adds an increased level to the walking, otherwise I personally risk becoming bored with the somewhat tedious repetition of the walks. Something I never feel while away on Camino as I continuously look to see what’s around the next bend or over the next hill. I must say as we headed off this morning the sights that greeted us were anything but redundant. It seems that in spring there are always new things opening up, unfolding.
Of course, a reminder of our changing world from a younger person's perspective. A nice message.
For a moment I did feel like I was in Spain as we crossed the portion of the university grounds that was for many years home to a nunnery. I couldn't believe how often I'd walked past this spot and not seen what was there to be seen. A good reminder that I must look at things a little closer as I pass by.
The tides along the beaches have been rather high during the morning over the past month, and we have stayed away from beach crossings given the potential to come into close quarters with others. Lots of evidence of the damaging wind storms we experienced last winter. There were 5 other large vessels on the beach.
As far as the Way of St. James...
The morning walk out of Logroño isn't too bad as city exits go. Much better than the walk out of Leon. Initially it's pretty dark and as the people of Spain generally don't head to work until a bit later, even the industrial section of the city is pretty quiet as you walk though it. If your timing is right you can enjoy the morning sunrise over Pantano de la Grajera, about 6 kms out of the city centre. A very tranquil place to walk in the early morning.
In 2018 I had it all to myself.
In 2013 we sent Annemarie's pack ahead and she walked out under a full load of very nice drugs; ) She was smiling often for the first time in a while as we walked 31 kms that day, unlike the 20 kms we enjoyed today and the 13 kms I posted in the title above. We really don't have to make these particularly long stages as we have all agreed to meet in Belorado next Monday/Tuesday just 74 kms down the road. In reality this is a 3 day crossing for most peregrinos. I suggested to Annemarie this morning that we could just stay home and walk it all this weekend...hmmm? Yup, we walked today.
Full of Rioja grapes!
A peak back behind.
The fence of crosses in 2013,
and the same piece of fence in 2018. Seems the idea caught on.
Then there's the famous bull that's become something of a way point on the camino.
A glance ahead to tonights destination.
An old pilgrim hospital 'San Juan de Acre' from the middle ages. Later someone put a winery next door and miraculously there was no longer a need for the hospital. Pilgrim, heal thyself!
Definitely enjoyed the church much better the second time!
Actually quite a nice typical Spanish town.
A short stage today. Maybe tomorrow if I can move beyond Annemarie's excellent cookies we will try for Nájera, another 17 kms away. Between the Covid-19 cookies and all the bread she's baking it will be a close thing!
Buen Camino!
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