Puente la Reine to Estella - May 7, 2015

 Puente La Reine - leaving town - yay! (see post from yesterday)

Beautiful "Queen's Bridge" - from 12th century (I think)

 Much better day. Walked mostly with Linda (from Florida) and her brother, Bill (from Oregon). Some climbing but nothing like yesterday. Many beautiful villages along the way. Near the end, met up with Steve from, believe it or not, Halifax. A few days ago, we had noticed some unopened packs of cigarettes on the stone markers along the way. It was Steve who had left them. He decided to quit smoking after the first day getting to Roncesvalles over the Pyrenees (had to lie down a few times on the road, he said) and so was leaving his cigarettes along the way for those who haven't quit yet. 

 Overall, lovely day..getting used to the long walks. I have decided that this is my new job, walking. Day starts at about 8:30 am, punctuated with breaks, food and BR, but the work of the day is walking which usually finishes around 5. Although there are those days (like yesterday) when you "don't get out of there" until 7. Will try to avoid more of those. Estrella was a lovely little town but my schedule insists I continue on so sadly, I'm off for my next "workday".

Love those poppies

Beautiful tiny Japanese garden along the way

Interesting door

On the way to medieval hilltop village of Cirauqui

Me and poppies

The landscape continues to amaze at every turn

Group of snails hanging out on this little cedar. Guess it keeps them off the hot,dry ground

Someone has planted a map of the world on a hillside

The road goes ever onward

Perfect rose in someone's garden at the end of a perfect day.