Jude's Camino

Los Arcos to Logrono - May 9, 2015

Had breakfast with Linda and Bill and realized we are "breaking up" :(

They are going on to Finisterre on the Atlantic Ocean after Santiago but in the same time frame as me, i.e. no rest day tomorrow in Logrono for them.

We said goodbye in case we didn't meet up again, and sure enough, we didn't. I am back to my solo Camino, which is also very OK.

Leaving Los Arcos - fields and fields of grain

This guy had a motorized fan attached to his parasail and was sailing all over the valley. There was another guy also, don't know if it is for fun or if it is how they monitor their property

Iglesia de Santo Sepulchro - 12th C church - same time and style of that church I visited on Day 4 which turned to such a horrow show.

I am now glad I went; that church is bigger and overall much nicer than this one. Also it was free. (This one only 1€)

Detail of dome

Long walk of 4.5 hours this morning through lots and lots of vineyards and olive groves (and no BR, concerning..)

Viana ( not Vienna) but grest b/c there was a bar and a BR 👍

Church in Viana

Entering the independent region of Rioja, famous for its wines and also red soil ( just like PEI)

Stopping to smell (and snap) the roses. The fragrance was amazing

Coming into Logrono - can't resist those poppies

My destination and hotel for the next 2 days straight ahead...another blessed rest day coming up.

Estella to Los Arcos - May 8, 2015

Left Estella with Linda and Bill, our first destination the Fuente de Irache (Wine Fountain) at Bodegas Irache where there is wine "on tap", at least in the morning. Some people were trying it but was too early in the morning for us. Just took a picture. Next door is the Monasterio Irache, now closed as a monastery.

Another beautiful door/gate

Is that a castle on the top of that hill? And are we going there?

Definitely a castle..and so tired already

Hooray! the climb ends here at Fuente de Los Moros (13thC Fountain of the Moors) That castle at the top is the ruin of St. Stephen's castle (Castillo de San Estaban)

Threatening skies

In the distance, ruins of ancient hospital de peregrinos

Cafe movil de Eduardo - mobile canteen in the middle of nowhere with great food and amazing freshly squeezed orange juice.

Another "retired" boot

We're here!

These arbours are everywhere in Spain. Does anyone know what kind of tree this is?

Laundry drying on my cute balcony at day's end

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".