Camino Frances, Day 4

 Out the door at 6:50am. Look at me getting out earlier everyday. Had my first great, undisturbed, night of sleep in 5 nights, and I needed it. Woke up at 5:45, slept straight through the night. Got everything packed, went down to the gathering area. Had my two cups of coffee con leche, a bowl of cereal, toast, & OJ. I just want to give a shout out to the Aloha Hostel for being so nice and helpful with any questions or concerns I may have had. If and when I come back to Pamplona, they will be my first choice for room accommodations.

I forgot to mention a couple things I did yesterday. I followed the route of the famous Running of the Bulls. Starting at the bull pen, making my way up through the small winding cobble stone streets, finally reaching the Bull Ring. Now I can say, I have walked the route of the running bulls. 2nd thing I didn’t mention, there was a film crew at the Pamplona Cathedral, filming, what I assumed was a movie. They had props set up and actors milling around in costumes.

OK, back too today’s business. 6:50am, May 21, is a nice 62 degrees. I walked for about 10 minutes before I was back on the Camino path. I had to go around this park that had a huge ancient fort right in the middle of it. All that remains of the fort are just the massive stone walls, it’s impressive by no means. In the US, we don’t have forts like this because ours were built out of wood, which have gone by the way of the Dodo Bird. When the old time Spaniards build these forts, they meant them to stand for hundreds of yrs, as by the evidence I was seeing.

I was walking along the marked path, watching the sun rise, which was about to happen. When I heard a man yell at me. I looked over and he was pointing for me to go back, because I missed my turn  from the Camino marked path, my bad!!!. Pilgrims like to say “ the Camino provides” basically it means take a negative and turn into a positive. Case in point last yr. One day on our Camino walk last yr. Maryann’s knee was really hurting. She said I need a taxi to take me to the place where we’re staying. I said okay, we will look for place to call a cab. We walked maybe 5 mins, turned a corner and there was a taxi just sitting there. No other cars around, just the taxi… The Camino Provides!!!!

Leaving the hustle & bustle of Pamplona, heading into the suburbs then on into the country. I had this song in my head by Canned Heat- Going Up The Country. Only my older readers will know that song. My backpack was feeling really good today after making a few adjustments to the straps. I think I have it about dialed in now. I was making good time, the views were amazing. Just green fields as far as the eye could see, with splotches of yellow mustard to really make it stand out. 

After 2.5 hrs walking, I stopped at a little church, actually a lot of pilgrims were stopped there. Went into the church, got my stamp, walked over to a small store, bought me a banana, apple, OJ, here in Spain the OJ is fresh squeezed right there, and a 6 in ham & cheese sandwich for later in the day. After leaving this cute little village, the trail took off up hill. We had to ascend a hill top that was covered in large automated windmills. Once again, Spain doesn’t believe in switch backs, it’s straight up and then straight down. But what awaited for us on the top is one most iconic Camino symbols on the entire Camino walk. Mirador Alto del Perdon, which are metal sculptures of Pilgrim's walking. Look it up on the internet. I would suggest watching the movie “The Way”, staring Martin Sheen & directed by his son Emilio. It’s about the Camino, it’s a good watch.

At this point I am already 8.8 miles into my journey. I can’t believe I am over half way there and it was not even 10 O’clock yet. I talked with quite a few people from different regions of Europe, Canada & the US as I walked today. Most say they are going all the way to Santiago, and some say they are only going to a certain point and have to leave. There is quite a range in days people are taking to do this Camino. Myself I have around 35 days, others say they are doing it in 40-50 day ranges. Only one person has said they are doing it in 30 days, that’s some big days to hike. Most of the guide books say 35 days is about what the average pace is to complete. Everybody’s Camino is different, and you have to listen to what your body and mind are telling you.

So onward I push, still amazed by all the green fields and pastures, with the spring flowers starting to pop open. I saw many red poppy flowers today. I went through a couple of towns looking for a place to stop, get a drink and eat my sandwich, but unfortunately nothing was open that I could see. So I just marched on to my final destination, Puente La Reina. I arrived in town at 1pm, on the nose. I couldn’t check into my Albergue until 1:30. So I found an open bar, went in ordered me a beer and found a nice table outside to finally eat my sandwich and people watch until I was able to check into my Albergue. I have to say this was a very enjoyable walking day. My body felt pretty good, my feet were getting tired, but over all I felt good. Amazing what a good night sleep can do.

I got checked-in. Once again they make you take your shoes off and leave your hiking polls. I am in another 4 bed lower bunk dorm room. Did my Camino life thing, showered, pulled out tomorrow’s outfit, went downstairs and hand washed today’s outfit and hung it out to air dry so now everything is nice and clean. Found a restaurant to have an early dinner, because if you don’t, you’re going to be waiting until like 8 pm to eat dinner. No pilgrim communal dinner at this Albergue. But they do have a full kitchen, and I saw 4 or 5 people preparing something to eat. I did purchase the breakfast package for the morning. So I will leave on a full stomach. 

Feet are doing well, no blisters or hot spots, my biggest Camino fear. I lather them up real good w/ vaseline before putting on my socks, then I sprinkle a little baby powder in the shoe. I am wearing Altra Loan Peak 9 waterproof shoes. Altra shoes are great because they have a wide toe box to allow more room for your toes. I also pop a couple of advil when I get done with my walk.

Stats—>Pamplona to Puente La Reina stage 4

Miles- 15.5

Duration- 5hrs 14min

Elevation- 1,480ft

Temp- 61-78

Tomorrow I head to Estrella, which is about the same distance as today. Weather forecast looks to be sunny for the next few days. Thanks for reading along.