Another great pilgrim meal last night; pasta and salad to start followed by whole trout and patatas fritas (chips) Washed down with all the red wine you want. A nice yoghurt and fruit for desert , (all for 8 euros)
Had a good nights sleep (best for a long time) Up at 0600 and out the door by 0640, a chilly morning with light rain in the air. I walked alone for most of the day and am relaxing nicely after the trepidation of yesterday has worn off.
Much more gentle hills today and great walks through pine forest and lush green fields with cream coloured cows and many coloured flowers and birds. Not all is wonderful though; I have been in three countries in the last three days and I haven't had a crap yet! About 7km before Zubiri (where I am staying tonight) I met up with Eddie from South Africa again (we started together). Apparently he had a really bad night's sleep and hasn't been off the bog much since yesterday; I should be glad with my plight. Anyway, Eddie and I marched along together at a cracking pace, me happy to be walking in the Spanish air and mountains and him wondering whether he would make it to town without disappearing behind the next tree!
We both made it into Zubiri as the church bells rang for one o'clock Eddie rushed off somewhere and I met with Paul from Amsterdam who I met yesterday. After consulting my guide book we booked into the Zaldiko Hostel which is small, clean and friendly. We were forced to have a beer (cannot remember by whom) and after showering and changing we gave our washing to the owner who washes and tumble dries it for us. As I lie on my bunk typing up this blog someone calls out "Hello Ian, fancy seeing you here!" It is Gina from Norway who walked over the Pyrenees with me yesterday. It is amazing that with all this space you keep seeing the same faces. I also keep meeting a group of four young Koreans who do not stop talking and photograph everything that moves (and most things that don't.)
I have just booked a table for our Pilgrims Meal tonight in a lively bar round the corner. Fortunately my Dutch and Norwegian is coming along nicely.
Here are a few photos from today.
Tomorrow is on to Pamplona (where they do the bull runs)
