Stage 9: Logroño to Navarrete

So yesterday was tough. Today instead of resting we took it easy.  We walked basically to the next town which was about 13km or so.  We didn't start until about 11am and arrived here at 3pm.  We made many stops along the way sitting in the shade.  It was very hot.

So we started our walk today thru Logroño, it was a pleasant easy walk thru town.  Once we started hittin the outskirts it changed to park with a walkway.  Farther out it was opens undeveloped land with a nice path all the way to a lake.  The lake had a cafe, there were people picnicking and fishing.  The fishing was interesting.  They had real long poles.  I would say the size of most ocean poles.  One setup had a buzzar system.  They cast it out, set it up in this holder and put the string thru the gadget.  I am just guessing but I think it beeps at you when you've got something.  Which would be useful since they were on the other side of the walkway eating lunch.

We stopped at the cafe for a drink and then headed out around the lake.  A pleasant walk.  Soon we left the lake behind and out into the blazing sun we go.  Before we head out there is a fountain, we get our hats, bandannas and arms wet.  A little air conditioning for the road.

The rest of the walk was mostly uphill thru fields and fields of grapes.  But as we approached the freeway the fence had a bunch of custom crosses.  Unfortunately the other side of the trail was covered with trash.  Oh the different sides of humanity.  Wonder if any left trash and a cross.

As we approached town there were ruins of an old pilgrims hospital.  Guess they had as many problems as we do today doing the walk.   In the background is a Bodega from the region.  (Winery)

Tonight we stay in a hotel again but it's easier to take care of our feet and get a good night sleep. The views are also great from the room.

This guy caught my eye coming into town, he was showing the way to a bar.  Just a note most bars around here also serve at least a tapa if not more.

We walked around town a bit before dinner it was just staring to liven up.  Only a couple streets, it's a small town.  But it has one very impressive church.

Dinner was the usual pilgrims menu.  It has ranged from 9 to 12 euros.  It includes a first, second and desert plate. Water and wine.  Since joe doesn't like wine, I seem to get over my share..  Tonight's was good as usual.  We talked to a netherlands couple that is biking the camino.  I think they said they did 60 or 70km today.  They mentioned the uphills where a lot of work.  We also saw our other Netherlands friends at a bar, they will be going to the same place as us tomorrow Azofra.

At dinner we asked what the best part of the trip has been to Quinn.  For me the walk in the clouds and the bulls have been cool.  For Quinn it has been the people, especifically Larry.  He likes his stories.  Especially the one about how courisants got their name by.   Quinn remembers someone making the courisants to moch the other guys. (Now we had to look up the specific details) We found the Austrians making crescents out of bread to celebrate there victory over the automan Turkes who's flag had a crescent on it.

So tonight I have a few blisters that just won't go away.  So I decided to pop them.  I went down to the front desk cause I don't have a needle and got one.  The lady said to pass the needle and thread through the blister to allows it to drain cleanly.  We will see how this wives tail works.  I have three small blisters.  With antaseptic and a lot of alcohol wipes I have put thread thru them.  We will see.  Tomorrow I will cover them well, let's see how clean I can keep them.