Day 6, Los Arcos

I slept well for the first time last night, getting almost 7 hours, which is good for me.

We're going to leave in a few minutes. There is a flurry of activity this morning a bit earlier than usual because we have all been talking about how hot it will be today and the need to beat the heat. A piece of fruit and we are away.

We left Estella at 6:15 am in the darkness again to finish ahead of the heat. About an hour later we arrived at the Fuente de Vino. There are two faucets, one for water and the other for red wine. It is traditional to drink from the shell we each carry, which I did. I'm not a big fan of red wine, but this was pretty good.

About 9:15 we stopped for breakfast in Luquin at the only bar/restaurant, which was adjacent to the Piscine Municipale. There was a shallow pool with cool water, so we ate our frita and pickles with our feet in the water. Lovely.

Rhina can correct my spelling, but we have very much enjoyed the fresh orange juice (Zumos de naranja natural) whenever available.

At noonish, it was starting to heat up on the last few kms with no shade in sight. About an hour later, we arrived in Los Arcos and checked into a very nice albergue - Casa de la Abuela. For 1 Euro the albergue is washing all our clothes (returned in 30 minutes!)

OK, while I was just hanging the washed clothes on the line (very nicely right outside our 2nd floor room), Lasse called up to me from the street. We are going out to eat and see the church that is reported to look like it was built by mad scientists. We put our names down for a massage at the other albergue, but there is uncertainty as to whether the masseur will be working today. We have to check back at 6.

Lasse, Esther & I went to lunch in the main square in front of the cathedral in Los Arcos and ordered two Paella to split between the three of us. Very yummy.

Today was a shorter day than yesterday. I enjoyed the shorter walk and am perfectly on pace. The temp was up to 35 today as forecast, so it was great to be done walking by 1pm.

We walked through some really beautiful countryside today, but it is difficult to give a sense of the variety and vastness of the views with the phone camera. I am sure my pictures are not doing justice to it at all.

Esther and I walk, sometimes side by side and often single file at our own pace (with Esther waiting for me at the next bit of shade), sometimes chatting and often lost in our own thoughts, and sometimes just pointing out interesting landmarks - a monastery on a hill, a way marker, or a colourful field in the distance. Esther is a very good companion.

My shoulder was very sore today, but I was able to make a few adjustments to my pack straps and that seemed to alleviate the problem.

I noticed my waist pouch is starting to rip at the bottom and the duct tape I brought does not appear to be sticking well. I will keep my eyes open for an alternative - either better tape or a new bag.

Otherwise, things are going well, pretty much as expected. Rumour has it that after 7 days the body is used to the walking and the various aches and pains will lessen. I'll be looking forward to that, as I am alternating between sore feet, sore shoulders/neck and a sore right knee. Not too bad, but aching by the end of the day. Cold water really helps the feet so the river and pools have been great. I started my shower this afternoon with several minutes of cold water directed at the feet.

That's all for now. Esther has been sleeping and I'm going to read for an hour before we head over to see inside the church and check on the massage situation.

Red wine on tap at Fuente-de-vVno

The story behind Fuente de Vino

Frita and pickles and cool water

Los Arcos cathedral

Esther, Lasse by carved cathedral doors

No shade

Window boxes and interesting streets in Los Arcos

Interesting carving in front of the Albe