Yesterday's (the 11th) walk passed through some interesting areas first through city streets, then a park, an industrial area, a nature reserve and then along side a busy highway. The park was really quiet so early in the day. Mainly pilgrims and a few locals more than likely on their way to work. There was a fellow cutting grass, riding a tractor with a blanket on. The smell of freshly cut grass took me home! :-) We carried on through an industrial area which was just that- lots of trucks, various manufacturing plants and lots of untidy stuff. We sound found the nature park which was great! Through the woods, around a lake and through what I think was an ecological reserve. We did find the one and only bathroom, which was tailored for pilgrims as it had rain shelter, food, washrooms and water.
Along the highway was a chain link fence where pilgrims had made crosses out of bits and pieces (including socks) and inserted them in the fence. Someone had even written "without pain there is no satisfaction". How appropriate to read after an uphill slog! The town was high on a hill and after a climb we found a cafe. We stopped for coffee and snacks and chatted with a group of folks/pilgrims. A couple from Florida (the fellow looked like Alan Alda and I asked him if he had ever been mistaken for him, he said up until about 10 years ago he was approached a least once a day and he had even signed autographs! :-) ), a fellow from Wisconsin (sorry Doris he didn't know where Wilson, WI was), our friend from Victoria, and a few others. The cafe was an interesting mix of someone's rock and roll memories. There were music references everywhere, even a guitar under glass in the floor! Lots of skeltons and ghost like figures and horse shoes - go figure! They made good coffee though! :-)
After a boost of coffee we headed out and wandered through the town and found the church. We had a look inside, took a few photos and moved along. We had decided the night before that we would decide after we reached Navarrette if we would walk the next 10km or get creative. It was 11:30ish so we thought we would ask where to catch the bus to Najero. We found a hotel and asked a young lady and both of us thought we had clear directions. We were to continue down the Camino, through town a long way. Turn right, cross the highway and there would be a shelter. Sounds easy enough!
We walked through the town, along the road, until the path. No right turn so far! We could see the highway though so kept going. After a couple of km we came to a paved road which looked like it would take us to the highway. After much dithering on my part (I did not relish the idea of walking a couple of km off of the path and then having to walk the distance back), we followed the road. It took us to a roundabout where we could look over the highway. We could not see a shelter and were discussing options when a car stopped. Javier took us to the albergue in Najero in approx 15 min! He was a newly retired fellow in a perfectly cleaned car. He apologized for his lack of English saying it had been 40 years since he had taken lessons! He tried to teach us some Spanish words but I am not sure how many actually stuck in my head!
We were at the wrong albergue so sorted out directions and went looking. Found our bed for the night. After dropping off our packs we found a beer and then a church! Sandra went off for a rest and I went to explore. I didn't get very far before I ran into some faces I recognized! Had a good chat with Anne from Baltimore over some nice red wine and then back for a siesta. We went exploring after our rest and found the Church of Santa Maria. Very old and beautiful! We spent about an hour there and I took quite a few photos of the building with light and shadows. While waiting outside for Sandra I chatted to a fellow from Spain who was starting his walk from here the next day. He had done various sections already including a two week walk this past March. He had the best description I have heard about the Camino so far; simply "magic"!
We found a shop for food supplies and then dinner. A feast of green bean salad and ham, grilled trout, flan, wine and bread. Then back to find my bed. Chatted to some pilgrims, seems like the Canadian contingent is staying here, folks from Canmore, Alberta and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Found warm clothes and bed.
After a good warm sleep I am up early, 5:30. We will sort out our plans shortly and be on our way!
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