Navarrete, La Rioja, Spain and Canary Islands
Distance by the guide book - 12.7km
Total distance for the day - 13.7km
Flights climbed - 10
Today, knowing we only had a short distance to travel, we had a leisurely start and didn’t get away until 8am. We’re both carrying a couple of injuries. Sheila slightly twisted her ankle on the third day coming down over the rocks and has been nursing a sprain since then. She’s wearing an ankle support to walk in and treating it with ice and elevation each day. It’s getting better every day. She also has Hikers Rash on both legs caused by the heat. It’s not painful or itchy and will go away eventually. I’m still nursing my back with drugs and stretches but it’s been better since I lightened the load in my backpack. The tendon on my left leg, which is an old complaint, has reared its ugly head today so I’m going to have to pay it some attention now as well. I had three small blisters on my toes that I’ve kept covered but they’ve all been reabsorbed now. When we look around at our fellow walkers we are doing so much better than a lot of the younger ones.
So we’re quite pleased with ourselves really.
Our pension was on the right side of town for us to rejoin the Camino this morning. We just had to walk out the front door, cross the street and start following the arrows again. It was a prettier walk out of town than it had been into town. We followed a path through a city park that went for a couple of kms. Quite a few locals were also enjoying the park for their daily exercise. That pathway ended at a causeway with a lovely dam behind it. Lots of the local senior gentlemen were fishing off the causeway. I’m not sure if any actual fish get caught but the men seemed to be enjoying each others company and that’s probably more important. We felt like we were just out for a stroll this morning, in no hurry to get anywhere.
There were no other villages along the way, so no chance for a morning cuppa until we reached our destination of Navarrete. At 11am it was too early for our Hostel to be open so we found the local cafe which was doing a roaring trade with hungry pilgrims.
We had a delicious freshly squeezed orange juice and a muffin, then wandered down to see what was on sale in the local market.
We’re craving vegetables and fruit so couldn’t resist the fruit and veggie stall. We bought snow peas, strawberries and kiwi fruit and ate them with some hummus and red wine for lunch sitting in the shade of a tree at a table in the square. It was delicious. The kindly gentleman who owned the cafe opened up while we were there and didn’t object to us using his table so we repaid his kindness by returning to have dinner there tonight. His wife does the cooking and she is a dab hand at tapas. We could have sampled everything on display but had to settle for a couple each. We shared our table with a Danish Mum and daughter who we’d met a couple of nights ago in Sansol. They’re holiday time is over so they’re starting their journey home tomorrow. We also said goodbye to a lovely Dutch lady and her walking group tonight. They’re also out of time and heading home tomorrow.
We find the temperature range here quite amazing. It is quite chilly in the mornings. You definitely need a cardigan and sleeves when you start walking but as the day goes on the temperature rises about 20 degrees with the hottest time being about 6pm in the evening. So when you think it might be cooling off a bit, no, it’s just gotten to the hottest time of the day. I can see why the locals have developed the habit of eating about 8.
We’ve a 16km walk tomorrow to Najera. We’re starting early and hoping to be there around lunchtime.
Karry
2023-05-03
Nice to have a couple of shorter days. Loving following along Lan! Xx
Marl
2023-05-03
Sounds like a lovely day today and must have been great to have a quieter day for all your muscles. You’re doing so well!
Joc
2023-05-03
It seems to be whizzing by! Great that the niggles are being resolved as you go along. The villages and countryside look gorgeous.
Chris D
2023-05-04
Glad you found yourselves some decent fruit and veg. You'll need those precious vitamins to help your recovery.
Suzanne
2023-05-04
Pleased you had a lighter walking day and caring for your injuries. It must have been exciting to find fresh fruit and vegetables.
Jackie
2023-05-04
These shorter days will do you both the world of good. All the pictures have been so wonderful-Love the feeling of following along with you both on this journey
Claire
2023-05-04
I can just imagine the joy of discovering that fruit and veggie stall, could almost taste it all with you both. I’d struggle without fruit and vegetables. Go girls!
Liz Davis
2023-05-07
Glad that you had less kilometres today. A real treat. So was that delicious lunch.