We stayed in a nice apartment last night and watched a silly movie. Afterwards we wound down and went to bed. 

Good morning!!! I think we were all feeling excited about the day only 18-19 kms. The hardest and longest days were behind us. Let’s go!!!

We had coffee before leaving and started off happy and excited though tired, after all we had walked nearly 70 kms in three days. The moon and sunrise were spectacular. 

After 8 kms we stopped for breakfast in Toros del Rio. Such a nice stop. And we only had 11 kms+ to go. 

This part of the trail is called the knee-wrecker. And while I think our knees were fine it wrecked us in other ways. 

Feet were tired. Blisters for some. Weariness. 

And yet we still found time to laugh. 

And once in Viana we enjoyed a nice lunch and lots more laughs and a few tears before the much needed showers and down time. 

And once in Viana we enjoyed a nice lunch and lots more laughs and a few tears before the much needed showers and down time. 

This has been a trip of a lifetime!!! I have walked with my daughter which was extraordinarily special. For Noël this is special because he has always wanted family to come with him. So for us this is meaningful to have David and Heleen join us. 

Today’s lesson: take the trip, spend time together, let the laughter and tears flow equally!! Life is short!!!!

We started at 7 again today. We love to walk slowly through the dawning of a new day. For now the moon has been bright above us before the sunrise. 

Breakfast found us At Azqueta and our friend Rene’s cafe. He greeted us warmly. We contacted them yesterday saying google had them temporarily closed. They were grateful for the tip. We had a nice coffee and sandwich!! Perfect stop.

Out of  Azqueta there is a descent and then a steep climb into Villamayor de Monjardin. We stopped there also for a quick break.

Next stop the Oasis Food truck. In between Villamayor de Monjardin and Los Arcos is a lovely food truck. We always try to stop here. Today was a great experience!!!

There is a nice little stop a few kms from Los Arcos. While sitting there we talked with a young g woman from china. We didn’t get her name but she gave us all a gift of a camino keychain. 

As we were walking to Los Arcos Noël and I decided to give her one of the small wooden shells we bought in Sant cirque la popie. She was very grateful. 

A big lunch in Los Arcos before checking in, check in, groceries and then relaxing. 

Lesson learned today: we are more resilient than we realize. 

We were able to have coffee and a bite to eat this morning before embarking on our journey today. Everyone was a bit tired but ready to go for the next day. 

Adapt. Adjust. Accept. That’s one of our mottos for camino and life. And well it fit well for this one too. Both of us were suffering from sore feet yes so we opted to send one pack ahead, carry one and a smaller backpack in order to distribute the weight. It wasn’t what we planned but we listened to our own advice. 

We had a nice day though again a bit warm again. And lots of ups and downs. But we made it and have rested, eaten, and are getting ready for another day tomorrow!!

I encourage you to love your life with these words: adapt, adjust, accept. 

Our day starts at 7 walking from Pamplona to Puente La Reina. We hope to find coffee for David before leaving Pamplona. Okay for the rest of us too.  

Our first stop was at Cizur Menor and alas there was no coffee or any cafe open. So we sat and rested and had a breakfast bar. And on we went to Zariquiequi. 

On the way out of Cizur Menor a gentleman from Australia wished us a Buen Camino and a Happy Easter. 

And then said, “although it doesn’t feel much like Easter.” To which I replied, “well the sun is shining, it’s a beautiful day, there are opportunities all around and hope springs eternal!” He laughed and said, “you are right. It does feel like Easter!”

Thankfully the church, the tienda and the little cafe were open. After snacks, drinks, stamps, and rest it was time to tackle Alto del Perdon. 

We made it to the top and it wasn’t as windy as it usually is. The vistas were absolutely beautiful. We could see the rapeseed blooming yellow and look another direction and see snow on the mountains. 

The descent down from Alto del Perdon is never easy even with the work they have done. For 1.2 kms it’s a 34% descent. Tough on knees and feet. For me today it was the feet. And yet always nice to look back at from where you have come.

Our next stop was in Uterga where we had lunch. It was a much needed rest break. We met a lovely lady named Ann from Australia. 

We made it to Puente La Reina. Tired, hot and ready to relax. 

And the words I said to the gentleman still ring true for me, even though my feet hurt and I am very tired…it was a beautiful day, full of opportunities and hope springs eternal!!

4 April-David and Heleen are on their way to Toulouse. After picking them up we will head to Pamplona. Well, we had to wait because there was some sort of delay with luggage. But finally were greeted with their smiling faces and warm hugs. 

Four and a half hours driving to Pamplona. Good conversations and laughter most of the way. The stress of the day had melted away quickly!!

Driving into the Pyrenees is always an awe-some experience!!!

We navigated little obstacles with ease, patience, and peace. 

Key lesson: have fun and stay calm!!!

Just getting acquainted with this new site. And like most new things I’m stumbling around, fumbling around really in the dark. But I don’t give up easily so I will keep trying and try to discover how to get this to work.

via Trying something new — Tripping Into Grace