June 27th. We did not walk today.
The forecast was for 38 degrees and the section was long (over 30 kms) and very
hilly. On a normal day it would have been doable but in this heat we decided it
would be foolish to subject our bodies to such torture. So, we took a taxi and
arrived in Logrono around 11am. This brought us completely out of the Navarre
into La Riojo. Logrono is a university town with a population of 130,000. Being
here is something of a shock after the quite villages we have become accustomed
to. We entered the city over the Puente de Piedra and headed for the main
square and the cathedral - a Gothic building which is both austere and ornate
inside and quite unlike the cathedrals of England or Northern Europe - it is a
curious blend of medieval and modern.
One nice surprise on this Camino is the number of young (late teens/early twenties) people here. They are lovely - so full of life, so friendly and so curious. It´s so great to see!
One difference between Roxanne and me is that Roxanne likes to listen to music on her Nano while she is walking. She says it helps to distract her from the agony of the walk. I cannot do that. I need to listen to the birds and the crickets and the frogs and the combine harvesters (of which there are many) and even the distant hum of traffic on the auto-route. It keeps me in the moment - which is what I want.
Speaking of combine harvesters, we almost got mowed down yesterday walking through a wheat field. One such beast came hurtling down on us and we had to leap for the ditch to avoid being swept away by it.
Such is the Camino!
One nice surprise on this Camino is the number of young (late teens/early twenties) people here. They are lovely - so full of life, so friendly and so curious. It´s so great to see!
One difference between Roxanne and me is that Roxanne likes to listen to music on her Nano while she is walking. She says it helps to distract her from the agony of the walk. I cannot do that. I need to listen to the birds and the crickets and the frogs and the combine harvesters (of which there are many) and even the distant hum of traffic on the auto-route. It keeps me in the moment - which is what I want.
Speaking of combine harvesters, we almost got mowed down yesterday walking through a wheat field. One such beast came hurtling down on us and we had to leap for the ditch to avoid being swept away by it.
Such is the Camino!
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ReplyDeleteWendy, is this an area of the Rioja wine? There is supposed to be a fiesta held on June 29th in town called Haro. First, there is a peaceful morning battle, where participants dispatch litres of wine over their adversaries. Afterwards, people head back to Haro and gather in Plaza de la Paz Square.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is nice to see many young people on Camino.
Keep listening to the birds Wendy! Good that you are not wearing the ears plugs; this might have saved your life. Hugs, Vera
Wow Wendy
ReplyDeleteAmazing experiences and I can't believe the heat in June no less. It sounds as though the food is not exactly like The Cabin in Hockley Valley!!! Be well and keep drinking all manner of things. Glad the H2O purifier is working. Hugs, Lynda
Hi Wendy
ReplyDeleteWhere are you now?
Hugs,
Lynda (just home from Pennsylvania)
We are now in Belorado - not far Burgos. No chance to update the blog as there is no Internet access. Will updated in Burgos
DeleteHow are you Wendy?
ReplyDeleteGreat! Will update the blog in Burgos.
DeleteW
Great to hear from you Wendy. Looking forward to your blog from Burgos.
DeleteIt is Canada Day weekend. Biking tomorrow and relaxing hopefully on Monday.
Thinking of you on Camino! Vera
Happy Canada Day from Vera , Ruth and Rekha sitting at Cafe les Saisons @ Old Chelsea!!!!
DeleteHappy Canada Day (July 2) from Diane! I can picture you and Roxanne enjoying the cold beer and wine after a hot day of trekking. Glad some of the food is improving and access to fresh fruit and vegetables. I can't imagine the heat!
ReplyDelete