Total ascent today = 1,148 feet
Cumulative distance = 83.5 miles
After a so so breakfast in our hotel we left Estella via a couple of old town gates and emerged onto the bustling city streets outside the old walls.
A short walk brought us to a different kind of fountain. A wine fountain?! Did we die and go to heaven? No, the Bodegas Irache provides pilgrims with free wine tasting. Since they don't provide any sipping vessels, most of us made good use of our shells. To deter drunkenness, the fountain only provides a spurt of wine each time the faucet is turned. It really frustrated a pair of young German lads who tried to fill their water bottle.
Today's hike didn't go through many villages. The morning walk had us on a ridge above the valley walking by fields of wheat. We picked up another traveler, Janet from Santa Barbara, on our way. She's here until the second week of July and will do as much of the Camino as she can. Towards lunchtime we approached the village of Villamayor de Monjardin and their vineyards and olive tree groves.
The Castillo de San Estaban forms the backdrop to the village high atop the mountain. We were walking towards it all morning.
We also passed another water fountain - the 13thC Fuentes de Los Moros (fountain of the Moors).
We had lunch above the village square looking at the church. Lunch pickings can be few around here. Dave had bacon, eggs and fries. I had an omelet on bread. Janet and I treated ourselves to ice cream afterwards.
The afternoon grew a bit hot, and our destination seemed elusive. Several landmarks failed to appear in the anticipated locations. I began to fear that we had inadvertently strayed off the Camino. Then in the distance we saw an oasis -and he served cerveza - quite odd to see a food trailer out in the middle of nowhere.
Since we still had a ways to go we opted for a soft drink. A few minutes rest in the shade and we were once again plodding along the path. It seemed like forever, but we finally arrived at Los Arcos. It's not much of a town, pretty run down, but the hotel is nice enough and the shower was hot!
Dave took a nap while I posted yesterday's notes and started on today's. Before we arrived in Spain, I wondered what we would do after the days hiking. REST. it feels like pure luxury to put our feet up on the bed and be still for a couple of hours. After a shower, and clothes washing, we catch up on emails and news from home, read the paper and nap until dinner.
We both are having issues with our feet. The blister on my big toe popped up again. Not too bad, but I want to get it under control now. David's boots are feeling too snug, even though they are a half size larger than he usually wears. It's especially painful when going downhill He ordered a new pair from Zappos, to be delivered to our daughter, Jen. She will overnight them to a future hotel. Hope the logistics work out.
mmmmmm...wine fountain!!
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