What’s not to like about a journey and the Camino teaches you everything…

What's not to like about a journey and the Camino teaches you everything you ever wanted to know.

We got to the airport and we got on a plane

We got to the airport early had 3 pints and got on the plane

We got on the plane and had a glass of wine

We got off the plane and had a few more glasses of wine

We tried to check into our accommodation but unfortunately it was closed

We got off the plane we got off the bus and we went to the pub and drank wine

We went to 5 pubs and then the nightclub and drank wine before rushing for a taxi in the rain to get the 3:45 bus to San Sebastián.

This cost €16 which was a lot less than the accommodation so we had breakfast and spent eight euros on croissant and coffee while we watched the waves splash and crash and bash against the shore.

Then we got the bus to Pamplona and we saw lots of snow on the mountains.

We arrived in Pamplona, went for a coffee, started to walk and the rest is history. We stopped for more coffee and cake!

We made it all the way over the hill to Muruzábal where we had an enjoyable chase around the village to find the owner of the casa where we stayed. Tomorrow we hope to get to Lorca. Casa was €70 and we had a room each. Dinner was tapas and wine €23. What a joy


Lunch late Friday Lorca- we found our twin room with shared bathroom was 40€ and our lunch was 15. I love the place but we walked on having said hi again to our man at the bar who waved us on with a gift of two bottles of water. He wanted to give us beer but we were happy for the clear stuff. We got to villatuerta and went to alberguelamagica.com where I had stayed before. Sadly they were closed so we had another beer then walked back across the bridge and a nearby casa muskildialabdextea but it was rented for the week so we took advice at the new Buen Camino bar and hit the hourly bus at 18:55. The bus leaves from the Lorca side of the river and heads that way too before doubling back at the main road. Oh how we laughed as we thought we may indeed stay in Lorca, St Jacques after all does provide.

We finally arrived in Estella after 12 swaying minutes as the driver headed home for tea. We jumped off and hit hostel Cristina where Harry once changed the light bulbs for the wee old lady who ran the place. At 45€ for a double it seems the prices haven't moved on so I'd reckon I should revise my don't stay here to please do! We saw another Hostal which looked superb. It's parallel with the posh hotel other side of the church. Anyone doing the cash check will see how much we've spent and this year it's not bad. The accommodation experience is to try to average 25-30 now. It used to be 500€ for 25-30 days but now I'd recommend €750-800. If you like a bit more luxury lump on but as with birdies at golf - if you rough it for a night it takes a few double bogeys off the card later on when you spend €60 a night.

Back to the cash for Friday - puente la Reina - jakue bacon rolls and tea €6:40, cafe & cake by bank €5.40 albergue Lorca €15 tea juice and soup. Evening in the bar's was brilliant. My favourite being the winner of our 2011 food on the Camino awards. Over the pointy bridge we arrive at 20:04 and the platters of tapas and ponchos arrived immediately. Pincho and vino €2.50 - €12 later (extras a must!) we went to the rock n roll bar (5) then we went to another classic (4) then on to a place where they gave us free chips so we had two (8) then a single on the way back (3) - €32 for a few glasses of wine and a great Estella pub crawl. Home at 12:30 meant a long lie! So cash in kitty less today's spend of €116 including bus fares.

Saturday Monjardin and the laziest walk ever of 10km in 3 hours. Brekky for 9€ in Pan on way out, then some pilgrim wine, lentils and chorizo at azcueta with tea 15€ set us up for the new albergue which was 30€ for us. Cash is lasting well and the gap from private facilities and albergue is narrowing. 6€ for a lavadora and dryer a joy and the place is so clean and modern, we did the rustic charm of the old albergue 8 years ago.

Sunday is Torres del Rio or sansol- where a new albergue was built recently.

Monday is logrono

Tuesday nacarette/azofra

I like a big day and this could be it. Stu and I rolled into azofra at 7:30pm one year and we got placed in the annex.
Wednesday Santo Domingo And villambistia
Thursday cardenuela Rio pico
Friday Burgos - meet up with Andy and Keith then on to rabe for 2pm poss Bus at 1pm? Walk to Hornillos del Camino .
Saturday hornillos to Castrojeriz for lunch then to itero for 4:30
Sunday itero to Fromista train 11:09


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