Walking West – Presents – Pilgrims and Prophets

Day 5 – Puente La Reina to Estella, 16.43 miles

Westward Progress in Pics

The moon lighting the path out of Puente La Reina in the early morning. — Leaving Puente La Reina by moonlight.

The town of Cirauqui rises out the surrounding fields and watches over the countryside. — Cirauqui, one of my favorite views on the Camino de Santiago.

Plump, purple grapes hang from the vine, ready to be picked. — Grapes ready for the Fall harvest!

Olives hang from the olive tree, ready to be picked. — Olives ready for the Fall harvest!

Blueberry Cheesecake desert served in a glass dish. — One of the gifts to myself today, happy birthday to me!

Westward Progress in Words

Walking 16+ miles alone through western Navarra seems a strange way to celebrate a birthday, but it’s the way I did it this year. And the day was a real struggle for me. Looking back, I believe the funk was because I was under-caffeinated and hangry, both the result of leaving too early. I wasn’t properly caffeinated and fed until 10:30am. Apologies to anyone I may have snapped or snarled at along the way.

I made it to Estella and rewarded myself with a private room (good, snore-less sleep), machine-washed clothing (no more swampy smells), a gourmet hamburger (recommended by a young Croatian friend, wasn’t sure he was a credible source, but he was right!), and a blueberry cheesecake served in a cup.

The day ended well…lesson learned; sleep in a little longer, leave later, drink more coffee early, and eat at least one Napolitana de Chocolate before setting forth.