Walking West – Rest – Pilgrims and Prophets

Day 8 – Logroño to Navarrete, 10.35 miles

In case you were contemplating a walk across the water, follow the yellow arrow.

Still one of the most splendid things I’ve seen in my life, Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.

Water, a grace of the earth, not a commodity to be bought and sold…

I established today as a rest day, inasmuch as walking over 10 miles a rest. It is, comparatively speaking, considering the previous days’ distances. I arrived at my destination early, had lunch, secured lodging for the night, and changed into flip-flops all before noon!

I sauntered down the street to my albergue, settled into my space, hand-scrubbed my laundry and hung it out to dry, and then took a nap. Good rest. After the nap, I moved from my bed to a nice spot in the garden to soak in the sun and catch up on my writing. More good rest. By 3:00 pm, I was bored and so sauntered back into town to tour the church and find something to eat.

Later, I was back in the garden to gather my partially clean and fully dried clothes from the line, and then more time in the sun with my journal. Some more good rest, then it was time for bed.

On my previous pilgrimage, I took a full rest day in Logroño, and it worked wonders on my mind and body. The new strategy – a shorter day walking with significant leisure time – worked just as well, and I maintained some forward progress.