After deciding that the ligaments in my knee required 2 days rest, we arranged for a taxi to take me to the next 2 stops on our journey. These are Dale’s notes about his journey, with a few of mine added as I waited.
Pamplona to Puente la Reina 14.8 miles
This day was, in a word, windy! And rocky. Good thing I taxied to the town! Even though it was a day I had looked forward to with a lot of anticipation. The walk to Puenta la Reina ascends Alto del Perdon where the sculpture waits for you at the summit. Made famous in the film “The Way,” (great film, by the way) it depicts pilgrims walking el camino de Santiago. Its name is Where the Way of the Wind Crosses the Way of the Stars.
While Dale was walking a tough, but rewarding day, I was meeting more pilgrims at the albergue where we stayed. I received an unexpected call from Dale and didn’t answer because the cost per minute is .25 per minute. (Anybody remember similar long distance charges??) He sent me a text saying he needed to talk with me, so I picked up.
He had lost his wallet! He thought it might have been left at the deli where he stopped on his way out of town…and he had. I went down there and they had it!! Catastrophe avoided!
Puenta la Reina to Estella 13.6 miles
The walk to Estella was accented with some rain, but also some surprises.
- Book crossing, where a table and chairs were set up for pilgrims to relax among some olive trees
- Impromptu guitar/singer performance of the Camino song
- Cirauqui, where there had been a huge festival and party the previous night. Dale reported that they were hosing down the streets!
- Villatuerta, the home of an ancient, and massive church and monastery.
Meanwhile, I had to be up and out of the albergue at 8 so my taxi arrived early and I was in Estella in only 30 minutes. However, this time, it was I who had left something behind. A small bag containing both pairs of my trail shoes. After much back and forth, and miscommunication, they were picked up by Jacotrans (my new best friend!), and were delivered safely to our pension in Estella.
I couldn’t check in as early as I had arrived, so I was literally booted out to wait in the garden and felt homeless for a few hours. Dale arrived and my knee was so much better, I knew I could walk the next day. I’m a happy pilgrim!
Oh to be a few years younger. Living it through your posts.