Day 5 Los Arcos to Viana. 19 kms Total completed 85.18

Some steep hills in this section. In Los Arcos last night I took a photo of gates which will be used for the running of the bulls. It seems this happens in many of the villages. Rarely are farm animals to be seen. A few goats but grain country and on the harder land grapes and olives.

This early this morning I woke with only one ear plug in. I switched it to the exposed ear and went back to sleep. When I got up I couldn't find it and put it down as my first loss. I stood up to go and wash and a young French man follow me holding the plug between thumb and finger. So still nothing left behind.

I had a déjà vu experience today. Yesterday I walked behind an American girl explaining the difference between better and best. He was young dark and handsome and maybe Spanish. The body language was flirtatious and it got me to thinking about young people hooking up on the camino. He had a sore leg so I followed a passed them a couple of times. This morning I heard the young woman again explaining the difference between better and best and the use regarding football players. I thought he might be getting sick of the grammar lesson and turned to buen camino them but this young handsome man was blond. Cest la vie.

I had a tougher day today. Need to try to keep my own pace walked with a couple of groups chatting but had to drop back on the hills. Humbling but necessary if I am not to bust my fru fru.

I sleep with sunscreen to remind me to put it on before I leave. This works well but still got a bit burned on my shoulders today. Maybe the pack straps wear it off. Will have to remember to reapply at lunch.

Today I had a small muesli bar when I got up. Stopped in sansol for brekkie of ham and eggs with cafe con leche.ovely albergue (pilgrim hostel) with a fountain running in to a shallow pool with seats around for peregrines to bathe their feet. Everything comes with bread so set aside the bread and half the ham for lunch later. 3.50 euros for hameggs and bread, cafe 1.10, a bunk costs as little as 6 E in large dormitory or up to 9-15 in private albergue. Pilgrim menus in albergues and cafés are between 8-12 e. So I am trying to keep to a 25 euro a day budget. Seems to be working so far.

Well must go out look at a church have a beer ( strictly for hydration purposes ) and get something to eat. Actually the hydration thing is tricky. There are drinking fountains in each village but no public loos. I carry and drink water constantly. All the cafés and restaurants have loos. Maybe this encourages us to spend in the villages. So my bladder and bowels are in strict training. So far so good. By the end of the day I need to force myself to have several glasses of water even if I don't think I need to.

Marie the poppies are for you.

Sleeping well even though I was surrounded by snorers on each side and above.

AM. Trouble publishing the blog today. Great night's sleep on way 7:30