Punta la Reina to Estella I left the albergue before the sun was up, walking the quiet streets of Puenta le Reina with my great companions since day one, Èd and Carol. The first sharp uphill climb saw me sweating profusely with the exertion at such an early hour. It's funny that there are never any photos of the steep climbs and by the evening, the memory has also erased such experiences! In the small village of Cirauqui, we stopped for a drink and I took th...

Pamplona to Puenta la Reina My moods were a bit jumbled up this morning on the 8 mile walk uphill, out of Pamplona city and through undulating countryside. I got into 'the zone' and walked by myself for a while listening to the soundtrack of the film, 'The Way' and this soon restored my equilibrium. People walking the Camino all have their own reasons and motivations but today was amazing. There is a wedding party of eight Australians who are celebrating by walki...

Pamplona After covering 50 miles over the past four days on challenging terrain, I have decided to give my body and particularly my feet a rest today. I said goodbye to Alesia who has been a great walking companion with lots of positive energy and wished her well for the remainder of her Camino. I am strolling around on my own today and it's a pleasure not to be in walking boots and carrying a heavy rucksack. This city is synonymous with bull running and fighting...

Zubiri to Pamplona Do you know that feeling when you hear the church bells and you count the number of bongs and hope it is not the number which tells you to get up? I counted and hoped it would stop at 6 but it went on to 7 and it was time to rise and face the day ahead. I am staying at an albergue (a hostel for peregrinos) and they are numerous throughout the Way. Typically, bunk bunks in a shared dormitory with showers and other facilities and costing between ...

Ronscevalles to Zubiri Buenos Dias. I am in Navarra province and there is another long day ahead. Most peregrinos have set off early before sunlight but I wait until 8am to hit the road. There's a chill in the mountain air and once again it is very quiet and tranquil in this part of Spain. The first stop is to get a photo next to the road sign for Santiago de Compostela - it tells me that there is 790km to go which puts yesterday's achievement into perspective! I...