And On it Goes

Days seven and eight have had some similarities.  Day seven - Los Arcos to Logrono.  Day eight - Logrono to Najera.  Both days were a bit cooler, and on both days I got an early start.  Out of Los Arcos, on my own, I must have missed a yellow arrow as I somehow came to a fork in the middle of the fields and my prairie girl senses told me that I ought to be heading down the "less traveled one" so I did a Robert Frost.  About a km of this grass-growing-in-the-middle cow path I came to a highway.  By now it was light enough that I could see a village in the west-by-north-west.  I crossed my fingers that it was Sansol - the next place I was supposed to pass through, and walked about 1.5 km to it.  Lo and behold, it was the right place!  Head uphill towards the church, I knew I would find the Camino again.  And so I did.

You can see "Sansol" on the sign.  I was not taking one step backwards for a better shot.

Aim for the church.

This is getting to be very serious wine country.  Passed a lot of vineyards in these two days.

There are mountains all around, and continuous up and down.  There are more flat parts than at the beginning - which helps the speed a bit.

What is most seriously slowing me down is my left achilles.  The first hour in the morning I am doing a serious hobble.  Then it warms up and I can trot along for a while - until about 10:30 ... then it's back to hobble for a bit.  Have an ibuprofen, find a place for lunch, consider stopping for the day - but then dismiss that as a bad idea.  Ibuprofen kicks in, things ease up a bit, and, the best magic I have discovered, put in the ear buds and turn on some lively music.  It is an addictive opiate that can positively get me skipping down the trail.  Who knew?  By the time I reach my destination, I feel as though I can keep on going ... but 30 km days (times 2) are probably enough.  Besides, "the gang" (whom I'll attempt to introduce you to in the next blog) are staying here.  A merry little band of mixed breed pilgrims.

Here's a few sights of days 7 & 8:

This little boy was throwing rocks in this ruined castle (?) and being chastised by his dad.  Reminded me of Brock.

Another part of the same ruins.

A bit of a gypsy district on the edge of Logrono.  Notice the little dog house.  Yes, there was a dog inside.

A pilgrim and his dog.  Only saw him one day, one time.

The courtyard in Logrono. 

This little ? hut? was outside of Najera.  A mattress of very questionable cleanliness was on the floor inside.

It is time to start out - much later today than usual, but needed to catch up on blogging.  Wifi is outside this little bar/restaurant that opened at 6 a.m. - so have been able to have a coffee first thing - usually no cafe con leche until 10 or 11.  So ... ibuprofen is helping a bit, time to start the first hour of hobble ... but the scenery will be worth it.  

Buen camino to me.