And on the Sixth Day

Another hot and beautiful day in sunny northern Spain.  Reports of cooler weather in the fall have been greatly exaggerated, or have been influenced by climate change.  

I was out of the Albergue by about 6:45 and had a bit of a slowish start as my feet settled back into their routine.  I had quickly laced my boots tight over my swollen, wasp stung foot before it could swell.  It was looking a bit better when I woke up, and, more importantly, it hadn't kept me awake all night.  

Estella is a city of some size and it took awhile to get out of it.  And the whole way out was 'up' ... a small river runs through town so we were climbing up and up away from the Rio.

Here were some of the early morning sights.

Near the outer edge of Estella, a basket of figs for the pilgrims.  If I'd been more awake, I'd have shown you all what a fig is like - a fresh one that is.  But there may be more chances.

Vino on the left, agua on the right.  It was so early, that the vino hadn't been refilled inside the building. I did get one drop.  This is not the famous fountain of wine - it is apparently still some days away.  Good marketing for this winery.

It was a steady long day and another hot one.  Seems that's the only temperature Spain has ... although I know that 10 days in Spain hardly qualifies me as a long range forecast expert.  The word in peregrino (pilgrim) land is that it is to be a bit cloudy and perhaps a shower tomorrow.

Meanwhile - on to Los Arcos!

Walked past what is apparently the ruins of a Roman castle.  I didn't hunt for the way up, although apparently there was one.  I stopped for a bit of a picnic just past it, and a fellow came out of "nowhere" - we exchanged Holas! ... until we figured out that English was both his and my first language.  Bit of a laugh over that.  He has been backpacking all over Europe - with his tent, and decided to try the Camino.  From Chicago originally - and apparently doesn't need to go back there any time soon.  He had camped the previous night up at the ruins and reported that they were very interesting.  

Made it to my destination in record time.  If I wasn't worried about further aggravating my slowly improving foot, I would be tempted to keep going.  That, and if it were about 10 degrees cooler.  (I can't believe I just said that!)  It really is the perfect temperature for walking about - just not with a pack.

Entering Los Arcos ... about 1500 people live here.  Who knows what the population may have been when this amazing cathedral was constructed.

Inside this place.  Unbelievable ...

And looking straight up ... awe inspiring - as it was meant to be.

Off the the albergue - they are generally a little less breathtaking, but quite adequate.