Scenes From a Hot Afternoon

The temperature really went up after my tortilla de patata break.   It was, in most all ways, quite surreal.  Just what you'd expect Spain to be - brilliant sunshine and hot, hot, hot.  I am loving the heat - even the sweating is better than being cold.  Noreen Harder, you would love it here.

Some photos - seriously, I could take a photo every 30 seconds of something spectacular.  It's tough to know what to shoot and what not to.

Alongside the hot highway to Estella.

Pilgrim's rest.

Across a little river in Villatuerta.

Inside the church at Villatuerta.  Words fail me.

Looking straight up at the cathedral ceiling.

Outside, Chaco wanted to share my granola bar.  He was very attentive!

Chaco's friend reminded me of Max.  

The Ermitage de San Miguel.  Very austere compared to the cathedral.

On the far side of San Miguel church, is the door and an olive grove.  A backpack in the open doorway and a pilgrim on the shady floor at the back of the church in a state of meditation.   Inside, stark contrast to the cathedral - a plain stone altar and a wooden cross on the wall with a bird's nest on one arm.  I'd have photographed but I didn't wish to disturb the pilgrim.

The style of architecture is changing as I approach Estella.  At least some of it.

A welcome site at the end of the day.  The walls of the church at Estella.  The albergue should not be far ...

And, in fact it was just on the other side.  Price went up from last night, 6 Euros.  The budget is being tested ;)

Have had a shower, washed some laundry, am getting my iPad charged, my Spanish senor has given me some aloe (actual aloe) that I plastered all over my poor toe and foot.  It's time to stretch on my walking shoes and explore Estella a  little bit.

All that and it's only 4:15.

Ole!