Day 4 - to Puente la Reina

35000 steps. Thanks to my day sponsors and 5000 step sponsors. Thanks to all saying a prayer for me on the journey.

After my delightful and refreshing lunch yesterday, I explored the city of Pamplona. First stop - the Cathedral. I begrudged having to pay 5 euro to enter - but goodness me - what an amazing Cathedral and what a great exhibition they have going on in the old cloister and monastery. It was worth every cent to assist with the upkeep of the Cathedral.

I wandered the very crowded streets for a while, picked up a tourist map, and walked along the old city walls. It was all going very well until the heavens opened and I was drenched. Getting back to the hostel was quite a task. Upon my return, I discovered that my phone charger was broken, so I was out wandering the streets again, in absolutely drenching rain. After this, I was starving. But the spanish don't eat dinner until 9pm and I didn't really understand how to do the hole tapas thing - and ensure that I got no seafood. So, I returned to the same bar and had another breadroll and the most delightful bowl of olives (with garlic and little peppers).

After lounging around for a while, I headed to the Cathedral for 8pm Mass. It was a surprisingly small crowd. But, the atmosphere made it really prayerful and I enjoyed the Mass immensely (even if I still don't understand much of what is said).

After Mass, I headed to the central square and did two laps before I mustered up the courage to find a place to eat. I was dying for a steak - so that is what I had. It was just OK.

Bed and then up again before 6am ready for another walk.

The hostel was wonderful because that modelled it on those Japanese single sleepers. We each had a slot with a locker, a light, 2 plugs for recharging and a pull down blind. I was very private and I ddn't need the eye shades like previous nights (thanks Lorraine).

Interestingly, of the twenty people staying in the hostel, four of them were there more than a night with injuries from teh walk - two knees, one calf, and one ankle. Three of them were injured on teh downhill on the second day.  Thank goodness that I am in one piece.

Now for Day 4 - this was a hill day (as if the others weren't). It involved a climb to Alto de Perdon at 800 metres. It was hard going. Every up also involves a down - and we spent a long time going down what would best be described as a goat track. The ground was like a dried river bed - lots of very large stones - it was very slow going as I kept my eye on every step that I took.

Backtracking: leaving Pamplona was a delight. We walked through or beside beautiful parks and then through the University district. It was so nice and green.

Unfortunately, I was beset with a couple of problems straight away. I was walking along and felt what I thought was an insect bite near my ankle. I ignored it. About three minutes later, I felt it again. I put my hiking pole into my shoe and scratched and then saw smoke arising. The ash from someone's cigarette had landed in my shoe - ow!  At the moment that I was fixing my sock, I felt water dripping down my legs. I thought that my water bladder had burst. It tutns out that I had not sealed it correctly and that a waterfall had formed in my backpack. Pity that it didn't put out the fire!  Not long later, my right foot really started to hurt - two of my toes were burning. I stretched and moved and di what I could to no result. Eventually, I took my shoe off and rearanged my sock - I think that I had simply tied my shoes way too tightly and cause a problem.

My right foot has aggravated me all day. It feels bruised underneath. It also seemed to find, with no problem whatsoever, every single stone or rock that it could.

I am very glad to not be walking right now.

I passed through quite a few very pretty towns. I got to visit a couple of nice churches and say some prayers for those back home. Pictures to come.

I am giving everything a proper machine wash right now. Then, I will visit the town. This hostel is on the outscirts.

Hasta la vista!