Day 8 - rest day

I sertainly needed to rest after arriving in Logrono. As I wrote in hyesterday's post, the last several kilometres were hell. Even after resting, I felt quite stiff. So, I am glad to have arranged a day off in advance.

As well as resting, I took the opportunity yesterday to explore the town a little bit and to relax. Logrono is famous for its tapas, sadly mostly of the seafood variety. Nevertheless, I was able to enjoy a few different flavours. This region, La Rioja, is also the red wine heart of spain. So, I was able to enjoy a glass or two of red wine, even though I stuck to the house wine.

As yesterday's pictures demonstrate, I also visited a few churches. The Cathedral is fortunate enough to possess a small painting of the crucifixion by Michelangelo. It is a glorious little piece and you are able to examine it up close and personal.

I also visited St Batholomew's which is thge oldest church in the region, dating to the thirteenth century. When I went, they had adoration of the blessed sacrament. I enjoyed the quiet time with the Lord. There was also a most spectacular crucifix in a side chapel which one could approach very closely.

The Mass at the Cathedral was pleasant enough. But, I only discovered after returning home that there is a pilgrim church with a pilgrims' Mass each evening. I will go there this afternoon.

I woke up this morning still alittle stiff but managed to walk it off in no time. After a substantial breakfast of tortilla, juice and coffee, I set off exploring again. One of the things that I wanted to do this morning was check out the route out of the city. It is quite complicated and as I was wandering along there were many pilgrims looking lost and perplexed and being pointed in the right direction by locals.

Having done this, I found the church of St James, the pilgrim church. Out side the front door there is a fountain so that pilgrims can refresh themselves and fill there water bottles. Inside, there are biscuits on a table for pilgrims to feed there bodies (just as they feed their souls). I didn't take one - it looked a bit Santa Clausish for me.

I then decided to visit the regional museum, which is free. The basis of the museum is art works and historical articfacts stolen from the church and from monasteries in the early 19th century by the state. It is a wonderful museum, tracing human existence from pre-history through to the modern era. The artworks are outstanding. I have put a few on a previous blog post. I was particularly taken by the statue of Our Lady of Hope, wherein the unborn Christ Child is a small statue placed within her womb. There was also a glorious modern painting called Superbia (the sin of vanity) - featuring a promenading women followed by a peacock.

Having wandered the streets for a while and had lunch, I decided to rest for a while more before beginning the explorations again.

Hasta la vista!