May 2, 2023

My hotel was really good last night, my only change would have been an actual double bed instead of 2 twin beds masquerading as a double bed.

I left town around 7:15 and walked on my own, but always in sight of others.

I saw a lot of familiar faces today and added a few new people that I hope to see again. I saw Stanley from Taiwan, he passed me while I stopped, but eventually I passed him. I saw Kevin a couple of times, the South Korean family and the two older German women. We walked through the vineyards most of the morning.

I followed Stan’s group without seeing they had taken a detour to a small town. It turned out to be a good thing as it was the only stop for a little breakfast, I had not eaten yet for the day.

Breakfast of the Camino, cappuccino, fresh squeezed orange juice and a salami sandwich.

As I left breakfast I met 2 women from the US, Tina and Lori, both friends that came to walk together.

We walked together the rest of the way to Najera, they continued on another 4 miles. So far that have been my best walking companions, they walk at a speed just a little faster than mine so it helped me push on and the conversation was good. But to be honest, at this point, I can’t really remember what we talked about besides using 00 flour to make pizza dough.

We came across this very interesting structure that we walked over to look at.

Walking out the other side of the trail there was a story board, but it did not mention this structure, the story was all about a David and Goliath type of battle that happened at this location with a pilgrim.  And, there is also buried treasure some where in the area.

Outskirts of Najera. Tina needed to change her socks so we stopped at the first cafe. I had a second-breakfast of champions, beer and a sugar donut.

While here we met a very interesting man from northern Germany by the name of Niko. He is walking alone and that day he had done 20 miles.

His English was very good and very easy to talk with. If you can’t have a beer and donut with a German then who can you have that with.

Tina and Lori continued on, Niko and I walked towards the bridge until we came to his alburgue and we said our goodbye. I told him that I hoped to see him again, but I doubt it at his pace and distance that he is capable of walking.

I crossed the bridge into Najera proper and made my way to my hotel.

It was a challenge to find my hotel and I needed my GPS to do it, it turned out to be up against the red cliffs in my pictures on the bridge. My room has huge, actually it was 2 connected room with a shared bathroom.

After my laundry chore and a shower I went out to find dinner, the front desk manager told me many places are still closed due to yesterday’s holiday.

I found a restaurant for a pilgrim’s dinner.

Chick pea and cod for the first course and roasted pork knuckle for the main course. It also included a bottle of wine, bread and chocolate cake; 18 €. The cod dish was really good, however the pork knuckle was very greasy.

Tomorrow I walk to Ciruena, population of 131.