Viana to Nazarette

We had a nice surprise last night just before going to bed. We discovered that our two new friends from Kelowna, Canada, Paula and Kellie, were also staying in the same Pension as we were. We had last seen them at the Sacred Heart Convent Albergue a while back. Kellie had developed severe pain in her feet and had a badly infected blister on her heel. We hatched a plan that had Kellie taking a day off and Paula would hike to Nazarette with us, then we would catch a ride back to Viana to spend another night. Since it is festival time, lodging is pretty tight for the weekend. Tomorrow we will catch a ride back to Nazarette to continue on while Kellie takes a taxi on to the next town with all of our packs.

After a bit of breakfast and a couple cups of high octane coffee we set off for Nazarrete. The ladies from Canada always like to start their morning with a photo so here we are.

We headed out of the walled village and down the Camino. We often run across images encased in glass in walls. We never know what they are but there is something about them that I like. They just seem to belong on the Camino.

The fields of bright red Poppies are constant companions along the Camino. This country looks like a living painting or post card.

Art is deeply appreciated in Spain and it takes many forms. We pass a lot of graffiti and most of it is very good. Being a rattle can artist myself I really like it and always have to take a picture of the ones that speak to me.

We made a new friend along the trail this morning. His owner's house was covered in beautiful flowers. The Spanish love flowers and gardens and I don't think we have ever passed a home that did not have a garden or plants of some kind in the yard. After bidding our new little buddy good bye we headed down the trail again. I think he barked Buen Camino to us but my grasp of Spanish dog lingo is very limited so I am not sure.

We came to the bridge that will take us into the town of Logrono. Everything in this part of the world appears to be built to last.

Logrono is a busy university city that was first inhabited by the Romans, then the Celts. From the 10th century, the Kings of Castile and Navarre fought for possession of the town. The Camino took us through the old historic part of town and we walked right into a festival. 

There were people in period costumes in the streets and running booths selling just about everything you can imagine.

There were also plenty of choices of food for three hungry pilgrims to enjoy for lunch.

There was even a Jester running around and he picked on Savanna and then ran away.

Much too soon it was time to move on. We could have easily spent the rest of the afternoon at the feastival but the Camino called and we followed it through the city. As it wound it's way out of town we walked through several parks and plazas. The locals were always wishing us Buen Camino and if we looked a bit puzzled about the route, they were always quick to help us out. We never even had to ask. They just walked up to us and pointed out where the Camino was. Mayvbe it is there way of being part of our pilgrimage also.

One plaza had a statue dedicated to the pilgrims so of course we had to snap a quick photo.

The trail took us past a small lake and quite a few families were enjoying themselves there. A group of swans decided to check us out as we walked past. 

As we topped a hill we saw our destination for the day in the distance, the village of Naverrete. This would be the end of a 22 kilometer day for us.

Just before entering the village, we passed this old pilgrim hospital that dates back to 1185 AD. This is all that remains of the hospital. I am sure they also cared for pilgrims with blisters and bum ankles in their time as well. 

Our hike for the day ended in front of the Church of the Assumption from the 16th century. We called a taxi to take us back to our lodgings in Viana for the night and we will start out here again tomorrow. Until then we wish everyone Buen Camino!