DAY TWO - Logroño to Najera

About thirty kilometres covered today depending on which guide book you ascribe to. 

We started off with a climb out of Logroño,  and were the first to leave the albergue, which was far from full.  We have noticed that the way is much quieter this year compared to 2010.

The terrain had been varied and beautiful.  We have had to stop many times to admire the views.  Mountains,  lakes,  forests.  I think we've pretty much seen it all today. 

Arriving in Najera we were relieved to kick off our shoes and get in the showers. We've had a quick look round but have returned for a lie down before venturing out later for dinner. 

The challenge for me this year is to stay present.  With so much going on in the next couple of weeks I'm being careful to try to push that aside and stay in the moment.  So far so good.  There is so much to see and think about as we walk that the projects of the near future are staying there.

W ere checked into another comfortable and well maintained albergue which only opened in 2012. Friendly,  clean and ideally located by the River and directly on the Camino.

It's much busier here and our room is full of cyclists.  Hopefully none of them snorks as a good night's sleep is what we need ready for tomorrow's walk. ...

Day ONE - Barcelona to Logroño

Up at 5am to catch the first train to Barcelona to board or train to Logroño.  All went swimmingly without a hitch, despite previous worries about cutting it fine. Surprisingly the train was quite busy - most people on their way home after a night of clubbing. 

As we pulled into Logroño I had a sudden attack of nerves.  Not sure what that was all about,  but it may have had something to do with our stop off here 4 years ago when we really didn't gel with the city. 

We arrived at the albergue a little early so they let us drop off or rucksacks while they finished cleaning and we went off for a coffee. We returned about an hour later and checked in.

It's a wonderful place.  Only opened last year by a guy who has walked the camino 9 times, and I thought we were gluttons for punishment.  The hosts are very very friendly and helpful and the place has a relaxed and welcoming energy.  It's clean and tidy with everything we could need for an overnight stay.  Pretty much luxurious as far as albergues go.

After checking in we've done a bit more sightseeing and actually love the city.  We clearly missed the best parts last time.
Tapas and a glass of rioja for lunch and we were well sorted.

It's been a great start to this year's adventure but now we are both pooped and are going to spend the rest of the evening relaxing on our bunks. Happily the place is far from full and very peaceful so it looks like a good night's sleep is on the cards.

Although we're both tired we're in high spirits.  Tomorrow the walking begins and we are both keen to get going. 

Bags packed, ready for the off ..

Well almost.

Nearly everything is laid out on the bed ready to go into the rucksack, or bum-bag. It looks like a lot, but won't fill the rucksack and hopefully won't weigh too much. In previous years I've managed to keep it down to around 7 kilos. 

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This morning I popped round to decathlon to get some rubber tips for the walking poles so that they are less annoying when walking in town or on the roadside.  

I've just called the first albergue to confirm our reservation, the receptionist even spoke English, which surprised me a little, and also confirmed the one for Monday night too -so we're sorted for beds for the first two nights, so don't need to rush too much. 

Later this evening I'll pick Jane up at the airport. She's bringing the official Camino 2014 T-shirts and caps. W can then both finish our packing, make a snack for the train journey and hopefully get a  bit of sleep before we have to be up at dawn to start our adventure.... Wish us luck!! 

The Plan

AS the French Air Traffic controllers strike is off our walk is ON, baring any other disasters, of which there will be none!

Tomorrow Jane arrives from Gatwick into Barcelona at ten past eight in the evening. Once i have picked her up we will indulge in a light dinner and relax, going to be early, although I'm not sure either of us will sleep much.  Before bedding down we will be preparing sarnies for the train journeys in the morning.

On Sunday we have to get to VnG train station for the first train at 06:19 to get to Barcelona Sants to catch the long-distance train to Logroño at 07:30.  The journey is just under four hours and we should arrive in Logroño around 11:22, according to the RENFE timetable. 

For the Sunday night we have reserved a bed (litera) in the Check-In Rioja Albergue. Once we have checked in we will have time to play tourist in Logroño and maybe get a couple of stamps on our credenciales.  

The rest of our plan is as follows: (distances are approx)

Monday  - Logroño to Najera 30kms (Staying in the Puerto de Najera Albergue)
Tuesday - Najera to Santo Domingo 22kms  (Staying in the Cofradia del Santo Albergue) 
Weds    - Santo Domingo to Belorado 23kms (Staying in the Cuatro Cantones Albergue)
Thurs    - Belorado to Ages 28kms (Staying in the El Pajar de Ages Albergue )
Friday   - Ages to Burgos 25 kms (Staying in the Hotel Maria Salome) 
Sat       - Flight from Burgos back to BCN. 

To say we are botha little excited to be going back over well-trodden ground from our adventure in 2010 is an understatement. We are like a couple of kids waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve! 

And this is the route, more or less

Ver Camino Frances Stage 2 - Logrono to Burgos en un mapa más grande

Listo

Listo = Spanish meaning ready! 

Well, I've finally got round to making my list of essential items to take with me, and happily it's not a large one. So once I've put all these things in my rucksack I'll be ready for the off. 

I can't find my Brierly guidebook which I used in 2010. However, it was an older copy and it was already out of date then. I am sure there will have been some changes on the Way -  and it'll be interesting to see what. I'm not worried about not having a guidebook though. As I remember it was well signposted and on the whole pretty easy to follow (famous last words!).

Last night I had a dream I was already walking and met a woman I had met back in 2010 whilst on the same path. I don't do dream interpretations much, but am guessing that the Camino is so much in my head at the moment that it's quite natural to dream of it too. If on the other hand you think this is a message for me do tell!!

Yes Siree I am ready to go ...

ATC

Been a bit preoccupied today due to the French Air Traffic Controllers strike, and how  it might affect Jane's arrival, and whether she will be able to join me after all.  And I'm sure we're not the only 'pilgrims' that are on tenterhooks concerned whether they will make it to the Camino this year or not. 

Do they seriously think that by disrupting travel across Europe that they will get the support of the public? So many people work for fifty weeks a year to get a couple in the sun only to have their flight cancelled because of them. Blood boiling!! A week of strikes- and always in the summer. 

Yes we notice what they are doing and their cause gets airtime, but who, in the long run are they hurting? - The government who are imposing cuts? - Nope. The man in the street - Yep  

'Take it easy' Tone advises 'Watch your blood pressure.' 

Anyway rant over, but I guess you can see now why I've been a little preoccupied today, and the annoying thing is we won't know whether Jane's flight will be cancelled until the very last minute - so chums cross your fingers and say your prayers that she'll make if safe and sound and our adventure will go ahead as planned, otherwise it could be a solo venture for me again. 

I've been watching the Easy-jet 'flight-tracker' page and although some of the delays from Gatwick to Barcelona have been substantial, there was only one out of six flights cancelled on that route today. I live in hope .... 

Just BE

As our departure date looms ever closer one of the things I am really looking forward to is being back in nature. Walking in the woods, through the fields and meadows, and even beside the roads with nature all around makes my heart sing. The sounds of the birds and insects going about their business and very little else assaulting my ears is something I cherish. Disconnecting from the daily 'grind' is a bonus - boots on, rucksack packed and walk - no more worries.... 

Whilst surfing this morning I saw this and think it just about says it all: