Toady was a great day. We started out from Estella and found our way to the wine fountain that you can drink from or fill up a small bottle. After that you make your way to a place where you can make a choice between two routes. One has two stops the other takes you 22 kms with no stop. The choice was simple.

At this juncture we met Niall from Ireland. It was a fun and lively conversation as we went up and down the hills. We came to the village Azquete and a familiar stop. It has just been bought by a Dutch. Still great service. The three of us were joined by David and Angie from Australia.

It finally feels like there are connections being made. We walked with people we had met. Talked along the way. Noël taped another pilgrim’s shin. And once we got to Los Arcos there was a group of us sitting and sharing stories planning for dinner. So the connections are being made and all the while there is lots of laughter.

Tonight we had dinner with other pilgrims from Ireland, Germany, Poland, Australia and the USA. Some of us had met before but after dinner and lots of stories and laughter there was the realization that we are making a camino family.

The wind today was very strong. And while walking with Niall, from Ireland, he asked if after leaving the ministry what was it like? Was my faith still strong? I answered by saying “I felt it was stronger. I no longer attend church regularly but walking has become my church.” He got more curious about this and asked how so? “For me walking is very grounding. You literally touch your feet to the ground. And being in nature reminds me of what the divine created. The birds sing, butterflies flutter by, bees buzz around you. And the wind…sometimes it is gentle and refreshing and other times it is strong and relentless.”

At that point I was reminded of the two aspects of the Holy Spirit…gentle as a dove and then as the Celts remind us it is like a wild goose. There is a hymn and the refrain is this:

“Spirit, spirit of gentleness, blow through the wilderness, calling and free. Spirit, spirit of restlessness, stir me from placidness, wind, wind on the sea.”

Today there was a spirit of restlessness blowing and it pushed me to walk with courage.

We took our time and so were quite late getting to Estrella. I had the post all ready and then it disappeared. The photos show how pretty the day was.

Pamplona to Puente La Reina takes you past Alto de Perdon. It’s a sacred place but also a place that pilgrims pass. It’s sacred because they found a mass grave of people massacred because of being basque. If I’m wrong please correct me. It is also a place where pilgrims pass and the wind is powerful.

It is also the place where, in the movie “The Way” Joost turns to a cyclist riding up the mountain wishing them a “Buen Camino” and he says, “wait, you can do this on a bike?” This always makes me laugh.

As we walked through the village of Uterga Noël commented, “this doesn’t ring any bells for me…” and ten seconds later the church bells rang for 12:15. We both erupted in laughter. For someone this rings a bell.

It was a remarkably great day. Lots of steep climbs and descents but I really enjoyed today’s walk. And staying in Hostal Jakue is a treat. Every yearbook have stayed here.

I’m asking again if you are able to please contribute to our gofundme me which goes to cancer research. Thank you! And Thank You again to those who have already contributed!!

https://gofund.me/e25bbc66

Noël and I have declared that we are over rain. Thevfirat half of our walk out of Zubiri was pleasant. And then the rain came. It wasn’t quite the deluge that it was going into Roncesvalles but still a driving rain.

We met a fellow pilgrim from Germany today on our last 5 kms before Pamplona. Her name is Gabriella. We walked with her to her albergue and then found ours.

I had a couple of coaching sessions so we decided a quiet dinner in was in order. Dominoes Pizza is right next door so that made it easy. And we even have leftovers for tomorrow’s hike.

We are planning our next few days. And enjoying every minute.