This turned out to be quite a long day. I set off bright and early at 8.00a.m. I wasn't in any hurry because I knew my room would be waiting at Hotel Akerreta no matter what time I arrived (thanks to booking.com). The way took longer than I expected, first a climb out of Vizkarreta and then a very steep and long descent into Zubiri. It was beautiful weather early on, but soon became rather warm and humid. I thought I'd be having coffee on Zubiri but this turned into lunch! However I chanced upon the Cafe del Camino with good wifi and an equally good kitchen, and enjoyed a really good salad with tuna and all the trimmings and this fortified me for the afternoon's walk.
There were lots of stony downhill tracks today which I took very carefully, using my stick to help me so as not to take a fall, as there is always the danger of falling in such circumstances, especially at the end of the day. It was a relief to see Larasoana on my right across the river. My hotel in Akerreta was only 700 m away up the hill.
This place is another of the Camino's hidden delights. It is a traditional Basque farmhouse which has been converted into a small boutique hotel, with wooden beams and exposed stonework. It was used in the film "The Way" in a scene with a mad guy pretending to be a bullfighter upstairs.
After I arrived, a sudden freak storm passed over, with 1 cm hailstones bouncing off the windows. A herd of about 10 ponies in the field nearby were running backwards and forwards in terror, not knowing how to escape! Within half an hour it had cleared, so I went around the small village to take some photos.
Looking across the fields from Vizkarreta
Hello again from New York. I wanted to let you know that I continue to enjoy following your progress and think your posts are marvelous. I'm also marveling at how fit you must be. Best wishes.
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