Day 9 Najera to Santo Domingo de Calzada    (Wed 15th May)

As we are old people who don’t fancy staying in dormitories with other smelly Pilgrims, we’ve been staying in cheap hotels and hostals along the way – generally booking them a few days in advance. So last night we thought we’d just double check that all our upcoming bookings were Ok.

Bugger! The booking for today (at a Parador i.e not cheap) was wrong – we should have been soaking ourselves in luxury there as we discovered our mistake! Unbelievably, no swearing or cross words, but a mild sense of panic. Smartphones out and off we went – one on Booking.com and one on Hotels.com. Bingo! An apartment for €40 was available, booked and paid for……………………and then the realisation that it was in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic!!! Words akin to blast, dash it, and nuisance were uttered. More money wasted.

Anyway this blog is now being written from a relatively cheap apartment in Santo Domingo de Calazada in the La Rioja region of Spain – so all’s well that end’s well. (until the credit card bill is due to be paid)
  

The early morning sun catches the sandstone cliff above Najera


The monastery at Najera

Onwards and upwards – quite literally. A 13 mile hike today virtually all gently going uphill (approx. 1500 feet). Unfortunately, I’ve now got a nice blister on my heel to go with the one on the little toe. Despite being well tended to by Matron Cate, they were really painful to start with, and I was quietly having serious doubts about being able to get through today’s leg. They did ease a bit, but still giving me grief. At our breakfast stop after 4 miles I went for a change of footwear. Hallelujah – much better.



It’s really dawning on us that we’re now in the “challenge” part of the expedition. Through the honeymoon period and some of the “big ticket” sights along the way. Now it’s day after day of rolling countryside – pretty, solid; but the same each day. I’m so looking forward to Burgos on Saturday and Sunday.

So now  a complaint – whoever designed this Pilgrimage thing was not such a tart as me. What is the point in walking East to West? Is this getting me the best possible tan? Nope. I feel a letter to the King of Spain, or someone else important coming on. Perhaps Sergio Ramos, but I’ve got a feeling that he’s illiterate. Maybe Gareth Bale then?




Let’s end with a couple of positives.

Firstly, I haven’t seen a McDonalds since leaving England. Now that’s worth celebrating surely?

Secondly, no Starbucks or Costa’s.

And last, but not least – we’ve walked 210 kilometres. Adios Amigos!  


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