Day: July 27, 2023

Nájera to Cirueña

Walked today:10.3 mi Camino2023: 103 mi

that’s Linda this morning just topping the hill out of Nájera at first light
and a couple of minutes later walking down the same hill and on our way
typical scenery along our walk from Nájera to Azofra
just outside Azofra

After 4.5 miles, we reached the small village of Azofra, (pop 209) and stopped for a breakfast/rest break. It is the only place during today’s walk with services.

Calle Mayor (main street) in Azofra
a mile past Azofra
about 6 miles into our walk, beginning a section of path adjacent to the expressway
crossing a part of an interchange and moving away from the expressway into the grain fields
beginning a never-ending walk through the fields
with 7 miles behind us, Linda pulled out her headset and began to sing and dance her way blissfully along the path through the expansive fields
no longer dancing but still singing her way up the final steep 2 miles to the Rioja Alta GOLF COURSE!!! ( Probably not noticing the first sunflower fields of Camino2023)
Jim looking back at where we came from today as Linda completes the 9th mile of our walk (still singing)
enjoying a break at the 19th hole before completing the final mile into Cirueña.

We seldom walk 8-10 miles per day on our Caminos, unlike the way we did 8-9 years ago. Instead, we only do so occasionally when the logistics require it and to blow out the carbon from our bodily pistons to boost our subsequent walk power. We also do an occasional walk like today because we can and to help us appreciate the typical 5-7 mile walks more.

After our break at the golf course, Linda considered trying to distract the club pro while Jim attempted to borrow a golf cart to carry us the final mile or so to our hotel rural. But rather than create an international incident, we opted instead to walk the final distance, arriving at our destination at 11:00, where we were welcomed by our hosts for the 5th time.

our room in Casa Victoria at Cirueña.. Jim hung a towel over the beam to warn him not to hit his head on the very low beam.

We had our meals today at the Bar Jacobeo, just a few steps from Casa Victoria on the village square: pizza for lunch and paella for supper.

supper: chicken paella for Linda and seafood paella for Jim with local Rioja wine.

It was a good day for us on Camino2023.