Yesterday evening was brilliantly relaxed. The only thing in Akerreta is the hotel which is also where the Way was filmed. The hotel was family run and small but absolutely amazing.
Renee, Gary and Terri invited me to join them for dinner which was lovely. They are walking into Pamplona tomorrow but then taking the train to Sarria to walk the last 117km. Dinner once again it was a 3 course meal with wine for €19. I started with a salad, which appears to be the only way to get any form of vegetable, but it was amazing, this was followed by the most delicious melt in the mouth beef in red wine stew with potatoes and I then had homemade mango ice cream. Best dinner yet!
Dinner though was not served until 8pm, which meant that at 9.45pm when we all headed up to bed we were definitely still digesting. I think the combination of a late dinner and the news that Renee shared over dinner that her friend was bitten by a snake on the trail, she had resisted telling me just when we saw the snake which was kind, however I did have snake nightmares until about 3am this morning when I finally passed out!!
With a short day of walking today, 16km, and breakfast not starting until 8.30am I did not set off until 9.30am this morning which was wonderful. Breakfast was also the best yet and everyone was having breakfast pretty much together which was very social. I was chatting to another couple from Australia who are walking to Pamplona, then collecting bikes to ride to Sarria before walking the final 117km. Everyone really does do their own walk, there are so many variables.
Today I set off alone, reflecting on the fact that yesterday when I wanted company, I found the two most amazing women to walk with and today when I fancied a bit of space, it was given.
However, after my snake nightmares, I did find the first few hours today a little stressful. Until now I have had no issues peeing behind a bush, this morning however, my brain and bladder were playing tricks convinced that I would be attacked by a snake if I tried. I was beginning to get desperate when really in the middle of nowhere a toilet block appeared!! I was so relieved. Strange, when I was planning this trip at no point did anyone mention snakes….perhaps a good thing else I may have had second thoughts.
Anyhow, onwards, I am now bashing my sticks hard on the path so that I can be heard coming a long way off.
After a few hours today the final stage is actually through the outskirts of Pamplona. I arrived really early at 1.15pm and whilst I had been worried about having a rest day so early on, I am now really looking forward to a day and a half sightseeing.
Wendy and Andy have just texted me with details of which bar they will be in at 7pm and I know that Andy and Eric will be in the same hotel as me, and are staying two nights too and Yannick will also be here later and is staying two nights, we plan to look round Pamplona together tomorrow before she heads to Sarria on Saturday.
I am looking forward to catching up later but right now I have heard of a swimming pool which I am off to locate and then I plan to find a laundry as my mud covered clothes need a little extra wash!
Amazing, had an outdoor pool to myself, complete with Spanish lifeguard, slightly embarrassing, but just lovely, enjoying a swim in the middle of the day on the Camino! Can’t believe it.
Till later…..