Day 3, Sep 13, 2017  Pamplona to Puente La Reina  15 miles

We started the walk at 8 a.m. after breakfast. Grabbed a couple of drinkable yogurt bottles and a couple of hard boiled eggs for our energy snacks later. The first three or so miles was through the city of Pamplona and then the city of Cizur Menor. After we passed both we started the gradual ascent to Alto de Perdon (Hill of Forgiveness).

It is said that when the Pilgrims reach this summit, they obtain forgiveness for their sins and spiritual health is guaranteed for the rest of the route in the event of death...not too reassuring!

We were making excellent time and stopped a couple of times to hydrate and stretch. On the way, we stopped at a lovely church in Zariquiegui, where we got a stamp on our passport.

Zariquiegui...half way up the Hill of Forgiveness

Finally reached the top. There are 12 metal sculptures of pilgrims by Vicente Galbete. There are a several windmills around these along the El Perdon Range. We stopped at the top for a rest, a snack and pics.

There was a food truck up there (Yaay! cold beer) and some shade to sit and rest. On one of the figures is the saying "Donde le cruza el camino del viento con el de las estrellas", which means "Where the route of the winds meet that of the stars".

Pamplona from the top...hard to believe we walked across this city!

We left this area rather reluctantly to go down the horribly steep and incredibly rocky descent. We had to slow down a lot to try to save our knees and ankles. We were rewarded for our travails by entering a lovely town, Uterga. All pretty houses and v. quiet streets since it was siesta time. Two v friendly lovely cats. There was also a v nice man who gave us all of his garden figs. They were delicious! He also told us to not bite them in the middle since that would dry out our lips! Who knew?!!

We passed through several lovely towns including Muruzabal. By this time we had walked six hours and were feeling it. Finally, after seven hours we walked into Puente la Reina and found our hotel in ten minutes. After a shower we walked over to Restaurant Tito for a delicious dinner and even better, sangria! Post dinner was a short stroll down the the famous Romanesque bridge and the little town.

Puenta de la Reina....lovely Romanesque bridge

Now back here blogging. Soon it will be lights out :-) Tomorrow is another long day!!! Our hotel here is the Rural El Cerco.