Day #9: Navarette to Nájera, 16.5km
04.25.2010
Today was a much longer day than I had anticipated. I didn't get up until almost 7a, then we waited for the Bar next door to the Albergue to open. I finally started walking around 9a and made it to Ventosa just before 11a for a 30 minute break of cafe con leche and wi-fi.
This was also another one of those days where the guidebook was horrible! I think the route may have changed a bit so it was very confusing. I developed a blister on my left big toe and I think I basically bruised both feet. The new shoes are helping but my feet are far from being 100%.
I've decided that tomorrow, I will go to Azofra, about 6km away. I was going to try to get to Cirueña which is 15.1km, but there is 9km of NOTHING between the two places and I don't want to push myself. I also found a possible side trip to see a monastery I might take. It won't add any mileage and it would be nice to see.
Well, I arrived in Nájera around 3p. The guidebook and the waymarks conflicted A LOT, so I went the direction a local man on the street said to go. I found the Albergue, checked in, took a shower, and went to use the one internet station in the Albergue. Only the Italians took it over for an hour or so. They kept feeding it Euro coins, so I went to take a nap. For dinner, on the recommendation of the hospitalera, I went out for dinner. I had patatas de la riojan and the most delicious half rack of pork ribs with.......french fries!!! Dessert was a chocolate tarta. I went back to the Albergue and went to bed!
Today was a much longer day than I had anticipated. I didn't get up until almost 7a, then we waited for the Bar next door to the Albergue to open. I finally started walking around 9a and made it to Ventosa just before 11a for a 30 minute break of cafe con leche and wi-fi.
This was also another one of those days where the guidebook was horrible! I think the route may have changed a bit so it was very confusing. I developed a blister on my left big toe and I think I basically bruised both feet. The new shoes are helping but my feet are far from being 100%.
I've decided that tomorrow, I will go to Azofra, about 6km away. I was going to try to get to Cirueña which is 15.1km, but there is 9km of NOTHING between the two places and I don't want to push myself. I also found a possible side trip to see a monastery I might take. It won't add any mileage and it would be nice to see.
Well, I arrived in Nájera around 3p. The guidebook and the waymarks conflicted A LOT, so I went the direction a local man on the street said to go. I found the Albergue, checked in, took a shower, and went to use the one internet station in the Albergue. Only the Italians took it over for an hour or so. They kept feeding it Euro coins, so I went to take a nap. For dinner, on the recommendation of the hospitalera, I went out for dinner. I had patatas de la riojan and the most delicious half rack of pork ribs with.......french fries!!! Dessert was a chocolate tarta. I went back to the Albergue and went to bed!