I'm back from Rioja........
Hi fellow pilgrims
Great walking again, walked to Nájera first day 28 km. Beautiful church at Navarette. When I left Nájera walked through lovely sandstone fringed by pine trees. This climbed to a beautiful pathway through Rioja vinyards surrounded by distant mountains. The clarity of light was something to behold and the view stunning. So much beauty. Had 2 days of real heat. Noticed loads of grapes unpicked due to EU regulations. Had overload of snacking on Tempranillo in its rawest form. Then went to Redecilla, 33km, great refuge, great ajoining bar, miserable woman serving food though, refused to serve me menu in the end!! What is her problem? A kind Irish pilgrim called John offered me some. A huge tumbler of Rioja at the bar was €2!! Had quite a few.
Then did San Juan Ortaga in one go 37 km, bit tired at the end of that. Really small place, Rioja €1 a big tall glass at bar!!!! Now experienced overload from the finished product of Tempranillo!!
Then finished at Burgos. One little village a French woman shouted to me that the not only was the church open but Mass was being said too!!!!
Another bar kept bumping into 3 spaniards who I christened the '3 Amigos'. They insisted I stay with them and have a glass of wine with them. Really kind. Good 4 days walking, had a day in Salamanca on the way home, great city, stunning, marvellous!
Ready to face court once again on Thursday now!
Buen camino