25km (100km)
Tuesday 29th March

We started early, in the dark, and I bid farewell to Dan (who really wants to stay and get all his stamps along the Way – for his pilgrim passport). I followed the Camino shells on the pavement out of the city, with a few wrong turns quickly rectified by helpful Pamplonians on their way to work; obviously used to setting lost pilgrims on their way. I learnt a few things today; one being that a good waterproof is worth paying for as it will keep you dry no matter what and also that old waterproofs and purple monkey pants have a sell by date…it poured all morning and at the first chance coffee shop I knelt down to undo my pack when my old faithful monkey pants, simply put, disintegrated around me. I still had my waterproofs on so my dignity was intact. Quick change and I was on my way wondering whether the demise of the purple monkey pants was a metaphor for the whole trip – out with the old and in with the new? I didn’t dwell on this thought too long, it has to said. After the break I apparently had a steep climb to Alto de Perdón but I hardly registered this ‘tough’ ascent, maybe due to too much thinking or maybe (and much more likely) having spent a week at boot camp with much steeper climbs a week before this trip. On the way up to Alto de Perdón there is a fountain, Fuente de la Teja. According to legend pilgrims can formerly obtain water at this point by selling their soul to the devil – seems a bit rash as there’s a good coffee stall five minutes further along the track at the top…but I did notice the fountain was dry, just sayin’! The terrain and landscape continue to change; rolling hills interspersed with mountain villages (welcome breaks for exploring and finding coffee and food). A few hours later I arrived into Puente la Reina, by way of a rather majestic bridge..I fell into the Albergue Jacque and could hardly stay standing whilst checking in as my feet were on fire. I rested for the rest of the day and I am sad to say I did not venture out into the town, which is apparently very interesting…next time…