Aching feet in Najera

Just finished hanging my clothes out to dry after a quick hand wash and a shower. Arrived at an albergue in Najera, something like 90 odd people in one room and you sleep about 15cm from hte person next to you. It is an ok place and is ran on a donation service. Unfortunately I am not sure if my white t-shirt will make it all the way to santiago as it is already turning a strange grey colour and it has been stained by the red soil of Rioja (sp). I don´t care how scruffy I look but this is something else, I think people will think I am homeless. Not sure I could afford a new one though so I may have to make do. So far I have seen people walking in jeans (!!), dresses (!!!) and people gelling their hair and applying make-up and skin products. Some people even have really nice clothes for the evening, surely their bags are too heavy! I am happy to look like a scruffy pilgrim, some of the Spanish in the bigger towns really stare though I am such a state but I am enjoying it. Pilgrims today were also stealing grapes from some of the fields, I know this topic has been covered on one of the forums I go on but I really didn´t think I would see so many people doing it. It is theft, plain and simple.

So anyway I will fill you in on today. Firstly, I just wanted to let you all know that me and Nadia really struggled to find a pilgrims menu last night, maybe because it was a big city. We ended up eating at Burger King which was gorgeous but bad preperation for a days walk really, needed more carbs. I had a good nights sleep too and we left this morning at 6:45am as everyone was too noisy this morning. It also meant we would be walking less in the heat of the day. So as it was a long distance planned today (18 miles) we said we would walk together again which was nice. We had bought croissants and juice the night before and we sat outside of (I dont have my book with me and I am too sore to get it, a bit delerious maybe as I forget where I was last night) Logrono (?) and sat on a bench overlooking a lake as the sun was rising. It really was beautiful. We had a good walk. We both felt slightly sore from the start due to the long walk yesterday but we were in good spirits. We stopped for a coffee and then continued to Najera (cannot check the spelling due to not having my book). The last stretch was quite tough as our feet were really really sore, and still are. 17miles and then 18miles was new for our bodies and it took a lot of strength. I am glad that I had her to help me along this last stretch, we helped each other. Talking rubbish towards the end to just forget the pain, and all out of water. The good news is that apart from really sore feet my body held up really well, no other aches and pains so I am over the moon. The sense of achievement at reaching this place was huge, despite walking like I have been running across hot coals.

So I am off to get some lunch and find a pilgrims menu for tonight, there is one nearby luckily. I then plan to get a really early night thanks to my ear plugs and eye shades and get a slight lie in to leave at 7:30 for a slow relaxing stroll of 11-13miles (I forget). I will treat my body nicely tomorrow after how well it has performed. I am proud. Not sure where I am walking to as I do not have my book to hand, so appologies. Prickly heat not so bad today which is good and I didn´t burn as I applied suncream a lot better today.

Sorry for the random way this report has been thrown together but I am pretty tired and just want to get fed. Smiling on the inside though, it is great to challenge yourself. How else do you learn your limits without trying to reach them.

Aching feet but high spirits, subdued mood. Hope you are all well.