Coming to you live from Logrono.

So when I last left you I had recently discovered that the skin on my left heel had decided to come away, despite using lots of grease of my feet (teaching grandma how to suck eggs comes to mind). The mistake I did make was to leave the compeeds on for so long. Anyway the next morning I made a plaster for my heel using some breathable mesh and mefix from my first aid kit and it worked a treat. At night I take it off to let it breathe and then patch it up again the next morning. It is getting better and gives me no problems in the day.

So yesterday was a 13.1mile walk from Estella to Los Arcos where we found the two Albergues we wantedto stay in the most were closed so we stayed in a place which was basically a converted house. We relaxed in the town square as there was nothing else to the town and had a pilgrim meal. It was pretty grim as it was cold. I walked with someone else for the first time as previously I have Preferred to walk alone but I walked with a hungarian girl all the way, she then went on to the next town but I had agreed to meet Nadia. Her English was fantastic and we talked constantly about all sorts, it was nice to have someone to talk to for the walk too. At the end my left shin was in so much pain (shin splints?) I was glad to arrive and I was worried about the next day. Nothing else to report about yesterday except that there was a wine fountain just outside of Estella, I was just going to take pictures but a lovely Italian man had me cut his shell off his bag so we had a cup and insisted that I have some and have the first drink despite me arguing otherwise. So I had a shell full of wine but I will continue not drinking, give my gut a rest! Nadia´s knee was better which was great but we were sad as she had planned to stop at Viana the next day, short of Logrono which is where I planned to stay.

I got a great nights sleep and started out at 7am in the dark which was hard because you have no sights to take your mind off the walking and you are very mindful of it. It began to get light and I saw Nadia ahead, actually spelt Naja I think but I am lazy, and we walked the rest of hte way together. A total of 17.8miles. The great thing is that I had no problems at all, no sore knees, no sore shin, no sore heel and all I felt was aching feet at the end which was to be expected. It was nice walking with Nadia as we usually just spend the night together and talking really took my mind off the length. I felt like I could go further actually, so hopefully I should be fine for tomorrows 18mile walk. Nadias knee is also better which is good. I think we talked non-stop, mostly laughing at English sayings and such; slowly, slowly catch a monkey. She is a bit of a nerd like me too so we have a lot in common about films, she actually named her daughter after a Star Trek character so we have a lot in common despite her being ten years older than me. We were saying that although we didn´t really know David for more than 4 days it is sad that he has gone which is weird and that it would be sad to part ways along the Camino too. So far we have been walking the same distances and I think she has decided to follow the steps in my book so we may make it to Santiago together. I think I have genuinely found a friend in Nadia, we have a good laugh and it makes the trip a lot easier.

So I am in extremely high spirits today, despite waiting at the wrong Albergue for 45 minutes before realising that the place we wanted to stay was actually open. Had a great day and no bodily complaints apart from prickly heat and a one sided tan. I may see if Nadia wants to walk together tomorrow too as it is another long one. Absolutely loving this adventure, the sense of achievement each day is great. So much so that 13miles feels a bit like, "13miles, big deal." but today felt like an achievement to arrive with no pain. Just very hot as there was no shade and it was a long stretch in the sun. High 20´s maybe even 30 degrees, can´t wait for the colder area of Galacia. So off to chill, then to find a pilgrim menu. I am not planning any days off as although I have no time limit I have a money limit. Working on 30 euro´s a day which gives me roughly 40 days and I really want to make it to Finisterre (the end of the world) and up the coast to Muxia.

One minute left and I am not paying more as this is the most expensive internet yet. Hope you are all well. Missing you when I am not having so much fun adventuring. So tomorrow onwards to Najera.