Hola from Puente La Reina!

So last time I updated you all I was in low spirits. The following day I woke up and the sleep had fixed me well, I was only a little bit stiff in the knees. I reached Pamplona with no trouble, stopping for a gorgeous breakfast/lunch as I had only had a biscuit and a coffee for breakfast. A lot of the quieter places have vending machines for pilgrims as the cafes aren´t open when we are leaving, but I only had limited change on me. I bought a lollypop too to keep for when morale is low but I accidently washed it, so it is being saved for extremely low morale.

It was great entering Pamplona, as much as I love the peace and serenity of the countryside I am a city boy at heart. I was beaming from ear to ear, I just love the energy of cities and I was greated by a festival. I stood and watched for a bit but then had to fight through the huge crowds, constantly checking my pockets. I checked out the church and then decided that I felt strong. I decided to do the full 13m and push on to Cizur Menor. This last stretch dragged on as the last part always does in the heat of the afternoon but I soon arrived. I jumped into the first albergue I saw which wasn´t the best in town, very basic but only 4euro. Having left Nadia behind and David having left me behind I was very alone, most of the people here were Spanish. I sat and just read ´Lord of the rings: Return of the king´ from their library which is weird as I had spent the day thinking about Lord of the rings and whether Frodo would have made it to Mount Doom if Sam was a snorer, I think not. I felt really lonely and really low despite a good walk. My knees were very stiff but I was in good shape otherwise. I know quitting is not an option as too many people said that I wouldn´t be able to do this and I can´t prove them right.

Dinner was great though, human contact at last. I ate with an Austrian girl and her mother and two Canadians, there are so many Canadians on the Camino. Funny story. His boots had destroyed his toe as he was coming down hill and at his albergue (he was at the better one in town) one of the staff members was a nurse and looked at all the pilgrims feet. She bandaged it for him and then gave him a sanitary towel to put in his boot. Apparently it absorbs the moisture and stops the foot from sliding forward, who would have though it. Made me laugh as I told him he would have to go buy a pack. The waitress was the moodiest woman I have ever met but the food was alright, had pasta and meat starter, chicken and chips main and then ice cream. Still no wine for me. I then had the best night sleep yet but slept past breakfast at 6am this morning oops.

So today I despite my good sleep I woke up with very stiff knees and a sore ankle randomly. I was in a bad place for the first few miles, my head was very negative. I was deep in thought which helped forget the pain. A lot of people say "The camino will provide" in relation to something you need, well it certainly has done that. Call it a coincidence but when you are desperate for something and you are just willing it in your head and then it appears you will believe anything. Day three from Roncesvalles I remember drinking all my water and being so thirsty, I was sucking out the last little bit and I remember actualyl saying aloud "I really really need some water" or something along those lines, I literally finish the sentence and I round the corner and there is a guy selling water from his van. Another example was today walking from Cizur Menor, I suddenly really needed the toilet but the path was so open there was nowhere to go. I was literally desperate and on the verge of something very bad. Just as I rose up the hill to Zariquiegui I saw a porterloo on the edge of town greeting me. It was the most vile toilet I have ever used in my life, eyes streaming and I was slowly suffocating but my god it saved me. It was literally the only place in town. I then grabbed a coffee and a biscuit and then filled my water bladder. My morale was instantly raised, I felt good and continued with a spring in my step. My ankle was good and my knee ached less.

So I have done 11.8m today with a bit of a climb and a descent, through a windfarm. Nothing to say about the last approach to Puente La Reina, my knees were still slightly stiff all the way but I have come to expect that. Nothing I can´t handle at the minute. This Albergue is very nice, it is in the basement of a 3 star hotel and has good services. I have noticed that I have prickly heat though on my feet, left hand and the inside of my right forearm. Quite irritating. Some good news though. After I had followed my usual routine (lay bed, wash self, wash clothes, hang clothes, get lunch) I was leaving the front of the hotel where I had my lunch to come to the computers when I saw someone walking through the car park. It was Nadia. Was great to see someone I know, we caught up but she was off to a Albergue at the other end of town. We are walking to the same place tomorrow though so we may end up at the same Albergue, I will ask her tomorrow which she is going to. I am eating here but I just thought that I should have met her for a pilgrims meal in town. She is a nice girl and it is great to see someone I know from the start. She said that although she doesn´t know me and David that well she was sad to have lost us.

So quite a long entry covering two days. When my spirits are high I can really talk/type. Off to relax before my dinner at 7:30. I hope I sleep well before a 13.6mile walk tomorrow looks relatively flat in comparison to previous days though.

So there you have it. Loving all the comments, not sure when Tottenham play or who but the score would be great (father). Also if you are reading these on facebook and leaving comments I will only see the comment if you leave it here: http://www.drewgoeswalkabout.blogspot.com/

Bad start to the day, over the moon to see it end so well. All is very good in Puente La Reina.

EDIT: I also forgot to say. Yesterday I accidently showerd in the ladies toilet at the Albergue. Oooops.

The way is your destination.