Quick update from Larassona

Quick one as I am on a tight time scale as I only have one euro left in change and that is to get my breakfast from the vending machine, this is a two horse town to say the least.

So I went fruther than Zubiri, I felt great today but it seems that my hereditary bad knees have finally made an apperance. They only ached a little on the actual trail but tonight they are slightly painful and so stiff, lots of ibuprofen gel and tablets. I am in two minds whether I other done it today as it was not till the very end where I felt that I was actually pushing myself beyond comfortable limits. Not pain just aches. So todays walk was 17miles, not bad but I guess for my 3rd day it may have been a little too much. My feet are slightly swollen, I just realised after dinner (gorgeous food, big bowl of pasta starter, gorgeous beef casserole and a yummy rice pudding). Tomorrow I have decided that I am only going about 8miles and I will stop at Pampolona, big city which I didn´t want to spend too much time in but a shorter day is well deserved. I plan to get a haircut and a close cut (or whatever they are called) shave. Internet should be better too for pictures.

This Albergue is not as nice as the other two but its not terrible. Last night was a restless sleep, noisy people and a noisy mind. I started out early this morning - left at 8am - and it was still pretty dark which was nice. The walk today was gorgeous, lovely scenery and the path was friendly to the body too apart from coming down. The last part was in what felt like a desert, past a cement factory and a real drain on morale. My water ran out too so when I found a fountain it was like I had been wandering in the desert for days and had found an oasis, I soaked myself and filled up. I drink too fast. Speaking of drinking, still not touched wine. Apparently I have good restraint. David will likely continue on tomorrow so I wont see him again, I think Nadia stopped in Zubiri so there is a chance she will also stay in Pampolona. Time to make new friends.

Dinner last night was interesting. First time ever I had a whole fish, head, tail and skin. David, Nadia and Susannah (french lady) taught me what to do but I kept being too heavy handed and pulling off ribs with the meat, was really nice though.

So thats in. In a rougher state today, which is a shame as I was in such high spirits all the way along the walk. As I said I really didnt think that I was over doing it. My body may have healed well by the moring, I am exhausted and looking forward to some sleep. Slow plod to Pampolona tomorrow as a treat to my hard working body. Another big albergue tomorrow at a monastery I think which should be interesting.

Hope you are all well, thank you for the messages.