I left the Albergue at about 6:45 and found my way through town pre-dawn. How lovely to come across the bridge with the reflection in the water.

The early morning light made me think that I should leave early every day.

 

I loved the view of Cirauqui from a distance looking over the fields of grapes.

I walked slowly through the town taking in the arches and narrow streets.

Soon it became much warmer and the sun was beating down on all of us on the trail.

Soon I caught up with John and Helene, new friends from Albany who I met on the last Portlandia American Pilgrim stroll in Portland the day before I left. They had soaked their feet in the water under the bridge.

We walked on and had lunch together at a cafe. I only had about 4.5 km. more to go.

I only walked 16.5 km today but I was thoroughly ready to stop when I arrived at La Casa Magica by about 1:15. There were no more steps in my body. It is magical place indeed. Simone called a taxi for me to go to the post office in Estella and I retrieved my sun glasses. Then I did laundry and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon.

I am looking forward to my fish dinner with about 19 other pilgrims.