Day 4: Pamplona to Puente de la Reina - 24km

Loved Pamplona!

Got a late start at 8 am today. Were really tired and didn't think it would be too hot. Loved Pamplona. Walking out this morning was so pretty. Beautiful park and the college grounds were really beautiful  After a few kilometers we met Marie from Belgium. She had already traveled over 500 miles from France. She was amazing. We stayed up with her for awhile and then said Buen Camino and she was on her way. Stopped in a little town called Uterga and met four really nice gals. Two were staying there because one had an injury. You see many injuries on the way. Mainly blisters or infected toes. Some people have their entire face bandaged from falling down the steep sections. It got a little hot towards the end of today. The rest of this week is suppose to be really hot so we are leaving very early tomorrow morning. Had a fabulous dinner with our new friends Alfonso Cindy and Vicky at our pension. Very special.

Things learned so far along the way:
- You MUST have poles.  Thank you Mark Hanley
- Whatever you think you need, divide by two. I've dumped a bunch stuff and I started with 11 lbs
- To walk farther carry less
- It's easy to adjust to drinking red wine. Good bye Chardonnay
- If you are nice to people, they smile and say 'Buen Camino'
- Make-up is over rated!
- On the Camino it's what is inside that counts
- Training is a must!! Thanks to all my training partners. Especially Sue who always said yes
- Italian food far surpasses Spanish. Sorry Gordo
- The Spanish people are incredibly beautiful
- An orange never tasted so good as it does 15 miles into your day
- Someone is always hurting worse than you
- Everyone is equal on the Camino
- Clean clothes are overrated
- A double bed isn't really that small
- Gel is an absolute necessity for your feet
- Never judge anyone because you know not where they came from

Thanks much to all of our friends for their support!!

Mom and Guillermo

Friends from Canada

Maria from Belgium - on her 6th week!

Scene from The Way

Iglesias Esteban - Dad's church :)

Statue of Mary on the trail

Their friends from Canada and Ireland

Mom and Martin with his grandchild

In Puente de la Reina