Day 45 2/9/16
41 miles (Lekunberri to Puenta la Reina) average speed 9.9 mph Top speed 43 mph (satnav said 80 – I know better!)
via Irurtzun, Pamplona, Paternáin, Astráin,
Hostel €5e plus €2 for signing up to gods pilgrimage!
What a great start to the day. A good brekkie of toasted cheese and tomato and chorizo.Spoke to Spanish neighbour with wife and two noisy kids from Barcelona. He told me good things about Morocco.
A small climb, then downhill all the way to Irurtzun, no help from satnav again. I’ve almost given up with it. It’s OK in cities but not great at much else! Took main na 7500. Hit my first tunnel of 300 metres and in the middle was a gap where I stopped and looked up.
300 metre tunnel
Majestic rocks
In all directions
everywhere I looked
Eagles flying over head
I stood and watched for half an hour
Truly amazing next half hour while I looked up at rocks high above and watched Eagles fly past over my head. I could have stayed there all day it was breathtaking.
I then took n240a to Pamplona. A heavy main road but it was great all the way.
First thing I discovered in Pamplona was a Chinese bazaar and got very excited by the array of goods. Looked for a snail but couldn’t find one (every animal but) bought a new pair of sunglasses as I’d lost mine and insects hitting you at 40+ mph are a sight for sore eyes, €3, what a bargain! and another can of monster energy drink.
Found river path into centre but spotted a funicular lift and had to give it a go. Bike fitted perfectly and up I went to street level and the gardens of la Taconera for lunch. Then into town where I found a bike shop, closed, but they’d left a pump outside for me. Bonus! – free air. On to tourist office for maps and camping information but most looked far too pricey and kid friendly. Did the sightseeing stuff around town.
(Ermintrude : the following are not Brian’s pictures, he was probably too busy being a tourist! but I thought I’d see what I could find.)
cycle lift
(Ermintrude : addendum : Brian’s photos have to be backed up to the cloud, which requires both electricity and decent wifi at the same time, and therefore are delayed, so I am going to leave this post as it is and do a separate sightseeing one for Pamplona)
Gardens at la Taconera
Citadel of Pamplona
Castillo square, Pamplona
Statue of the bull run for which Pamplona is famous
Then took na8100 to Paternáin and then na1110 to Astráin. Stopped there for water and saw another tourer. He left before me but I soon overtook him on a big climb followed by a fantastic run down all the way to Puente la Reina topping my highest speed at 43 mph! Then found a hostel for Camino de Santiago walkers and bikers. Pretended I was a pilgrim and got a bed in a dorm of 10! Now having a beer in town. Bike locked safely in the garden. I hope there won’t be many pilgrim thieves about. I’m sleeping above a girl with hairy armpits and dirty feet! Wish me luck. Back at the hostel and there are people walking strangely and soaking their feet.
(Ermintrude : Hardly a surprise if they are walking the pilgrim way)
Borrowed a corkscrew and had dinner of good fresh bread Danish blue and chorizo. Got a picture today of my favourite graffiti Chorizo tag.
Chorizo tag
Not looking forward to sharing my space at this hostel. I may sleep in the garden if it goes bad. I’m not even sure what one should wear to bed? I don’t have pyjamas! Still at least I got some washing done.